With Chone Figgins reportedly off to the Seattle Mariners, the Angels will finally be penciling-in Brandon Wood’s name into the everyday lineup. Bill Root, in his “New Kids on the Diamond” column for RotoExperts.com, called for Wood to get a chance last April:
Mike Scioscia is an alumnus from my high school. He is also one of the best managers in baseball. But, Mikey Mike, what you doing to my boy Wood? Wood was called up last week and fantasy owners around the globe celebrated because it looked like the kid was ready to get a shot as the everyday designated hitter with Vladimir Guerrero (OF/DH, LAA) on the DL. Instead, Scioscia planted Wood on the pine all week while letting an offensive juggernaut like Maicer Izturis (2B/SS, LAA) hit third in the lineup and DH. Give me a call Mike. Let's talk. Wood was off to an explosive start in Triple-A with a .346 batting average, .923 slugging percentage, and four home runs. The powerful infielder even has taken four walks in his 26 minor league at-bats. This type of plate discipline is impressive for Wood, as he only took four walks in 150 major league at-bats last year. While Wood has struggled in his major league auditions, the kid has absolutely destroyed minor league pitching and has nothing left to prove at that level. The Angels need to show some patience and give this blue-chipper an extended look.
Brandon was a beast in Triple-A in 2009, batting .293, with a .353 OBP and .557 SLG, including 24 HRs. More important, he cut down on his strikeouts, posting his lowest K% (20.7%) in three seasons.
With Wood out of options, the job is his heading into the spring. I’d be shocked if the Halos bring in a big-money player, such as Adrian Beltre, to stand in his way. More likely, L.A. brings in a veteran, utility-type player as a safety net. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times speculates as much in his coverage on the departure of Figgins and Wood’s anointing as a starter:
Maicer Izturis is the only other player on the roster with significant experience at third base, but he often is needed at second base and shortstop, so the Angels figure to pursue a versatile veteran infielder who could step in should Wood falter. Free agents who could fit include Ronnie Belliard, Jamey Carroll, Craig Counsell, Melvin Mora and Juan Uribe.
Adrian Beltre also is a free agent, and agent Scott Boras believes Beltre would be a good fit in Anaheim. But the Angels do not appear to be interested in blocking Wood again, or in paying anywhere near Beltre's reported $10-million asking price when they are saving their money for pitching help.
Shaikin also had this from Angels CF, Torii Hunter, on the possibility of Wood manning the hot-corner in 2010:
"He's been up and down so many times, he's probably [ticked] off," outfielder Torii Hunter said. "It makes you want to prove to people you can play.”
"If he's our third baseman, we've got to be patient with him. He's got that power threat. He's got a sure glove and a nice arm. Defensively, he's good. Offense is where the question mark is."
Question mark, indeed. Only this time, we may finally get a definitive answer.
