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Mailbag: Who will Halos add to lineup?
Angels beat writer Mike Scarr takes fans' offseason questions
By Mike Scarr / MLB.com


Hot stove talk is heavy from the Halos Hopefuls.

The Angels need offense, and they seem to have plenty of pitching. The Yankees have offense but need pitching. The Angels should trade for a guy like Gary Sheffield in exchange for Ervin Santana and get an outfielder who can hit and can get on base for Vladimir Guerrero.
-- Arnold S., Chappaqua, N.Y.

The Yankees have picked up Sheffield's $13 million option for 2007, but word is they will be looking to trade him. With Bobby Abreu taking up residence in right field, the Yankees will be looking for pitching depth and Santana will be a likely target. Sheffield is nearing the end of his career, but if he were to remain healthy, his hands are still quick enough to add some offensive punch to the middle of a lineup. The deal likely would require more than Santana, though.

There is a lot of talk about getting Alfonso Soriano, but I believe that Carlos Lee is a better fit. Might the Angels have any interest in him? Also, Barry Zito has been mentioned a lot and I think that Jeff Weaver deserves another shot.
-- Sean S., Torrance, Calif.

The problem with Soriano is finding a spot for him to play. Garret Anderson is not ready to relinquish his position in left field, and the Angels are ready to hand the every day second baseman's job to Howie Kendrick. There has been talk in the past of making Soriano a center fielder, but the Angels will be looking elsewhere to fill that slot. Lee will be one of the Angels' targets this winter and would become the designated hitter if he were to join the club.

The Angels will be just one of the clubs expressing interest in Zito this offseason but would like to add the left-hander to the rotation. Jeff Weaver isn't likely to return to the Angels, though.

Tell general manager Bill Stoneman to go out and get Lee. He would be the perfect fourth hitter to protect Vlad. Go out and sign him, please! He's amazing. If every Angels fan pitches in $3.00, we can pay for his visit to Anaheim and take him out to dinner. Bring back Jim Edmonds and Scott Spiezio and we will win the Series next year.
-- Heath K., Anaheim

You just did.

I hear rumors that Adam Kennedy and the Angels have parted company. Any truth to this?
-- Kim R., Bakersfield, Calif.

Kennedy is a free agent, and the Angels let him know they will not make an effort to re-sign him. If the second baseman is still available in February, the Angels may look to add him to the bench, but he will likely sign to play elsewhere.

I've heard the Angels are looking to deal Chone Figgins. Do you think they would be willing to trade a proven leadoff hitter and the best utility player in the league, not to mention the best base stealer, for a power hitter?
-- Todd Bryant, Anaheim


The Angels aren't in a hurry to trade Figgins. He's been a big part of their offense in the past couple of seasons and has proven to be invaluable on defense for his ability to play a number of positions. But the club is looking to upgrade in center and at third base, two primary positions for Figgins, whose value is high, and a number of teams would like to have him. The Angels may not be able to achieve all of their offseason goals through free agency, which makes a trade a distinct possibility.

Is Dallas McPherson going to return to the field for the Angels again?
-- Alex S., Woodland Hills, Calif.

That's tough to say. The Angels are hoping that Casey Kotchman returns to first base and would like to acquire a third baseman. If both of those goals are achieved, McPherson will not have a position, but the organization still believes he has the potential to be a Major League power hitter. With injury-shortened seasons in the past two years, McPherson's trade value has taken a hit. He will likely fight for a roster spot with the Angels in Spring Training.

Do the Angels have any desire to go after Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka? I have seen footage of his games, and he is amazing. He could be a huge addition to the rotation and could provide more breathing room to trade a young pitcher like Ervin Santana for a power bat.
-- Nico C., Culver City, Calif.

The Angels would like to have the right-hander, but given the millions it will require just to be granted the right to negotiate a deal, they will devote dollars toward improving the offense and making a run at Zito.

Mike Scarr is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.