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Wells contract becoming Angels albatross?

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09:58 AM ET 07.08 | The closer Vernon Wells gets to returning from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, the more the Angels outfielder looks like a $21-million elephant in the room. Wells, sidelined since May 21, began playing catch this past week and will begin a hitting progression - dry swings to tee work to soft toss to live batting practice - at his Texas home during next week's All-Star break. He is expected to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment later this month and should be ready to be activated off the 60-day disabled list by the end of July. At which point Wells will come back to . . . what, exactly? What kind of role do the Angels envision for Wells? "That remains to be seen," General Manager Jerry Dipoto said. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. If you plan too far ahead on how you intend to use players you could lock yourself into something that might not be in the best interest of anybody." The concern for the Angels is that there could be distractions if Wells grumbles about a lack of playing time or other players grumble about Wells taking at-bats away from Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo.

Los Angeles Times

Vernon Wells, Icon SMI Vernon Wells, Icon SMI
July 8, 2012  10:00 AM ET

Wells' contract was an albatross before he even got there. What in the hell were they thinking?

July 8, 2012  10:06 AM ET

Who could have ever guessed this would happen when the Angels traded for him????

I agree WWJ.......I don't know what they were thinking on that one.

July 8, 2012  10:12 AM ET

If I am them I would not break up the chemistry they have going on now. Your stuck with his contract so release him and pay him off.

July 8, 2012  11:22 AM ET

The only thing we can do is keep him on the bench and rotate him with Peter Bourjos. I think Scoscia and Dipoto know he will not take away time from Trumbo, Kendrys and Pujols as all 3 are essential to play daily.

July 8, 2012  12:51 PM ET

The Angel's knew what they were getting when they acquired Wells. Suck it up, already!

July 8, 2012  01:03 PM ET

First off, nobody is taking AB's from Trout or Trumbo. Get him healthy, hopefully he shows well so he can be traded. We will have to pay the majority of his contract of course, but that's how it goes sometimes.

July 8, 2012  02:00 PM ET

They will have the same issue in a couple of years with Big Albert!

July 8, 2012  02:56 PM ET

Angels in the outfield.

July 8, 2012  08:21 PM ET

The way LA has been playing, in first place, they don't need him sulking around.

July 8, 2012  10:21 PM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Wells' contract was an albatross before he even got there. What in the hell were they thinking?

Johnny, we have a winner!

This guy was done when he signed it. And to think that the Angels actually gave Toronto Mike Napoli for this ****.

July 9, 2012  12:14 AM ET
QUOTE(#10):

Johnny, we have a winner!This guy was done when he signed it. And to think that the Angels actually gave Toronto Mike Napoli for this ****.

It's easy to say that now, but at the time, Napoli wasn't hitting the ball anywhere near what he has done since he got traded. We needed punch, and Wells was the guy we went after. Some trades work out, some don't.

July 9, 2012  12:12 PM ET
QUOTE(#11):

It's easy to say that now, but at the time, Napoli wasn't hitting the ball anywhere near what he has done since he got traded. We needed punch, and Wells was the guy we went after. Some trades work out, some don't.

Anyone with a modicum of baseball sense knew this one wasn't going to work out for the Angels. Wells' contract alone made it a stupid trade.

July 9, 2012  12:52 PM ET
QUOTE(#6):

First off, nobody is taking AB's from Trout or Trumbo. Get him healthy, hopefully he shows well so he can be traded. We will have to pay the majority of his contract of course, but that's how it goes sometimes.

You nailed it.

July 9, 2012  01:25 PM ET

Pujols contract is worse

July 9, 2012  01:58 PM ET
QUOTE(#12):

Anyone with a modicum of baseball sense knew this one wasn't going to work out for the Angels. Wells' contract alone made it a stupid trade.

Panic move by a man who doesn't have a GM job anymore.

Let him play a little DH, show that he can still hit for power and trade him (most likely eating a huge portion of his salary.)

Gotta clear some room for Bourjous.

 
July 9, 2012  04:34 PM ET

Why trade him? Considering:
- they could afford him in the first place
- the Angels definitely have 10 game winning streak in them
- someone is bound to get hurt
- there is ANOTHER playoff spot available and anything can happen

It makes no sense to do anything except sit and wait. He's got something to prove and when the time comes he will have the opportunity to show it. The point is it's a long season and they have to pay him anyway, there's no one who gonna take him off of their hands for value, and...it's a long season.

There's no way to go but up, one way or another. The Angels should be patient.

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