Mailbag: Is Rivera on the rise?

12/12/2005
Angels fans would still like to see a big bat join the lineup, but some feel there are players on the roster who need more playing time. Also, many want to know what is up with the pitching staff.
Have the Angels thought about giving Juan Rivera a starting position in the outfield? I know he isn't the fastest player, but he has an outstanding arm and I think he could be a huge power source in the lineup if he had some consistent at-bats. He was tied for third in home runs last season (15) and didn't play every day. -- Robbie I., La Habra, Calif.
The Angels are indeed considering Rivera for a starting position, but it depends on whether or not they acquire another bat. Despite not landing one at the Winter Meetings, the club has kept open the possibility of acquiring a veteran to fill the DH slot. If that were to happen, Rivera would return to the bench.
He also will get competition from within the organization, even if the Angels do not add a veteran bat. Kendry Morales will be given the opportunity to win a spot as well. With Garret Anderson still on the club, Rivera will most likely see more time at DH next season with reserve duty in the outfield, even if he's an everyday player.
Why did the Angels lose a No. 1 draft choice for signing Hector Carrasco? His numbers weren't that good. Also, why didn't the Angels offer arbitration to Bengie Molina or Jarrod Washburn so they could get draft choices in return? -- John V., Long Beach
Carrasco was a Plan B free agent, but the Angels finished in the first tier of all 30 Major League clubs, so Washington was guaranteed a first-round draft choice as compensation. As for Molina and Washburn, the Angels did not want to risk the possibility of either player or both accepting arbitration, possibly obligating the team to pay what the arbiter decided.
Each player likely would have received a considerable raise, and the club wished to move on. In Molina's case, they wanted to give opportunities to his brother Jose and Jeff Mathis. As far as Washburn was concerned, they felt his recent years were inconclusive and did not merit a boost in salary.
Can you rank the rotation battle among Chris Bootcheck, Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver? I know Carrasco is going to be given a chance, too. Who is ready? -- Kevin M., Corona, Calif.
Kevin Gregg also should be thrown into the mix. The Angels got the opportunity to see both Bootcheck and Saunders in a pair of starts last season. They each did well in their first starts, but struggled in their second. Saunders has the advantage of being a lefty, and, if camp were to open today, he would be the only southpaw with a shot at the rotation.
Weaver got a late start last season after holding out for nearly a year, but pitched well at Class A Rancho Cucamonga and at Double-A Arkansas. He then made a good showing in the Arizona Fall League. The Angels feel he needs to clean up his delivery somewhat, but also recognize he is advancing quickly.
Carrasco has considerably more experience, but he has started just six games in his 10-year career and five of those were last season. Armed with a new pitch, Carrasco should be considered the favorite for the fifth spot at this point, with Weaver likely to make a run, followed by Gregg, Saunders and Bootcheck.
Francisco Rodriguez played winter ball in Venezuela the past three years, even though the Angels wanted him to rest. He pitched a lot of innings this year and ran out of steam at times. Is he playing winter ball again this year, or is he taking some time off?-- Barbara M., Highland, Calif.
Unlike prior years, the Angels gave Rodriguez official clearance to play winter ball this offseason. The right-hander feels he needs the work to stay sharp, but he also feels obligated to play in his home country. He is limited to three times a week and never for more than an inning. He also cannot pitch in back-to-back games.
Dallas McPherson is supposedly in his 15th week of a 16-week recovery, which means he should be back for the 2006 season. Does manager Mike Scioscia plan on keeping Chone Figgins at third base, or do you think that McPherson will compete for the third-base position? -- Andrew K., Anaheim Hills, Calif.
The Angels would rather have Figgins start in center field and McPherson start at third. He will still have to win the job, but if McPherson can demonstrate he's recovered from hip surgery and can withstand the demands of playing every day, he'll be in the lineup. The club still needs to find out if McPherson can hit for consistent power at the Major League level, and they believe that he will, which would be a tremendous boost to a lineup that could desperately use another power bat.

Source: http://mlb.mlb.com/