On December 14th, Cincinnati dealt RHP Dustin Moseley to Anaheim for RHP Ramon Ortiz. The Angels grew discontent with Ortiz as a starter last season and did not desire to keep him as a reliever for starter money. Ortiz likewise expressed a desire that Anaheim trade him rather than retain him in the bullpen.

In 2004, Ortiz compiled an 82:38 K:BB with 139 H and 18 HR allowed in 128 IP for a 4.43 ERA over 34 appearances including 14 starts. The 31-year-old sports sizeable platoon splits that indicate he should be used against right-handers in relief, but the Reds want him to join their rotation. Ortiz is arbitration-eligible and unsigned, so Cincinnati just committed themselves to an investment of somewhere between $2.6M and $5M, probably closer to the later. Given the Reds seem excited about this pick-up and Ortiz will not be eligible for free agency until 2007, Cincinnati may try to work out a multi-year contract.

Anaheim chose to pay the $100,000 buyout on Ortiz's $5.5M 2005 option and might have non-tendered him, which should have decreased his trade value. Nevertheless, the Angels picked up a decent prospect from the Reds. Cincinnati drafted Moseley out of high school with the 34th overall pick in the first round of the 2000 draft. He reported to A Daytona in the Midwest League for the 2001 season and then split 2002 between A+ Stockton and AA Chattanooga. Moseley returned to Chattanooga in the spring of 2003 and then advanced mid-season to AAA Louisville in the International League. Unfortunately, his season ended early when he dislocated his non-pitching shoulder, and the Reds decided place him back at AA to open 2004. Moseley overcame a back injury early in the season and earned another mid-season promotion to AAA, where he compiled a 48:39 K:BB with 78 H and 7 HR allowed in 71.2 IP for a 4.65 ERA over 12 starts. The 22-year-old possesses neither outstanding dominance nor control, but he could still develop into a bottom of the rotation starter or at least a solid middle reliever.

I do not fundamentally disagree with Cincinnati choosing to add another veteran to their rotation to take some pressure off their less experienced starters. However, I see nothing about Ortiz that justifies dealing for him now rather than waiting to see who is non-tendered next week.

Last week, Anaheim signed OF-L Steve Finley to a two-year, $14M contract that includes a $1M buyout on a $7M option for 2007. The deal sets his salaries at $6M in 2005 and $7M in 2006. Additionally, by making 600 plate appearances in 2006, Finley can convert the team option into a mutual option. He resides near San Diego, so signing with the Angels allows him to play relatively close to home.

Finley should find Angel Stadium more friendly than Dodger Stadium but not quite as nice as Bank One Ballpark. If the 39-year-old remains healthy and maintains the lower G-F he demonstrated in 2004, he should be able to post another 30-homer season. Finley possesses solid plate discipline, but he's lost speed with age, so the Angels should exercise more discretion with his baserunning than the Diamondbacks used. While he's experienced some hamstring trouble, his recent history is relatively free of injury, so even though he's approaching 40 there's no reason to expect immediate physical decline. Overall, I approve of the size of this deal and anticipate Anaheim will be pleased with their purchase.

Earlier this week, the Angels signed RHP Paul Byrd and RHP Esteban Yan. Byrd agreed to a one-year, $5M contract, while Anaheim secured Yan with a two-year, $2.25M deal. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2003, Byrd rejoined the Braves in June of 2004 and pitched effectively in the second half. The 34-year-old is not a dominant pitcher, but he's developed impressive control. As a flyball pitcher, Byrd may run into home run trouble, but LHP Jarrod Washburn is one of the more pronounced flyball pitchers in baseball and has survived with the Angles. I expect Byrd to be a solid addition to Anaheim's rotation, likely earning his salary and possibly proving a bargain.

Yan keeps the ball on the ground and maintains a solid strikeout rate. However, given his questionable control, he needs a skilled defense behind him to field grounders and limit his hit rate in order to keep a check on his total baserunners. The Angels field a defense that falls towards the middle of the pack, so Yan should pitch effectively for Anaheim.

In early December, the Angels signed Cuban defector Kendry Morales to a 6-year, $10M contract, pending approval from the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control for him to enter into a contract with Anaheim. Morales defected to the Dominican Republic, where he plans to establish citizenship, therefore avoiding inclusion in MLB's first-year player draft. The switch-hitter reportedly is 21 years old and may be ready for the majors as soon as 2005. He plays third base and the outfield.