The Halos clearly are intrigued by Chapman's potential, and their track record with Kendry Morales certainly suggests they'll move on a Cuban player if they covet him. But keep in mind that position players and starting pitchers are different breeds of cats. The probability of debilitating injury is greater with pitchers, elevating the risk factor in a long-term commitment.
Chapman has a lively left arm, much like Scott Kazmir's. He throws in the mid-90s and is searching for his complementary stuff and command. That, along with all the social aspects involved in the transition, would indicate he's a year or two away from making an impact in Anaheim.
My sense is that it depends on how high the market rises. Clearly, Chapman is a prize. How steep a club is willing to go in the investment is the question, and I can't answer that with respect to the Angels.
As for the free agency inquiry, we'll move on to the next inquiry from the lovely South Bay.
Any chance the Angels will pursue Jon Garland or Jason Isringhausen?
-- Denise D., Torrance, Calif.
Garland, yes; Isringhausen, not likely. My sense is that the Angels intend to acquire a fifth starter in free agency, and nobody in the market makes more practical sense than Garland. There is the element of familiarity with the club and its catchers, from his 2008 season in Anaheim, and his remarkable durability. You plug the guy in and forget about that spot in the rotation. He never misses a start.
Garland had a slightly better year statistically overall with the D-backs and Dodgers in '09 -- his ERA fell from 4.90 to 4.01 -- than with the Angels. He's 30, and he'll give you 200 innings and 10-15 wins. The only question is whether he'll accept a deal that will fit him into a relatively tight Angels budget with eight arbitration cases waiting to be resolved.
There are other interesting possibilities out there, notably Joel Pineiro, Jarrod Washburn, Doug Davis and Ben Sheets. Sheets has the biggest upside, obviously, but is high-risk. I think the Angels would like a dependable arm to settle in and enable Matt Palmer to complete the staff as an all-purpose guy, capable of performing any role in a moment's notice.
As for Isringhausen, the bullpen looks deep and settled with the addition of Fernando Rodney. This is not an area of need at this time.
