Vernon Wells Dealt to the Angels for Mike Napoli

[EmpireWF]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/01/blue-jays-to-acquire-mike-napoli.html

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Mike-Napoli-Los-Angeles-Angels-of-Anaheim-Toronto-Blue-Jays-trade-012111

Rotoworld:

Well, the Angels have finally made a bold move in an otherwise quiet offseason, but it remains to be seen if they're any better. Wells had a bounce-back season in 2010 with 31 home runs, but he has an albatross of a contract that will pay him $23 million in 2011 and $21 million each of the following three seasons. There's no word yet on how much of the contract the Blue Jays will pick up, but it will surely be a lot. He'll either play center field or right field, with Torii Hunter occupying the other spot. It's not clear if the acquisition of Wells will affect the Angels' pursuit of Vladimir Guerrero. Jan. 21 - 6:20 pm et

[Chrispy]

Angelols

Blue Jays didn't send any money in the trade

[Chrispy]

Bruce Arthur
BREAKING: Alex Anthopoulos just traded two nickels to Anaheim for a quarter, and also Disneyland.

@ the Angels

[Youk]

Who would have thought the Blue Jays would have every gotten rid of Wells without paying shit

[manchild24]

I dont know if this is a good move with his age and salary. I was always a big Juan Rivera fan and was coming into his own until he broke his leg now he's just a 4th OF. But Rivera and Naps for Wells. I just dont know.

We still need a third baseman

[dave]

I love what Alex Anthopoulos is doing in Toronto.
It's a real shame they're in the AL East.
Unloading Vernon Wells' contract for those two players was unreal.

That said, Wells was always a class guy in Toronto, a great outfielder, a great team representative. Can't blame him for taking that contract.
He played all of 2009 with injuries and never complained once.

Not sure what the Angels are thinking here, but they're getting a solid player ... just not a player worth that kind of dough. Glad Wells can play in such a good baseball place - a good guy who deserves it.

[Boucher]

ahahahaaaahhahaha have fun with Boo Wells

[dave]

Who the fuck is Al Golden?

I don't know who anyone is anymore.

[NAHSTE]

Always liked Napoli. Hopefully he gets to play every day in Toronoto. Anaheim always jerked him in and out of the lineup because he's only so-so defensively. But for a club like Toronto he can step in and mash. I think he'll have a big year in that lineup.

As for the Angels, what a disaster of an offseason. Glen is on suicide watch.

edit- lol at the recent additions to the wiki entry for Tony Reagins:

Many think that Tony Reagins made the worst trade in baseball history on Jan. 21, 2011. He traded Mike Napoli, generally regarded as one of the top offensive catchers in the game, and Juan Rivera, a veteran whose career numbers nearly match the man he was traded for: Vernon Wells. Vernon Wells is owed 86 million dollars over the next four years under his current contract, regarded as one of the worst in the history of baseball. Rivera and Napoli on the other hand will be owed around 11 million dollars for this year, with Napoli under reasonably priced team control for the next one as well. While this trade was embarrassing in its lopsidedness on its own, the fact that Reagins and the rest of the front office were not able to sign top free agents such as Carl Crawford, Adrian Beltre, and Jayson Werth for less money per year than Wells is under contract for only adds insult to injury. This "panic move" also fills an outfield spot that was assumed to be occupied by top prospect Mike Trout in the next couple of years.

[killgod]

This trade is fucking fantastic.

I'm tellin you assholes, Fielder to Toronto in 2012.

[PP]

I know Wells is way overpaid but he isn't a terrible baseball player. Production has dropped off since steroid testing or whatever but a change of scenery is good for him and Toronto. I don't blame the Angels for taking a chance.. I mean I never understood why fans give a shit about how much owners will pay a baseball player... no matter what ticket prices will be high if the team is good, but there is no cap... so who gives a fuck if the Angels want to pay this guy.. it doesn't really affect anything else unlike other sports.

[leaffan]

[Kuzzy Powers]

There was a time where NOONE in the world thought someone would take that contract off our hands. Antholpolos has done great to get rid of it. No major knock on Wells, hes a class act and I think had been rebounding after some down tears.. but my god am I ever happy to have that contract off the books. And we got 2 pretty solid talents in return? Awesome. Napoli is a solid hitting catcher, he'll get time infront of Arencibia this year, and JP will eventually take over that spot. Great move.

[Lanteri]

Just had to steal these three quotes from another forum since they pretty much make my argument for me:

BA/OBP/SLG/OPS/OPS+

.280 .328 .461 .789 106
.280 .329 .475 .804 108

One career hitting line belongs to Rivera, the other to Wells.

"The Angels traded away dependable if unspectacular backstop Mike Napoli. In return, they receive negative 86 million dollars over the next four years."

Wells at Rogers Centre in 2010: .321/.363/.628, 20 HR, 54 RBI in 290 AB
Wells on road in 2010: .227/.301/.407, 11 HR, 34 RBI in 300 AB
Wells at Angel Stadium in career: .226/.267/.340, 3 HR, 19 RBI in 159 AB

Absolute highway robbery for the the Jays to get ANYTHING in return for Wells, AND to not have to pay any of the contract. This just seems like a pure desperation move for the Angels, but it's definitely not the first time they've overpaid the shit out of someone, see also: Gary Matthews.

[EmpireWF]

Now that the Blue Jays save $80 million from Wells (for a good catcher and a decent OFer)...what do they do?