The Anaheim Angels have made a difficult business decision chosing to not re-sign Troy Glaus. After winning a World Series MVP and being one of the team's top players for several years, it seems perplexing that the Angels would led this borderline superstar go away at the tender age of 28. Granted, Glaus has been banged up recently, his performances are sometimes frustratingly inconsistent, his salary will probably be too high, and the Angels have Dallas McPherson waiting in the wings. But letting a player like Glaus go is always a risky proposition, even if it makes some sound business sense. Third basemen like Glaus don't come along everyday, and banking on a rookie to fill his shoes is no sure thing.
All this shows is that Arte Moreno is not about to be like George Steinbrenner. He's like every other owner, who has spending limits, and will be stuck with albatross contracts like Bartolo Colon. The image of an owner who will do any and everything to win is somewhat overblown, and Troy Glaus is a perfect example.
Now, if the Angels manage to turn the money they're saving on Glaus, plus they money they'll get from refusing to pick up Ramon Ortiz's $5.5 million option, (oh, and did we mention that Troy Percival is definitely out too?), and turn all of that into Carlos Beltran, then you have to look at Anaheim as a big winner in the offseason. An outfield of Vlad Guerrero, Carlos Beltran, and Garrett Anderson would probably be the best in baseball. But if that doesn't happen, and Moreno wants to keep up his reputation as a fans owner, he probably should find a way to use that money he's saving off Glaus.
