Cormack on MLB: Worth a click, Nov. 1
November 1, 2012, 7:35 PM

Can lightning strike twice?

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim sure hope so when it comes to their efforts to trade Vernon Wells and the remaining $42 million he’s owed over the next two years.

So if this off-season represented a thunderstorm, Angels GM Jerry Dipoto would likely be operating in a pair of aluminum underwear.

News that the Angels are looking to rid themselves of Wells two years after acquiring him from Toronto in exchange for Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera surfaced this morning via Ken Rosenthal:

A short while later, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times suggested Boston as a potential landing spot for the soon-to-be 34-year-old Wells.

Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal, while acknowledging Boston is in the market for a pair of outfielders, cited a source Thursday as saying the Red Sox have no interest in Wells.

Over the course of two injury-riddled seasons with the Angels (791 plate appearances) Wells has hit 36 home runs to go with a slash line of .222/.258/.409/.667.

But as Rosenthal suggsts if the Angels are willing to include some cash in a deal for Wells, it’s not inconceivable he gets moved again during an off-season in which the industry is reportedly flush with cash thanks to several big local TV contracts and the new national TV deal signed earlier this year with Fox and TBS.

FIRST SANTANA, NOW HAREN?

It sure looks that way.

On Wednesday, the Angels exercised Ervin Santana’s $13 million option for next season and then traded him (along with $1 million) to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor league left-hander Brandon Sisk.

Los Angeles now must decide what to do with Haren. They must decide by Friday at 9 p.m. ET whether to pick up his $15.5-million option for next season. Most believe the Angels pick up the option and then deal him.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports Haren is drawing interest from “several teams,” including the Red Sox.

Over at fangraphs.com Michael Barr breaks down the market for Haren in this excellent piece in which he explains (with charts and graphs!) why the 32-year old would be such a risky acquisition.

SOME SAD NEWS:

Earlier Thursday news leaked that former Montreal Expos pitcher Pascual Perez had been killed in his home in the Dominican Republic during an apparent robbery.

He was 55.

Perez enjoyed his best season in the majors with the Expos in 1989 when he made 27 starts and posted a 2.44 ERA and league best 0.941 WHIP in 188 innings. Perez also pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees throughout his 11-year career.

Braves president John Schuerholz released a statement Thursday afternoon.

“We were shocked to hear the news of Pascual Perez’ death earlier today,” read the statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during the aftermath of this tragic event. Pascual left his mark with the Braves organization and will always be remembered fondly by Braves fans.”

AROUND THE MAJORS:

Richard Justice of MLB.com says the San Francisco Giants’ World Series win is just the latest reminder that roster-building is more an art than a science.

Ken Davidoff of the New York Post says no one he speaks to believes Mariano Rivera will retire, but that won’t stop Scott Boras from using one of his favourite tricks when it comes to contract talks between the Yankees and his client, Rafael Soriano.

A little while ago, it looked like a new two-year deal between David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox was a fait accompli. Now Rob Bradford reports it’s “likely” Big Papi will go on the open market beginning Saturday at 12:01 a.m.

The Mets have picked up David Wright’s 2013 option and Andy Martino reports the two sides will exchange years and dollars on an extension as soon as this week. He also offers there is a “genuine possibility” that R.A. Dickey could be traded.

Welcome back Don Zimmer. And nice to read here that you and Pedro kissed and made up long ago.

AND FINALLY…

I know Halloween is sooo yesterday, but had to share this tweet from new Blue Jay Mike Aviles:

Agreed.

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