MVN: Most Valuable Network

Here it is, two days, after Christmas, and I got to thinking: Are the Angels done making deals? Has Angels general manager Tony Reagins been possessed by the ghosts of general managers past?

The Angels' fall/winter has essentially come down to trading Orlando Cabrera to the White Sox for Jon Garland and signing Torii Hunter for five years. Miguel Cabrera, did not, unfortunately, come wrapped in a nice package underneath the Christmas tree this year.

So far, the two moves Angels management have made have served to keep Angels fans happy in the sense that the team is doing something and making moves. But at the same time, the Halos are not necessarily much improved compared with team 2007. This team still has a lot of questions going into 2008.

Sure, the Angels gained Torii Hunter and his defense but they lost Orlando Cabrera and his defense. They gained a little bit more offense with Hunter compared with Cabrera, yes. And the Angels also added one more starting pitcher with Garland.

My feeling right now is that I am not satisfied with what the Angels have done so far.

Yes, the team will be competitive again in 2008 and will again be the favorite to win the division title.

Yet I feel like this will still be an offensively challenged team in 2008 - one that can put up 10 runs in one game and in the next, scratch out five hits and get shut out. The Angels have been like this for the past few years; a team that gets shut out at the worst possible times a.k.a. the playoffs.

I don't want to see the Angels turn into the modern-day Atlanta Braves - where you consistently make the postseason, only to fail in the first or second rounds.

Granted, maybe the Angels will find some offensive rhythm in 2008. It is possible. I have a lot of faith in the Angels' lineup across the board - with the exception of shortstop. I don't think Erick Aybar is a threat offensively and will likely be batting ninth in 2008.

Here is what I think the ideal/everyday lineup for the Angels will look like in 2008:

3B - Chone Figgins

2B- Howie Kendrick

RF/DH - Vladimir Guerrero

LF - Garret Anderson

CF - Torii Hunter

1B - Casey Kotchman

DH/RF - Juan Rivera/Gary Matthews, Jr.

C - Mike Napoli

SS - Erick Aybar

It's not a lineup comparable with the Red Sox, Tigers or Yankees but at the same time there is some potential. While Garret Anderson and even - gasp!! - Vladimir Guerrero may be getting older and their skills may decline some, guys like Kendrick, Kotchman and Napoli are getting better and more experience.

The Angels may find continued success in 2008 and once again may win the division title. At the same time, though, I still feel like the team needs to do something else - perhaps trade for another veteran shortstop to supplant or tutor Erick Aybar.

At the same time, the Angels have one thing most other teams covet - starting pitching. The Angels have Kelvim Escobar, Jon Garland, John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver - six guys who could start for any team in the majors. (Well, okay, five if we exclude Santana and his problems getting his act together.)

In the bullpen, the usual suspects round out the crew: Justin Speier, Scot Shields, and Francisco Rodriguez, with Darren Oliver and Chris Bootcheck eating innings late in the game.

On the bench the Angels will again likely feature: Robb Quinlan, Kendry Morales, Jeff Mathis, Maicer Izturis and Reggie Willits.

So that's where the Angels stand in 2008 - marginally better than the 2007 team but basically looking like the 2007 team. I would still like to see the Angels make a move and trade some of their outfield and pitching depth.

We have less than 60 days before players begin to report to spring training so there is still time yet for the Angels to make one more significant move to improve this team. And if no significant moves are made before the season begins, it will be curious to see what new GM Reagins will do come the trading deadline in July. Will he follow the influence of former GM Bill Stoneman? Or will Reagins make a daring move of the kind that Stoneman was not known?

We shall see in 2008.