In an effort to show the league that the Mets haven’t found every possible way to lose, the Los Angelos Angels of Anaheim threw a no hitter against the Dodgers, and lost. Matt Kemp reached safely on an error by Weaver , stole, took another base on an error, and got sacrificed home.

The bar is raised. Or lowered. I’m not sure which. Either way, your move Oliver Perez, your move. This is really just incredible. No hits. Three walks. Loss. The only way they could have done this better would have been getting a balk in there.

Torii Hunter, at his press conference today, finally conceded, after a long heated relationship, that he loves the rally monkey. The Southern California Press Bulletin reports :

“Then I thought about 2002, and the rally monkey. This rally monkey has been a thorn in my side and in my nightmares, so I’m just happy to be a part of this organization and be a part of the monkey. I thought about kidnapping him plenty of times, but now the monkey’s going to be my friend. I’m really going to like this monkey. We’re going to be in the malls together, walking the beach, everything. So that’s my buddy and my new best friend — and (broadcaster) Rex Hudler.” 

Mike DiGiovanna at the L.A. Times writes that the Angels would find it easier to move Howie Kendrick as a result of adding Torii Hunter.

Kendrick is among the players the Marlins are looking for in return for Cabrera, along with catcher Jeff Mathis, pitcher Nick Adenhart, and one of Joe Saunders, Jered Weaver, or Ervin Santana.

The Dodgers remain in the hunt, with the Marlins asking for Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw, Andy LaRoche, and one other prospect.

Miguel Tejada remains plan B for the Angels, and possibly the Dodgers as well.

The Rangers, having lost out on Hunter, will now most likely turn their attention to Mike Cameron. Cameron is expected to command a two- or three-year commitment at less than $10 million per year. The Rangers are now as interested in Aaron Rowand, and Andruw Jones is demanding a multi-year commitment, which the Rangers are trying to avoid.

In the San Francisco Chronicle, Eric Chavez describes the A’s as being in ‘rebuilding mode’
As for the team’s immediate future, Chavez has no doubt that Oakland is in rebuilding mode. That doesn’t scare him, because he’s used to seeing major contributors depart each winter.

“…you get used to guys moving on. I already know we’re reloading, that’s black and white to me, but we’ve been doing this for years and we’ve still been able to win. A lot of other teams have proven you can win at any phase you’re going through, look at Colorado.

“You can’t question what Billy’s doing - somewhere down the road, Dr. Evil has a plan.”

Hot Foot relayed an article from San Francisco Gate’s blog “The Drumbeat” last Friday inferring that the A’s plans could be predicated on how improved the Los Angeles Angels are by the Winter Meetings.

Oakland A’s General Manager Billy Beane had said at the GM meetings, as reported by Tom Verducci on SI.com, that the Oakland A’s were ‘at a crossroads’ and he would decide on breaking up the team before the Winter Meetings on December 3rd.

Buster Olney writes in ESPN that Oakland executives will sit down early next week to consider what they might get in return for trading pitchers Dan Haren and Joe Blanton.

The A’s would draw great interest in Dan Haren if he were made available. Haren was the starting pitcher for the American League in the 2007 All Star Game, and finished the season with a 15-9 record, 3.07 ERA, and 192 Ks in 222.7 innings.

The Baltimore Post reports that the Los Angeles Angels may turn their attention to Miguel Tejada if they lose out on Miguel Cabrera.

The Marlins want Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick along with right-hander Ervin Santana, right-handed reliever Chris Bootcheck and possibly Class AA right-hander Nick Adenhart.

Hot Foot reported earlier this week that the Dodgers appear to be the front runners on Cabrera, offering a package of outfielder Matt Kemp along with third baseman Andy LaRoche and Class AA left-hander Clayton Kershaw.

Mike DiGiovanna at the Los Angeles Times writes that the Jon Garland deal could lead to the Angels trading for Miguel Cabrera.

The addition of Garland, a 28-year-old who went 10-13 with a 4.23 ERA last season, gives the Angels a rotation surplus that would enable them to package a young starter such as Santana or Saunders in a trade for a slugger such as Florida third baseman Miguel Cabrera or Baltimore shortstop Miguel Tejada.

The Red Sox signing Mike Lowell takes another third baseman off the market, making Miguel Cabrera an even more attractive option.

The Marlins have been asking for Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick in any deal for their Cabrera, but the Angels may be able to use top prospect Nick Adenhart along with a Major League starter to land Cabrera.

San Francisco Gate blog “The Drumbeat“, writes

“ARod staying a Yankee, Bonds likely to be unsignable — have been bad news for the Angels’ power hunt. Thus, the reasoning goes, a healthier A’s team could stay in the race in next year, and Billy Beane won’t be blowing it up after all.”

The Angels were interested in both players and will have to look elsewhere now to add power to their lineup. They’re now forced to decide if they will give up Howie Kendrick and prospects for the best power hitter left on the market, Miguel Cabrera.

Kendrick who was rated the 12th best prospect in the minor leagues in 2006 by Baseball America. Kendrick hit .285 with 4 HR 30 RBI in his 2007 rookie season.

Beane had said at the GM meetings, as reported by Tom Verducci on SI.com, that the Oakland A’s were ‘at a crossroads’ and he would decide on breaking up the team before the Winter Meetings on December 3rd.

“We’re either going forward and going for it or cutting it down and rebuilding. There is no middle ground in our market. When we hit the bottom, small market teams like us don’t bounce.”

The A’s would draw great interest in Dan Haren if he were made available. Haren was the starting pitcher for the American League in the 2007 All Star Game, and finished the season with a 15-9 record, 3.07 ERA, and 192 Ks in 222.7 innings.

In case you were wondering, Haren keeps a blog.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Florida Marlins may be interested in dealing Miguel Cabrera for a package with the Los Angeles Angels that includes their young 2B Howie Kendrick.

In response to those demands, the Angels might ask for permission to negotiate with Cabrera and make their best trade offer contingent on reaching a contract extension with him.

The Marlins are seeking three highly rated, low-cost players for Cabrera.

With the Florida Marlins entertaining offers for third baseman Miguel Cabrera, Jon Heyman on SI.com lists some possible destinations. Heyman seems to think Cabrera is headed west, while Mike Francesa sees him headed northeast. Matthew Cerrone on MetsBlog quotes Francesa saying Omar Minaya is ‘in love’ with Cabrera.

Heyman belives if the Red Sox do not come to terms with Mike Lowell, they may look to Cabrera for some combination of Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz and/or Jon Lester. The Red Sox have said they will not bid on Alex Rodriguez.

The Dodgers have third-base prospect, Andy La Roche, Outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, young pitcher Chad Billinsgley and pitching prospects Clayton Kershaw and Jon Meloan to offer.

The Giants have three great young starters to offer in Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Noah Lowry as well as young reliever Jonathan Sanchez.

The Yankees have great young pitchers to deal such as Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy but seem unwilling to offer any of them to replace Alex Rodriguez.