Adam Miller on BA

No offense, but I don't see Santana as an ace; that's probably why I think it wouldn't cost THAT much in a trade to get him.  Plus, while the Angels don't have to trade Santana, the Indians don't have to acquire him either, since I think most would agree that the starting rotation is not our #1 priority.  Drerikbrady's idea was a good one, but being that it's not essential we upgrade the rotation as much as our bullpen and our 2B position, I think that neutralizes the Angels' advantage of not having to trade Santana; neither side is pressured to make this trade.

I see Santana as more of a good to great #3 or a solid to good #2, but not an ace.  Looking at his ML numbers the last 1.5 years, he's averaging about 3.1-3.2 walks and 6.5-6.7 strikeouts; solid numbers, maybe even frontline starter numbers, but an ace?  I think he falls a little short.  

Granted, he could get better, but looking at his Minor League numbers, he was averaging around 7-8 Ks most of his recent years (outside of his first exposure to AA, where he struck out nearly 10 batters per 9 innings,) so I would expect him to settle in around 6-7 K/9 IP in the Majors, which is solid, but not an ace in the mold of a Johan Santana or even a C.C. Sabathia, both of which were striking out 10+ batters in the Minor Leagues, even the upper Minors.

It's likely next year that even if Colon isn't in the Angels rotation, it's likely Santana will be the #3 pitcher behind Lackey and Weaver, which is about where I see he'll fit best, based on what I have seen of him and his track record.

Plus, my proposed trade does fill some holes for the Angels; Gutierrez has the chance to be that "special" player you were talking about, especially if Jay is correct about his gaining more power.  While Chone Figgins is a nice player on their team, Figgins might be better served playing all over the place, rather than just CF.  Gutierrez, a standout defender, would upgrade their defense out there, plus give them an intriguing offensive player (offense is another area they could use some improvement in.)

Kouzmanoff could fill that 3B hole, since Dallas McPherson is a question mark, both in terms of his health and in terms of his making consistent contact at the ML level.  Kouzmanoff in time should be able to hit .280+ with 15-25 HRs, certainly solid numbers and better than they are getting there now.

One of the LWB trio would give them a solid veteran starter in a mostly young rotation.

So, I see my trade as being a fair one in terms of value, since I don't see Santana as a likely ace like a Santana, Liriano, Verlander, Sabathia, Hamels, or Felix Hernandez.  A good to great #3 or a solid to good #2, yes, but an ace - I don't think so.