The Rich Get Richer

On Tuesday, the Angels had the best record in baseball at 66-40. They were in Boston playing the Red Sox, who were recent victims of an Angels sweep in Anaheim. The Angels were running on all cylinders. They were scoring a ton of runs in July, the pitching was phenomenal, and Mike Scioscia was able to win while batting Maicier Izutris 3rd. It seemed like things couldn't get any better for the Halos. That is until their new General Manager Tony Reagins stepped in, and did something that Bill Stoneman could never do...GROW A PAIR.

Ever since their World Series win in 2002, former GM Bill Stoneman was very reluctant to make any big trades to put the Angels over the top, at the cost of prospects. The Angels were swept away in 2004 and 2007 by Boston teams that overpowered them at the plate. It's not like they couldn't have made a move to put themselves in a better position.

The Angels minor league farm system is one of the best in baseball. The guys that are playing right now in the majors prove that: Jared Weaver, Howie Kendrick, Jeff Mathis, Mike Napoli, and the now former Angel Casey Kotchman. Also don't forget about the Angels' highly prized prospects in flame-thrower Nick Adenhart, and shortstop slugger Brandon Wood, who both had a cup of coffee with the team this year.

Finally, Tony Reagins saw an opportunity to win a championship and he pulled the trigger. He dealt their good young baseman Casey Kotchman and a minor-leaguer (not one of their A talents) to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Mark Teixeira.

Now this is what I'm talking about! I don't care if he's just a rental player. Even if the Angels don't win it all, it's still a great move, because this GM did everything it took for the Angels to go out and get a brass ring. You go all-in when you have a chance to win a championship! Forget those ridiculous wild card and division winning pennants that hang next to that rock pile in center. It's world championships that people remember, and all 6'3 and 220 pounds of Mark Teixeira is going to give it to them.

With this move, the Angels have punched their ticket to the World Series. They should be the favorite to face who ever comes out of the weak National League.

Sure, the Angels have long-term problems with their option contracts and free agents, but the time is now! This is a move that no one saw coming because as early as Monday morning, Reagins was telling people not to expect anything major and that he was happy with the club. Then, a All-Star 1B comes in having more homers than anybody on the team (20), and puts them over the top.

The Angels have it all: Pitching, Defense, Relief, Hitting, Managing. This season is over everybody, light up another Halo championship.