Angels

Josh Hamilton didn’t hesitate Sunday when asked to list his personal expectations for 2015.

On Sept. 9, 1992, the Dodgers ended their game with an outfield of Darryl Strawberry in left field, Brett Butler in center and Billy Ashley in right. Kevin Gross pitched a four-hitter and the Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres, 4-1.

Say this for Andrew Friedman, the man apparently never gets tired.

Garrett Richards, who underwent surgery in August for a torn tendon in his left knee, was cleared by doctors Monday to begin throwing, and his agent said the right-hander was "on track" to be ready by the 2015 season opener.

Cuban middle infielder Roberto Baldoquin, who agreed to an $8-million signing bonus with the Angels in November, obtained a visa to travel from the Dominican Republic to Miami on Monday and is scheduled to undergo a physical in Southern California next week.

The Angels added more catching depth on Tuesday when they acquired veteran Drew Butera from the Dodgers for a player to be named or cash.

Two years into a five-year, $125-million deal with the Angels, outfielder Josh Hamilton, who won the 2010 American League most-valuable-player award with the Texas Rangers, is looking like a major bust.

Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto moved to quash speculation that he is trying to trade pitcher C.J. Wilson, labeling as “false” any rumors that he is “shopping” the struggling left-hander.

The Angels’ first move of the winter meetings was a minor one, claiming left fielder/first baseman Marc Krauss off waivers from the Houston Astros on Monday.

To many Angels fans, General Manager Jerry Dipoto is like the boy who cried wolf. Whatever Dipoto says, especially this time of year, they tend to believe the opposite.

Hundreds of front-office executives, managers, coaches and scouts will descend upon San Diego this week for Major League Baseball's annual winter meetings, all with the singular purpose of molding their teams into World Series contenders.

The Angels tendered a 2015 contract to David Freese on Tuesday, assuring that the veteran third baseman, who is projected to make $6.3 million in arbitration next season, remains under club control.

The Angels are expected to tender David Freese a 2015 contract before Tuesday’s 9 p.m. PST deadline, a move that would put the veteran third baseman in line for a salary of about $6.3 million in arbitration next season.

The Angels acquired outfielder Daniel Robertson from the Texas Rangers on Thursday night for a player to be named or cash. To make room on the 40-man roster for Robertson, who is expected to compete for a reserve outfield spot, the Angels designated outfielder Alfredo Marte for assignment.

The Angels on Thursday added catcher Jett Bandy and right-handed pitcher Danny Reynolds to their 40-man roster, a move that will protect both prospects from being selected in the Rule 5 draft in December.

The Angels have signed starting pitcher Alex Sanabia, reliever Atahualpa Severino and catchers Charles Cutler and Raywilly Gomez to minor league deals with invitations to spring training, General Manager Jerry Dipoto confirmed Tuesday.

The Angels have hired former Dodgers infielder Dave Anderson to manage their triple-A affiliate at Salt Lake, General Manager Jerry Dipoto confirmed Tuesday.

Best player in baseball? Mike Trout, three years running.

Clayton Kershaw didn't win a World Series ring this year, but landed the ultimate consolation prize Thursday.

For six months they shared the wide eyes and wild cheers of witnesses from a grateful region that fell in love with its baseball supermen.

Best player in baseball? Mike Trout, three years running. He hits for average, hits for power, steals bases, steals home runs from opposing batters, steals the spotlight on a team with Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton, inspires fans to wear silly fish-shaped hats.

On a July afternoon five years ago, the possibility of Mike Trout became quite apparent to the Angels manager.

Matt Williams, who led the Washington Nationals to the best record in the National League in his first season as a manager, and Buck Showalter, who led the Baltimore Orioles to their first division championship since 1997, were honored Tuesday as managers of the year.

Jose Abreu, the $68-million Cuban import who stepped into the Chicago White Sox' cleanup spot on his first day in the major leagues and dominated thereafter, was a unanimous selection Monday as American League rookie of the year.

After a Sunday morning filled with hitting, fielding, throwing and base-running drills at Albert Pujols' baseball camp, dozens of kids gathered around home plate at Orange High for a brief chat and question-and-answer session with the Angels first baseman.

Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto checked two items off his off-season to-do list Wednesday, acquiring a veteran left-handed reliever and the type of young, cost-controlled starting pitcher he covets.

Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto wasted no time putting his off-season plan into motion. Within two hours of trading catcher Hank Conger to Houston for two prospects on Wednesday, he acquired veteran left-hander Cesar Ramos from the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league pitcher Mark Sappington.