It’s been kept quiet and under wraps, but word is slowly seeping out of Angels camp the Rally Monkey and Angels are at an impasse.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity a source from the monkey’s representation said, “Hey, he loves being with the Angels and wants nothing more than the situation to be resolved, but it’s time for the Angels to give him fair market value.” “The monkey started his career with and would like to finish his career with the Angels, but if the Angels don’t step up to the plate and make a long-term commitment, it might be time to move on.” Apparently the the Angels are offering a 2 year deal with incentives based on comeback wins. The Rally Monkey camp thoughts are he’s paid his dues, he’s in his prime, he’s been great with the community and a consummate team player. He’s looking for a long-term deal at $7 million a year.

The fact that word is hitting the street has angered Angel management, because negotiations should be handled behind closed doors and not in the media. Rumors are spreading that negotiations have become so contentious that the Angels have been exploring possibly trading the monkey for a mascot. Some potential name being tossed around are Homer from the Atlanta Braves, Firebird from the St. Louis Cardinals, Gapper from the Cincinnati Reds, but the name with the most interest is Phillie Phanatic.

Tweaking the name would be a slight issue, but with the large Hispanic community supporting the Angels everyone is leaning towards is Feugo Phanatic. It might make sense if the impasse can’t be resolved, he’s coming off a championship season and his popularity is at an all time high. With Coles’ elbow under question, the Phillies just might need to Rally Monkey’s wins this year if they plan to repeat.