Is Vernon Wells really that big of a problem?

Vernon Wells is a problem for the Angels.  That isn't up for debate.  He is one of the highest paid players in baseball but performs just above replacement level, and that might be a generous description.  No, the question is just how big of a problem Wells is for the Angels, in practical terms. What we've already heard several times from reporters, columnists and bloggers this off-season is a statement along the lines of "if not for Vernon Wells, the Angels could've brought back Torii Hunter."  That same line has been regurgitated at a lesser frequency when pertaining to Dan Haren and even Ervin Santana, too.  That makes for an easy narrative since flogging for the Halos for the Wells trade is practically reflexive at this point.  It just isn't particularly true, which is what I am referring to when I reference "practical terms." The idea they want us to believe is that if the Angels could just get out from all or most of Wells' contr...