Arte Moreno on the Sports Lodge: recap and thoughts...

What has become a regular appearance for the owner of your Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Arte Moreno joined Roger Lodge's Sports Lodge on AM830 as part of the pre-opening day ceremonies, underneath the hats.  Here's a recap from the owner via a phone...

On the Season Opener
I'm fired up.  They worked hard in Spring Training, they're having fun, Mike's tough, he's fine tuning them, but I think they're ready to play.

On Albert Pujols
He is nicknamed the Machine because of his work ethic.  First to arrive and last to leave.  He works with the younger guys and is quite the gentleman.  Great players are disciplined, strong will and a high level of concentration.  Pujols, Morales, and Trumbo got to Spring Training a week early, fine tuning things.

Scoiscia's added pressure to win
"Mike is highly competitive, you want to prepare your team, but at the end of the day, the players need to play.  You have to do the best you can, with the tools you have."

Getting Mad at Players
You never want to see someone get picked off or cause the final out on 3rd base.  I don't get mad at my players, but I don't like to lose.

I remember last year on opening day.  I was driving my daughter to her school.  I live in Anaheim.  She goes to school in Los Angeles County.  Needless to say it is a very long drive.  But I didn't mind the drive that day.  Because everybody's favorite Uncle, Arte Moreno joined the Sports Lodge.  Arte dropped hints about Weaver (and hoping to extend him), his thoughts on what happened with Teixera a few years before.  He tried to defend the decision to trade Napoli to the Blue Jays for Vernon Wells (still wasn't a smart business decision).  And he also spoke of the progress of Kendrys Morales bum foot. 


Arte's Favorite Non-Angel Players...
Although it turned into more of a great player around the league as opposed to favorite players....
Yankees (Derek Jetter & Robinson Cano), Red Sox (Dustin Pedroia & Adrian Gonzalez), Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Dee Gordon), Tampa (Longoria), & the Rangers (Andrus, Beltre, Kinsler, Hamilton, Cruz --didn't mention Napoli)

Angels Owner says "End of the day, you wanna win" on the Jungle

Angels Owner Arte Moreno rarely makes radio appearances on the local radio market.  But when he does, he has a lot of insight to the franchise.  Moreno appeared on the Jim Rome Show today in the 2nd hour of the show.  Rome was quick to point out that the Halos won 86 games, a pretty good season, why spend the cash on Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson?  Arte recapped that the Angels had a lot of priorities going into the off season.  They needed more offensive help (they had hoped for a healthy Kendrys Morales in 2011,) the Angels left too many men on base, help behind the dish, and more bullpen depth.  Moreno even said they "got real lucky" in addressing their priorities.

Rome questioned if this year was "World Series or bust?"  Arte implied if he said that, he'd have to answer to Scioscia. "You can't win until you play," is how Moreno replied, but "but you want the opportunity." When Rome asked why Arte decided to spend that much money, Arte mentioned that it isn't the first time I've tried and Albert Pujols is one of the best players in baseball.  The host of the jungle also made reference to the end of the career of Pujols, noting that his productivity could be far below what they are paying for.  Arte was clear that is always a risk in an investment, but Arte's more concerned with today, (day to day, week to week) and in reality the Halos have a 20 year deal with AP, with a 10 year Personal Services agreement worked out after his on field career.  But even late into his career, the American League as a Designated Hitters position that #5 can slide into.  Jim then shifted to the "El Hombre" campaign which Arte was quick to point out that the poster had nothing to do with the St. Louis heritage and won't be a part of the campaign going forward.

Pujols at the formal introduction to the Los Angeles Angels.

Rome had asked Moreno is the Angels are treated like any other business. 90% of the time it is just business. "At the End of The Day, you want to win.  You want to be associated as a winner."

Rome wanted to know about Kendrys and how he fits in with the current direction of the roster. Arte was quick to note that Morales was expected to play last year and without him in the roster it affected the team. They expected him to drive in 20-25 home runs and be a 100 RBI guy. The team is very optimistic about his return, Arte thought he looked great. The owner added that "Trumbo is taking ground balls to third, CJ is fitting in well with Haren and Weaver (they're all Southern California natives), Ianneta looks good. And he also mentioned that Trumbo has a great attitude.

Lastly, Arte Moreno doesn't feel like his opposition is the shared market of the Dodgers, but more so his opposition is in Arlington, Boston, New York, Tampa Bay, and Detroit.  

Dodger Fans hate you Albert Pujols

In another forum, I was recently baited by a True Blue Dodger Fan. First and foremost, you never feed the trolls. Haters are going to hate. And Dodger Fans aren't a very happy bunch. The biggest 2 acquisitions the Dodgers made this off-season outside of extending Matt Kemp and signing Chris Capuano. Now the Dodgers for all they have been through aren't an awful team and with a few minor tweaks could be very competitive next year, but I had to share this hate.

That Albert Pujols signing was awful. LOL@those of you who think signing a guy with declining stats to a $200+million contract for 10 years is something to be happy about. I always thought/still think that Frank McCourt is an idiot, but Arte Moreno is an even bigger idiot for shelling out all that cash for a guy in his mid-30's (you're tripping if you think he's younger than 33).

Dodger fans, are you honestly telling me that you'd prefer James Loney and his paltry contract to Albert Pujols?  Are you also telling me that you wouldn't want an owner like Moreno over McCourt?  Lets see a guy who continues to spend, increasing pay roll, keeping concessions lower, parking reasonable, and over all one of the best sporting experiences in the country, or a guy who charges you $20 to park to sit at a dinosaur of a ball park and watch a sub-par baseball team?  When was the last time the Dodgers were in the playoffs?  When was the last time they won a World Series?  When was the last time Los Angeles Dodgers were relevant?

...but that doesn't matter and the fact remains that Albert isn't going to help the Angels win, his numbers will continue to decline (and when they do, attendance will decline too) and he's still going to be owed tons of money for a number of years. It's a terrible investment because that means less money for other free agents, international signings, and less money to spend on top draft picks.

Not only that, but the appeal of Albert is going to die once the Dodgers get new owners who will be willing to spend money on talent to go along with Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp (the real NL MVP, fuck Ryan Braun).

Pujols isn't going to help this team win?  I'm not saying the Angels are favorites to win the World Series, or even the West, but that has to be the stupidest comment with regards to this signing I have ever read.  I'm really starting to doubt this fans credibility.  My only response to this was this picture...

I'm not mad. I'm just wondering why people think that all this money invested in an aging veteran who was an obvious steroid user is such a great thing? I'm happy with having Matt Kemp, a guy who hasn't even reached his prime and is still young, and Clayton Kershaw (when he gets his contract) become the next Sandy K.

I won't lie, I like the CJ Wilson signing, but the Angels have fucked themselves.

Here's how I replied: 
"Obvious Steroid User" You are trying to hard. You are aware that that "idiot" Arte signed a big boy television contract, right? 3 Billion Dollars. And season ticket sells are through the roof.

What's gonna happen in 2-3 years when Albert is batting .250 and hitting 15 homeruns a year? Will season ticket sales still go through the roof?

It's cool though. Arte spent a lot of money on a player who is past his prime and won't help the Angels. I guess he and his fans are more concerned about image and what massive world record publicity stunt they can pull off at that rat infested stadium.

The Moral of the Story, don't feed the trolls.  Just enjoy their frustrations as they implode.  No MLB World Series was won in December.  Or January.  But Certainly, the Angels have addressed a lot of the question marks they had at the end of the season.  They needed an upgrade behind the plate.  Iannetta is an upgrade over Mathis.  They needed additional bullpen depth, Hawkins adds depth.  They needed to added another bat in the line up and Pujols is the most prolific hitter in our era.  

Pujols is an Angel - Mind Blown.

Nearly eight days ago my mind was completely blown.  Like some sort of sonic ray gun zapping my brain and exploding like Mt. St. Helen, Albert Pujols became an Angel.  I closely monitored websites like Halos Heaven and MLB Trade Rumors to see what went down at the Winter Meetings.  Truth be told in the past few seasons the Winter Meetings were a torturous experience.  Hearing the Halos linked to every top deck free agent, only to settle for coming in 2nd place.
Jerry DiPoto didn't leave me disappointed.  When the name Pujols was being tossed around as a potential Angel, I kind of laughed but deep down I hoped he would be.  I've eluded to my affinity for the first baseman in other posts.  Prior to the Wells deal last winter, I had hopped that the Halos would be saving up to make a serious bid to the multi-time MVP.  But never in my wildest dreams would the most prolific hitter in all the land would be suiting up in our colors for my team.  Just wasn't going to happen.  But it did.

Arte Moreno stepped up to the plate.  And the infomercial for season tickets last Saturday is a testament to the gratitude the Halo Faithful should share for the boss.  You wanted the best, he got you the best. Starting at first base for your Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim #5, the Machine, Albert Pujols.  I've heard a lot of rhetoric from Dodger fans.  I'm going to chalk that up to jealousy. 

1. You over paid:  #5 had offers from the Marlins for just over 22M more that were left on the table.  When you begin to adjust the market for inflation in the next ten years, with ever increasing contracts and no salary cap, this contract could be a bargain in 3-4 years.  If the Halos win the Series
2. He won't be the same hitter in year 10:  Will Jeter, A-Rod, or really any of the premium players being the player they were at the end of the contract as their were at the beginning.   No, they aren't.  AP won't be the same player he is when my Daughter is 17.  But he could be chasing Bond's Home Run record, 3000 hits, and Cooper's Town.  Could be the first Angel inducted into the HOF.  And sure he spent 11 years in STL, 10 years in Anaheim could mean as much, if not more.

'The Machine' hasn't yet to play 1 game in an Angels Jersey, but he's already being treated like a Rock Star.  World Series have never been won in December.  But Pujols gives the Angel an excellent opportunity to go back to the promise land.  So kudos to the Halos, Moreno, and DiPoto for landing the big fish and making that splash.

Go Halos

This is the Vernon Wells I've been waiting for.

I was and still am as skeptical as the next guy about the Vernon Wells signing.  As as optimistic as I tried to be about the deal, the contract was still a too big of a burden to bear and cost one position player to many when the deal was made.  And what a miserable April and May Vernon had.  Just when it looked like he was about to get hot, he gets hurt.

Tony Reagins looked like some kind of jerk, Arte says to the media "Don't spend anymore of my money!"  And it looked like the Angels might become sellers.  

Not so fast pessimists.  Vernon Wells is starting to come around.  Is he worth the contract he's getting paid, hell no.  But is he helping this team win... he's starting too.  It just took him two months to get ready.  In the last month, Wells has been hitting .288, 13 Runs off 21 hits, a double and 6 dingers.  Grab your magnifying glass, because in the past 14 days Vernon hit the ball 15 times with 48 at bats, with 7 Runs, 1 double, 4 Homers, 10 RBI and batting .313.  Is VW heating up?  He's certainly going the right direction.  Vladimir Guerrero was notorious for starting late, maybe VW does to.  I'm no stat guy, but can anyone tell me if this is typical of Wells?  

Either way, with Wells' bat becoming more productive this team can only get better.  His performance will start to impact the entire line up, winning is contagious and so is hitting.

Go Halos

Morales is out for the year?

Morales will be out for all of 2011

Do you remember how you felt when you found out the Tooth Fairy wasn't real? Or that Santa Claus was actually mom and dad? I do. It was like the wind was taken from my sails.  Last night after I made a delicious dinner for my daughter and I, I was scouring the internet for news and notes for the Angels.  I wanted to see what the score was, I hadn't been listening or watching the game.  Prior to heading to MLB.com I was checking out twitter when I saw this.

Kendrys Morales done for the year. Will have a second surgery. #Angels #MLB

 -- Scott Miller CBS Sports Los Angeles (@ScotMCBSSports)

I even messaged him back "I wish you were lying!"  He replied with "Sorry, so do I!"  That didn't make me feel better.  I even reached out to my BFF Roger Lodge and asked him if he had "any comments of the biggest disappointment for the 2011 season?'  His reply was an optimistic "That's rough!  But let's see what Trumbo can do!!!"  And although I'm more than willing to give Trumbo an opportunity to play first base every day, he can't be expected to produce the way Morales on his 2009 campaign, where he had seen 152 starts, 566 at bats, 45 doubles, 34 home runs, 106 RBI, and average of .306, slugging .596 and and OPS of .924

Lets not forget it was nearly one year ago where on a Saturday Afternoon, Kendrys Morales Walk Off Celebration changed the face of the franchise for all of 2010 and now 2011 as well.  When Morales comes back it will be two years since he has faced major league pitching and to compound that, he will be an unrestricted free agent.  Of course the Angels will offer him arbitration, he will have a lot to prove when he comes back, if he comes back as an Angel.

Not only does this affect the Angels plans this season, but certainly next years as well.  Something that has been in the back of my head since the announcement of the second surgery is a lot of the pre-season talk from  Arte, Tony, and Scioscia has been about getting Morales back mid-season would be like a huge acquisition, where we didn't have to give up any players. This setback must certainly alter some of the front office planning.  Obviously their is pressure on the Front Office to make a deal for a big bat and it doesn't necessarily have to be a first baseman, but aren't Fat Albert and Cecil's Kid up for free agency next season?  

Pinch me, I'm Dream Weaving...

Sure we are only into the second week of April, but already Jered Weaver has 3 Wins.  In fact, he's undefeated and is 3 for 3 in starts.  Of course nobody is going to crown Jered Weaver the American League Cy Young, but maybe we should.  Weaver's strike rate was one of the few things to celebrate in last year's sub par season.  And even with terrible run support; Weaver has 13 wins, 23 strike outs, and an ERA of 3.01 and racked up a staggering 224 innings pitched of 34 starts.  Weaver was also selected to the All-Star Team, even though he was ineligible to play.  Regardless, Weaver was an All-Star on an abysmal team.

With upgrades in its offense and bullpen, Weaver has started the season 3-0 with a 0.87 ERA and 27 Strikeouts and recording a career high 15 Strikeouts in yesterday's game.  Obviously this is way to early to predict any season awards, but I'm happy that Weaver is on the Angels staff.  And I was pleasantly surprised that Angels' Owner Arte Moreno (who was on AM 830's Sports Lodge) say that when it comes to Weaver's contract negotiations "We are not expecting a home town discount."  Weaver's agent Scott Boras hasn't exactly been seen as a friend to the Halos franchise and stands to look for a big contract for Weaver.  And it sounds as though Moreno and his front office are prepared to offer Weaver such a contract. 

Go Halos

The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse or The Angels put 4 players on the Waiver Wire.

Much to the surprise of no one, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim put four players on the Waiver Wire according to Ken Rosenthal. Nevermind that the players that are put on waivers are supposed to remain confidential, Angels closer: Brian Fuentes, Odd man out of the Outfield: Juan Rivera, the De Facto 1st Baseman: Mike Napoli and lead-off hitter: Bobby Abreu.  Talking heads like Roger Lodge of AM 830's Sports Lodge, attempted to mass up a media frenzy with Angel fans with this report.  And a few callers called in rallying behind Napoli and making statements like trade Fuentes and Rivera, with slightly less articulation.  Its kind of funny when you hear all of these armchair GMs demand that the Angels go after this player or that player.  And get rid of this guy or that guy. 

But the Waiver Wires are simply a way to test the interest of players to those teams looking to make a surge into the post-season.  There is no guarantee that any of the 4 horsemen will be bringing the Apocalypse after the waiver wire deadline, which is Tuesday.  I also don't see this as Reagins throwing in the towel either.  And in reality, most of these guys will probably stay right here in the Halosphere.  But looking closer at a few of the players you can measure the goods they could bring to a team.

Brian Fuentes certainly has to be on many teams radar.  Fuentes has already save 23 games, last year he led the league with 48 and the year before he had 30.  His ERA is down from last year.  He's been able to get a hanful of wins and seemingly has pitched a lot better recently.  There doesn't seem much of a chance for Fuentes' Option to vest, which means he'll be a free agent at the end of the year.  Teams who are currently struggling with Bullpen Issues could find the lefty invaluable.  The Yankees, Phillies, Giants, Cardinals, all could use more depth in the bullpen.  And even if he comes out of the bullpen as a lefty specialist, instead of a closer, he would be a great asset.

Mike Napoli's versatility at the very least has to make some GMs take notice.  Napoli's defense at catcher is passable and he has looked surprisingly well at 1st base.  Napoli has a pretty good pop already having hit 21 Home Runs, which is one more this year then he has hit in the last two years with a couple of more weeks left to play ball,  and that was spending the first half of the season in a platoon at catcher.  Any team in need of a catcher would certainly be tempted to pick up a claim on Napoli.  And for a team like Boston, New York, or the Rangers, his power would shine a little brighter and could help those teams in the long stretch.  Napoli is expendable for the Angels because of the young core of catchers already in the team.  Mathis and Wilson have shared most of the catching duties this year, with Budde and Conger waiting in the wings.  And after this season the Angels will bring back Kendry Morales at 1st.  This would also save the Angels some money when it comes to his arbitration hearing this year, where surely he expects to see a raise.

 Bobby Abreu has recently got hot.  His mixture of speed, 17 bags and power, 15 home runs could help some teams.  His bat also affords him the ability to hit just about anywhere in the line up.  The drawbacks to Abreu are slightly steeper than Napoli or Fuentes.  Abreu has one more year on his contract, so any team making a move for Abreu is going to have to over pay him for next year as well as this year.  And finding playing time is becoming more difficult in Anaheim already, with Abreu shifting from Right to Left and working some nights as a DH.  The biggest obstacle in Abreu will be that salary and I'm all but sure the Angels would choose not to eat any of his salary if he is moved. 

And lastly Juan Rivera, the poor guy just hasn't performed up to his normal standards this year.  And who knows if it is a mental thing or if his skills have just started to diminish.  Notorious for being a later starter, all of his measurable numbers are down.  His defense has looked down right terrible.  And he hasn't earned enough consistency at any position to keep regularly at bats.  Rivera's contract isn't gigantic by any stretch, but there comes a point when a GM just won't pay for what Rivera is providing.  Sure a change of scene might do Rivera a great deal.  And maybe a team like the Reds or Giants could use Rivera.  I thought Rivera would have been moved prior to the trade deadline, but since then he's looked worse and worse in the outfield. 

Ultimately I feel that none of these players will be moved.  It is just Tony Reagins looking to see if he can move some payroll in hopes of landing a Real Big Fish in the offseason.  Although if some of these players are not moved, it is hard to see the Angels making any acquisitions in the off season.  Only Arte, Scioscia and Reagins know what the Angels next move is. 

Go Halos.

No Holliday, Maybe Bay?

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Jason Bay rejected Boston's $60 million over four years deal earlier this week. Red Sox front office weren't surprised. But what might be a little more surprising is that the Angels threw their name into the into the Jason Bay sweepstakes with Angel Owner, Arte Moreno denying the that the Angels would be pursing Matt Holliday but suggesting "You Have to Look at Bay"

Its obvious the Angels won't allow themselves to be used as a bargaining chip for Super Agent Scott Boras and his client Matt Holliday, but it is surprising to hear that the Angels do have interest in Bay. The Angels have 4 outfielders signed; Juan Rivera, Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu, and Gary Matthews Jr. Even if you moved Abreu to DH, you still have three outfielders. Surely Bay would supersede Matthews in right or left, but again it just means the Angels need to find someone willing to take Matthews. And while we're at it, a signing of Bay pretty much ends the Chone Figgins sweepstakes for the Angels.

Moreno finished up his comments by saying he would like the Angels to add "We'd like to have a power bat, a starter and another bullpen guy." A starter could be Lackey. A bullpen guy could be Oliver. A power bat isn't Figgins and sadly isn't Guerrero anymore. Perhaps Jason Bay could put up the same amazing numbers in Anaheim as he did in Boston. Batting Bay 3rd or 4th would certainly add some power to the Angel line up.

This is a move the Angels should make. Taking themselves out of the Holliday sweepstakes makes Holliday slight more affordable and that he'll likely sign with the Yankees, Red Sox, or even re-sign with the Cardinals. Moreno saying he has interest in Bay also drives his price up more. Making the Red Sox, Yankees, Cardinals, and whomever else is interested offer a more premium price. Which could help the Angels re-sign Lackey, if the teams listed above are serious about signing Bay.