Who ever came out of the 19th Round any how!?!

MLBTradeRumors recently reported that the Angels will lose the19th overall pick to the Cardinals, who also obtain a supplementary first rounder, when they locked up the 'Machine' Albert Pujols.  At first I scoffed, I mean really did anyone good ever come out of the 19th Round of the MLB Draft?  After a little snooping around I stumbled across this little gem.

 courtesy of mymlbdraft.com

Going back 31 years, I didn't see to many interesting names, with the exception of Roger Clemens.  Gadzooks!  Roger Clemens, even before the alleged steroids abuse, he was an awesome pitcher.  But out of 31 years there was only Hall of Famer.  I mean Alex Rios was good-- but I don't see him going into the Hall of Fame.  If you go back a few more years our very own Mike Scioscia was drafted 19th Overall by the Dodgers.  So what am I getting at?  Bottom line-- I'd be more than happy to gamble on the fact that Pujols will do more for this team then whomever the Boston Red Sox draft for the 19th Overall Pick.

That'll do pig, that'll do. Lackey is done for 2012.

"Thank you to the 2011 Boston Red Sox for replacing the 1995 Angels as the biggest choke job in baseball!"

Image Courtesy of OC Register

When I recently surveyed our friends on Facebook where they thought John Lackey would be pitching next year, nobody answered Boston. In fact some die hard Boston Red Sox Fans answered with the Lowell Spinners or Hopefully anywhere except Boston.  Apparently the square peg that never really fit into Boston's round whole won't be throwing a single pitch in the 2012 season.

When you look at last year's performance, its obvious Lackey hasn't fit in well to Boston. Lackey always seemed like a competitor in Anaheim. The guy you wanted on the mound. Did he change Boston or did Boston change him?  But in the middle of  the season you hear that his wife was going through Cancer Treatment, which could derail any man, in any line of work.  And at the end of the season we hear that Lackey and his wife are going through divorce, which could also derail any man, in any line of work.  But was his poor performance based on his wife's cancer, his failed marriage, or his injured arm?

But then it gets worse when you hear the Red Sox pitching staff were blowing off work outs, sitting in the locker room eating hot wings, drinking beer, and playing video games.  Unbelievable.  Now they have said that this was common practice even before Lackey... but if that's a common practice, its no wonder why this team couldn't strike out a guy towards the end of the season.  No wonder the Red Sox failed to make the Post Season 2 years in a row.  And now Lackey, poor Benedict Lackey, will miss an entire season. 

So here's to you Red Sox for replacing my beloved Angels as the biggest single season collapse in the history of baseball.  And here's to you Lackey for being an important cog in that choke machine.

Angels' Third Base Internal Options for 2011

Listening to sports talk radio or visiting baseball rumor sites and it seems like people forgot where the Angels were prior to the 2002 World Series Championship Season.  The Angels did lose out on their alleged first choice free agent Carl Crawford to hated rivals Boston Red Sox.  In fact the Red Sox's great improved their team this off-season by free agency signings and a blockbuster trade with the Padres that landed them Adrian Gonzales.  Seemingly, the 2nd Choice Free Agent for the Halos is Adrian Beltre.  The Former Los Angeles Dodger, Seattle Mariner, and Red Sox has put up pretty good numbers in both offense and defense.  Will he radically change the team?  No, but his offense would be a god-send for a team who had trouble scoring last year.  

But the rumors have it that Beltre's demanding agent Scott Boras will only allow his agent sign for at a six year deal, which the Angels are too particularly found of.  As the sands fall through the hour glass and the free agent market becomes more and more bleak, what do the Angels do if they can't land their 2nd Choice?

As some have reported the trade market is down right now as well and the Angels might not have the prospects (not named Mike Trout) to land a big trade.  So what is a franchise to do?  Forgotten are the upgrades made to the pitching rotation and forgotten is the raw power of Kendry Morales.  

Scenario #1 

Do nothing.  Callaspo was a decent option at third base.  Reagins made the trade to bring him back to the Angels family last season.  Getting acclimated to return to the Angels might have just need some time.  Now with half a season under his belt and a full spring training with the Halos might prepare him for better year with the Angels.  Any upgrade in performance would benefit the Angels woes at 3rd.

Scenario #2

Brandon Wood had a real bad year last year.  But also was under a lot of pressure to perform.  Perhaps another go behind third might get him right.  Wood had some big shoes to fill last year with the departure of Figgins.  But maybe Wood can find his bat?  Maybe his short time in the Arizona Fall League helped him to regain his confidence.  Maybe every day at bats might get him going again.  The Angels must find some value in Wood, otherwise he might have been designated for assignment in lieu of Kevin Frandsen.  

Scenario #3

This one is my favorite option.  Long before Kendry Morales ever hit a home run in Anaheim, he was taking fielding at 3rd, 1st, Left, and Right.  Perhaps moving Morales to the hot corner is what the Angels need.  By moving Morales to Third Base, you also free up a spot at First base for Mike Napoli.  Napoli was the best fill in option at first when Morales was injured.  And although Napoli would probably prefer to be the every day catcher, its obvious that Mike Scioscia sees him more as a back up.  And with the emergence on Hank Conger whom could earn the starting catcher spot and provide some Napoli like power into the line up, who could blame him.  And with this line up you can still use a platoon of Juan Rivera & Bobby Abreu at LF/DH.

Scenario #4

Would involve elevating Mark Trumbo to third base.  Most of his background is at first, but putting him at third might be the quickest way to get him a look at the Major League Level.  Putting Trumbo at third might re-create a Brandon Wood like environment or might allow him to blossom.  This option is about as much of a roll of the dice as would be playing Wood. 

Ultimately I see the Angels signing Adrian Beltre.  And I also forsee Mike Napoli playing on another team next year.  But all I want for Christmas is Mike Napoli in the line up.

Are you Haren what I'm saying?

Color me surprised by the signing of Dan Haren.  Before last year's trade of Sean Rodriguez and prospects for Scotty Kazmir went down I was of the opinion that the Angels should pursue Dan Haren.  And at the time you heard all kinds of reasons why Tony Reagins couldn't make that move; contract length, money owed, prospects to get the deal, etc.  But in the bottom of the 5th inning in a losing effort to the Texas Rangers, Tony Reagins confirmed that this deal has been in the works for a while.  So when I popped on facebook yesterday afternoon to see what was going on, certainly made me smile.

However, I'm sad to see Joe Saunders go.  He was a gutty pitcher.  He isn't or will he be an Ace, but he was a guy that would go out there and was a pivotal to the successful season the Halos had last year. I felt much worse when I saw Saunders being interviewed.  Saunders hasn't had the best of year, but he really wasn't on my list of guys who should be moved.  I really do wish nothing but success to the Saunders and hope to see the Diamondbacks get back to some winning ways behind Saundo next year.

Haren was tied for the most strike outs in the National League, but has given up a lot of hits and homeruns.  His home runs given up should drop considering Anaheim is more of a pitchers park and there are some reservations about bringing in a guy who has an ERA nearly identical to Saunders, but ultimately this move makes the Angels better and if you watch tonight you'll see why. The Angels have wasted no time into re-introducing the new Angel to the American League.  Haren pitches tonight against the Boston Red Sox.  A Win tonight will certainly send a statement to the Texas Rangers.  But more than anything else, the Angels need a winning streak.  And with Haren on the mound tonight with Weaver following tomorrow, I like those chances.

Go Halos

17-8 Loss for the Halos or why a good ass kicking was needed.

Old Hokey Joe wasn't just beaten last night.  He was crushed, give up seven earned runs with two homeruns.  He wasn't alone.  The tandem of Palmer and Stokes were crushed too, combining for giving two more homeruns and ten earned runs.  The Angels offense wasn't the problem last night.  They scored four runs in the first six innings.  And even scored another four runs in the 9th.

The Angels haven't played consistently all season.  But I am of the opinion of this being an ass kicking the Angels deserved.  Sometimes  you need to get  your ass handed to you to force you to straighten your self out.    Look at Howie Kendrick from last year.  His demotion to the Angel's AAA Minor League affiliate the Salt Lake Bees.  That was the ass kicking Kendrick needed to get his stuff  straighten out.  Now he's one of our best hitters and no more base running blunders or fielding errors.

The Red Sox have been a thorn in the Angels side for a long time. Not dating back to last year, or the last decade, but even back to 1986 and later. The Red Sox have been terrible this year, but so have the Angels. I am sure Mike Scioscia was embarrassed with last nights loss. I'm sure Torii Hunter was embarrassed. And I'm sure the Red Sox think of last nights victory as a payback from the 2009 ALDS ass-whoopin the Angels handed the Sox last year. What will be interested is tonight's match up of Santana versus Lester. Santana has been hot and cold, Lester hasn't looked that good all year. Will the Angels take that ass kicking like men or little boys? Will they rise up, or fall down? Ultimately, the Angels are not playing to the expectations that the Angel Faithful is used too. But perhaps, just perhaps, this ass kicking the Angels received last night, will come with a receipt. A discount, or coupon, for buy one ass kicking and get on free.

Who will be our new Lackey?

I got this Mike! This is mine!
--John Lackey

Those were the last words I saw out of John Lackey's mouth. And I said it right their that this was the last time that Lackey would pitch for the Angels. It really to come to much a surprise when John Lackey filed for free agency. Had the season ended with a World Series Ring, Lackey probably would have still tested the market. And when he declined arbitration, I was assuming that Lackey would make his way to a NL East team. I was thinking the Mets.

And it has been fairly well documented on this site and others, I have a hate for the Boston Red Sox that is matched by no other team. I do not hate the Rangers, the Dodgers, or even the Yankees as much as I hate the Red Sox. But never would I have thought when John Lackey wanted AJ Burnet money, that John Henry would be the one signing the check.

I was nearly relieved when the Yankees came to terms with Andy Pettitte and started to believe the Halosphere of thinking the Angels actually had a chance to re-sign Lackey with the 5 Year 60MM deal. Well I was wrong.

Big John Lackey is now a member of the Boston Red Sox rotation and figures to slot in as a #3 starter for the Red Sox. I'm kind of surprised that Lackey would go to the Red Sox, I know this is a business, but its the Red Sox. The bane of the Halos Post Season in 2004, 2007, and 2008, was all but exercised in 2009 until the post-season. John Lackey who pitched a terrific post-season is now heading to Boston. And maybe just maybe all the demons of the past haven't been exercised. I'm not really happy for Lackey at all, his money isn't deserved. Boston overpaid for him and in two years they will know it. Enjoy the Chowder, bad weather and worse women. Enjoy the front porch in Left Field, where the AL East best will be putting your curve balls. Thanks for the memories!

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.

2010 Top 50 Free Agents according to MLB Trade Rumors

2010 Top 50 Free Agents or so says MLBTraderumors

1. Matt Holliday - Mets. The Mets could grab headlines by signing Holliday to a six or seven-year deal for more than $100MM.

2. John Lackey - Yankees. Last winter's strategy of signing the best two starters and the best hitter available contributed to the Yankees' World Series title. With rotation question marks after C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, it makes sense that the Yanks will pursue the best available starter in Lackey.

3. Jason Bay - Red Sox. It's been rumored the Red Sox are willing to offer four years and $60MM to Bay. That seems to be a fair opening bid, given his defensive struggles.

4. Chone Figgins - Angels. The Angels have internal options at third base, but he'd be hard to let go after a career-high .395 OBP and excellent defense at the hot corner.

5. Randy Wolf - Mets. The Mets regrettably chose Oliver Perez over Wolf a year ago. As the best available starter aside from Lackey, Wolf is primed to get a three-year deal worth more than $30MM.

Other notes says Vladimir To the White Sox.

I posted this on my favorite Halos Site of record, Halos Heaven. I think I'd rather lose Figgins than Lackey. I mentioned on Halos Heaven that John Lackey is going to go where ever the best money is at. Which could be New York or even Boston. Heaven forbid, that the Texas Rangers come up with a sweat-heart deal and sign Lackey away. Could you picture Ian Kinsler and John Lackey hanging out at a Cowboy's Game? I think I just threw up a little bit. If Lackey doesn't sign with the Angels, I hope he ends up in St. Louis, you know Halos Midwest.

Long Time coming, but the Red Sox finally get their comeuppance

It had seem that up until late afternoon, the Red Sox has unceremoniously owned the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Not even the lore of Dave Henderson could affect this bound and determined Halo Staff. In a no class move, the Red Sox looked to its storied tradition of whoopin on the Angels in Post-Season to one of the guys who had ripped the heart out of the franchise in years past. Henderson's homerun off of Donnie Moore killed the Angels momentum in 1986. The Angels would go on to lose two more games in Boston that year and wouldn't make it to another ALCS game until 2002.

You get the feeling that the Angels know they are about to accomplish something special. I was lucky enough to be at Game 2 of the best of 5 series and Boston's pending demise was palpable. It is without a doubt one of the greatest come from behind wins for the Angels, down to their last strike, last out, in Fenway, and manage to come up 3 runs giving them not only the lead, but the victory.

Red Sox reliever Billy Wagner worked into a second-and-third, two-out jam in the eighth, prompting manager Terry Francona to summon Jonathan Papelbon from the bullpen for a four-out save. Juan Rivera greeted Papelbon by lining his first pitch to right center for a two-run single, momentarily making it a 5–4 game, but Boston added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning. Papelbon retired the first two batters in the top of the ninth, but Erick Aybar kept the inning alive with a two-strike single. After Chone Figgins worked a walk, Bobby Abreu, also down to his final strike, doubled off the Green Monster to score Aybar from second. Torii Hunter then received an intentional walk, loading the bases for Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero ripped Papelbon's first pitch for a two-run single to center, putting the Angels ahead 7–6. Closer Brian Fuentes retired the Red Sox in order in the bottom of the inning for the save.

The Angels go with a Four Man Rotation in the ALDS.

Recently over at Halos Heaven I brought up the question of, Do we go with a 3 Man or 4 man rotation in the Playoffs. The shape and color of the playoffs look like the Red Sox will win the Wildcard, which sets up New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers in the First Round. And the Angels taking on the familiar Red Sox in the opposite side of the bracket. If our first round match up is Boston, we have to consider what our staff has done against Boston. Last night John Lackey gave the Angels a pretty good outing in Fenway, where he's been known to struggle. Saunders gets a start in Fenway tonight and he has won his last 4 Starts. And Kazmir is reported as pitching well in Boston. Obviously our pitching staff has been getting better and better. In the playoffs are we better using a three man rotation or four? And who starts and who goes to the bullpen.

With home-field advantage going to the Angels, obviously match-ups should play a greater role. But with 4-5 above average pitchers, who goes where?

The Angels need a pitching staff who doesn't have the same demons of our past. A pitching staff who will show no fear against the hated ones. Our starting 4 Man rotation should be Kamir, Saunders, Weaver, Lackey and send Ervin Santana in as a late inning reliever. I would also suggest giving Lackey the more favorable starts in Anaheim as opposed to Fenway. Lackey hasn't performed well against Boston. 3 Wins, 7 Losses, and an ERA of 5.25. Kazmir is 8-7 against the Red Sox and has an ERA of 3.59. Saunders has had 4 Wins, 1 Loss and an ERA of 3.25. Ervin Santana vs. Boston is 1-2 and has an ERA of 5.67. Weaver's career is 2-2 against Boston and has a cool 3.99 ERA. Kazmir is unaffected by the Green Monster mystique. He's also had post season success against the Red Sox, by shutting out the Sox for 6 Innings at Fenway. Weaver who has pitch his best year thus far defeated the Red Sox in Fenway, coming out of the Bullpen. Weaver and Kazmir would be my choices for match ups in Fenway. Depending on Saunders next two starts can help shape where he goes in our rotation.

In a Best of 5 Series I'd go

Game 1 of the ALDS in Anaheim
Jered Weaver

Game 2 of the ALDS in Anaheim
John Lackey

Game 3 of the ALDS in Boston
Scott Kazmir

Game 4 of the ALDS in Boston
Joe Saunders

Game 5 of the ALDS in Anaheim
Jered Weaver

Number 27

Oh, did you think I was talking about Vlad Guerrero? Oops, I thought you were hip to what I'm putting down here over at the Diamond Aces. Kendry Morales just hit number 27 last night. So aside from dropping 27 bombs before August. 21st who is this Kendry Morales. Well here's a brief story of how Morales got to the Angels and captured the hearts of millions and millions of Angel fans.

Kendry Morales played for the Cuban National Team in 2002, on 2003 his team won the World Cub of Baseball. Not to be confused with the World Baseball Classic. Morales contacted an Agent in 2003, which resulted in him being sent back home to Cuba. Which kept him out of the Summer Olympics. Morales ended up defecting from Cuba to the Dominican Republic and signed a six year, 3 Million Dollar contract. After a stint with the Estrellas Orientales durning Winter League. By 2005, Morales played for the Rancho CucamongaQuakes and later that year played in the Arizona Fall League playing for the Sunrise Scorpions. Morales would make a few appearances at the Major League level in 2006 for the Angels when then 1st Baseman Casey Kotchman was injured. Morales would also get some playing time in 2008 durning the ALDS game versus the Boston Red Sox. He played with no fear and hit a double coming to pinch hit in Game 3, the only game the Angels would win. After Mark Teixera was traded away, Morales would earn the First Base position and hasn't looked back all year.

Missed it by that much

The man who created the inspiration for the name of this blog... John Lackey, the Ace of the Angels, went out with the B-Team last night and lets just say that it was rough night. The Cleveland Indians, whose team has but all been ripped apart to "compete" next year managed to get hot last night, with the final score was 11-3. Gone are Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez, but a former Boston Red Soxian, Justin Masterson had a great outing against the Angels. Even the looming possibility of Lackey's 100th Career Win, couldn't motivate the offense last night. No additional milestone yet, but we will see where Lackey's next start will be. The only real mistake was a home run by Diamond Aces favorite "The Cuban Missile Launcher" Kendry Morales. The last time the Angels got their butts handed to them, they came back to win the next 5 in a row. I believe that's a fair trade for Scioscia's Boys.

Like I predicted last week, this game will be a page turner. And no matter how bad they looked last night, today is another day. And in Toronto the Angels will rebound.

We Say Goodbye to a Friend

Justin Speier, who warmed the hearts of America on a Fox Broadcast reading the line up cards in the same vein as Harry Carry was released last night. It wasn't a salary relief move. The Angels will eat his remaining contract.

The former Marine was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1995. And played for six other clubs before joining the Angels in 2006. Unfortunately Speier's flashes of brilliance were to few and far in between. Watching him pitch, was often like watching Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, one game he'd have a 1-2-3 inning. And the next night he'd give up three Home Runs in an inning.
Like on Friday, August 7th against the Texas Rangers. When the Angels were still very much in the game. Speier faced Teagarden who homered to deep left, Andrus who grounded out to shortstop, 42 Year Old Vizquel (who hadn't hit a homerun since 2007), and Young who homered to deep center, before for the remainder of the line up to ground out.

From all accounts, Speier is a good guy. He would be the first guy out of the bullpen if a fight broke out. Which is exactly what happened during the infamous incident where Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Becket tossed a ball at Bobby Abreu after time out had been called. When the benches cleared, it was Justin along with Torii Hunter along with Mickey Hatcher who were ejected.

The release of Speier doesn't come as much as a surprise. His struggles are well documented in Angel Fandom and surely were causes of many dogs getting kicked or beers being drank. Even durning the playoffs last year, Speier didn't make the playoff roster in favor of rookie Kevin Jepsen. The California native's release makes room for todays starter Trevor Bell. Although I will miss Speier's team first mentallity and over all "good-guyness" I won't miss his pitching. So as always, best of luck to Justin Speier. I will root for you until you face the Angels again. And then I will boo. Boo unmercifully.