Showing posts with label Dan Haren. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dan Haren. Show all posts
Game 2 Results
Bye Bye Tony!
It seems like just yesterday I was defending Tony Reagins. It was a day or two later and stumbled across the Fire Tony Reagins website and unaffiliated facebook page. Well your wishes came true. Tony claims this decision was mutual, for him to step into a different role with the Angel Franchise, which is great for Tony. He is always been labeled a "good guy" and a "great story" considering he started as an intern with the organization nearly 20 years ago. But make no mistake about it. Since Arte has taking over ownership, he has prided himself as an owner who wants to win. Arte at one point said he wanted to be the New York Yankees of the West. In order to compete you need to have superstars. Superstars out on the field and superstars in the front office. Reagins did a lot of amazing things while in his tenure in Anaheim. But the Act of Attrition aka trading Mike Napoli to acquire Vernon Wells was just to heinous. As the lore grows and people actually forget that Napoli was traded to Toronto and not Texas, this trade will go down as the worst trade in Angels History, of course until someone messes a trade up worse. And it doesn't help that Napoli is still hitting the cover off the ball in Arlington.
But lets take a minute to celebrate some of the Great moves Reagins made. Although it was a three-month rental, Mark Teixera was a steal. Had the Halos been able to go above the threshold the Yankees offered, perhaps the Halos would be in playoff contention the past two years. Getting Dan Haren was also a steal. I miss ole Joe Saunders and who knows what kind of pitcher Tyler Skaggs turns into, but the move really solidified the Halo Rotation in 2011, which was for the most part, outstanding.
In close, safe journeys TR. Thank you for your positive contributions to this team. But I'm certainly looking forward to what's next for the Halos.
Go Angels!
But lets take a minute to celebrate some of the Great moves Reagins made. Although it was a three-month rental, Mark Teixera was a steal. Had the Halos been able to go above the threshold the Yankees offered, perhaps the Halos would be in playoff contention the past two years. Getting Dan Haren was also a steal. I miss ole Joe Saunders and who knows what kind of pitcher Tyler Skaggs turns into, but the move really solidified the Halo Rotation in 2011, which was for the most part, outstanding.
In close, safe journeys TR. Thank you for your positive contributions to this team. But I'm certainly looking forward to what's next for the Halos.
Go Angels!
In defense of Tony Reagins
At the end of the 2010 season if you could have added a player who could give you 20 Home Runs, 78 RBI, a .300 AVG, and 840 OPS, the Halos should have jumped all over it. Remember where the team was in 2010. The Angels finished third behind Oakland and the eventual ALCS Champions the Texas Rangers. When Kendrys Morales was carried off the field, the Angels needed to add more offense into the line up. And with the Angels coming into the 2011 season adding another 20 home runs with a player like Morales would have certainly matched the offense numbers that their Texas Rivals were putting up.
So in defense of Tony Reagins, making the trade to add Vernon Wells wasn't entirely a bad idea. Had Wells regained his 2008 form (which was entirely possible considering he was coming off a year with an injury), the Halos would have had a lot better 2011 campaign. Rivera's defense in left field had become a liability. Vernon's defense as advertised would have made for a better outfield. Of course the contract alone should have prevented the Halos from making that deal, but regardless, I can at least see what Reagins was thinking when the deal was made. In what was believed to be one of the worst contracts in baseball, a contract that was in no way movable, was moved last winter when Tony Reagins shipped out beloved Angel's catcher Mike Napoli and under achieving left fielder Juan Rivera to Toronto for Vernon Wells and his morbidly obese contract. The moment it happened, Angel fans every where were prepared to riot. Napoli was beloved, providing more pop at the catcher position than any other catcher in recent memory and had the ability to fill in at first base when Morales went down. Alex Anthopoulos would stab the Halos in the back when he'd deal Napoli out of baseball obscurity to Arlington. But when you examine that trade was the move as bad as we think? Realistically, Napoli was slotted to be a back-up, Left Field was a defensive liability, Morales was set to return to First, and Wells in previous years was a power threat. With big IFs in question, IF Kendrys returned, wouldn't have Wells benefited from a line up with a power switch hitter?
There is a lot of negativity surrounding Reagins, but lets look at some of the positive Regains did. Signed Torii Hunter who has easily become the face of the franchise when the reluctant hero Vladimir Guerrero wasn't willing to be that face. Hunter's contribution on the field were matched by his contributions off the field. Enter the final season of the contract, he wants to retire an Angel. Even in his later age, he's been producing and helping to keep this team in contention. Also mentoring young outfielders like Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos,
Hunter's contributions to this team will be felt long after he's left the organization. The trading for Mark Teixera for Casey Kotchman and Steve Marek helped get the Halos into post-season play in 2008. Nobody knew at the time that Tex would be destined for New York, but the move was exciting and made the team a threat in the 08 post-season. Dealing for Alberto Callapso for Will Smith and Sean O'Sullivan was also a positive move. Callaspo had been a spark all season and O'Sullivan has been somewhat of a bust for the Royals. The Dan Haren trade has been tremendous. And cash saving moves like dealing Gary Matthews Jr. and Brian Fuentes was beneficial to the team. Even the Scott Kazmir deal at the time looked to be a good move, although Kazmir all but fell apart in Anaheim.
In defense of Tony Reagins, I believe his moves have been mostly good, but that Wells deal will certainly haunt this team for seasons to come. Of course, if Wells bounces back... we'll all be singing a different story.
So in defense of Tony Reagins, making the trade to add Vernon Wells wasn't entirely a bad idea. Had Wells regained his 2008 form (which was entirely possible considering he was coming off a year with an injury), the Halos would have had a lot better 2011 campaign. Rivera's defense in left field had become a liability. Vernon's defense as advertised would have made for a better outfield. Of course the contract alone should have prevented the Halos from making that deal, but regardless, I can at least see what Reagins was thinking when the deal was made. In what was believed to be one of the worst contracts in baseball, a contract that was in no way movable, was moved last winter when Tony Reagins shipped out beloved Angel's catcher Mike Napoli and under achieving left fielder Juan Rivera to Toronto for Vernon Wells and his morbidly obese contract. The moment it happened, Angel fans every where were prepared to riot. Napoli was beloved, providing more pop at the catcher position than any other catcher in recent memory and had the ability to fill in at first base when Morales went down. Alex Anthopoulos would stab the Halos in the back when he'd deal Napoli out of baseball obscurity to Arlington. But when you examine that trade was the move as bad as we think? Realistically, Napoli was slotted to be a back-up, Left Field was a defensive liability, Morales was set to return to First, and Wells in previous years was a power threat. With big IFs in question, IF Kendrys returned, wouldn't have Wells benefited from a line up with a power switch hitter?
There is a lot of negativity surrounding Reagins, but lets look at some of the positive Regains did. Signed Torii Hunter who has easily become the face of the franchise when the reluctant hero Vladimir Guerrero wasn't willing to be that face. Hunter's contribution on the field were matched by his contributions off the field. Enter the final season of the contract, he wants to retire an Angel. Even in his later age, he's been producing and helping to keep this team in contention. Also mentoring young outfielders like Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos,
Hunter's contributions to this team will be felt long after he's left the organization. The trading for Mark Teixera for Casey Kotchman and Steve Marek helped get the Halos into post-season play in 2008. Nobody knew at the time that Tex would be destined for New York, but the move was exciting and made the team a threat in the 08 post-season. Dealing for Alberto Callapso for Will Smith and Sean O'Sullivan was also a positive move. Callaspo had been a spark all season and O'Sullivan has been somewhat of a bust for the Royals. The Dan Haren trade has been tremendous. And cash saving moves like dealing Gary Matthews Jr. and Brian Fuentes was beneficial to the team. Even the Scott Kazmir deal at the time looked to be a good move, although Kazmir all but fell apart in Anaheim.
In defense of Tony Reagins, I believe his moves have been mostly good, but that Wells deal will certainly haunt this team for seasons to come. Of course, if Wells bounces back... we'll all be singing a different story.
How Much More Money Do You Need?
Words that will live with me for the rest of my life. Jered Weaver responded to reporters during yesterday's press conference pretty much giving the Halos hope. A hope that back in June (Life after the Dirtbag) I had thought was completely gone. Weaver essentially agreed to a contract with a huge home town discount and pretty much guaranteed he'll never have to buy a drink in an Orange County bar.
With Weaver re-upping for another 5 years will be atop the rotation that until 2013 will feature Dan Haren and Ervin Santana. A 1-2-3 punch with a bite. If the Halos can limp into the post season, they're an immediate threat.
But fans everywhere should be chanting the name of Jered Weaver. Weaver took less to be on this team, to stay home. That more than anything else, should give management and the fans that this team CAN be a contender. And gives us all hope!
With Weaver re-upping for another 5 years will be atop the rotation that until 2013 will feature Dan Haren and Ervin Santana. A 1-2-3 punch with a bite. If the Halos can limp into the post season, they're an immediate threat.
But fans everywhere should be chanting the name of Jered Weaver. Weaver took less to be on this team, to stay home. That more than anything else, should give management and the fans that this team CAN be a contender. And gives us all hope!
Are the Angels Heating Up?
Sure the Halos are tied for 1st Place with the Texas Rangers in the American League West. The question I have been pondering for the past few days is this a new Angel team, or is this merely the benefit of feasting on a beleaguered set of opponents. Hopefully the old cliche winning breeds winning, but this isn't the Red Sox, Yankees, or the Rangers. There is still a lot that needs to be proved. But the question is, our the Halos Heating up?
Obviously Vernon Wells has been on fire, so much so I picked him up in my fantasy league and he has just been tearing the cover off the ball. Is he worth what he's being paid... no. But he certainly has made this Halo Team better. Torii Hunter moved to the second spot in the batting order makes the team better. The entire team has been benefiting from Wells' hot bat. You look at a guy like Borjous who is back to hitting .266.
To be frank, it really doesn't matter if this is a product of weaker opponents or if the Halos have found "it." As long as the hit parade keeps coming and the pitchers keeps putting up strikeouts, who cares?
Let's go Halos!
Life after "The Dirtbag".
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| Jered Weaver |
Shortly after the 2010 Major League Baseball season ended, talk spread like wild fire that Jered Weaver's management were already in talks with the Angel Front Office about a new contract. Prior to the Opening Day 2011 festivities at Angel Stadium, Arte Moreno expressed that the Angels have intent on re-signing Weaver and didn't expect a home town discount.
But does that fit with the current Angels Front Office operating model? The Angels over the year haven't exactly been known to pay the big bucks on their own players who reach free agency. They were outbid by the Mariners and the Red Sox for Figgins and Lackey (although both were probably for the best,) and didn't even attempt to re-sign Vladimir Guerrero or Darren Oliver. And lets not forget after the 2008 season, Arte was very vocal about re-signing Mark Teixera and was outbid by the Yankees.
The Red Sox and Yankees both have the money and the need of a pitcher the caliber of Jered Weaver. Could you imagine a one two pitch of Sabathia and Weaver or rotation of Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, and Weaver? I hope that Jeff Weaver's years in New York left a bad enough taste in the mouth of the Yankees that they won't consider his little bro. As seen by Cliff Lee, money isn't always the determining factor of where a player ends up, but not everyone is Cliff Lee.
Weaver had emerged as the ace of this team even before Lackey fled to Fenway. Weaver became a leader on the pitching staff after the passing of Nick Adenhart. Jered was elected to the All Star Game last year, but could not pitch. Weaver led all of Major League in strikes outs in 2010 with 233, just edging out the Cy Yong Award winner, Felix Hernadez.
Deciphering Weaver's next move is a lot like listening to the Clash. "Should I stay or should I go now." The Angels have a great relationship with the Angels but not so great with his agent. The Owners has said he wants Weaver to stay, Weaver has said he wanted to stay, but he even alluded to on the Petros and Money Show interview from Fox Sports Radio, that he wasn't sure he'd be back in 2012.
Replacing Weaver isn't going to be easy. When you look at the young bucks of the Halos Rotation, you realize Chatwood baring any injury will be a real good pitcher for the this team. Haren and Santana are both locked up for the 2012 seasons and have options for 2013. Piñeiro will more than likely reach free agency after this season, although he is having a pretty good year and miracle withstanding, Kazmir will not return to the Halos in 2012.
The team traded away a couple of potential starters last year in Sean O'Sullivan and Tyler Skaggs. Trevor Bell is currently in the bullpen, but hasn't been all that impressive. Two top pitching prospects currently in AA are Garret Richards and Trevor Reckling. But jumping from AA to the Majors is a big leap. I'd like to tell you life after the Dirtbag will be fine. But I'd rather make a final plea to the Halos Front Office to re-sign Weaver.
Go Halos
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
