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!

Are the Angels Heating Up?

This was originally an article that I was going to write after the Angels bested the Nationals last week.  But not having the time to finish it, might have made for a more interesting article.  The Angels offense has finally started to match the pitching efforts of Weaver, Haren, Santana, Piñeiro, and Chatwood.  However,  lets strip away some of the hyberbole, these wins have come at the expense of the Nationals a .500 team at Best, The Dodgers, who are in last place in the NL, and the Detroit Tigers, who are four games above .500.

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".

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 

Oakland Swept

Earlier in this still fairly early season, when the World seemed upside down, Chokeland and Texas were battling for the first place spot in the American League West.  The Angels were floundering in the cellar with the Over Rated Seattle Mariners.  I said then, that the season is just too young and that things will work their way out.  I also said that the A's couldn't maintain their record and the Rangers have been fortunate to face some weaker opponents, feasting on teams like the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and the Cleveland Indians.  

But you can see the Angels are fairly strong in their own division.  And they certainly looked fantastic against the same state rivals, the As.  Saunders and Piñeiro with shutouts and even Santana only giving up 2 runs, with a ton of run support makes me think that the Angels are heading to higher ground.  Saunders was dueling with the 19th Perfect Game thrower, Dallas Braden, and outlasted das wunderkid.  Morales and Kendrick have been hot all year.  Howie even got promoted to batting 2nd.  Which I think has helped sparked a lot of this offense.  The bullpen has been getting some rest, because the starting rotation has been going long.  This is the team we were all hoping for and with patience being a virtue that the Halo Faithful could could no longer tolerate has opened its eyes to the winning ways.  With better pitching and much better hitting, the Angels swept the hated A's. 

So Today, the Rangers come to town.  And we'll just see who the superior team is.  Lets all see how REAL the Rangers are or how rather lets see if their weaker schedule has benefited their win loss record.  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.

The Wild Ride with the Angels Bullpen -- Or how Fernando Rodney saved the day!

The Angels rotation took a lot of abuse before the season even started.  The media was doubting the intestinal fortitude of the Halo Starters.  It was like Lackey was the straw that stirred the drink of the Angel's slingers.  But now that Lackey is gone, the Halos are done, no number one, etc. etc. etc.  Weaver has gracefully accepted the role of leader coming out of the rotation.  But a big surprise has been  Piñeiro .  But in the last couple of starts each pitcher has looked dominant.  Its very early in the season, but the Angels are looking like a Diamond full of Aces.  Weaver had a good start in Toronto, followed by Saunders and Santana.   Piñeiro starts it off against Detroit and Kazmir comes out looking pretty good through six.  Perhaps the rotation isn't as much of a concern as the media all lead us to believe.

However Kazmir win last night was nearly tainted at the hands of the bullpen.  Kazmir was charged the runs that Shields allowed.  Palmer didn't look much better.  And Jepsen had me worried.  But when Rodney stepped in the ninth it was all business.

Speaking of Rodney, it was Tim Dierkes of MLB TradeRumors who said that The Angels signing Fernado Rodney was one of the 10 Worst Free Agent Signings Of The Offseason. At the time many of the Angel faithful, myself include, understood this to be an insurance policy in case Brian Fuentes fell back into his familiar funk from last year. Spring opened up and Fuentes looked great. Opening Day, Fuentes looked great. And since his injury, Rodney has covered the closer spot and successfully closed 5 of 5 games. Not only the 5/5 closes, but each one of them were shut outs. Rodney even has a hold, from Opening Day and a win against Oakland. The only bad outing Rodney had was against the blow out against the Twins, where he was charged with the loss.  I am beginning to think that the closer position might be a shared spot between Fuentes and Rodney.  And that could save the Angels big cash, from Fuentes option investing.  Only a month or so into the season, but that Rodney signing is looking as impressive as the Piñeiro and Matsui signings this past off season.

Toronto and Boston get Swept! Damn it feels good to be a Halo Fan

When I originally started this blog, it was going to be in tribute to the young Angel rotation that was headed by John Lackey.  The remaining rotation was made up of Santana, Saunders, Weaver, and Matt Palmer who would be replaced with Scott Kazmir.  Even with Lackey on the roster, most circles I'm in would not even count Lackey as an ACE.  Hence the Diamond Aces, that each Angel pitcher could go out there and have an ACE like start.  2008, Saunders and Santana were both All-Stars.  2009, Weaver and Saunders were pitching like All-Stars.  Palmer was getting lucky!  Kazmir is a former All-Star!  So these Aces of the Diamond were set to destroy the American League West in 2010.  Now its much too early, but the pitching staff has certainly stepped their game up.  Toronto has never been a good city for the Halos, but they showed up in full force.  Weaver had a great outing, followed by Saunders going 8, and Santana finishing a complete game.  Nearly getting a Shut Out!  Now there is a long scheduled of baseball left to be played.  The Halos sit 2.5 games out of 1st Place.  

Speaking of Lackey, he signed with the Boston Red Sox.  He thought it would give him a better chance at winning another World Series ring.  Turns out, not so much.  Tampa Bay is in 1st.  New York is in 2nd.  Hell even the swept Blue Jays are in 3rd.  Because the Boston Red Sox are six games out of 1st Place in the East.  Now obviously this slide won't last all year.  But I plan on enjoying every moment of it I can.  

Go Halos!  

Down in the basement, three games into the Season!

Three Posts in Three Days!  I must really be in love with this ball club.  I don't think I can do this all year, but wouldn't it be awesome if I could?  I missed the beginning of the game due to Job #2.  But was listening in on the drive home.  Heard Brandon Wood strike out with the bases loaded.  I'm not willing to give up on Wood after 159 Game, but I'm starting to worry about the guy.  As I said I was at the game last night and the theme music Wood picked (or was it picked for him?) repeated the line "I made it!"  Well honestly with Wood the jury is still out.  Izturis is looking for at bats anywhere he can get them.  And even on the Sports Lodge, peoples are calling in left and right.  I'm all for sticking with Wood, but the question is, how long can the Angels let him swing and a miss.  

Everyone during the game was talking about Santana's stuff.  And sure games in March mean a hell of a lot less than games in August.  But His Stuff surrendered 4 runs.  After having a quiet bat Opening day Morneau and Mauer wake up, when the 1st Baseman cashed in on a 2 run Home Run.  Later J.J. Hardy goes deep, again.  And finally Denard cashed in an RBI on a sac fly.  Rivera and Napoli both scored RBI too, but the Angels again looking a little weak against the Twins.  The Angels offense made Pavano look like a Cy Young candidate.  Santana went six innings giving up 4 runs on 5 hits.  He also had 4 strike outs.  Maybe Santana's numbers will look better in August.  Or maybe the Angels offense will split the series and get their offense going tonight.  Any way you look at it...Angels are tied for last with Seattle. 

We will win with what we got...

I originally designed this for Halos Heaven the best Angel Community site on the Interwebs, prior to the Trade Deadline.  I was against the Angels pursuing anyone but pitching.  Because even last year, towards the trade deadline I wasn't confident that Lackey would be coming back.  And Figgins was the only guy I could see being traded from the Major League Roster.  Looking at this picture though is kind of depressing.  I was hoping Lackey would return to the Halos-- He gone.  I was hoping Vlad would retire an Angel-- He gone.  And of course Figgins and Darren Oliver also left the team, along with Escobar and Arrendondo. 

With all that being said, the Angels I think had to make that move for Kazmir.  And I think that move alone will really make a positive impact for the Angels in 2010.  And it looks like I need to make a new graphic to include the Diamond Aces of; Weaver, Kazmir, Santana, Saunders, and Piniero. 

Milestones... What a week!

Would you believe after the tragedy involving Nick Adenhart earlier this year and all the injury woes, that the Angels would set atop of the American League with the 2nd best record in MLB. With a roster that costs fractions of what the Yankees have the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are playing six hundred baseball.

Vladimir Guerrero has been a little of an enigma this year. After experiencing some injuries on the bench, Vlad is back and swinging the bat with ferociousness. His power is not only luminous, but down right intimidating. #27 hit home runs #399 and #400 all but guaranteeing his ticket will be punched to Cooperstown. However, there is still some debate on whether Vlad will be returning at the end of the season. How the heck can you not re-sign this guy? I hope the Angels re-sign him, but I guess the business of baseball takes precedent.

Ervin Santana not only has been battling injuries but also battling his propensity to just not pitch well. Since making his debut, Santana too has had a mysterious side. I have glossed the young man, Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde. And as to the benefit of the Angels, Dr. Jeckyl took the mound Tuesday Night against the Tampa Bay Rays. Voodoo (as he is often referred to on the Premier Angels Baseball blog, Halos Heaven), pitched a 3 Hit, Complete Game Shutout against the very dangerous Rays. With the Angels having as many pitching woes as its faced and not being able to cash in on a starting pitcher before the trade deadline, the Angels look to move forward and to paraphrase the Rev. Halofan, ...Win With What We Got.

The final Milestone for this week is the 13th starter for the Angels this year. Trevor Bell is the grandson of the late Bozo the Clown. Bell who is the protege of Mark Langston had a pretty good outing against the Rays on Wednesday's day game. Off the top of my head can I name the 13 starters of the year?

In no particular order; Jered Weaver, Nick Adenhart, Joe Saunders, Dustin Mosely, Ervin Santana, John Lackey, Shane Loux, Matt Palmer, Anthony Ortega, Darren Oliver, Sean O' Sullivan, and Trevor Bell. Wow, I'm quite impressed with myself. Bell was impressive too. He gave up a couple of runs, but never looked out of the game. Never looked shell shocked. And Kevin Jepsen got the Win.

The Angels play Baltimore Orioles today. And lets see if they can break more milestones.