Halos Get it Done in Taiwan

It sounds as if the MLB All-Stars who played in the MLB-Taiwan All-Star Game just crushed the opposition.  Back in January 2010, I made the case for the Angels to start paying attention to the Taiwan market.  When the Halos signed Joel Piñeiro, I wanted them to pursue Chien-Ming Wang (glad I'm not the GM.)  Not just because of what I thought Wang could offer the rotation (which wasn't much), but because Wang was/is revered in his native Taiwan.  Taiwan loves baseball.  And this group of MLB Players going to Taiwan is great for developing the sport, getting more fans interested. I'm not sure how being crushed by the superior league of All-Stars helps... but it certainly brings a greater awareness.  

And if you're like me... going through some baseball withdraws,  you can watch the full games of the MLB-Taiwain series, on MLB's website with a valid MLB.TV account. 

SCUSE? Hank Conger joins the opening day roster.

It is being reported around the sports media today that the Los Angeles Angels have announced their 2011 Opening Day Roster. The Halos will open up the season Thrusday night against the Kansas City Royals.  The announcement of Jered Weaver as the opening day pitcher would only be surprising if it surprised anyone at all.  

What did surprise me and pleasantly surprise me is the Return of King Conger to Anaheim.  Like any good blogger, I have a story about Conger from last year.  I have a friend who is a friend to the Conger family and shared with me some plans that fell through.  Last year, Hank Conger along with Mark Trumbo, were scheduled to meat up with Hank's father in Las Vegas to celebrate a successful season in Salt Lake.  With reservations finalized and transportation planned, a phone call changed all that.  Both Conger and Trumbo had to post-pone their post season vacation to report to Anaheim as they were called up when the roster expanded in the Fall.  Needless to say it was a proud moment for the Conger family to see their son playing in the big league, in Anaheim. Conger's contribution in the late fall wasn't anything awe inspiring, but was nice to see a home grown prospect, a local boy, getting his shot.  Conger, was first introduced to the Angels, as their first-round pick in 2005.  In reality, Conger could be expendable when one of the six players starting the season on the disable list return.  Because of his brief time in the Minors, Conger still has plenty of options that make him a likely candidate to be moved back to Salt Lake when Morales or Pinerio return to the line ups.  But in the mean time, I'll be rooting hard for King Conger to give Scioscia another difficult question to make.  Conger joins Bobby Wilson and Jeff Mathis, both have had very respectable Springs.  Last year Scioscia ran the team with three catchers, which was a blessing when Mathis and later Wilson both spent time on the DL, while Napoli filled in at first for Morales.

In closing that photo is an autographed game used Hank Conger bat.  I will always cherish this gift from my friend.  "SCUSE"

Mathis's break good for Napoli

The semi sibling rivalry between Mathis and Napoli has existed for a few seasons.  Mathis would break to the majors first, but Napoli's power would give him the edge.  The two catchers, who just so happen to be roommates, and close friends, also have spent the last few years competing for starts.  Mathis has always been identified as the better defensive catcher, while Napoli provided more offense.  That all changed in the in the 2009 post-season when Mathis's bat became electric.  Crushing game changing doubles in the ALDS and ALCS, which did all the arguing Mathis needed to edge out Napoli.  Both catchers came into Spring Training, looking good.  But it would be Mathis who would ultimately see more playing time at the start of the season, with Napoli becoming the designated catcher for Scott Kazmir.  

Unfortunately for the Angels the hot bat of Mathis will sit on the DL for a few weeks.  DiGiovanna said "[he] broke a bone in his right wrist Monday night and will be out for six to eight weeks."  This is a blow to the Angels' offense, Mathis has already hit his first home run of the year, driven in three runs, scored five times, stolen the base twice and has a batting average of .324.  Napoli hasn't had much of an opportunity to impact the offense with his 22 at bats over 8 games, but in years prior Napoli has been known to get streaky and last year carried much of the Halo offense when Guerrero and Hunter were injured.  

The odd man out is Bobby Wilson, who has only one at bat this far.  Wilson is said to have the goods to be in the majors, but he hasn't had a shot yet.  With Mathis' prolonged stay on the DL, could see Wilson getting even a few more starts, to rest Napoli.  

The injury couldn't have happened at a worse time for Mathis, but for Napoli its an opportunity he wants.  Its his time to shine. 

The STREAK begins 1/162

On April 6th there would only be 13 Teams with a perfect record, Baltimore and Tampa Bay have yet to play.  I was only pretty sure the Angels would be one of them.  The Angels sit atop the Western Division mountain in an all too familiar fashion.  However the Angels are not a lone, The Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners are still right there with them.  I hope the Oakland As get comfortable in their spot in the cellar, now to get the Rangers and Mariners used to looking up at the Angels in 1st.

The Halo offense came pretty much from the Hansen Brothers... you now MMM-POP, Mathis, Morales, and Matsui all hit homeruns.  Morales scored a couple of RBI and I was really impressed with Aybar leading off.  If Mathis keeps up his offense numbers like that, we might be saying good-bye to Mr. Napoli.  Not to mention Weaver was dealing.  It was far from a perfect pitching, but it was good enough for the win.  And not to mention all the Ks. And Brian Fuentes got save number 1.  Will he surpass last years numbers? 

I wasn't happy with the performance of one Brandon Wood.  Surely he has a 161 games to prove that he's the real deal, but last night he looked a little loss.

You have got to be excited about what the Angels are doing and if you aren't... you aren't an Angel fan.

Wire Waiver Trades are sneaky

So say you are a successful baseball franchise still very much in the playoffs. But knowing full well that you really aren't going to clinch a wild-card spot. You've got a pitcher who injuries have often hurt is ability to help the club. So what do you do???? You put his large salary and his deflated numbers out on the waivers and wait for a hungry shark to take a bite of your chum.

And that's just was the Angels GM Tony Reagins did. A trade should be worked out as we speak that would send a pair of 21 year olds to the Tampa Bay club in return for 25 year old Scott Kazmir. Alexander Torres and Matthew Sweeney. Torres is a lefty who was playing in Arkansas. Sweeney has been compared to a young Aubrey Huff, he played 3rd for Rancho Cucamonga and has had a problem staying healthy.

Its kind of hard to believe that sure Torres and Sweeney have upsides, but Kazmir is still young himself. His contract doesn't expire until 2011 and he has an option in '12. And who knows, with the magic that Jeff Mathis seems to work with Ervin Santana maybe Kazmir can get back to his past performance. Kazmir has a lot of experience in facing the Red Sox and the Yankees, which can help in October. He might not be an ACE, but he certainly can be a better option that Bell or Sullivan.

Look for an announcement to be made soon, the Angels don't get mentioned in Rumors unless its for real.