Showing posts with label Kendrys Morales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kendrys Morales. Show all posts
Game 1 Results
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)
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)
The Halos... questions answered.
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| Off the 710 Freeway |
Its the dawn of a new era for Angels Baseball. There has been a lot of hoopla and a hype with regards to the 2012 season of Major League Baseball for your Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but we're just a little more than 24 hours away from the Season Opener for the Angels as they take on the Royals of Kansas City. Spring Training answered a lot of questions, as least for me. Mark Trumbo at the very least will be serviceable at third base, potentially adding another 25+ home runs into that line up. Another questions that was answered for me was that foot of Kendrys Morales. I don't expect Morales to field one iota, but I think he's going to be a great contributor in the Designated Hitter position. This team looks like the team I had hoped and dream for. The Angels are all in and it looks like I'm not the only one thinks so. Buster Onley said "The Angels Look Tremendous." Mark Gonzales of the South Bend Tribune picked the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to run away with it all, with that pitching rotation, "CJ Wilson as your 4th man in the rotation, that's saying something" He also picked Giants Angels in the World Series a repeat of the World Series that took place 10 years ago. AM830 host Roger Lodge is calling his World Series prediction The Angels vs. The Phillies. Google MLB 2012 Post Season Predictions... and you'll see that the Angels have caught the eye of a lot of handicappers and members of the media.
Cactus League is done, no more Exhibition games... It's Here Opening Day. Today is the third opening day for the 2012 season... but its all about tomorrow. Opening Day!
... The Angels Look Tremendous...
Hearing from a bunch of Cactus League scouts and evaluators that the Angels look tremendous.
--Buster Onley
I believe the last time I was this confident of an Angel team, I believe Vladimir Guerrero was still on this team. Obviously everybody's Uncle Arte Moreno went out and made more of a splash this off-season than any fan could have anticipated. The Angels signing/trading for Albert Pujols was a pipe dream that I had for a long time, but never did I really think that was going to happen. But then again I never thought the Angels would have at least 3 legitimate Aces in the starting rotation, with a no. 2 guy who pitched a no hitter last year. I never thought that the Angels would go into the season with the kind of depth they have. And frankly, I'm still not sure how it'll all gel over 162 games.
It seems like Alberto Callaspo might be loosing his starting position to Mark
Trumbo, which in itself sounds a bit ridiculous. Lil Albert had a good season in 2011, a .298 Batting Avg., he legged out 23 doubles, ripped 8 bags, drove in 6 over the fence and even managed to have 46 RBI with only 475 at bats. The guy replacing him isn't a slouch although his batting average is much lower his production over all is much higher. 29 Home runs is nothing to balk at. But still, Callaspo, who's had a pretty solid spring is essentially going to be an off the bench player. And a lot of people thought Trumbo was trade bait. 
Looking at this line up is sick. Especially with the news that Mr. Kendrys Morales has finally found his way back into the Angels line up. Well maybe he has exactly made his way back into the line up yet and maybe Kendrys 2-5 against a combo of AA & AAA players doesn't mean a ton, but I'm under the impression that when Morales gets out their on the field and you bat him near either Trumbo or Pujols, you're going to see a masher. IF this Halos line up stays healthy and IF there is no regression, you can see a guy like Wells rebound huge in 2012.
No World Series Ring was won in November or December. But These Angels look good. Even Buster says so. With that being said...
Go Halos
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.
I consider CJ Cron as insurance.
With the Halos first pick in the 2011 draft, the Halos selection was a power hitting, right handed first baseman, who just so happens to have a torn labrum. What does this mean for Kendrys Morales and or Mark Trumbo?
Some have said this pick is an indicator of waning faith in Kendrys Morales by the Angels as Cron is a slugging monster 1B whose stint in college at Utah puts him close to the bigs. It wasn't too long ago that the Angels were negotiating with Scott Boras for the services of Mark Teixera, but had a wild card in their back pocket in the name of Kendrys Morales. Halo Fans everywhere were devastated by Teixera picking New York over Anaheim, that is until Morales started going deep. What would the Angels have done had Teixera agreed to return to Anaheim? Morales would have either played left or become a regular DH.
I don't see Cron as a tip that the Angels are "waning in faith" on Morales. I think this is a very inexpensive insurance policy. Looking at 2011, Morales hasn't played a single game in over a year. Even with the remainder of 2010 on the spent on the DL, the Halos offered Morales arbitration, which they agreed to. Morales will more than likely be offered arbitration again in 2012. I just can't believe with the kind of year Morales was starting to have in 2010 and the year he had in 2009, that the Angels won't at least offer him arbitration in 2012. Ideally the Angels front office offers a multi-year deal that's back-loaded with incentives for plate appearances and MVP votes. Team Morales knows that his stock is very low right now and he might not get a better offer in 2012. The Angels could also just offer arbitration, which I believe is the most likely scenario. Team Morales agrees and the Angels and Boras come up with a figure both parties can agree upon. Morales declines, the Halos get draft pick compensation to the team who is willing to take a risk on him. If Morales does sign somewhere else, the Halos have Trumbo and Cron will be waiting in the wings.
What this draft pick mostly means is that the Angels will probably not be in the discussion for either Prince Fielder or Albert Puljous. Of course you never say never, either one of those guys would certainly give some much needed pop to this line up and in the later part of their careers become more suited for Designated Hitter role anyway. It also serves as an insurance policy if Morales does go elsewhere.
But here is hoping Cron has a very successful surgery and we see him help the franchise much sooner than later.
Go Halos
Branyan, really?
I was very excited to hear that Russel Branyan was to be an Angel. Then someone pointed out to me that Branyan isn't engaged to Katy Perry or even been in a movie. As I told Jason Brennan on Angels talk yesterday, I don't like this move, but I understand it.
When the idea was even suggested by Ken Rosenthal that the Angels may acquire journeyman Russel Branyan, I thought it was total utter bull malarkey. When someone from Yardbaker echoed the sentiment, I was even more enraged, read my comments after the column
I've read on the net and heard on the radio that Branyan has some pop in his bat and can help score runs. What people are missing is that he was hitting .211 with 1 home run in a National League Hitters park. How will that translate to Anaheim, a pitchers park for sure? Yesterday it translated into a 390 ft. long out. When Wells and Kendrick come back from the DL, where is Branyan going to find at bats? I hope he proved me wrong, but this wasn't the right move for the Angels.
When the idea was even suggested by Ken Rosenthal that the Angels may acquire journeyman Russel Branyan, I thought it was total utter bull malarkey. When someone from Yardbaker echoed the sentiment, I was even more enraged, read my comments after the column
Trumbo ...[is] playing better than Branyan already, wasn't he released, probably a good indication his performance isn't up to the D-Backs standards. And have you looked at the offense that Callaspo is providing at 3rd. Why would Regains assume more salary to add what would essentially amount to a bench player. Plus they would either have to drop one of their catchers or drop some of their bullpen to make a spot available for either Betemit or Branyan.This move seems so uninspired to me. How long is Howie on the DL for? How much longer will Wells be on DL? I know Trumbo isn't Morales, but do the Halos really want to platoon 1st? Wouldn't it make more sense to get perhaps Wilson into the line up for days when Trumbo needs off. Or move Abreu to left and get Conger at bats at designated hitter. Looking at this team, depth really isn't an issue, is it? Our infield of Izturis, Callaspo, and Aybar nearly seem to be mix and match pieces. They can easily handle 2nd base and when one of those guys needs a rest day you can mix in Armista, right?
--My Take on the Branyan Signing
I've read on the net and heard on the radio that Branyan has some pop in his bat and can help score runs. What people are missing is that he was hitting .211 with 1 home run in a National League Hitters park. How will that translate to Anaheim, a pitchers park for sure? Yesterday it translated into a 390 ft. long out. When Wells and Kendrick come back from the DL, where is Branyan going to find at bats? I hope he proved me wrong, but this wasn't the right move for the Angels.
Morales is out for the year?
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| 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.
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?
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.
