Where does the youth movement play in 2012?

AAA, not just for Lucha Libre anymore. I think the Angels would actually benefit quite a bit if they put a few of the up and comers in the Minors to start the season.  Probably not a popular thought. Especially considering that I want to see the young guys come up, succeed, and make an impact.  Without a serious trade, there is just not enough At Bats to accommodate the Halo Depth.  A quick look at the assumed starting positions in 2012 and you lose a few guys who made 2011 special.  There are quite a few log jams on the diamond and only a few pieces that have the options to spend some time in Salt Lake City.

Obviously the first candidate is one of the Top Prospects in all of Baseball.  However a huge obstacle was placed in front of him when the trade for Vernon Wells was made.  Mike Trout just doesn’t have the room to get regular at bats to start the season. Borjous was ready first and has a very positive impact in the center field.  Torii Hunter until December 8th 2011 has been the face of this franchise since he was signed to a contract at an undisclosed Del Taco location.  This is his final contract year with the Angels and unfortunately just good enough to stay in the line up, everyday.  And of course Vernon Wells, I doubt anyone could have predicted how poorly he would have been in Anaheim last year.  However as many GIDP or pop flys, he still pulled off a very respectable 25 dingers, plus he's owed way to much money to sit on the bench.  An Injury or trade could change that very quickly, but I think the right idea is to let Trout see pitches every day. When an opportunity presents itself at the Major League Level he can be plugged right into any outfield position and carry the load.  Hunter and Abreu are both free agents in 2013.

Mark Trumbo is the other man who should probably start the season in AAA. We have a very decent to good third baseman in Alberto Callaspo and clearly won't get starts over Albert Pujols. Which means… if Morales is healthy, there won’t be many at bats between Kendrys and Bobby Abreu. Besides, do you really want Trumbo learning on the job at the Major League Level. Better to have him develop the defense of skills, whilst it doesn’t affect the major league wins and losses.  In the interim, first base will be dominated by AP with the occasional start lobbed to Morales or even Jorge Cantu can be brought up from his minor league deal.  If the Angels are committed to making Trumbo a serviceable everyday Third baseman, repetition and opportunity will take him there.  Otherwise, trade him now while his value is high, because there isn't enough room in the outfield or playing first.  

Lastly Hank Conger. I know blasphemy, right, Conger is one of my favorites.  He seems like a real cool guy, plus gave me an autographed bat.  (Well full disclosure gave my friend an autographed bat, who gave it to me, but clearly the intent was there.)  But if Conger starts the year in AAA, he’ll see regular at bats. Ianneta so far is on a one year contract. No telling if he’ll be extended. No telling how he’ll interact with the Major League Pitching, no telling if he’s truly a fit. And with Wilson out of options and being Santana’s personal catcher, it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere. If at any point in the season. No reason to let Conger sit on the bench. Let him play ever day in AAA and wait for a call up.

There is a lot of reason to be excited about 2012 for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Clearly there are some tough decisions ahead for DiPoto and Scioscia.  But ultimately the youth movement might have to wait one more year before they're allowed to take the next level of this ball club.

Go Halos...

& Bees!!!

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. 

Pinch me, I'm Dream Weaving...

Sure we are only into the second week of April, but already Jered Weaver has 3 Wins.  In fact, he's undefeated and is 3 for 3 in starts.  Of course nobody is going to crown Jered Weaver the American League Cy Young, but maybe we should.  Weaver's strike rate was one of the few things to celebrate in last year's sub par season.  And even with terrible run support; Weaver has 13 wins, 23 strike outs, and an ERA of 3.01 and racked up a staggering 224 innings pitched of 34 starts.  Weaver was also selected to the All-Star Team, even though he was ineligible to play.  Regardless, Weaver was an All-Star on an abysmal team.

With upgrades in its offense and bullpen, Weaver has started the season 3-0 with a 0.87 ERA and 27 Strikeouts and recording a career high 15 Strikeouts in yesterday's game.  Obviously this is way to early to predict any season awards, but I'm happy that Weaver is on the Angels staff.  And I was pleasantly surprised that Angels' Owner Arte Moreno (who was on AM 830's Sports Lodge) say that when it comes to Weaver's contract negotiations "We are not expecting a home town discount."  Weaver's agent Scott Boras hasn't exactly been seen as a friend to the Halos franchise and stands to look for a big contract for Weaver.  And it sounds as though Moreno and his front office are prepared to offer Weaver such a contract. 

Go Halos

Remembering #34.

The Angels family has suffered a tremendous loss today. We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nick's family, friends, loved ones and fans

On Saturday at 6:05PM, the Angels are slated to take on the Toronto Blue Jays.  But that will also mark the two year anniversary of the passing of Nick Adenhart.  Nobody knew that night when he pitched a gem of a game in 2009, striking out five hitters in six innings, that it would be his last pitching performance.  And I would be lying to you, to say that I followed his career all the way to the majors.  All I knew about Adenhart before that awful night was that he was a top Angels prospect.  

I cried the morning I found out Nick had passed.  Again, I knew nothing of the young man, outside of his pitching performance the night before.  And couldn't watch his memorial that I recorded on my DVR.  In such a tragic mistake made by one person, took the life of others and changed the life for many.  Since then I've made the commitment to never drink and drive.  And as the fans enter Anaheim Stadium to watch the beloved Angels taking on the Blue Jays, I hope people will recommit to not drinking and driving.  I hope the memory of Nick Adenhart lives on in the hearts and minds of Angel Fans.  Lets not forget #34.  Lets not forget Nick.

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. 

My Off Season Grade for the Angels, B.

Take a look at what the Angels did right this off season. They didn't over pay for any free agents including their own. They offered arbitration to the two guys who got picked up quickly, which netted them four draft picks. Replaced Vlad with a cheaper, more patient hitter, in Matsui. Replaced lefty Darren Oliver (7th Inning Reliever), who is/was still valuable for a former closer who saved 37 of 38 games last year. That move bolstered the bullpen, which was a huge problem for the Angels last year and with the return of Scott Shields the 7th, 8th, and 9th will look better than it did last year. The Angels also re-signed Abreu who had over 100 RBI. Then you have guys like Torii Hunter who is a Silver Slugger and Golden Glover winner, Morales who hit 34 Homeruns and 103 RBI., a platoon at 2B who hit over 18 home runs, a catching platoon who hit over 25 home runs, and I haven't even got into AVG. OBP. or OPS. And the Halos Rotation consist of three players who have been All-Stars, and another guy who had an All-Star year last year.

Just because the Halos front office didn't over spend on declining free agents or trade away their entire farm system for a one year rental doesn't make them worse.  Spending money in the right places, like adding Fernando Rodney who can save the Angels money in the long run by not allowing Fuentes contract to vest.  Spending money on bringing in a World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui, who is a proven commodity in a World Series race and who's patience at the bat could rub off on younger players like Brandon Wood or Howie Kendrick.  The re-signing of Bobby Abreu was a necessity after he was able to influence batters like Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis.  Hopefully the veteran leadership of Abreu, Hunter, and Matsui can rub off on the much younger infield. 

The real interesting move the Angels committed to is Matt Palmer.  Last year's off season was picked up relatively cheap when he couldn't keep a job in San Francisco.  Palmer to collect 11 wins, with a handful of those wins coming in relief.  There is something about Palmer that kept the Angels in a lot of situations that they probably should have lost.  Tony Reagins has even said that the "5th starters spot is Palmer's to lose."  Personally, I would have rather had the Angels pursue a project like project like Chien-Ming Wang or even a Ben Sheets.  But you cannot deny the successful decisions of the Front Office, and you have to accept that they know a lot more than most of us bloggers.  But what do you think?  Are the Angels making smart decisions with their money?  Did they blow it, by not pursuing Sheets or Wang?  Can Palmer pan out as a regular 5th man starter?  Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.