The Halos Must Make a Sacrafice...

I recently posted the question the First2Third.net Facebook Friends and Twitter Followers:

Would you sacrifice Peter Bourjos' at bats for Mark Trumbo's at bats?

Jam Eson on Facebook: No.
Mitul on Facebook: Go with jumbo trumbo, we need power.
CoachTom966:  I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Mark Trumbo hit 29 Home Runs last year.  No doubt about it, if he plays everyday Trumbo could probably exceed that number.  So the question isn't Trumbo for Bourjos, because either way Trumbo should be in the line up.   The question is should Trumbo take at bats away from someone in the outfield or third base.

Here's specifically what I'm thinking.  Vernon Wells has proved over his past few starts in Center Field that he can still handle playing in the middle.  Mark Trumbo makes better sense in the outfield than he does at Third Base.  Playing the hot corner has netted 3 errors for Trumbo.  It's obvious that the better solution for Third Base at this time is Maicer Izturis, batting over 400 and solid D.  So what it comes down to is, who benefits the offense more... Izturis or Bourjos?  Petey has speed and causes chaos on the base path.  But Maicer has wheels to and can grab a bag.  Maicer can also get on base.  And Maicer has proved to be more clutch at getting a hit.  By moving Bourjos into that elusive 4th OF spot, gives plenty of rest to the likes of Vernon and Torii, it gets Trumbo in the lineup.


Trumbo needs to play every day, in the outfield.  This will hurt Bourjos at bats, but will better the team.  


What do you think?

Angels become active in the trade market.

Yesterday I started to write about whom I thought would be moved and what trades I could guess would be coming our way.  I wasn't really expecting to hear the Angels wanted Alberto Callaspo, let alone made the trade for him.  Now truth be told, 3rd base was probably our biggest liability in the infield.  The Brandon Wood Experiment didn't exactly pan out.  Kevin Frandsen had looked really good at third, but has slowed down as of late.  And then the often injured Maicer Izturis, who is off the DL this week it just too much of a health risk to expect everyday production from.  Alberto Callaspo expected to debut for Halos tonight, was traded to the Angels for SOS, Sean O'Sullivan and Will Smith, not the Fresh Prince.  Smith is a minor leaguer who didn't look to contribute to the teams success this season, however SOS just pitched a gem of a game in New York earlier this week and looked to be starting in lieu of the injured Scott Kazmir.  

Callaspo certainly won't single handily win the World Series for the Angels, but he does bring some stability at third.  He hit 73 RBI and 11 Home Runs last year.  And has already hit 8 HR thus far.  Callaspo is no stranger to the Angels as he was originally drafted by the team.  
 

The true question is which piece falls next.  With Napoli's hot bat, I doubt 1st base is an area Tony Reagins is focusing on.  And with the way the Halo Bullpen has looked this season, maybe that will be the next area the might Reagins will improve on.  Needles to say, the trade deadline is rapidly approaching.  Will this be the year that Reagins doesn't make a big name trade or has Reagins mastered the persona of a Ninja just waiting to make his next move surprising the most hardcore Angels Fan.  

Go Halos

The Angels lock up Maicer Izturis

The term Utility couldn't be more represented than by Maicer Izturis.  After a few injuries and a demotion for Angels regular second baseman, Howie Kendrick, Maicer was able to get quite the amount of playing time last year.  And it wasn't a desperation move or an attempt to just keep the base warm, Maicer was actually quite effective.  With limited plate appearances, Izturis maintained a batting avg of 300.  With 8 home runs.  Izturis brings solid defense at SS, 2B, or 3B.  And with the ability to get on base, he is more than just a fill in.

Today the Angels extended Maicer's contract for 3 more years at 10MM a year.  Which breaks down to about 3.3MM which was pretty much what Maicer was petitioning for in his arbitration hearing.  This extension is a great insurance policy in case there are any injuries to Kendrick, Wood, or Aybar.  And of course, Izturis can fill in when its time to give any of the three a day off.  This was a great signing and hopefully more extensions to come, for those who are facing arbitration.

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.

Aybar are you okay, are you okay, or you okay Aybar?

Erick Aybar: Aybar injures left leg in Dominican game

Erick Aybar left a game Thursday in the Dominican Republic after apparently straining a muscle in his left leg. Aybar was attempting to beat out a grounder when he pulled up lame. The Angels haven't been updated on his condition...

Obviously Erick Aybar's health should be a major concern to the Angels.  His .312 batting average and 14 stolen bases are pivotal to the Angels offense this year.  By loosing Chone Figgins, the Angels will need a strong lead off batter.  If Aybar isn't ready come spring training, do you play Brandon Wood at SS and Maicer Izturis at 3B or keep Wood at 3B and Izturis at SS?  And if Izturis does start the year as the lead off hitter, it pretty much will keep Wood on the bench when Aybar does return.  Get well soon Aybar, the Halos need you.

This is the end... my dearest Figgins.

Sure is as good as any time to lament on the lore of Chone Figgins and how is infectious smile always beamed a ray of hope, even on the darkest Halo day. Figgins had been apart of every team that made the post season this decade. He will not easily be replaced as a player or a team mate. And no one should begrudge a guy who gave it all for the Angels, even if he is taking a huge pay day from a division rival. I certainly don't blame a guy for taking care of his family.

Good luck to Chone Figgins. Everyone at "Team The Diamond Aces" will miss you.

Fortunately, arbitration was offered to Figgins, along with John Lackey. I briefly touched upon the players who weren't offered arbitration in my post titled No arbitration asked orgiven. But here is the silver lining. A 18th Draft Pick from Seattle, that is if the Mariners do not sigh a high ranked free-agent, plus a sandwich pick. That would give the Angels a two picks in the 1st round. Seattle's 18th and the Angels 31st. Plus as I brought up on Knocking on Wood? MLB are you serious?the Angels have internal options at third base. Brandon Wood, or in a pinch Maicer Izturis can fill in at 3B.

Personally I'm glad that Figgins ended up on the Mariners. I thought he was going to go to New York. The Mariners require a lot of work to become a threat to the Angel franchise. Figgins helps, but he doesn't answer all the questions. By signing with the Ms, the Angels get a better pick in the draft.

Were you surprised that the Ms signed Figgins? Who will play 3B for the Halos next year? Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

2 out of 3 in Texas, Magic Number 7.

On an afternoon that started out very shaky for Angel pitcher John Lackey, Lackey proves that like a fine wine, he gets better with time. Lackey's win on Sunday tied him for Frank Tanana's record 102 wins as an Angel. Lackey has at least one more start before the regular season ends. Hard to say now if Lackey will be back next year. His contract expires at the end of the post-season. It is said that Lackey is looking for a comparable deal to what AJ Burnett received from New York, last year. That could be quite the bargain, considering how ineffective Burnett had been this year. I hope the Angels would be willing to spend some of the saved Teixera money to make Lackey an Angel for another 4 years.

The hero of the game yesterday was Howie Kendrick. On his own, Kendrick scored 5 RBI. Which I believe is a career high. HK, has really kind of found his bat from his struggles earlier this year. And has gone from the AAA Salt Lake Bees, to platooning 2nd Base with Maicer Izturis, to flat out hitting. I'm glad that the Other Howard has found his swing.

Beating Texas in Texas is about as sweet as it gets. Now that we have a controlling 7 1/2 game lead on the Rangers, its only a matter of time that they spiral out of control. You really have to applaud the efforts of the Rangers, they really have made it a race this year in both the AL West and the Wildcard. But as John Lackey recently said in a "We try to fly flags; we don't talk. Let them do that. We win games." And with our last three opponents at home being, the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, and the Texas Rangers, with a few good outings, we can wrap up the AL Western Division Championship at home.