It seems like just yesterday I was defending Tony Reagins. It was a day or two later and stumbled across the Fire Tony Reagins website and unaffiliated facebook page. Well your wishes came true. Tony claims this decision was mutual, for him to step into a different role with the Angel Franchise, which is great for Tony. He is always been labeled a "good guy" and a "great story" considering he started as an intern with the organization nearly 20 years ago. But make no mistake about it. Since Arte has taking over ownership, he has prided himself as an owner who wants to win. Arte at one point said he wanted to be the New York Yankees of the West. In order to compete you need to have superstars. Superstars out on the field and superstars in the front office. Reagins did a lot of amazing things while in his tenure in Anaheim. But the Act of Attrition aka trading Mike Napoli to acquire Vernon Wells was just to heinous. As the lore grows and people actually forget that Napoli was traded to Toronto and not Texas, this trade will go down as the worst trade in Angels History, of course until someone messes a trade up worse. And it doesn't help that Napoli is still hitting the cover off the ball in Arlington.
But lets take a minute to celebrate some of the Great moves Reagins made. Although it was a three-month rental, Mark Teixera was a steal. Had the Halos been able to go above the threshold the Yankees offered, perhaps the Halos would be in playoff contention the past two years. Getting Dan Haren was also a steal. I miss ole Joe Saunders and who knows what kind of pitcher Tyler Skaggs turns into, but the move really solidified the Halo Rotation in 2011, which was for the most part, outstanding.
In close, safe journeys TR. Thank you for your positive contributions to this team. But I'm certainly looking forward to what's next for the Halos.
Go Angels!
Showing posts with label Mark Teixera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark Teixera. Show all posts
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
It is much to soon to call this season done!
This division is Texas’s to lose. Neither Oakland nor LAnaheim is a good team. The Angels might try to spend the money to fill some holes, but I think they have just too many. I doubt Oakland has the money to fill any of their holes. The best strategy may be to try to get a little better, and hope that Texas collapses.
Along with surrendering the American League division to the Texas Rangers, this clever writer from Baseball Musings also managed to create a clever little nickname for our beloved Halo Franchise, LAnaheim. Counting the Halos out now would be a terrible decision. Lets just pretend that the last two years, didn't exist. So the Angels GM Tony Reagins hasn't spent the past two years acquiring high caliber talent before the trade deadline, like trading for Mark Teixera or Scott Kazmir. Or lets pretend that the last two years, the Angels haven't won the division, over coming injuries. Why not forget about Mike Scioscia being one of the best managers in baseball. In fact, lets just forget about ever positive motion the Angels have made.
Forgive me if I don't buy the media hype proclaiming this as the year Texas wins the division. These are the same talking heads that proclaimed Seattle would win it all last year and would win it all this year. How are these Seattle predictions working out? Before you get all worried about Cliff Lee joining the Ranger's pitching staff keep this in mind, Seattle had Lee along with King Felix and still couldn't manage to be contenders. Cliff Lee, although a phenomenal pitcher, can't pitch every day and hasn't pitched particularly well in Texas. The Ballpark in Arlington is a hitters park and as the summer heat gets hotter, well, Texas pitching has a way of withering. Not to mention that the Rangers gave up there everyday young 1st Baseman and are relying on Chris Davis... who isn't exactly setting the World on Fire. I will admit... Vladimir Guerrero looks totally rejuvenated in Texas... but he is a bit injury prone. Same with Josh Hamilton.
I won't try to pretend to understand the Pythagorean or try to explain strength of scheduling, but what I saw out of our Halos last night reminded me of last year's squad. Hit the ball and score. As the infamous "Wonder Dog" Rex Hudler would say... another lousy single. A couple of lousy singles led to "Just Another Halo Victory" last night. They won't all be that easy, but if the Angels can continue with the same principles... there will be a showdown in the American League West.
Go Halos
Go Halos
Former Angel, Casey Kotchman is a Mariner?
Joining former Angel Chone Figgins in the land of Grunge Music and Over Priced Coffee, is first baseman, Casey Kotchman. Poor guy, I kind of feel bad for him. In less than 3 years was traded to Atlanta for Teixera, traded to Boston for LaRoche, and now being traded to Seattle for Hall. This marks the third former Angel favorite in recent years to play ball in Seattle, with Jarrod Washburn being the other. Kotchman gives will enhance the defense for the Mariners especially at first. Defense and a few silly faces is all Kotchman brings to the table. It was Kotchman inability to play offense that made him expendable in the Mark Teixera trade.
So the Mariners defense at first has maybe slightly improved over Russel Branyan. Kotchman had a hard time staying healthy playing in Anaheim, a lot like Branyan. But Russel Branyan had much better offense. Then again, being a left handed hitter could help Kotchman's offense numbers playing in Safeco.
Again the Mariners make a move that makes sense on paper. This move will help their pitchers ERA, but I still don't know how they are going to outscore teams. Especially power teams that can take one pitchers mistake and turn it into a run. I like Hernandez and Lee, but the rest of Seattle's rotation isn't really impressive.
Torii Hunter is Golden --- And Silver
Major League Baseball announced the Silver Slugger Awards for the American League yesterday.
Torii Hunter was awarded with his first Slugger Award in a move that surprised a lot of people. Hunter who was playing fantastic baseball and carried much of the Angels offense prior to his groin injury that put him on the shelf for 30 days.
The remaining awards went to:
I do find it odd that Hunter joins; Mauer, Teixeria, Longoria, Jeter, and Suzuki as players who received the double honors. The Captain, certainly has made that Del Taco deal with Tony Reagins seem a smart move over and over again.
Torii Hunter was awarded with his first Slugger Award in a move that surprised a lot of people. Hunter who was playing fantastic baseball and carried much of the Angels offense prior to his groin injury that put him on the shelf for 30 days.
The remaining awards went to:
| POS | PLAYER | HR | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | M. Teixeira, Yankees | 39 | 122 | .292 |
| 2B | Aaron Hill, Blue Jays | 36 | 108 | .286 |
| 3B | Evan Longoria, Rays | 33 | 113 | .281 |
| SS | Derek Jeter, Yankees | 18 | 66 | .334 |
| OF | Jason Bay, Red Sox | 36 | 119 | .267 |
| OF | Torii Hunter, Angels | 22 | 90 | .299 |
| OF | Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners | 11 | 46 | .352 |
| C | Joe Mauer, Twins | 28 | 96 | .365 |
| DH | Adam Lind, Blue Jays | 35 | 114 | .305 |
I do find it odd that Hunter joins; Mauer, Teixeria, Longoria, Jeter, and Suzuki as players who received the double honors. The Captain, certainly has made that Del Taco deal with Tony Reagins seem a smart move over and over again.
100 Wins
Last year 100 win season was phenomenal. But 100 wins for John Lackey might be all the sweeter. Lackey won his 100th game against the Athletics Sunday. Chuck Finley, Nolan Ryan, Mike Witt and Frank Tanana are the only other ACES who've won 100 games in an Angels uniform. Unfortunately his career as an Angel may end with the season. The 30 Year-old Texan dealer debut for the Angels in June of 2002. That would also be the year that "Big" John would also be the second rookie ever to win a Game 7 of the World Series.
Earlier this season John was very adamant about the Angels acquiring some offense before making a decision about his career after the 2009 season. This was around the time the Angels tried to re-sign Mark Teixera. Unfortunately Tex didn't re-sign. Fortunately the Angels offense hasn't missed a beat. Kendry Morales contributions nearly match what Tex has done this year. Not to mention the efforts Bobby Abreu, Juan Rivera, Mike Napoli, and practically the entire offense. Although the offense surge quieted some in the month of August, nearly all nine starters are batting over 300 or close too it.
Big John is a big game pitcher. He wants to be in that playoff position. Fortunately the Angels have been able to provide him with that, even with a myriad of injuries and mis-fortunes. There are talks that the Angels will not be able to afford the kind of contract that Lackey will command. However, we would be $20 million poorer has Teixera stayed. One would have to think that a deal can and should be made. And perhaps Lackey would like to stay with the Angels now that they've acquired another outstanding pitcher in the name of Scott Kazmir.
Congratulations to John Lackey and his 100 wins. Lets hope Arte doesn't make the mistake of letting Lackey go. Remember what Nolan Ryan did after his time with the Angels.
Earlier this season John was very adamant about the Angels acquiring some offense before making a decision about his career after the 2009 season. This was around the time the Angels tried to re-sign Mark Teixera. Unfortunately Tex didn't re-sign. Fortunately the Angels offense hasn't missed a beat. Kendry Morales contributions nearly match what Tex has done this year. Not to mention the efforts Bobby Abreu, Juan Rivera, Mike Napoli, and practically the entire offense. Although the offense surge quieted some in the month of August, nearly all nine starters are batting over 300 or close too it.
Big John is a big game pitcher. He wants to be in that playoff position. Fortunately the Angels have been able to provide him with that, even with a myriad of injuries and mis-fortunes. There are talks that the Angels will not be able to afford the kind of contract that Lackey will command. However, we would be $20 million poorer has Teixera stayed. One would have to think that a deal can and should be made. And perhaps Lackey would like to stay with the Angels now that they've acquired another outstanding pitcher in the name of Scott Kazmir.
Congratulations to John Lackey and his 100 wins. Lets hope Arte doesn't make the mistake of letting Lackey go. Remember what Nolan Ryan did after his time with the Angels.
Number 27
Oh, did you think I was talking about Vlad Guerrero? Oops, I thought you were hip to what I'm putting down here over at the Diamond Aces. Kendry Morales just hit number 27 last night. So aside from dropping 27 bombs before August. 21st who is this Kendry Morales. Well here's a brief story of how Morales got to the Angels and captured the hearts of millions and millions of Angel fans.Kendry Morales played for the Cuban National Team in 2002, on 2003 his team won the World Cub of Baseball. Not to be confused with the World Baseball Classic. Morales contacted an Agent in 2003, which resulted in him being sent back home to Cuba. Which kept him out of the Summer Olympics. Morales ended up defecting from Cuba to the Dominican Republic and signed a six year, 3 Million Dollar contract. After a stint with the Estrellas Orientales durning Winter League. By 2005, Morales played for the Rancho CucamongaQuakes and later that year played in the Arizona Fall League playing for the Sunrise Scorpions. Morales would make a few appearances at the Major League level in 2006 for the Angels when then 1st Baseman Casey Kotchman was injured. Morales would also get some playing time in 2008 durning the ALDS game versus the Boston Red Sox. He played with no fear and hit a double coming to pinch hit in Game 3, the only game the Angels would win. After Mark Teixera was traded away, Morales would earn the First Base position and hasn't looked back all year.
