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.

Life after "The Dirtbag".

Jered Weaver

Shortly after the 2010 Major League Baseball season ended, talk spread like wild fire that Jered Weaver's management were already in talks with the Angel Front Office about a new contract.  Prior to the Opening Day 2011 festivities at Angel Stadium, Arte Moreno expressed that the Angels have intent on re-signing Weaver and didn't expect a home town discount.  

But does that fit with the current Angels Front Office operating model?  The Angels over the year haven't exactly been known to pay the big bucks on their own players who reach free agency.  They were outbid by the Mariners and the Red Sox for Figgins and Lackey (although both were probably for the best,) and didn't even attempt to re-sign Vladimir Guerrero or Darren Oliver.  And lets not forget after the 2008 season, Arte was very vocal about re-signing Mark Teixera and was outbid by the Yankees.

The Red Sox and Yankees both have the money and the need of a pitcher the caliber of Jered Weaver.  Could you imagine a one two pitch of Sabathia and Weaver or rotation of Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, and Weaver?  I hope that Jeff Weaver's years in New York left a bad enough taste in the mouth of the Yankees that they won't consider his little bro.  As seen by Cliff Lee, money isn't always the determining factor of where a player ends up, but not everyone is Cliff Lee.  

Weaver had emerged as the ace of this team even before Lackey fled to Fenway.  Weaver became a leader on the pitching staff after the passing of Nick Adenhart.  Jered was elected to the All Star Game last year, but could not pitch.  Weaver led all of Major League in strikes outs in 2010 with 233, just edging out the Cy Yong Award winner, Felix Hernadez.

Deciphering Weaver's next move is a lot like listening to the Clash.  "Should I stay or should I go now."  The Angels have a great relationship with the Angels but not so great with his agent.  The Owners has said he wants Weaver to stay, Weaver has said he wanted to stay, but he even alluded to on the Petros and Money Show interview from Fox Sports Radio, that he wasn't sure he'd be back in 2012.  

Replacing Weaver isn't going to be easy.  When you look at the young bucks of the Halos Rotation, you realize Chatwood baring any injury will be a real good pitcher for the this team.  Haren and Santana are both locked up for the 2012 seasons and have options for 2013.  Piñeiro will more than likely reach free agency after this season, although he is having a pretty good year and miracle withstanding, Kazmir will not return to the Halos in 2012. 

The team traded away a couple of potential starters last year in Sean O'Sullivan and Tyler Skaggs.  Trevor Bell is currently in the bullpen, but hasn't been all that impressive.  Two top pitching prospects currently in AA are Garret Richards and Trevor Reckling.  But jumping from AA to the Majors is a big leap.  I'd like to tell you life after the Dirtbag will be fine.  But I'd rather make a final plea to the Halos Front Office to re-sign Weaver.  

Go Halos 

Tyler Chatwood looked good, in defeat.

Cleveland Rocks.  No doubt about it, that Cleveland Indians are off to a hot start.  And when they get a a shut out from Talbot for nearly a complete came it makes a lot of sense.

Tyler Chatwood started the the first inning struggling with command and gave up a home run.  And later in the night Chatwood got taken for a three run blast.  His ERA went as high as 27.00 during the game and gradually came down to a 7.20 at the end of the night.  Chatwood gave up four hits, four walks, and four earned runs.  

Over hearing Scioscia on the radio, he mentioned something to the extent of Chatwood was aggressive and had good velocity.  What I saw was a kid, who looked pretty solid, despite the two home run balls.  But he battled back in a couple of innings, when he looked like he'd be pulled.

Walking in to Anaheim last night I had visions of Nick Adenhart dealing against Oakland and being near perfect for almost six innings.  Although Chatwood didn't have his best stuff, I think his first outing was a positive one, even in defeat.  I for one, hope to see him get a second start before Kazmir or Piñeiro comes off the DL. 

Are you Haren what I'm saying?

Color me surprised by the signing of Dan Haren.  Before last year's trade of Sean Rodriguez and prospects for Scotty Kazmir went down I was of the opinion that the Angels should pursue Dan Haren.  And at the time you heard all kinds of reasons why Tony Reagins couldn't make that move; contract length, money owed, prospects to get the deal, etc.  But in the bottom of the 5th inning in a losing effort to the Texas Rangers, Tony Reagins confirmed that this deal has been in the works for a while.  So when I popped on facebook yesterday afternoon to see what was going on, certainly made me smile.

However, I'm sad to see Joe Saunders go.  He was a gutty pitcher.  He isn't or will he be an Ace, but he was a guy that would go out there and was a pivotal to the successful season the Halos had last year. I felt much worse when I saw Saunders being interviewed.  Saunders hasn't had the best of year, but he really wasn't on my list of guys who should be moved.  I really do wish nothing but success to the Saunders and hope to see the Diamondbacks get back to some winning ways behind Saundo next year.

Haren was tied for the most strike outs in the National League, but has given up a lot of hits and homeruns.  His home runs given up should drop considering Anaheim is more of a pitchers park and there are some reservations about bringing in a guy who has an ERA nearly identical to Saunders, but ultimately this move makes the Angels better and if you watch tonight you'll see why. The Angels have wasted no time into re-introducing the new Angel to the American League.  Haren pitches tonight against the Boston Red Sox.  A Win tonight will certainly send a statement to the Texas Rangers.  But more than anything else, the Angels need a winning streak.  And with Haren on the mound tonight with Weaver following tomorrow, I like those chances.

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.

--BaseballMusings.com

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

The Wild Ride with the Angels Bullpen -- Or how Fernando Rodney saved the day!

The Angels rotation took a lot of abuse before the season even started.  The media was doubting the intestinal fortitude of the Halo Starters.  It was like Lackey was the straw that stirred the drink of the Angel's slingers.  But now that Lackey is gone, the Halos are done, no number one, etc. etc. etc.  Weaver has gracefully accepted the role of leader coming out of the rotation.  But a big surprise has been  Piñeiro .  But in the last couple of starts each pitcher has looked dominant.  Its very early in the season, but the Angels are looking like a Diamond full of Aces.  Weaver had a good start in Toronto, followed by Saunders and Santana.   Piñeiro starts it off against Detroit and Kazmir comes out looking pretty good through six.  Perhaps the rotation isn't as much of a concern as the media all lead us to believe.

However Kazmir win last night was nearly tainted at the hands of the bullpen.  Kazmir was charged the runs that Shields allowed.  Palmer didn't look much better.  And Jepsen had me worried.  But when Rodney stepped in the ninth it was all business.

Speaking of Rodney, it was Tim Dierkes of MLB TradeRumors who said that The Angels signing Fernado Rodney was one of the 10 Worst Free Agent Signings Of The Offseason. At the time many of the Angel faithful, myself include, understood this to be an insurance policy in case Brian Fuentes fell back into his familiar funk from last year. Spring opened up and Fuentes looked great. Opening Day, Fuentes looked great. And since his injury, Rodney has covered the closer spot and successfully closed 5 of 5 games. Not only the 5/5 closes, but each one of them were shut outs. Rodney even has a hold, from Opening Day and a win against Oakland. The only bad outing Rodney had was against the blow out against the Twins, where he was charged with the loss.  I am beginning to think that the closer position might be a shared spot between Fuentes and Rodney.  And that could save the Angels big cash, from Fuentes option investing.  Only a month or so into the season, but that Rodney signing is looking as impressive as the Piñeiro and Matsui signings this past off season.

Toronto and Boston get Swept! Damn it feels good to be a Halo Fan

When I originally started this blog, it was going to be in tribute to the young Angel rotation that was headed by John Lackey.  The remaining rotation was made up of Santana, Saunders, Weaver, and Matt Palmer who would be replaced with Scott Kazmir.  Even with Lackey on the roster, most circles I'm in would not even count Lackey as an ACE.  Hence the Diamond Aces, that each Angel pitcher could go out there and have an ACE like start.  2008, Saunders and Santana were both All-Stars.  2009, Weaver and Saunders were pitching like All-Stars.  Palmer was getting lucky!  Kazmir is a former All-Star!  So these Aces of the Diamond were set to destroy the American League West in 2010.  Now its much too early, but the pitching staff has certainly stepped their game up.  Toronto has never been a good city for the Halos, but they showed up in full force.  Weaver had a great outing, followed by Saunders going 8, and Santana finishing a complete game.  Nearly getting a Shut Out!  Now there is a long scheduled of baseball left to be played.  The Halos sit 2.5 games out of 1st Place.  

Speaking of Lackey, he signed with the Boston Red Sox.  He thought it would give him a better chance at winning another World Series ring.  Turns out, not so much.  Tampa Bay is in 1st.  New York is in 2nd.  Hell even the swept Blue Jays are in 3rd.  Because the Boston Red Sox are six games out of 1st Place in the East.  Now obviously this slide won't last all year.  But I plan on enjoying every moment of it I can.  

Go Halos!  

We will win with what we got...

I originally designed this for Halos Heaven the best Angel Community site on the Interwebs, prior to the Trade Deadline.  I was against the Angels pursuing anyone but pitching.  Because even last year, towards the trade deadline I wasn't confident that Lackey would be coming back.  And Figgins was the only guy I could see being traded from the Major League Roster.  Looking at this picture though is kind of depressing.  I was hoping Lackey would return to the Halos-- He gone.  I was hoping Vlad would retire an Angel-- He gone.  And of course Figgins and Darren Oliver also left the team, along with Escobar and Arrendondo. 

With all that being said, the Angels I think had to make that move for Kazmir.  And I think that move alone will really make a positive impact for the Angels in 2010.  And it looks like I need to make a new graphic to include the Diamond Aces of; Weaver, Kazmir, Santana, Saunders, and Piniero. 

The Angels go with a Four Man Rotation in the ALDS.

Recently over at Halos Heaven I brought up the question of, Do we go with a 3 Man or 4 man rotation in the Playoffs. The shape and color of the playoffs look like the Red Sox will win the Wildcard, which sets up New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers in the First Round. And the Angels taking on the familiar Red Sox in the opposite side of the bracket. If our first round match up is Boston, we have to consider what our staff has done against Boston. Last night John Lackey gave the Angels a pretty good outing in Fenway, where he's been known to struggle. Saunders gets a start in Fenway tonight and he has won his last 4 Starts. And Kazmir is reported as pitching well in Boston. Obviously our pitching staff has been getting better and better. In the playoffs are we better using a three man rotation or four? And who starts and who goes to the bullpen.

With home-field advantage going to the Angels, obviously match-ups should play a greater role. But with 4-5 above average pitchers, who goes where?

The Angels need a pitching staff who doesn't have the same demons of our past. A pitching staff who will show no fear against the hated ones. Our starting 4 Man rotation should be Kamir, Saunders, Weaver, Lackey and send Ervin Santana in as a late inning reliever. I would also suggest giving Lackey the more favorable starts in Anaheim as opposed to Fenway. Lackey hasn't performed well against Boston. 3 Wins, 7 Losses, and an ERA of 5.25. Kazmir is 8-7 against the Red Sox and has an ERA of 3.59. Saunders has had 4 Wins, 1 Loss and an ERA of 3.25. Ervin Santana vs. Boston is 1-2 and has an ERA of 5.67. Weaver's career is 2-2 against Boston and has a cool 3.99 ERA. Kazmir is unaffected by the Green Monster mystique. He's also had post season success against the Red Sox, by shutting out the Sox for 6 Innings at Fenway. Weaver who has pitch his best year thus far defeated the Red Sox in Fenway, coming out of the Bullpen. Weaver and Kazmir would be my choices for match ups in Fenway. Depending on Saunders next two starts can help shape where he goes in our rotation.

In a Best of 5 Series I'd go

Game 1 of the ALDS in Anaheim
Jered Weaver

Game 2 of the ALDS in Anaheim
John Lackey

Game 3 of the ALDS in Boston
Scott Kazmir

Game 4 of the ALDS in Boston
Joe Saunders

Game 5 of the ALDS in Anaheim
Jered Weaver

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.

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.