Angels
Angels Pay, But Don't Learn Any Lessons
01/22/10 16:15 Filed in: Baseball
Following an eight year period during which he was
twice traded, twice claimed on waivers, and once
outright released, Gary Matthews, Jr. had one good
year for the Texan Rangers in 2006. As seems so often
to be the case, that was a free agent year, and
Matthews cashed in big-time, as the Angels gave this
career wash-out a five-year, $50 Million contract.
Matthews rewarded the Angels by reverting to his career performance levels, averaging just under .250, 10 homers and 56 RBI for the three years he's played in Anaheim, and played barely good enough to keep his starting spot for the first year only. Cutting their loses, the Angels have now traded Matthews to the NY Mets, for underachiever Brian Stokes (6-11, 5.02 over four seasons). That, folks, is the GOOD news. The Angels also agreed to pay the Mets $21.5 Million to pay all but $2 Mil of Matthews' salary over the final two years of his contract.
Well, at least the Angels learned a lesson from all of this. Presumably that lesson is that it is not wise to hand over several million dollars to a journeyman player who has one solid year after several mediocre years. Right? WRONG!
The Angels have repeated the same mistake by signing the mediocre Joel Pineiro to a two-year, $16 Million contract, the same Pineiro who has bounced between three other teams, and before his decent 15-12 2009 season with St. Louis, had been 35-47 with an ERA over 5.00 from 2004 through 2008.
When Pineiro goes 6-13 this year, maybe then the Angels will actually learn something.
Matthews rewarded the Angels by reverting to his career performance levels, averaging just under .250, 10 homers and 56 RBI for the three years he's played in Anaheim, and played barely good enough to keep his starting spot for the first year only. Cutting their loses, the Angels have now traded Matthews to the NY Mets, for underachiever Brian Stokes (6-11, 5.02 over four seasons). That, folks, is the GOOD news. The Angels also agreed to pay the Mets $21.5 Million to pay all but $2 Mil of Matthews' salary over the final two years of his contract.
Well, at least the Angels learned a lesson from all of this. Presumably that lesson is that it is not wise to hand over several million dollars to a journeyman player who has one solid year after several mediocre years. Right? WRONG!
The Angels have repeated the same mistake by signing the mediocre Joel Pineiro to a two-year, $16 Million contract, the same Pineiro who has bounced between three other teams, and before his decent 15-12 2009 season with St. Louis, had been 35-47 with an ERA over 5.00 from 2004 through 2008.
When Pineiro goes 6-13 this year, maybe then the Angels will actually learn something.
theHoundDawg
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Power Shift Coming in AL West?
01/12/10 15:42 Filed in: Baseball
The Angels have dominated the AL West for most of the
past decade, but free-agent losses in Anaheim and
open checkbooks in Seattle and Texas may mean tougher
times for Mike Scioscia's guys this coming season.
The Angels can still field a dangerous offensive team and stellar defensive crew, despite the losses of Chone Figgins and Vladimir Guerrero. Maicer Izturis won't miss a step defensively at third, but he is not the top of the lineup catalyst the team has had for so long in Figgins. With a history of yearly injuries limiting the playing time of Howie Kendricks, Erick Aybar, Figgins, and Isturis himself, not having an Isturis as a fill-in for all three positions will be a major detriment to the team. Perennial prospect Brandon Wood may finally see some playing time in that role, but can he do the job defensively? Guerrero suffered through an injury-plagued 2009 and replacement Hideki Matsui who also limped through a poor early 2009 contributed significantly to the scumstripes' stretch run and was, somehow, World Series MVP.
It is on the mound where the Angels 2010 fortunes will be decided. Since he was brought up form the minors in July, 2002 and led the Angels to the World Championship, John Lackey has been the warhorse and ace that the Angels have relied on to anchor their starting staff. They now have to make due without him. Jared Weaver will have to step into the "Ace" role, and Joe Saunders and a hopefully healthy Scott Kazmir will form a formidable top three. A return to form for Earvin Santana could take care of one of the other starting spots, but there is no answer on the current roster to adequately fill the final spot. Trouble will we brewing if May comes around and the fifth starter comes from among Sean O'Sullivan, Bobby Mosebach and Anthony Ortega, who appear to be in line for the spot. A far better choice, from pitchers currently on the roster, would be Matt Palmer.
Questions also abound in the bullpen, where the hot and cold Brian Fuentes is still the stopper, and the very questionable Fernando Rodney has been signed to keep him on his toes while filling the set-up spot, though a healthy Scott Shields should be able to re-take that spot.
More troubling than foreseeable Angel deficiencies is the improvement made in Seattle and Texas.
Throughout his AL tenure, Guerrero has done more offensively against the Rangers than any player has against any other team in baseball. He loves to hit in Arlington, and if he stays healthy, he should have a monster season. Texas' young starters were very impressive the last half of 2009, and their young staff anchored by 17-game winner Scott Feldman figures to continue to improve. Former Angel spot lefty Darren Oliver returns to Texas and will be a big addition to their pen.
The question mark that they will also rely on is Rich Harden. More on that later.
Seattle traded for Cliff Lee and now boasts probably the top one-two starting punch in the AL in Lee and Félix Hernández. They've added Figgins and another former Angel in Casey Kotchman for the infield corners, and will get a full season from one of the most underrated players in the game, shortstop Jack Wilson. They've also added Milton Bradley to the outfield. More on that later.
Both these teams should be vastly improved, but is what they did enough, and were all of the acquisitions wise ones? Enough - no. Wise - no. The Angels still feature significantly more talent across their roster than either Seattle or Texas, and with Mike Scioscia calling the shots have a built in advantage. But the real reason the Angels will repeat as AL West champs is this. A year ago, all the experts said the Chicago Cubs were the team to beat in the National League. I said - and you can look it up in my pre-season picks from last year - that "No team that relies on Milton Bradley or Rich Harden will ever win anything." This proved correct last year, and will be true again this year. Seattle cannot win a division title if they have to rely on Bradley, nor can Texas relying on Harden.
The Angels can still field a dangerous offensive team and stellar defensive crew, despite the losses of Chone Figgins and Vladimir Guerrero. Maicer Izturis won't miss a step defensively at third, but he is not the top of the lineup catalyst the team has had for so long in Figgins. With a history of yearly injuries limiting the playing time of Howie Kendricks, Erick Aybar, Figgins, and Isturis himself, not having an Isturis as a fill-in for all three positions will be a major detriment to the team. Perennial prospect Brandon Wood may finally see some playing time in that role, but can he do the job defensively? Guerrero suffered through an injury-plagued 2009 and replacement Hideki Matsui who also limped through a poor early 2009 contributed significantly to the scumstripes' stretch run and was, somehow, World Series MVP.
It is on the mound where the Angels 2010 fortunes will be decided. Since he was brought up form the minors in July, 2002 and led the Angels to the World Championship, John Lackey has been the warhorse and ace that the Angels have relied on to anchor their starting staff. They now have to make due without him. Jared Weaver will have to step into the "Ace" role, and Joe Saunders and a hopefully healthy Scott Kazmir will form a formidable top three. A return to form for Earvin Santana could take care of one of the other starting spots, but there is no answer on the current roster to adequately fill the final spot. Trouble will we brewing if May comes around and the fifth starter comes from among Sean O'Sullivan, Bobby Mosebach and Anthony Ortega, who appear to be in line for the spot. A far better choice, from pitchers currently on the roster, would be Matt Palmer.
Questions also abound in the bullpen, where the hot and cold Brian Fuentes is still the stopper, and the very questionable Fernando Rodney has been signed to keep him on his toes while filling the set-up spot, though a healthy Scott Shields should be able to re-take that spot.
More troubling than foreseeable Angel deficiencies is the improvement made in Seattle and Texas.
Throughout his AL tenure, Guerrero has done more offensively against the Rangers than any player has against any other team in baseball. He loves to hit in Arlington, and if he stays healthy, he should have a monster season. Texas' young starters were very impressive the last half of 2009, and their young staff anchored by 17-game winner Scott Feldman figures to continue to improve. Former Angel spot lefty Darren Oliver returns to Texas and will be a big addition to their pen.
The question mark that they will also rely on is Rich Harden. More on that later.
Seattle traded for Cliff Lee and now boasts probably the top one-two starting punch in the AL in Lee and Félix Hernández. They've added Figgins and another former Angel in Casey Kotchman for the infield corners, and will get a full season from one of the most underrated players in the game, shortstop Jack Wilson. They've also added Milton Bradley to the outfield. More on that later.
Both these teams should be vastly improved, but is what they did enough, and were all of the acquisitions wise ones? Enough - no. Wise - no. The Angels still feature significantly more talent across their roster than either Seattle or Texas, and with Mike Scioscia calling the shots have a built in advantage. But the real reason the Angels will repeat as AL West champs is this. A year ago, all the experts said the Chicago Cubs were the team to beat in the National League. I said - and you can look it up in my pre-season picks from last year - that "No team that relies on Milton Bradley or Rich Harden will ever win anything." This proved correct last year, and will be true again this year. Seattle cannot win a division title if they have to rely on Bradley, nor can Texas relying on Harden.
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theHoundDawg
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Bleak Start to Off-Season Player Moves
12/10/09 13:59 Filed in: Baseball
As last season ended, the future looked good for the
Dodgers and Angels, despite the disappointment of the
post-season. The past month, however, has been a
disaster, on all fronts.
As the season came to a close, the news of the McCorts' breakup and its effect on the team was an unknown poisonous cloud, darkening every aspect of the Dodgers' ability to improve for next season. At this point, they've lost Randy Wolf, and are totally silent on the free agent acquisition front, and the trade rumor mill is also pretty silent, save for the one mention of Cub interest in Juan Pierre. The Dodgers have a serious need to add two quality starters, and it does not look like they will be opening the McCort vault to pay for a Lackey, Pineiro, or Marquis, and after the first few free agent starters, the pickings are very thin, and full of injury prone Nick Lowrys and Erik Bedards, too similar to the Jason Schmidts and Eric Miltons they paid so dearly for over the past three years. Time will only tell if the Dodgers will pay out anything to improve the staff, or will Billingsly, Kuroda, and Kershaw be followed by the likes of Charlie Haeger and Eric Stults?
The Angels have now lost Chone Figgins, and do not seem to be making any headway in re-siging John Lackey. Instead, the talk seems to be of further depleting the now-thin infield with a deal for Roy Halladay that would see Erick Aybar, Joe Saunders and Mike Napoli all going to Toronto. Despite the benefits of an absolute stellar number one starter in Halladay, this trade would be a loser for the Angels. They would need to make several additional moves in order to maintain their great defense and vastly improved offense if they go into next season without Figgins, Aybar and Napoli, and in giving up the guy who is probably now their number one starter (assuming Lackey is gone) to get a number one, this still leaves the starting staff woefully short in the numbers game. From what we saw of Anthony Ortega and Sean O'Sullivan last season, neither one of them can fill a regular sport in a major league rotation. Maybe a Mark DeRosa, or even an Adrian Beltre, can fill the void at third, with Maicer Izturis taking over as the regular at shortstop, but this overall picture is a major step back from last year's team.
All of this is with the backdrop of the scumstripes ripping off not one, but two teams, in one of the biggest steals of the 21st century. I can see Detroit's rationale in giving away developing superstar Curtis Granderson for the pile of pitching they received, but what are they doing in Arizona? How can they possibly rationalize giving up one of MLB's best arms and top young pitching talents in Max Scherzer, and only receiving the overrated career dud and one-year-flash Edwin Jackson, and yankee-wanna-be/never-will-be Ian kennedy? As far as this affects the Dodgers, I'm very glad o have Scherzer out of NL West, and am ooking forward to feasting off of Jackson and Kennedy.
As the season came to a close, the news of the McCorts' breakup and its effect on the team was an unknown poisonous cloud, darkening every aspect of the Dodgers' ability to improve for next season. At this point, they've lost Randy Wolf, and are totally silent on the free agent acquisition front, and the trade rumor mill is also pretty silent, save for the one mention of Cub interest in Juan Pierre. The Dodgers have a serious need to add two quality starters, and it does not look like they will be opening the McCort vault to pay for a Lackey, Pineiro, or Marquis, and after the first few free agent starters, the pickings are very thin, and full of injury prone Nick Lowrys and Erik Bedards, too similar to the Jason Schmidts and Eric Miltons they paid so dearly for over the past three years. Time will only tell if the Dodgers will pay out anything to improve the staff, or will Billingsly, Kuroda, and Kershaw be followed by the likes of Charlie Haeger and Eric Stults?
The Angels have now lost Chone Figgins, and do not seem to be making any headway in re-siging John Lackey. Instead, the talk seems to be of further depleting the now-thin infield with a deal for Roy Halladay that would see Erick Aybar, Joe Saunders and Mike Napoli all going to Toronto. Despite the benefits of an absolute stellar number one starter in Halladay, this trade would be a loser for the Angels. They would need to make several additional moves in order to maintain their great defense and vastly improved offense if they go into next season without Figgins, Aybar and Napoli, and in giving up the guy who is probably now their number one starter (assuming Lackey is gone) to get a number one, this still leaves the starting staff woefully short in the numbers game. From what we saw of Anthony Ortega and Sean O'Sullivan last season, neither one of them can fill a regular sport in a major league rotation. Maybe a Mark DeRosa, or even an Adrian Beltre, can fill the void at third, with Maicer Izturis taking over as the regular at shortstop, but this overall picture is a major step back from last year's team.
All of this is with the backdrop of the scumstripes ripping off not one, but two teams, in one of the biggest steals of the 21st century. I can see Detroit's rationale in giving away developing superstar Curtis Granderson for the pile of pitching they received, but what are they doing in Arizona? How can they possibly rationalize giving up one of MLB's best arms and top young pitching talents in Max Scherzer, and only receiving the overrated career dud and one-year-flash Edwin Jackson, and yankee-wanna-be/never-will-be Ian kennedy? As far as this affects the Dodgers, I'm very glad o have Scherzer out of NL West, and am ooking forward to feasting off of Jackson and Kennedy.
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theHoundDawg
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Angels Survive Starters' Injuries, Finally Beat Boston
10/12/09 11:12 Filed in: Baseball
The Angels began the season with a makeshift starting
staff as 4/5 of the rotation were injured. I always
felt they could still win the West, if for no other
reason than there was little real competition in the
division. Little did I realize that the re-built
Rangers were for real, and would not go away.
But, behind baseball's first half MVP Torri Hunter, the team withstood the injury plague, stayed close to Texas, and as the starters began to filter back, they re-took first place and never really faltered in their quest to meet the Red Sox once again in the playoffs. Despite the total absence of Kelvim Escobar, by the end of the season, the starting staff, bolstered by the acquisition of Scott Kazmir, had once again become baseball's best, as the BoSox saw over the past few days.
With healthy starters, a resurgent Vlad, the streaking Kendry Morales, the solid play of Figgins, Isturis, and Aybar, and a bullpen hopefully just good enough, bring on the scumstripes!
But, behind baseball's first half MVP Torri Hunter, the team withstood the injury plague, stayed close to Texas, and as the starters began to filter back, they re-took first place and never really faltered in their quest to meet the Red Sox once again in the playoffs. Despite the total absence of Kelvim Escobar, by the end of the season, the starting staff, bolstered by the acquisition of Scott Kazmir, had once again become baseball's best, as the BoSox saw over the past few days.
With healthy starters, a resurgent Vlad, the streaking Kendry Morales, the solid play of Figgins, Isturis, and Aybar, and a bullpen hopefully just good enough, bring on the scumstripes!
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theHoundDawg
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Why is This Year Not Like Last Year?
10/11/09 09:26 Filed in: Baseball
In last year's Division Series, the Dodgers looked
invincible against the Cubs, but then went down in
flames in the Championship Series against the
Phillies. Why will this year be different? There are
many reasons, but one sticks out.
The first few all revolve around the Dodgers. The starting staff is similar to last year's, but it doesn't matter this year. A Randy Wolf, a Clayton Kershaw (not to minimize the development of Kershaw and the fact that he can dominate a game), a Vicente Padilla, who can provide five good innings is all they need, with the solid bullpen they now have. The return to health of Hong-Chih Kuo and the acquisition of George Sherrill combining with Ronald Belisario and the now more experienced Jonathan Broxton is a powerful component they did not enjoy last season. The additional year of experience that Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp have gained cannot be over-emphasized. These guys are now full-fledged major league stars, producing stellar defense, key hits, and those little intangibles, game after game. And take a look at second base. Last season, the soon-to-be-retired Jeff Kent was injured through the end of the season and missed the playoffs, replaced by the likes of the displaced Brad DeWitt, Angel Barroa, and Pable Ozuna. Today, the Dodgers' lineup features the all-star play of Orlando Hudson and the late-season heroics of veteran Ronnie Belliard. All of these reasons foretell a better outcome for the Dodgers in the Championship Series.
But what else?
Easy. This year they won't be facing the total dominance of Brad Lidge. Lidge was THE reason the Phillies knocked off the Dodgers and went on to the title. Whether it is the Phillies again or the Rockies, neither team has at this time, a closer who can compare to what Lidge used to be - neither Ryan Madson nor Lidge himself with the Phillies, nor Houston Street with Colorado.
I'll take the Dodgers' chances to make it to the World Series for the first time since 1988. And there is a real chance that there could be a Freeway Series, with the Dodgers facing the Angels.
The first few all revolve around the Dodgers. The starting staff is similar to last year's, but it doesn't matter this year. A Randy Wolf, a Clayton Kershaw (not to minimize the development of Kershaw and the fact that he can dominate a game), a Vicente Padilla, who can provide five good innings is all they need, with the solid bullpen they now have. The return to health of Hong-Chih Kuo and the acquisition of George Sherrill combining with Ronald Belisario and the now more experienced Jonathan Broxton is a powerful component they did not enjoy last season. The additional year of experience that Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp have gained cannot be over-emphasized. These guys are now full-fledged major league stars, producing stellar defense, key hits, and those little intangibles, game after game. And take a look at second base. Last season, the soon-to-be-retired Jeff Kent was injured through the end of the season and missed the playoffs, replaced by the likes of the displaced Brad DeWitt, Angel Barroa, and Pable Ozuna. Today, the Dodgers' lineup features the all-star play of Orlando Hudson and the late-season heroics of veteran Ronnie Belliard. All of these reasons foretell a better outcome for the Dodgers in the Championship Series.
But what else?
Easy. This year they won't be facing the total dominance of Brad Lidge. Lidge was THE reason the Phillies knocked off the Dodgers and went on to the title. Whether it is the Phillies again or the Rockies, neither team has at this time, a closer who can compare to what Lidge used to be - neither Ryan Madson nor Lidge himself with the Phillies, nor Houston Street with Colorado.
I'll take the Dodgers' chances to make it to the World Series for the first time since 1988. And there is a real chance that there could be a Freeway Series, with the Dodgers facing the Angels.
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theHoundDawg
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Dodgers, Angels, Tigers, and all That
10/07/09 09:11 Filed in: Baseball
Any sane person would have to pick the scumspripes
and Cards to get to the World Series, but I think
there will be more surprises along the Division and
Championship Series route. No expert gives the
floundering Dodgers a chance against the dominant St.
Louis pitching, but that series will decide the NL
title, as the Phillies cannot make it without a
closer and the Rockies will not see a repeat of
history. In the AL, right now the Angles have the
dominant starting staff and a hot-and-cold closer to
compliment their great offense and stellar defense.
The charging Twins may or may not have enough
pitching to continue their run, but that will be an
interesting series. If only Justin Morneau could
play, and where is Francisco Liriano?
I loved the over-rated Tigers' collapse, which came a few weeks later than I anticipated.
Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw and Hiroki Kuroda will have a lot to say about who moves on in the NL.
I loved the over-rated Tigers' collapse, which came a few weeks later than I anticipated.
Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw and Hiroki Kuroda will have a lot to say about who moves on in the NL.
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theHoundDawg
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Big Things in Anaheim
08/30/09 14:33 Filed in: Baseball
During the past off-season, the Angles were a minor
player in the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes, after giving
up Casey Kotchman as rent for a few weeks of
Teixeira's services in late 2008. Maybe the Angels
did know something. I, for one, was not thrilled with
going into the season with basically one option for
first base - Kendry Morales.
Well, as August comes to a close, the stats for the two are shockingly similar:
Kendry Morales HRs: 30 RBI: 94 Avg.: .311
Mark Teixeira HRs: 32 RBI: 101 Avg.: .284
Shockingly similar, with one little exception - Morales isn't earning quite as much as Teixeira's $180 Million.
Hopefully, the move they did make will turn our as well as the one they didn't. This week's deal for Steve Kazmir looks like a gem, assuming Kazmir stays healthy. Healthy, he may well be the ace of the staff, and is the dominating number one guy that could lead a team to a WS title.
A key to the deal, though, is who is that player to be named. Giving up two top prospects for a 25-year-old established star is a no-brainer, but that third name figures to end up being an established player as well.
Well worth it, if Kazmir anchors the rotation for the next five years, or more.
Well, as August comes to a close, the stats for the two are shockingly similar:
Kendry Morales HRs: 30 RBI: 94 Avg.: .311
Mark Teixeira HRs: 32 RBI: 101 Avg.: .284
Shockingly similar, with one little exception - Morales isn't earning quite as much as Teixeira's $180 Million.
Hopefully, the move they did make will turn our as well as the one they didn't. This week's deal for Steve Kazmir looks like a gem, assuming Kazmir stays healthy. Healthy, he may well be the ace of the staff, and is the dominating number one guy that could lead a team to a WS title.
A key to the deal, though, is who is that player to be named. Giving up two top prospects for a 25-year-old established star is a no-brainer, but that third name figures to end up being an established player as well.
Well worth it, if Kazmir anchors the rotation for the next five years, or more.
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theHoundDawg
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Late-Season Deals Change Races, Especially in Central Divisions
08/11/09 16:48 Filed in: Baseball
A few teams really helped themselves in late July and
early August deals, especially in each leagues'
Central division.
The White Sox did the most to upgrade their shot at a division title, or wild card, getting Jake Peavy, healthy enough they hope for a September and playoff time boost. Now, they have added a bat in center field, in Alex Rios, and they look like they could be the AL central's best bet for a September-October playoff run. Detroit did booster their staff with the addition of Jarrod Washburn, but I never felt the Tigers had enough to win their division, and I don't see Washburn alone making the difference, especially because my pre-season pick for the wild-card, Minnesota, has helped themselves as much by adding Carl Pavano, and with the return of Nick Punto from the DL. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau in the batting title and home rune races respectively, figure to keep the Twins' power going strong to the bitter end.
In the National Leagues' Central, my pre-season pick, Milwaukee, did little to help their stretch run, acquiring only Claudio Vargas, on a team with a disappointing starting staff. St. Louis, who I felt needed a bit more, including a healthy Chris Carpenter, to take the division, now feature not only an 11-3 Carpenter (with a 2.26 ERA), but Matt Holliday in the outfield, and Julio Lugo at short. The Cardinals figure to ride their current roster to a division title. The Cubs are a sinking ship, and will finish fourth or fifth. Their best hope is that Lou won't blow a gasket and be able to return to make another run at it next season.
The Red Sox also need mentioning. The team that looked so solid in every facet only a few weeks ago, now seems to be floundering. The many deals Theo Epstein pulled of in a short time make little sense. Of course Victor Martinez is a great addition, but injuries to the staff make the trade of Justin Masterson seem like a mistake. The crown around first base is also hard to comprehend, especially since offensive leader Kevin Youkilis should be there every day. But where does that leave Martinez, let alone Casey Kotchman?
The return of Jason Bay - out of the lineup during much of the Sox' slump - and the combination of the Red Sox' overall talent, the managerial capabilities of Terry Francona, and the liklihood that the staff will get healthier, still, however, makes me think that the ship will be righted, and that it will be Boston on top of the East come October 4.
The White Sox did the most to upgrade their shot at a division title, or wild card, getting Jake Peavy, healthy enough they hope for a September and playoff time boost. Now, they have added a bat in center field, in Alex Rios, and they look like they could be the AL central's best bet for a September-October playoff run. Detroit did booster their staff with the addition of Jarrod Washburn, but I never felt the Tigers had enough to win their division, and I don't see Washburn alone making the difference, especially because my pre-season pick for the wild-card, Minnesota, has helped themselves as much by adding Carl Pavano, and with the return of Nick Punto from the DL. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau in the batting title and home rune races respectively, figure to keep the Twins' power going strong to the bitter end.
In the National Leagues' Central, my pre-season pick, Milwaukee, did little to help their stretch run, acquiring only Claudio Vargas, on a team with a disappointing starting staff. St. Louis, who I felt needed a bit more, including a healthy Chris Carpenter, to take the division, now feature not only an 11-3 Carpenter (with a 2.26 ERA), but Matt Holliday in the outfield, and Julio Lugo at short. The Cardinals figure to ride their current roster to a division title. The Cubs are a sinking ship, and will finish fourth or fifth. Their best hope is that Lou won't blow a gasket and be able to return to make another run at it next season.
The Red Sox also need mentioning. The team that looked so solid in every facet only a few weeks ago, now seems to be floundering. The many deals Theo Epstein pulled of in a short time make little sense. Of course Victor Martinez is a great addition, but injuries to the staff make the trade of Justin Masterson seem like a mistake. The crown around first base is also hard to comprehend, especially since offensive leader Kevin Youkilis should be there every day. But where does that leave Martinez, let alone Casey Kotchman?
The return of Jason Bay - out of the lineup during much of the Sox' slump - and the combination of the Red Sox' overall talent, the managerial capabilities of Terry Francona, and the liklihood that the staff will get healthier, still, however, makes me think that the ship will be righted, and that it will be Boston on top of the East come October 4.
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theHoundDawg
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Jason Who II and a Four Game Streak
07/21/09 22:47 Filed in: Baseball
Well, after a very shaky first inning, Jason Schmidt
gave a decent impression of a major league pitcher
for another four innings last night, and tonight
Randy Wolf got the run support missing from his
starts most of the season, and suddenly the Dodgers
have a four game winning streak and have their best
overall record in 19 seasons.
The one downside of the Dodgers' great overall performance tonight was the hand injury Manny suffered when hit by a Homer Bailey pitch, but as they say, x-rays were negative and he's day-to-day.
In three games today and tonight, Los Angeles averaged 10 runs per game, with the Dodgers scoring 12 against the Reds, and the Angels taking two from KC, 8-5 and 10-2. The Angels are 5-1 since the break, and are weathering the losses of Vlad and Torri Hunter quite well, thanks in large part to the schedule maker, loading them up with KC, Oakland, and Cleveland while 2/3rds of the outfield is healing.
Injuries are affecting the current complexion of the AL East, with TIm Wakefield joining Dice-K Matsuzaka on the Boston DL, and the Red Sox falling into second, with a four game losing streak, despite the return of Jed Lowrie. The current success of the scumstripes not withstanding, I'm sticking with my pre-season picks that two playoff teams will come out of the AL East and neither will be from NY. With a healthier Scott Kazmir and a new ace in Jeff Niemann, Tampa will finish the season in second, behind Boston.
The one downside of the Dodgers' great overall performance tonight was the hand injury Manny suffered when hit by a Homer Bailey pitch, but as they say, x-rays were negative and he's day-to-day.
In three games today and tonight, Los Angeles averaged 10 runs per game, with the Dodgers scoring 12 against the Reds, and the Angels taking two from KC, 8-5 and 10-2. The Angels are 5-1 since the break, and are weathering the losses of Vlad and Torri Hunter quite well, thanks in large part to the schedule maker, loading them up with KC, Oakland, and Cleveland while 2/3rds of the outfield is healing.
Injuries are affecting the current complexion of the AL East, with TIm Wakefield joining Dice-K Matsuzaka on the Boston DL, and the Red Sox falling into second, with a four game losing streak, despite the return of Jed Lowrie. The current success of the scumstripes not withstanding, I'm sticking with my pre-season picks that two playoff teams will come out of the AL East and neither will be from NY. With a healthier Scott Kazmir and a new ace in Jeff Niemann, Tampa will finish the season in second, behind Boston.
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theHoundDawg
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As Usual, Pitching is Key, as Second Half Begins
07/16/09 09:11 Filed in: Baseball
As the second half of the season is set to begin,
pitching is, as always, the key to success
down the stretch.
First, and in consideration of rumor number one, which may just be speculation and defective, stupid controversy created by certain second-line radio commentators, is the ridiculous theory that the Dodger would even consider trading Clayton Kershaw and/or Matt Kemp, in order to obtain Roy Halladay. Kershaw and Kemp are rare talents that come along infrequently. At the start of the year, I felt that Kemp would put it together this season, and become a star, and that is happening before our eyes. He deserved to be on the All-Star team. Kershaw has more ability than any pitcher to reach the majors in many years, but I did feel it would be at least until next season before he took his place as a number one starter, and Cy Young contender. Well, he has just about reached that level over the past six weeks, with only his penchant for making too many pitches and being able to only go an average of six innings per start keeping him from reaching that level. The fact is, though, that he has been scored on in only two of his last six starts, giving up a total of three runs in his last 36 or so innings, lowering his ERA from 4.50 to 3.16.
He is on the verge of becoming the ace the Dodgers have been seeking, and only more experience and more consistent control stand in his way.
Trade him or Kemp? Never, for any current player in the majors, save that Albert guy in St. Louis.
Second is that other rumor that indicated that Toronto would commit franchise suicide by trading Halladay to the Redsox or scumstripes. Trade the AL's reigning pitching star within your division, to one of the best teams in the league, whose only weaknesses relate to pitching? No way. If so, through, fire the GM and pack the trunk and move to Moose Jaw.
Toronto does not realize their situation. Their limited success this season is due to Halladay, their vastly improved offense, which is due to the maturation of several of their young players, and the development of several young pitchers, such as Ricky Romero. Add back injured young stud starters Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum, and the 2010 Blue Jays are a real contender. Don't screw that up and hand the division to one of those other teams.
The seemingly healthier Angels' staff now has to not only compensate for the loss of Vald and Torri Hunter, but for the continued struggles of Earvin Santana. He starts opening night of the second half, and has to show that he is regaining last year's form, or else he might need a Howie Kendrick Triple A vacation.
Overall, at the mid-point, four of my six division picks are in first place, and all of my picks except Cleveland are in the running for the playoffs. And, Torri Hunter is the AL's MVP at this point in the season.
theHoundDawg
First, and in consideration of rumor number one, which may just be speculation and defective, stupid controversy created by certain second-line radio commentators, is the ridiculous theory that the Dodger would even consider trading Clayton Kershaw and/or Matt Kemp, in order to obtain Roy Halladay. Kershaw and Kemp are rare talents that come along infrequently. At the start of the year, I felt that Kemp would put it together this season, and become a star, and that is happening before our eyes. He deserved to be on the All-Star team. Kershaw has more ability than any pitcher to reach the majors in many years, but I did feel it would be at least until next season before he took his place as a number one starter, and Cy Young contender. Well, he has just about reached that level over the past six weeks, with only his penchant for making too many pitches and being able to only go an average of six innings per start keeping him from reaching that level. The fact is, though, that he has been scored on in only two of his last six starts, giving up a total of three runs in his last 36 or so innings, lowering his ERA from 4.50 to 3.16.
He is on the verge of becoming the ace the Dodgers have been seeking, and only more experience and more consistent control stand in his way.
Trade him or Kemp? Never, for any current player in the majors, save that Albert guy in St. Louis.
Second is that other rumor that indicated that Toronto would commit franchise suicide by trading Halladay to the Redsox or scumstripes. Trade the AL's reigning pitching star within your division, to one of the best teams in the league, whose only weaknesses relate to pitching? No way. If so, through, fire the GM and pack the trunk and move to Moose Jaw.
Toronto does not realize their situation. Their limited success this season is due to Halladay, their vastly improved offense, which is due to the maturation of several of their young players, and the development of several young pitchers, such as Ricky Romero. Add back injured young stud starters Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum, and the 2010 Blue Jays are a real contender. Don't screw that up and hand the division to one of those other teams.
The seemingly healthier Angels' staff now has to not only compensate for the loss of Vald and Torri Hunter, but for the continued struggles of Earvin Santana. He starts opening night of the second half, and has to show that he is regaining last year's form, or else he might need a Howie Kendrick Triple A vacation.
Overall, at the mid-point, four of my six division picks are in first place, and all of my picks except Cleveland are in the running for the playoffs. And, Torri Hunter is the AL's MVP at this point in the season.
theHoundDawg
Starters Back, But Angel Bullpen Just Applied for FEMA Trailers
06/07/09 21:20 Filed in: Baseball
The Angels miraculously weathered the early season
storm of monumental injuries to the starting staff.
John Lackey and Ervin Santana worked through their
cobwebs and have rounded into form, and Kelvim
Escobar has now also re-appeared, and pitched well in
his first start. With Jared Weaver pitching lights
out, and the solid work of Joe Saunders and Matt
Palmer, as I thought would happen, the Angels again
have the strongest and deepest starting staff in the
AL. But that bullpen!
The Angels decided to let Frankie Rodríguez leave in the off season, and they compounded that mistake by paying good money for the over-rated, under-talented, and inconsistent Brian Fuentes. His 15 saves are much less of an indicator of his effectiveness than is his 4.95 ERA. Even more troubling, however, is the state of the rest of the pen, with long relief and set-up men one more awful than the next.
The Angel brain trust decided that besides letting Rodríguez leave, that they would build the rest of the crew around the inconsistent Scot Shields, the disappointing Justin Speier, and the inexperienced but potentially outstanding Jose Arredondo. That too, has worked real well. Shields has taken his 6.62 ERA to the DL, while Speier and Arrendondo each have ERAs over five. Out of necessity, the likes of Jason Bulger, Kevin Jepsen, Rafael Rodríguez, and Daniel Davidson have been given bullpen roles, with even less success. Today's game in Detroit is a prime example of the bullpen woes. The Angels came back from a one-run deficit to take a one-run lead into the eight inning, when Arredondo and Bulger combined to allow five runs and hand Detroit a 9-6 victory.
The Angels can almost certainly again win the West with their current staff, but any hopes of getting to a World Series are mere dreams unless some major help for the bullpen arrives by September.
One thought: While Escobar has had his best success as a starter, he has considerable experience in the bullpen, and with the starters now six deep, perhaps they should leave Palmer as the fifth starter and give Kelvim the closer role, with Fuentes the set-up guy.
theHoundDawg
The Angels decided to let Frankie Rodríguez leave in the off season, and they compounded that mistake by paying good money for the over-rated, under-talented, and inconsistent Brian Fuentes. His 15 saves are much less of an indicator of his effectiveness than is his 4.95 ERA. Even more troubling, however, is the state of the rest of the pen, with long relief and set-up men one more awful than the next.
The Angel brain trust decided that besides letting Rodríguez leave, that they would build the rest of the crew around the inconsistent Scot Shields, the disappointing Justin Speier, and the inexperienced but potentially outstanding Jose Arredondo. That too, has worked real well. Shields has taken his 6.62 ERA to the DL, while Speier and Arrendondo each have ERAs over five. Out of necessity, the likes of Jason Bulger, Kevin Jepsen, Rafael Rodríguez, and Daniel Davidson have been given bullpen roles, with even less success. Today's game in Detroit is a prime example of the bullpen woes. The Angels came back from a one-run deficit to take a one-run lead into the eight inning, when Arredondo and Bulger combined to allow five runs and hand Detroit a 9-6 victory.
The Angels can almost certainly again win the West with their current staff, but any hopes of getting to a World Series are mere dreams unless some major help for the bullpen arrives by September.
One thought: While Escobar has had his best success as a starter, he has considerable experience in the bullpen, and with the starters now six deep, perhaps they should leave Palmer as the fifth starter and give Kelvim the closer role, with Fuentes the set-up guy.
theHoundDawg
Angels Weather Storm, Dodgers Still in Trouble
05/15/09 07:55 Filed in: Baseball
The Angels' early-season nightmare is over.
With Earvin Santana back in the rotation, John Lackey about to be back, with Joe Saunders and Jared Weaver pitching outstanding, consistent ball, and with the emergence of Matt Palmer, the Angels' decimated rotation is now back to AL dominance. With the anticipated return of Glad, the consistent play of Kendry Morales, and the tremendous defensive improvement of Chone Figgans at third base, and with a division full of early-season pretenders, the Angels should now be on their way to another year of regular-season dominance.
Whether or not they can, for the first time since 2002, carry that over to the post season and actually win something of importance, is another matter.
Yet another matter is the Dodgers. Despite winning two-of-three on the road from the Champion Phillies, the Dodger mess is still not pretty. Andre Ethier continues to struggle, Juan Pierre is coming back to earth, and the previously dominant Jonathan Broxton "vultched" his fourth victory of the season yesterday, after blowing his second save of the season.
With Jeff Weaver entrenched in the rotation (at least for now), Eric Mitlon's recall, Jason Schmidt's beginnng rehabilitation, the demotion of John McDonald, and Clayton Kershaw's struggles, the face of the Dodger staff is seemingly in the process of a dramatic change from reliance on strong, young, healthy arms, to being composed of tired, old, questionable, injury-prone retreads.
This could, in the long run, be more of a problem then the loss of Manny.
theHoundDawg
With Earvin Santana back in the rotation, John Lackey about to be back, with Joe Saunders and Jared Weaver pitching outstanding, consistent ball, and with the emergence of Matt Palmer, the Angels' decimated rotation is now back to AL dominance. With the anticipated return of Glad, the consistent play of Kendry Morales, and the tremendous defensive improvement of Chone Figgans at third base, and with a division full of early-season pretenders, the Angels should now be on their way to another year of regular-season dominance.
Whether or not they can, for the first time since 2002, carry that over to the post season and actually win something of importance, is another matter.
Yet another matter is the Dodgers. Despite winning two-of-three on the road from the Champion Phillies, the Dodger mess is still not pretty. Andre Ethier continues to struggle, Juan Pierre is coming back to earth, and the previously dominant Jonathan Broxton "vultched" his fourth victory of the season yesterday, after blowing his second save of the season.
With Jeff Weaver entrenched in the rotation (at least for now), Eric Mitlon's recall, Jason Schmidt's beginnng rehabilitation, the demotion of John McDonald, and Clayton Kershaw's struggles, the face of the Dodger staff is seemingly in the process of a dramatic change from reliance on strong, young, healthy arms, to being composed of tired, old, questionable, injury-prone retreads.
This could, in the long run, be more of a problem then the loss of Manny.
theHoundDawg
Angels Back on Track
05/06/09 13:18 Filed in: Baseball
With word that John Lackey and Ervin Santana are
beginning rehab, that Vlad may be back as DH in a few
days, and with good outings by Matt Palmer and Shane
Loux, things are looking up for the Angels' recovery.
They've won three in a row and are only two games out
of first, after weathering what is hopefully the
worst of an historic stretch of pitching staff
injuries.
It looks like Seattle's hot start is over, and though Texas has been on a role, they still do not have the pitching to compete with LA, so long as at least half the Angel staff remains on the active roster.
theHoundDawg
It looks like Seattle's hot start is over, and though Texas has been on a role, they still do not have the pitching to compete with LA, so long as at least half the Angel staff remains on the active roster.
theHoundDawg
While We Were Away, Part 1
04/23/09 19:05 Filed in: Baseball
After being away from SoCal, and much of the sports
world, for almost nine days, some random thoughts:
The Angel pitching woes just keep getting worse. Since April 14, they have now also lost Dustin Moseley, Darren Oliver, and Kevin Jepsen; Brian Fuentes, Scott Shields and Jose Arredondo have ERAs of 13.50, 14.40, and 7.20, respectively, and tonight they are starting Matt Palmer, whose Triple-A ERA this season was approaching 12. Paul Byrd, Pedro Martinez, and maybe the late Art Fowler, are you busy at the moment?
Manny is heating up, and the Dodgers are still in first place, despite one reliable starting pitcher. As I'm writing this, Chad Billingsley is on his way to becoming the first pitcher to reach 4-0.
I saw a game at SAFECO Field in Seattle, and it's a great place to watch a game. Friendly, really helpful staff, great food, and wonderful site lines, seating, and other accutremonts make it one of the best partks I've been to. As an aside, as I saw Mike Sweeney go 3-for-3, I commented to one of the people I was with what a great hitter he could have been if not for so many debilitating injuries the past few years. Then I saw that he got injured yet again the next night.
The scumstripes are feeling the pressure from so many empty premium seats, and, according to Yahoo Sports are considering lowering their pricing from the obsene $2625 price tags they have been trying to extort from the rich and famous. If they don't improve attendance, and revenue, it would be real nice if the scumstripes have their new house that greed built forclosed.
theHoundDawg
The Angel pitching woes just keep getting worse. Since April 14, they have now also lost Dustin Moseley, Darren Oliver, and Kevin Jepsen; Brian Fuentes, Scott Shields and Jose Arredondo have ERAs of 13.50, 14.40, and 7.20, respectively, and tonight they are starting Matt Palmer, whose Triple-A ERA this season was approaching 12. Paul Byrd, Pedro Martinez, and maybe the late Art Fowler, are you busy at the moment?
Manny is heating up, and the Dodgers are still in first place, despite one reliable starting pitcher. As I'm writing this, Chad Billingsley is on his way to becoming the first pitcher to reach 4-0.
I saw a game at SAFECO Field in Seattle, and it's a great place to watch a game. Friendly, really helpful staff, great food, and wonderful site lines, seating, and other accutremonts make it one of the best partks I've been to. As an aside, as I saw Mike Sweeney go 3-for-3, I commented to one of the people I was with what a great hitter he could have been if not for so many debilitating injuries the past few years. Then I saw that he got injured yet again the next night.
The scumstripes are feeling the pressure from so many empty premium seats, and, according to Yahoo Sports are considering lowering their pricing from the obsene $2625 price tags they have been trying to extort from the rich and famous. If they don't improve attendance, and revenue, it would be real nice if the scumstripes have their new house that greed built forclosed.
theHoundDawg
Thought to be Dormant, Angels' Curse Returns with a Vengeance
04/09/09 08:33 Filed in: Baseball
For decades, there appeared to be a curse hovering
over the the Los Angeles-California-Anaheim-Los
Angeles Angels, who suffered through one tragedy
after another. Young and talented players, including
some stars and many potential stars, died tragic
deaths, many during the season. From the shooting
death of Lyman Bostock, to the brain tumor that took
Dick Wantz within a month of his major league debut,
to the numerous traffic fatalities including Mike
Miley, Bruce Heinbechner, and Chico Ruiz, and to the
suicide of former star Donnie Moore. Career changing
injuries were also part of the curse, exemplified by
the beanings suffered by Paul Schaal and Don Mincher.
Add to this, the devastating injuries suffered by
Bobby Valentine and the kidney disease that derailed
the career of Rick Reichardt. If something bad
happened, it seemed to always happen to an Angel.
After years of seeming calm, the curse has returned.
For a couple of years, we heard that Nick Adenhart had the tools to be a star. In three games last year, he pitched poorly, but this spring, with so many injured pitchers, he earned the opportunity to begin the season on the Angels roster, and in the rotation, and he started last night's game, showing everything that the team had said about him. He pitched six shutout innings, and appeared to be just what the Angels needed with three starters on the disabled list.
Then, a couple of hours after the game, he was killed in a Fullerton, CA traffic collision.
At this time, it is being said that another unnamed member of the Angels' organization was also killed in the accident.
And, this just two days after a fan died at Angels' Stadium, following the opening night game.
Our condolences to the Adenhart family and to the Angels' organization. Let's hope these are isolated incidents, to be followed by years of business-as-usual at Angels' Stadium.
theHoundDawg
After years of seeming calm, the curse has returned.
For a couple of years, we heard that Nick Adenhart had the tools to be a star. In three games last year, he pitched poorly, but this spring, with so many injured pitchers, he earned the opportunity to begin the season on the Angels roster, and in the rotation, and he started last night's game, showing everything that the team had said about him. He pitched six shutout innings, and appeared to be just what the Angels needed with three starters on the disabled list.
Then, a couple of hours after the game, he was killed in a Fullerton, CA traffic collision.
At this time, it is being said that another unnamed member of the Angels' organization was also killed in the accident.
And, this just two days after a fan died at Angels' Stadium, following the opening night game.
Our condolences to the Adenhart family and to the Angels' organization. Let's hope these are isolated incidents, to be followed by years of business-as-usual at Angels' Stadium.
theHoundDawg
The Season Starts Sunday - This is How It Will End
04/03/09 21:31 Filed in: Baseball
AL 2009
Boston - A healthy Beckett and a return to form from Brad Penny, and the BoSox won't be caught.
Tampa - Last year was no fluke, but not enough with Boston in their division.
New York - More bucks, more losses. Girardi may not last the season. Pressure on Teixeira won't be pretty.
Toronto - Could have been vastly improved but for injuries to Marcum and McGowan.
Baltimore - By July, theHoundDawg may be their fourth starter.
Cleveland - Healthy Martinez, Hafner, and Pavano, and the Tribe is back.
Minnesota - Baker, Bonser and Neshek - too many injured pitchers.
Chicago - Would need BIG comebacks from too many to challenge.
Detroit - Best thing going is no more Sheffield, but pitching is too suspect
Kansas City - They seemed to be building on their young starters, but sending down Bannister and Hochevar while giving spots to Ramirez and Ponson are major steps backward.
Los Angeles - Second Best team in AL when healthy, and starting season with injuries to three starters should not effect division runaway.
Oakland - Much improved but too much depends on totally inexperienced starters.
Texas - As always, questionable pitching, but no longer the offensive machine of past few seasons.
Seattle - Ten more wins still means last place. Outfield was a disaster before Ichiro got sick.
Division series - Los Angeles over Tampa and Boston over Cleveland
Championship Series - Boston over Los Angeles
NL 2009
Los Angeles - Top-notch offense, defense, bullpen, but will go only as far as their starters will take them.
Arizona - Pretty much the same as with LA, but D'Backs have no Manny.
San Francisco - Reverse of division's top teams - starting pitching and lots of question marks. OF and catching are set, but that infield?
San Diego - Improved from last year, but young talent not ready to compete for top three spots.
Colorado - Not the power-laden team of the past, and questionable pitching depth, but biggest problem is no more Matt Holliday, plus Jeff Francis gone for the season.
Milwaukee - Outstanding offense and despite loss of Sabathia and Sheets, staff has good mix of savey, dependable vets and young talent.
St. Louis - Return of Chris Carpenter solidifies starters, but big voids in bullpen, and infield looks like Pujols and three guys from central casting. Glaus return from injury is always tenuous.
Chicago - No team depending on Milton Bradley and Rich Harden will ever win anything.
Houston - Only health, depth of starting staff keep then behind Cubs.
Cincinnati - Overrated pitching staff won't keep up with up-and-coming offense, plus too many questions in outfield.
Pittsburgh - Lots of young talent on the field, but lack of same on staff will keep them in cellar, unless Karstens and Ohlehdorf suddenly become major league pitchers.
Philadelphia - Improved pitching from start of season and except for Ibanez for Burrell, same team on field as last year's champs.
New York - Addition of great closer more than offset by signing of worst person in baseball, G. Sheffield.
Atlanta - Will go as far as totally revamped pitching will take them, plus rookie CF Jordan Schafer must be for real.
Florida - Health of returning starters, poor defense, big question marks at 3B and entire outfield, all point to disappointing season.
Washington - Addition of Adam Dunn not nearly enough.
Division series - Los Angeles over Milwaukee and Philadelphia over Arizona
Championship Series - Philadelphia over Los Angeles
Boston over Philadelphia in World Series
theHoundDawg
Boston - A healthy Beckett and a return to form from Brad Penny, and the BoSox won't be caught.
Tampa - Last year was no fluke, but not enough with Boston in their division.
New York - More bucks, more losses. Girardi may not last the season. Pressure on Teixeira won't be pretty.
Toronto - Could have been vastly improved but for injuries to Marcum and McGowan.
Baltimore - By July, theHoundDawg may be their fourth starter.
Cleveland - Healthy Martinez, Hafner, and Pavano, and the Tribe is back.
Minnesota - Baker, Bonser and Neshek - too many injured pitchers.
Chicago - Would need BIG comebacks from too many to challenge.
Detroit - Best thing going is no more Sheffield, but pitching is too suspect
Kansas City - They seemed to be building on their young starters, but sending down Bannister and Hochevar while giving spots to Ramirez and Ponson are major steps backward.
Los Angeles - Second Best team in AL when healthy, and starting season with injuries to three starters should not effect division runaway.
Oakland - Much improved but too much depends on totally inexperienced starters.
Texas - As always, questionable pitching, but no longer the offensive machine of past few seasons.
Seattle - Ten more wins still means last place. Outfield was a disaster before Ichiro got sick.
Division series - Los Angeles over Tampa and Boston over Cleveland
Championship Series - Boston over Los Angeles
NL 2009
Los Angeles - Top-notch offense, defense, bullpen, but will go only as far as their starters will take them.
Arizona - Pretty much the same as with LA, but D'Backs have no Manny.
San Francisco - Reverse of division's top teams - starting pitching and lots of question marks. OF and catching are set, but that infield?
San Diego - Improved from last year, but young talent not ready to compete for top three spots.
Colorado - Not the power-laden team of the past, and questionable pitching depth, but biggest problem is no more Matt Holliday, plus Jeff Francis gone for the season.
Milwaukee - Outstanding offense and despite loss of Sabathia and Sheets, staff has good mix of savey, dependable vets and young talent.
St. Louis - Return of Chris Carpenter solidifies starters, but big voids in bullpen, and infield looks like Pujols and three guys from central casting. Glaus return from injury is always tenuous.
Chicago - No team depending on Milton Bradley and Rich Harden will ever win anything.
Houston - Only health, depth of starting staff keep then behind Cubs.
Cincinnati - Overrated pitching staff won't keep up with up-and-coming offense, plus too many questions in outfield.
Pittsburgh - Lots of young talent on the field, but lack of same on staff will keep them in cellar, unless Karstens and Ohlehdorf suddenly become major league pitchers.
Philadelphia - Improved pitching from start of season and except for Ibanez for Burrell, same team on field as last year's champs.
New York - Addition of great closer more than offset by signing of worst person in baseball, G. Sheffield.
Atlanta - Will go as far as totally revamped pitching will take them, plus rookie CF Jordan Schafer must be for real.
Florida - Health of returning starters, poor defense, big question marks at 3B and entire outfield, all point to disappointing season.
Washington - Addition of Adam Dunn not nearly enough.
Division series - Los Angeles over Milwaukee and Philadelphia over Arizona
Championship Series - Philadelphia over Los Angeles
Boston over Philadelphia in World Series
theHoundDawg
Angels' Pitching Strength Now Major Worry
03/26/09 17:24 Filed in: Baseball
Despite losing Jon Garland and Frankie Rodriguez to
free agency this past off season, pitching still
remained an Angel strength coming into the 2009
season.
As the start of the season fast approaches, holes in the starting staff are reaching epoch proportions.
First, it became clear that Kelvim Escobar is not yet fully recovered from last year's surgery, and will not be ready at the start of the season. Then, we learned of Ervin Santana's arm problems and his status remains totally unclear. Now ace John Lackey has been shut down, and will not be available to start the season. That's 60% of the starting staff on the shelf! It is now clear that the Angels' rotation in in worse shape than the Dodgers', with only a few days left before opening day.
On another, slightly related note, I stumbled upon a very interesting article today, Rouen Huskies Sign Former LA Angels Pitching Prospect, detailing how former Angel minor leaguer Travis Stanton has signed to pitch for the Rouen Huskies of the French Baseball League. I find this fascinating not becasue of Travis Stanton, but becasue of the fact that there is a baseball league in FRANCE!
theHoundDawg
As the start of the season fast approaches, holes in the starting staff are reaching epoch proportions.
First, it became clear that Kelvim Escobar is not yet fully recovered from last year's surgery, and will not be ready at the start of the season. Then, we learned of Ervin Santana's arm problems and his status remains totally unclear. Now ace John Lackey has been shut down, and will not be available to start the season. That's 60% of the starting staff on the shelf! It is now clear that the Angels' rotation in in worse shape than the Dodgers', with only a few days left before opening day.
On another, slightly related note, I stumbled upon a very interesting article today, Rouen Huskies Sign Former LA Angels Pitching Prospect, detailing how former Angel minor leaguer Travis Stanton has signed to pitch for the Rouen Huskies of the French Baseball League. I find this fascinating not becasue of Travis Stanton, but becasue of the fact that there is a baseball league in FRANCE!
theHoundDawg
We Should Be Enjoying Spring Training - Why Not?
03/01/09 15:54 Filed in: Baseball
We should be enjoying spring training -
seeing the prospects play above their heads, visions
of "This Year" in our heads, the thought of Opening
Day!
But we are not; at least, I'm not.
What am I thinking about?
The hole in left field and in the batting order, that may only be filled by paying out as much as $55 million over the next two years to the spawn of Scott Boras. The stigma of steroids that has totally eveloped baseball. Jim Bowden's resignation in light of allegations of skimming of bonus money from third world prospects. The scumstripes new rotation. The Dodgers no longer in Vero Beach. The Brad Penny-Larry Bowa he-said-he-said absurdity.
Some things are, however, as they normally are: Andruw Jones struck out in eight of his first nine abs with Texas and Milton Bradley is injured.
Somehow, that's just not enough to make it good.
theHoundDawg
But we are not; at least, I'm not.
What am I thinking about?
The hole in left field and in the batting order, that may only be filled by paying out as much as $55 million over the next two years to the spawn of Scott Boras. The stigma of steroids that has totally eveloped baseball. Jim Bowden's resignation in light of allegations of skimming of bonus money from third world prospects. The scumstripes new rotation. The Dodgers no longer in Vero Beach. The Brad Penny-Larry Bowa he-said-he-said absurdity.
Some things are, however, as they normally are: Andruw Jones struck out in eight of his first nine abs with Texas and Milton Bradley is injured.
Somehow, that's just not enough to make it good.
theHoundDawg
Not Sure What the Angels Are Planning, But Giving Up on Teixeira is Wrong Move
12/23/08 12:02 Filed in: Baseball
The Angels cut off Frankie R and have a giant hole at
Closer. For years, they nursed Casey Kotchman along
through false starts, injuries, and illness, and just
as he became a consistent major league regular, they
traded him for the 2 month rental rights to Mark
Teixeira. That would have been a solid deal if they
retained Teixeira's rights beyond last October, but
they did not, and now they have ended their efforts
to resign him, leaving Kendry Morales as the number
one roster candidate to play first base.
The rest of the infield is solid and deep, as is catching. If Kelvim Escobar comes back healthy, despite the loss of Jon Garland, the starting staff is still solid, as is the outfield. But, those big holes at first and in the bullpen could mean another disappointing season in southeast LA.
If Bill Stoneman were still in charge, you'd have to think he had a plan B lying in wait. But, Tony Reagins has no track record yet, and while he seems to have learned pretty well from Stoneman, what he and Arte do in the next few weeks will be keys not only to the 2009 season, but the Angels long-range success with Reagins at the personnel helm.
theHoundDawg
Edit - not 60 seconds after publishing this post, I heard ESPN report that Mark Teixeira had agreed to terms on a contract with the scumstripes of the bronx. Crap.
The rest of the infield is solid and deep, as is catching. If Kelvim Escobar comes back healthy, despite the loss of Jon Garland, the starting staff is still solid, as is the outfield. But, those big holes at first and in the bullpen could mean another disappointing season in southeast LA.
If Bill Stoneman were still in charge, you'd have to think he had a plan B lying in wait. But, Tony Reagins has no track record yet, and while he seems to have learned pretty well from Stoneman, what he and Arte do in the next few weeks will be keys not only to the 2009 season, but the Angels long-range success with Reagins at the personnel helm.
theHoundDawg
Edit - not 60 seconds after publishing this post, I heard ESPN report that Mark Teixeira had agreed to terms on a contract with the scumstripes of the bronx. Crap.