October Baseball

The Angels won the Western Division back to back for the first time ever.

This was accomplished without getting another proven bat in the line-up and without Dallas McPherson.

Where is Bill Stoneman?

The only thing that has been accomplished so far in the off season is we now have a left handed reliever, big deal the one we traded for last year was a total bust and is gone.

Where is our new bat?

We need a proven hitter to protect Vlad and GA and to take the pressure off Kotchman and McPherson to produce. I believe that both these guys can hit, but I don’t want them pressing they need to feel comfortable and let their talent take over. Bengie is gone so now we have even less experienced hitters in the line-up.

How about a Trade?

There has got to be a trade out there that will not damage the Angel’s long term,
- come on -
the only guy that is not expendable with the exception of pitching is Vlad.

- Think about it who else GA? -

His luster is gone and as far as I’m concerned it was brief, even though he put up numbers he only showed that spark for two, maybe three years.
Since he got his big contract and was the hero of the All Star game he’s back to playing like he doesn’t care, no emotion and no hustle.

I love AK, but he is a free agent at the end of the year and Figgins is more of a 2nd baseman that a 3rd baseman, not enough power for 3rd base.

Erstad in center is also risky, since he is so prone to injury and his power numbers and RBI’s are way down.
I love the way he plays, but we need a center fielder that can put up solid offensive numbers.
I watched him all year playing with that brace and it is going to limit his range in center considerably.
You could package him with one of our prospects for a proven bat and maybe even a center fielder.

Playoffs – Due to personal and business trips I didn’t get to one game – Damn!

Isn’t it Spring Yet? Let’s Play Ball!

City of Anaheim –

Why are you wasting money and time over what Arte wants to call the team?
I hate LA,
but get over it we had the LA RAMS and no one complained and I’m sure if we could get the Clippers to the Pond they could still call themselves the LA Clipper’s and we would be OK with it.
For those of us who don’t want the OC to be associated with LA, sorry to the rest of the country and the world this is, and will, continue to be the “LA Area” like it or not.
Even the OC is actually filmed in LA.

20% plus increase in ticket prices and no new name players, blame it on the Anaheim lawsuit. Arte is going to get the money to pay for the suit some place and when you are sold out almost every night why not. But Arte, please don’t raise beer prices!

Way to many unknowns to start the season:

Will GA be healthy and can he hit for power again, will he show some life?

Can Figgins play everyday at 3rd base? I think Figgins is very talented, but I don’t believe he is an everyday player and he makes way too many mental errors. He should make a great lead off hitter, but his on base percentage is not good, he does not walk enough and I think he runs us out of to many innings.

Can Morales and Rivera pick up the offensive slack if the Angels don’t sign a proven hitter? Rivera showed signs at the end of last year when he got more playing time, but with Erstad moving to center he will only get at bats as a spot starter or DH. Morales a complete unknown at the major league level and where do you play him to get enough AB’s?

Can Jose or Jeff fill the shoes of Bengie offensively? I think Jose may be a better defensive catcher than his brother, he has got more speed, better lateral movement and every bit as good an arm if not better but can he hit in the clutch and for power like Bengie. Mathis is another complete unknown at the major league level, but brings great skills and could be a very exciting addition to the team. Can anyone explain to me why the Angels kept Josh Paul on the 40 man roster and let the White Sox pick up Bobby Jenks, let alone had Paul on the major league roster instead of playing Mathis last year?