I was obviously disappointed when CC signed with the BoSox.
I was obviously frustrated when Beltre signed with the Rangers.
But I am completely out of my mind now that the Angels have acquired Vernon Wells.
(No disrespect to Wells. It's not his fault that the FO got swindled.)
I'd say that I'm pretty even-kneeled when it comes to criticizing the FO. There's no doubt that I was skeptical about their offseason moves, but I generally give them the benefit of the doubt. But then again, the FO isn't known to do such epically inexplicible things that even I, a common observant baseball fan, know is foolish.
Napoli and Rivera are useful pieces, to a degree. I'm not a particularly big fan of either. I know that Naps is getting expensive and that Rivera is moderately priced. I know that Vernon Wells is a useful piece. He had some good years before a string of bad years, but he rebounded nicely last year. Oh, the asterisk? He's massively overpaid to the tune of $86/4Yrs remaining - widely regarded as one of the most unmovable contracts in baseball.
I had a bad morning and well, just had a feeling that some Angels trade news was waiting for me at home. I was thinking that Tony traded for someone to upgrade the LF situation. So I was excited to hear that Naps was being traded. I was even optimistic when it was revealed that Wells was the one coming to Anaheim. I could have accepted a trade that brought cash along with Wells, to offset his ridiculous contract. But its unbelievable that the FO would bring in that contract without any compensation. The Angels FO is doing the Jays and AA a very big SOLID by not only bailing them out, but by paying them Naps and Rivera! I don't see the reason, Tony, I don't!
Showing posts with label oh crap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oh crap. Show all posts
21 January 2011
04 January 2011
beltre to the rangers
Everywhere is reporting that Texas and Beltre are on the cusp of a deal.
Damn it.
Really, the Angels' offseason is a stinker.
Okay FO, now what?
Damn it.
Really, the Angels' offseason is a stinker.
Okay FO, now what?
14 December 2010
musings on the FO and FAs
Incredible.
This has been an offseason of surprises and jaw-dropping splashes. And I'm not talking about Hisanori Takahashi.
Jayson Werth for $126M/7Yrs to the Washington Nationals. Carl Crawford to the BoSux at the last minute for $142M/7Yrs. Now Cliff Lee to the Phillies for $120M/5Yrs.
Who would've predicted that Cliff Lee would get less than Werth and Crawford? Who would've predicted that he wouldn't go to the Yankees but back to the Phillies?
It's been mind boggling.
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It's been a busy week finishing finals and settling at home for winter break. But I've come to terms that CC is a RedSox.
There is no question that I am disappointed that the FO wasn't able to bring him into the Angels fold. In the immediate aftermath of the news breaking, there was considerable fury and debate in the halosphere over why the FO didn't put up the money to sign him and if it would've been a good idea to even offer more money. Personally, I thought that paying CC the tenth largest contract in baseball history would be a significant risk. I think the Angels FO and a lot of Halo fans are aware of the financial limitations of the club and generally follow a cautious approach in making FA decisions. This is especially evident in big-ticket signings. The FO has generally been good in signing mid-level FA (think Pineiro and the first Abreu contract) and semi-stars (think Torii). The FO in the past have also signed some stars (Vlad, Guillen, Colon), but that was before the high-stakes of $100+M men. If the Halos are going to play in this new FA market, is this cautious approach effective? So far, it has not been. I'm not advocating a wild, irresponsible spending spree, but that the Angels may need to re-evaluate their risk-adverse caution. Sometimes I get the sense that the Halos FO is half-in-half-out, closing their eyes and holding their breath because they can't fully commit on a high-risk-high-reward FA. (Which is somewhat ironic since that has been their drafting strategy for quite some time now, as was pointed out at Halosheaven.) Assessing risk is a tricky business, but I agree with some in the halosphere - the FO needs to learn to take a leap of faith once in a while.
This has been an offseason of surprises and jaw-dropping splashes. And I'm not talking about Hisanori Takahashi.
Jayson Werth for $126M/7Yrs to the Washington Nationals. Carl Crawford to the BoSux at the last minute for $142M/7Yrs. Now Cliff Lee to the Phillies for $120M/5Yrs.
Who would've predicted that Cliff Lee would get less than Werth and Crawford? Who would've predicted that he wouldn't go to the Yankees but back to the Phillies?
It's been mind boggling.
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It's been a busy week finishing finals and settling at home for winter break. But I've come to terms that CC is a RedSox.
There is no question that I am disappointed that the FO wasn't able to bring him into the Angels fold. In the immediate aftermath of the news breaking, there was considerable fury and debate in the halosphere over why the FO didn't put up the money to sign him and if it would've been a good idea to even offer more money. Personally, I thought that paying CC the tenth largest contract in baseball history would be a significant risk. I think the Angels FO and a lot of Halo fans are aware of the financial limitations of the club and generally follow a cautious approach in making FA decisions. This is especially evident in big-ticket signings. The FO has generally been good in signing mid-level FA (think Pineiro and the first Abreu contract) and semi-stars (think Torii). The FO in the past have also signed some stars (Vlad, Guillen, Colon), but that was before the high-stakes of $100+M men. If the Halos are going to play in this new FA market, is this cautious approach effective? So far, it has not been. I'm not advocating a wild, irresponsible spending spree, but that the Angels may need to re-evaluate their risk-adverse caution. Sometimes I get the sense that the Halos FO is half-in-half-out, closing their eyes and holding their breath because they can't fully commit on a high-risk-high-reward FA. (Which is somewhat ironic since that has been their drafting strategy for quite some time now, as was pointed out at Halosheaven.) Assessing risk is a tricky business, but I agree with some in the halosphere - the FO needs to learn to take a leap of faith once in a while.
08 December 2010
CC is a boSox
Wow. Just Wow.
I had HardballTalk open on my laptop for most of the afternoon/night waiting for news that the Halos had signed Beltre. Since you know, they were closing in on him.
Geez, I should know better than to trust the wild rumors of the offseason.
But back to CC. I'm still struggling to absorb the news that the BoSux swooped in, when it seemed so certain (to everyone!) that the Halos were going to get him. Also that the BoSux were willing and able to spend that kind of money. It seemed like they were concerned about passing the luxury tax (last year, with Beckett's extension, and this year with AGon's extension). Well so much for that. This is a monster contract, to go along with some of their other monster contracts (Beckett, Dice-K, Lackey). If I was a BoSux fan, I think I'd be even more conflicted about this contract than I am as a Halo fan. Boston, if they do indeed extend AGon, have some long, hefty contracts for aging stars.
As a Halo fan, its a missed opportunity. The Halos may not have a lot of financial flexibility this season, but there are very few long term contracts and very few contracts past 2012. The Angels can afford to put a long term contract on their books. I'm not so sure that giving a >$20M per year is smart spending per se, but it's pretty mind-boggling that a team in the Red Sox's position can and does so.
I'm just perplexed.
I had HardballTalk open on my laptop for most of the afternoon/night waiting for news that the Halos had signed Beltre. Since you know, they were closing in on him.
Geez, I should know better than to trust the wild rumors of the offseason.
But back to CC. I'm still struggling to absorb the news that the BoSux swooped in, when it seemed so certain (to everyone!) that the Halos were going to get him. Also that the BoSux were willing and able to spend that kind of money. It seemed like they were concerned about passing the luxury tax (last year, with Beckett's extension, and this year with AGon's extension). Well so much for that. This is a monster contract, to go along with some of their other monster contracts (Beckett, Dice-K, Lackey). If I was a BoSux fan, I think I'd be even more conflicted about this contract than I am as a Halo fan. Boston, if they do indeed extend AGon, have some long, hefty contracts for aging stars.
As a Halo fan, its a missed opportunity. The Halos may not have a lot of financial flexibility this season, but there are very few long term contracts and very few contracts past 2012. The Angels can afford to put a long term contract on their books. I'm not so sure that giving a >$20M per year is smart spending per se, but it's pretty mind-boggling that a team in the Red Sox's position can and does so.
I'm just perplexed.
09 July 2010
thoughts: swept by sox, cliff lee, bench plugs
Geez, lately I've had to start most of my posts with apologies for being MIA. I started my internship this week, so I don't expect that practice to stop, unfortunately.
Anyways, I'll try my best to keep up with Angels news (I didn't find out about the Cliff Lee trade until 5pm!) and post during the weekends.
Also, the shocking trade today and recent (lack of) play by the Angels have thwarted my attemps to post about Kaz. I've got most of the post formed in my head, so it'll be up shortly.
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The last two series have been absolutely discouraging. After the high of winning the Texas series and really the way the team won those games, their play against the Royals and the ChiSox was disgusting, to say the least.
It's unacceptable for the Halos to lose a series to the Royals. Not only are the Royals woefully bad, the Halos have a history of absolutely crushing them. I'd like to thank them for making the Angels' scorching hot June/July last year possible. Remember what I wrote about the Halos needing to take advantage of opportunities? Well, playing a bad team whilst the Rangers played the respectable WhiteSox, qualifies as an opportunity. But its not only that the Halos lost the series and the chance to gain ground, it was the way the team lost those games. Really, how do you manage to score only one run against a Royals starting pitcher not named Zack Greinke? How do you get no-hit by Bruce Chen for 6+ innings? At least the boys showed up for national tv (perhaps they didn't want to get embarrased in front of the whole nation), pounding out 11 runs.
But things didn't improve much in Chicago. I get that the White Sox have a really good pitching staff. But I also understand that the White Sox are not an elite team. They have a respectable lineup with Rios and Konerko, but they also have the likes of Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones. Not to mention the fact that AJ and Quentin are underperforming. Winning one of the four games was a modest expectation. The Angels couldn't muster anything, despite the fact that Peavy pitched less than 2 innings. When I checked the score on Thursday, all I needed to know was the fact that the Angels managed two (two!!) hits. John Danks is very good, but that's just pitiful.
Anyways, I'll try my best to keep up with Angels news (I didn't find out about the Cliff Lee trade until 5pm!) and post during the weekends.
Also, the shocking trade today and recent (lack of) play by the Angels have thwarted my attemps to post about Kaz. I've got most of the post formed in my head, so it'll be up shortly.
--------------------------------
The last two series have been absolutely discouraging. After the high of winning the Texas series and really the way the team won those games, their play against the Royals and the ChiSox was disgusting, to say the least.
It's unacceptable for the Halos to lose a series to the Royals. Not only are the Royals woefully bad, the Halos have a history of absolutely crushing them. I'd like to thank them for making the Angels' scorching hot June/July last year possible. Remember what I wrote about the Halos needing to take advantage of opportunities? Well, playing a bad team whilst the Rangers played the respectable WhiteSox, qualifies as an opportunity. But its not only that the Halos lost the series and the chance to gain ground, it was the way the team lost those games. Really, how do you manage to score only one run against a Royals starting pitcher not named Zack Greinke? How do you get no-hit by Bruce Chen for 6+ innings? At least the boys showed up for national tv (perhaps they didn't want to get embarrased in front of the whole nation), pounding out 11 runs.
But things didn't improve much in Chicago. I get that the White Sox have a really good pitching staff. But I also understand that the White Sox are not an elite team. They have a respectable lineup with Rios and Konerko, but they also have the likes of Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones. Not to mention the fact that AJ and Quentin are underperforming. Winning one of the four games was a modest expectation. The Angels couldn't muster anything, despite the fact that Peavy pitched less than 2 innings. When I checked the score on Thursday, all I needed to know was the fact that the Angels managed two (two!!) hits. John Danks is very good, but that's just pitiful.
05 May 2010
frustration and inspiration
Yes, I know, it's been a long time since I've written here. And no, the lack of posts is not an indication that angels&aimee is dead. I've been away, trying to take care of myself and my future, so I've had precious few moments for baseball, most of which I spent watching games and staying aware of the going-ons around the league. So there've been no commentary here, just my in-game thoughts on twitter. I figured that once I had figured out my things, then I could enjoy the Angels more and angels&aimee would take off once again. Well, all of those things are a work in progress.
So why am I here, after three weeks of silence?
Simple. I'm frustrated.
I would count myself among the patient and even-kneeled in the Halo fanbase. But at this point, even I'm angry. During my absence, the Halos have been inconsistant and are now floundering. But it's been more than the 6-game losing streak. It is how this team is playing - or not playing.
True Grinch wrote a post last week about the uninspiring play of late. One passage stood out to me:
Lately, they've looked lost and tentative. The Halos need to play with a purpose. They need someone to step up, and inject some fire and steely determination. I get that (mostly) everyone is scuffling. Bad breaks and slumps happen. But I've come to expect better from my Angels. I miss that team last year that played with such measured passion and determination that they inspired me. Inspired me to be a better fan, to be here at angels&aimee. That team fought through the bad times with a determined do-what-it-takes-to-win attitude. They would grit it out and frankly, they exuded a believe in themselves.
Today, they faced John Lackey and the Red Sox. I didn't care so much for the hype, I just wanted to see a shift in the Halos' attitude. I wanted to see them "show some nuts" and gut out good at-bats, good pitches, clean defense. After a gutsy performance from Ervin last night, I wanted to see if Pineiro could follow the trend and if the bullpen can find a way to turn the page. In predictable fashion, encouraging signs from the rotation were coupled with silent bats and shaky relief.
So I am here because I'm disappointed, frustrated. This Angels team is better than this.
Kaz is going tomorrow - which gives me something to look forward to. He hasn't quite lived up to my lofty preseason expectations, but I haven't given up on him. His past outings have been encouraging. I remember that first start in NY where he lamented about the disappearance of his slider and he sat on the bench with this utterly lost expression on his face. Since then he's had more trust in his mechanics and his fastball. I'll say it again, he has what it takes, but he needs to believe that he has what it takes. That's where it all needs to start - to play with conviction.
The same can be said for the team as a whole. And I'm not ready to give up on them either.
So why am I here, after three weeks of silence?
Simple. I'm frustrated.
I would count myself among the patient and even-kneeled in the Halo fanbase. But at this point, even I'm angry. During my absence, the Halos have been inconsistant and are now floundering. But it's been more than the 6-game losing streak. It is how this team is playing - or not playing.
True Grinch wrote a post last week about the uninspiring play of late. One passage stood out to me:
We keep waiting for this team to start clicking on all cylinders and it just hasn't happened yet. I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little restless; just a tad bit mind you.I keep waiting too. I'm waiting for them to turn the corner. After the disappointing first week, the Halos seemed to be heading in the right direction at the end of the second week and start of the third. But all that good mojo evaporated and the inconsistancy once again set in. Every encouraging sign seems to be followed by a discouraging breakdown. There seems to be a new culprit (or multiple culprits) everyday. It's past the time where we can say "Oh, it's early." The Angels need to show some signs of life.
Lately, they've looked lost and tentative. The Halos need to play with a purpose. They need someone to step up, and inject some fire and steely determination. I get that (mostly) everyone is scuffling. Bad breaks and slumps happen. But I've come to expect better from my Angels. I miss that team last year that played with such measured passion and determination that they inspired me. Inspired me to be a better fan, to be here at angels&aimee. That team fought through the bad times with a determined do-what-it-takes-to-win attitude. They would grit it out and frankly, they exuded a believe in themselves.
Today, they faced John Lackey and the Red Sox. I didn't care so much for the hype, I just wanted to see a shift in the Halos' attitude. I wanted to see them "show some nuts" and gut out good at-bats, good pitches, clean defense. After a gutsy performance from Ervin last night, I wanted to see if Pineiro could follow the trend and if the bullpen can find a way to turn the page. In predictable fashion, encouraging signs from the rotation were coupled with silent bats and shaky relief.
So I am here because I'm disappointed, frustrated. This Angels team is better than this.
Kaz is going tomorrow - which gives me something to look forward to. He hasn't quite lived up to my lofty preseason expectations, but I haven't given up on him. His past outings have been encouraging. I remember that first start in NY where he lamented about the disappearance of his slider and he sat on the bench with this utterly lost expression on his face. Since then he's had more trust in his mechanics and his fastball. I'll say it again, he has what it takes, but he needs to believe that he has what it takes. That's where it all needs to start - to play with conviction.
The same can be said for the team as a whole. And I'm not ready to give up on them either.
10 March 2010
torii, the media, and a badly chosen word
The firestorm around the Angels today revolves around the beloved and media friendly Torii and a eyebrow-raising quote.
"Fans look down from their seats onto the baseball field, see dark-colored skin and might assume they are African-American players. But increasingly, the players instead hail from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico or Venezuela.
"People see dark faces out there, and the perception is that they're African American," Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter says. "They're not us. They're impostors.
"Even people I know come up and say, 'Hey, what color is Vladimir Guerrero? Is he a black player?' I say, 'Come on, he's Dominican. He's not black.' "
"As African-American players, we have a theory that baseball can go get an imitator and pass them off as us," Hunter says. "It's like they had to get some kind of dark faces, so they go to the Dominican or Venezuela because you can get them cheaper. It's like, 'Why should I get this kid from the South Side of Chicago and have Scott Boras represent him and pay him $5 million when you can get a Dominican guy for a bag of chips?'
"I'm telling you, it's sad."
22 January 2010
adding Pineiro, subracting GMJ
Wow, Tony Reagins had a busy week.
After the Rodney signing, things were veeeerry quiet for the Angels and suddenly Reagins drops two bombs. Well at least for me. Both of these transactions were quite shocking to me, even though they really shouldn't have been.
Despite the "reports" that the Angels were interested in Pineiro back in December, and the more recent rumors that the Angels were pursuing him and some funny speculation the Angels were negotiating with him, I never really believed that the Angels were interested. I mean, it seems that the talking heads seem to insert the Angels into any big-name FA (see Holliday, Bay), which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It shows that the Angels have reached big-time status, but also shows their ignorance of the Angels's FO. And I definitely thought the persistant Pineiro rumors were another stupid made-up "there's possibly a match" story from the national media. I thought Pineiro would be too expensive with too thin of a resume to warrant the cost-conscious Reagins to bite. I was thinking along the lines of MSTI that, like the Dodgers, whoever the Angels fill out the rotation with isn't going to matter much - it's gonna be the young guys that will dictate the fate of the rotation - and so why fill it with an expensive question mark? I actually expected Reagins to bring Garland back.
After the Rodney signing, things were veeeerry quiet for the Angels and suddenly Reagins drops two bombs. Well at least for me. Both of these transactions were quite shocking to me, even though they really shouldn't have been.
Despite the "reports" that the Angels were interested in Pineiro back in December, and the more recent rumors that the Angels were pursuing him and some funny speculation the Angels were negotiating with him, I never really believed that the Angels were interested. I mean, it seems that the talking heads seem to insert the Angels into any big-name FA (see Holliday, Bay), which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It shows that the Angels have reached big-time status, but also shows their ignorance of the Angels's FO. And I definitely thought the persistant Pineiro rumors were another stupid made-up "there's possibly a match" story from the national media. I thought Pineiro would be too expensive with too thin of a resume to warrant the cost-conscious Reagins to bite. I was thinking along the lines of MSTI that, like the Dodgers, whoever the Angels fill out the rotation with isn't going to matter much - it's gonna be the young guys that will dictate the fate of the rotation - and so why fill it with an expensive question mark? I actually expected Reagins to bring Garland back.
05 January 2010
thoughts: Rory, Kotch, Bay/Holliday, Chapman
Just some tidbits:
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I was utterly shocked when I learned of Rory Markus's death.
I only started listening to the radio broadcasts last season, so I wasn't yet able to discern Rory from Gubi and Terry, but the resonding majority of halo fans liked him the best. I especially liked the "Just another halo victory" call, which I discovered today was Rory's call. A lot of fans were looking forward to having him call every tv game next season. A horrible loss for his family, the Angels, and Halo fans everywhere.
--------------------------------
--------------------------------
I was utterly shocked when I learned of Rory Markus's death.
I only started listening to the radio broadcasts last season, so I wasn't yet able to discern Rory from Gubi and Terry, but the resonding majority of halo fans liked him the best. I especially liked the "Just another halo victory" call, which I discovered today was Rory's call. A lot of fans were looking forward to having him call every tv game next season. A horrible loss for his family, the Angels, and Halo fans everywhere.
--------------------------------
14 December 2009
the FO gets owned in one day...
So I've been gone for quite a while, tending to finals and other end-of-the-quarter things. So I was really looking forward to tomorrow, after I had submitted my fellowship application, to rehash all that I've missed, including the Winter Meetings and my opinion on the Granderson-Jackson blockbuster.
Well those plans just exploded in my face.
This morning I did my usual quick halosphere check for any major news and despite my distress over the Lackey news, I decided to finish up my work before I sat down and contemplated the effect on the Angels.
Well those plans just exploded in my face.
Checking for any updates on Lackey, I instead learned of the blockbuster Halladay-Lee trade. Talk about a one-two punch... The Halos emerge a clear loser in today's offseason dealings. After the FO made it clear that it was going to focus on pitching rather than Bay (which I thought was a good move), they lose out on all the best pitching options. Lackey was always my first choice, since I believed that Halladay would be too costly. But when Philly emerged a viable Halladay landing spot and Rosenthal suggested that Lee may be dealt, you can bet that Lee would be a fabulous (and less expensive) addition to the Halos rotation.
But today, all three are gone. Worse still, Lackey went to the BoSox and Lee to the M's.
The halosphere is up in arms, and understandably so. The FO just got its ass handed to it. And you can be sure that a Matsui signing won't placate them.
Deep breath everybody. Now is not the time to panic. But I'm sure the FO (and the fans) are wondering whether what's left out there is even worth pursuing.
Well those plans just exploded in my face.
This morning I did my usual quick halosphere check for any major news and despite my distress over the Lackey news, I decided to finish up my work before I sat down and contemplated the effect on the Angels.
Well those plans just exploded in my face.
Checking for any updates on Lackey, I instead learned of the blockbuster Halladay-Lee trade. Talk about a one-two punch... The Halos emerge a clear loser in today's offseason dealings. After the FO made it clear that it was going to focus on pitching rather than Bay (which I thought was a good move), they lose out on all the best pitching options. Lackey was always my first choice, since I believed that Halladay would be too costly. But when Philly emerged a viable Halladay landing spot and Rosenthal suggested that Lee may be dealt, you can bet that Lee would be a fabulous (and less expensive) addition to the Halos rotation.
But today, all three are gone. Worse still, Lackey went to the BoSox and Lee to the M's.
The halosphere is up in arms, and understandably so. The FO just got its ass handed to it. And you can be sure that a Matsui signing won't placate them.
Deep breath everybody. Now is not the time to panic. But I'm sure the FO (and the fans) are wondering whether what's left out there is even worth pursuing.
