The offseason is in full swing with several high-profile players already signed - much to my surprise. So much for collusion.
The Angels so far have made only one signing and appear to be (at this time) mostly an observer. Which has gotten some fans to be impatient, and maybe a bit desperate. Though I'm not thrilled that Tony took a day off from the Winter Meetings, I don't think it signifies anything drastic in the Angels' game plan for this offseason.
I trust that the FO knows what it's doing. And I'm sure they (+Arte and Sosh) know that the team cannot go into Spring Training as is. Last offseason I advocated for the Halos to fill small holes rather than go for the big fish. It's quite clear that that plan does not apply this offseason. The big debate in the halosphere has been how and who should be targeted by the FO. The Halos have been linked (by the media) with Crawford, Soriano, and Beltre, who all fill needs.
I'm undecided on who I think would best fit.
Before the season ended, I hoped that CC would be joining the Angels. He's young, dynamic (on both sides of the ball), could vastly improve the outfield defense, and has numerously been described as perfect for Sosh's style. However, with the rise of Mike Trout, would a long term deal for an outfielder be the most efficient use of Arte-anger spending? Maybe you could wait until Torii's contract runs out after 2012. And you never know if Bourjos will actually hit enough. I guess you can always make room for a prospect that is deserving, but I've come to doubt if CC is really the big prize this winter. And of course you have all the uncertainties and risks of bringing in a speed-reliant guy on a 6 or 7 year deal.
No, presently I'm leaning more towards wanting Beltre. With the struggles of BWood, third base this offseason is a huge question mark. Personally, I don't think that BWood should be handed another chance at the full-time gig. Heck, I'm wary of a BWood/Callaspo split. Or even a BWood/Callaspo/Izturis third base. I didn't like the Callaspo trade last summer, but even I grudgingly admit that some stability at third was needed. I don't think that Izzy can provide that due to his injuries, I don't think BWood can provide that due to his performance, and though I think Callaspo gives a pretty steady performance, it's a mediocre one. With offense being one of the major deficiencies last season, third base is an opportunity to upgrade. So why not upgrade as best as the Angels can? The Halos are thin on even-a-little-bit-close-to-MLB-ready 3Bmen. Having a multi-year contract, say 4-5 years won't lead to complications, except for the usual questions of age and worth. The good thing is that Beltre's market is narrowing. I think one of the common thoughts against Beltre in the beginning of the offseason was that Boras was going to make his price out of the Angels' comfort area. But that concern looks like it won't be a concern.
So is Beltre really worth giving a long-term, big splash, contract? I'm not convinced either way. Some in the halosphere accuse him of only performing when he's in a contract year. And others have tried to debunk that notion. Beltre is certainly an above-average 3Bman and is a superb defender. Like CC, he's a dynamic player on both sides of the ball. He's older than CC, but is generally thought to command less years.
With a lot of things being equal, I'd prefer Beltre. But I would also be very happy with CC. Between those two, I don't think that the Angels could really lose, unless they give a Werth-like ridiculous contract.
No, I chiefly have two concerns: that the FO will spend unwisely and that the FO will do too little.
07 December 2010
15 November 2010
in retrospect: 2010
The 2010 season was something of a rollercoaster.
During the offseason, I commented that the 2010 season would be something of a bridge year, where Tony and the FO were trying to see what the young core could do. I especially remember that I included a comment from Halosheaven.com:
For the most point, the whole "young core" flopped. (Of course, Weave isn't included in that.)
Perhaps the most perplexing of all, the veterans were no help either. Torii was the only consistant performer while others like Abreu and Rivera had career-worst years.
I remember chatting with my supervisor during my summer internship (he's a Phillies fan). He asked me point-blank what was up with the Angels and I really didn't know what to say. This was after the Haren trade and after Bourjos had been called up - and the team continued to tank. But I realized, everytime there was a glimmer of hope, the Halos couldn't latch on and ride a bit of momentum. Case in point: Haren arrived from the Dbacks, the Halos got swept by the BoSox => Haren got to spend 5 days on a "contending team." :::sigh::
There was no consistancy.
The good news is that a lot of the roster performed way under any reasonable expectations. I'm not advocating bringing back the team as is, but I'm allowing myself some optimism, cause let's face it - the team is a whole lot better than what it showed in 2010.
It was pretty much a long list of disappointments. Luckily, there were a few (glimmering) bright spots in a dismal season.
------------------------------
During the offseason, I commented that the 2010 season would be something of a bridge year, where Tony and the FO were trying to see what the young core could do. I especially remember that I included a comment from Halosheaven.com:
"You know what this offseason is? A challenge/gamble to our young core: OK, which one of you is going to be a star? ... This young core is getting more expensive every year, limiting our ability to go after free agents, but they’re also all around 26, 27 years old. A couple of breakout seasons and we’ll forget all about what a lousy offseason this was supposed to be."Well, we all saw how that ended up.
For the most point, the whole "young core" flopped. (Of course, Weave isn't included in that.)
Perhaps the most perplexing of all, the veterans were no help either. Torii was the only consistant performer while others like Abreu and Rivera had career-worst years.
I remember chatting with my supervisor during my summer internship (he's a Phillies fan). He asked me point-blank what was up with the Angels and I really didn't know what to say. This was after the Haren trade and after Bourjos had been called up - and the team continued to tank. But I realized, everytime there was a glimmer of hope, the Halos couldn't latch on and ride a bit of momentum. Case in point: Haren arrived from the Dbacks, the Halos got swept by the BoSox => Haren got to spend 5 days on a "contending team." :::sigh::
There was no consistancy.
The good news is that a lot of the roster performed way under any reasonable expectations. I'm not advocating bringing back the team as is, but I'm allowing myself some optimism, cause let's face it - the team is a whole lot better than what it showed in 2010.
It was pretty much a long list of disappointments. Luckily, there were a few (glimmering) bright spots in a dismal season.
------------------------------
22 October 2010
resurrection!
No, your eyes are not deceiving you.
Yes this is a new post.
Yes, I'm raising angels&aimee back from the dead.
It's ALIVE!!! ALIVE!!!!
Okay, I got my corny joke quota out of the way. =)
Anyways, I'm back mostly because I never intended to put down this blog for good. I'm pretty disappointed and ashamed that the first season of angels&aimee was so much of a disaster (much like the Halo's season... I certainly hope that they too are disappointed and ashamed). However, I certainly learned a lot from the experience, and hopefully some good can come out of a lost season.
I certainly have a renewed respect for unpaid bloggers, especially those that additionally hold down a full-time job (and/or families and/or a social life, etc.). Blogging is certainly something that requires a firm commitment. It's quite easy for me to put aside this blog, under the guise of not-enough-time-for-luxuries and the madness of work/school. Funnily enough, I encountered an appropriate quote in one of my classes - "Blogs are like sharks, they must keep swimming or they die." (- Garr Reynolds). As I move on to my second season as a citizen of the halosphere, I'm going to keep that in mind as I try to strike a balance between "keep swimming" and fulfilling other commitments, between thoughtful & substantial posts and the quick & easy blurbs.
What definitely helps is that my love for the Halos and baseball hasn't lessened, contrary to the semi-death of this blog. I still believe that the Angels have what it takes to return to glory, even with the shake-ups in the FO. I've kept my eye on the baseball world and have been checking the playoff games (I kind of can't avoid all the excited Giants fans in the Bay Area). I was supremely disappointed that I missed Doc's no-hitter. Darn classes. Later, I'll hopefully have a cumulative post on my thoughts about this year's postseason and the effects, if any, it may have on the Angels.
Right now, I'm brainstorming on post ideas for what's looking to be a pivotal offseason, both for the Halos and for angels&aimee. I've already decided that this season warrants a review and analysis so I can hash out where I think the Angels need to go from here. Of course there will be thoughts about signings and trades. And then it'll be the sophomore season for this blog and hopefully, I will continue to learn and grow to become a better fan and blogger.
So onward we go. The Angels and Aimee.
Yes this is a new post.
Yes, I'm raising angels&aimee back from the dead.
It's ALIVE!!! ALIVE!!!!
Okay, I got my corny joke quota out of the way. =)
Anyways, I'm back mostly because I never intended to put down this blog for good. I'm pretty disappointed and ashamed that the first season of angels&aimee was so much of a disaster (much like the Halo's season... I certainly hope that they too are disappointed and ashamed). However, I certainly learned a lot from the experience, and hopefully some good can come out of a lost season.
I certainly have a renewed respect for unpaid bloggers, especially those that additionally hold down a full-time job (and/or families and/or a social life, etc.). Blogging is certainly something that requires a firm commitment. It's quite easy for me to put aside this blog, under the guise of not-enough-time-for-luxuries and the madness of work/school. Funnily enough, I encountered an appropriate quote in one of my classes - "Blogs are like sharks, they must keep swimming or they die." (- Garr Reynolds). As I move on to my second season as a citizen of the halosphere, I'm going to keep that in mind as I try to strike a balance between "keep swimming" and fulfilling other commitments, between thoughtful & substantial posts and the quick & easy blurbs.
What definitely helps is that my love for the Halos and baseball hasn't lessened, contrary to the semi-death of this blog. I still believe that the Angels have what it takes to return to glory, even with the shake-ups in the FO. I've kept my eye on the baseball world and have been checking the playoff games (I kind of can't avoid all the excited Giants fans in the Bay Area). I was supremely disappointed that I missed Doc's no-hitter. Darn classes. Later, I'll hopefully have a cumulative post on my thoughts about this year's postseason and the effects, if any, it may have on the Angels.
Right now, I'm brainstorming on post ideas for what's looking to be a pivotal offseason, both for the Halos and for angels&aimee. I've already decided that this season warrants a review and analysis so I can hash out where I think the Angels need to go from here. Of course there will be thoughts about signings and trades. And then it'll be the sophomore season for this blog and hopefully, I will continue to learn and grow to become a better fan and blogger.
So onward we go. The Angels and Aimee.
