Posted on 09 March 2010 by Baseball Share
Hideki Matsui finally got the chance to play for the Los Angeles Angels. Matsui made his spring debut on Tuesday, getting a single in two trips to the plate during a 6-5 win over the San Diego Padres. The designated hitter struck out against Chris Young in the first and grounded Radhames Liz's 3-1 pitch up the middle for a hit in the fourth.
Posted on 09 March 2010 by Baseball Share
The Angels are hoping Brandon Wood’s bat is ready for the major leagues. But his glove could buy him some time to find out.
“Brandon is a guy we’re very, very comfortable with on the defensive end,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “That will give us an important presence at third, which might take a little pressure off of what he has to do with the bat and still contribute.
“We do need production from that spot. Brandon is a guy we feel—if we have to ease him off a bit, if he’s pressing or if we’ll maybe let him run with some things—that he’ll get enough playing time to contribute and continue to develop and hopefully be on the positive end of this thing as we move through the season.”
Originally a shortstop, Wood was moved to third base two years ago and has…
Posted on 08 March 2010 by Baseball Share
Man, I wish I could have been part of the arbitration process for Jeff Mathis. Mathis asked for $1.3 million, the team offered a measly $700,000. Hey that was an insult. The man hit .211, after all!
Since I wasn’t there, I can only imagine how it went. Maybe something like this:
ARBITRATOR: We are here to assess the 2009 season of catcher Jeff Mathis of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Representing the Angels is Tony Reagins. Representing Jeff Mathis is Jeff Mathis. Mister Mathis, do you feel you can be objective in this discussion?
MATHIS: What do you mean? I’m arguing on behalf of myself.
ARBITRATOR: All right, you don’t have to get testy. Let’s get started.
LA ANGELS: We like Jeff, but he hit .211 over the course of the year. And that’s the highest he’s ever hit in the big leagues.
MATHIS: Hey, lots of guys tear it up in the minors, then take a while to find their stride in the bigs.
LA ANGELS: You hit .276 in the minors.
MATHIS: Like I said, I’m here for my fielding.
LA ANGELS: Which we appreciate. After all, you wouldn’t even be on the team if you weren’t a good fielder.
MATHIS: Are you saying I’m only on the team because of my glove.
LA ANGLES: What else would it be?
MATHIS: Exactly. I’m an outstanding catcher. The team ERA was almost a run lower with me than with the other guy.
LA ANGELS: The team ERA with Mike Napoli was 4.86. Yours was almost 4. That’s nothing to write home about.
MATHIS: What about all those guys I threw out trying to steal?
LA ANGELS: You threw out less than 25 percent.
MATHIS: Guys are fast.
LA ANGELS: The Molina brothers were in the 40 percent range.
MATHIS: Combined?
LA ANGELS: No, separately.
MATHIS: So forget my fielding. I’m a stickman. I hit .538 in the playoffs. I won game three with that double!
LA ANGELS: A great hit, but we don’t think one hit was worth $700,000. We did lose the series, after all.
MATHIS: Not my fault. Figgins tanked, Vladdy tanked, Lackey didn’t get it done. You should get rid of them.
LA ANGELS: We already did.
MATHIS: Oh.
LA ANGELS: Do you really think you deserve almost double what we’re offering?
MATHIS: Double? Is that what I’m asking for? Wow.
LA ANGELS: You didn’t know?
MATHIS: My agent tells me to just worry about playing, he’ll take care of the money. I thought I was in here to fight against a paycut.
LA ANGELS: That’s a relief. We were a little concerned that you felt that your performance warranted such a pay raise. We don’t mind rewarding excellence, but not mediocrity.
MATHIS: I’m not a brain surgeon, but that sounded like an insult.
LA ANGELS: Not at all. It’s a compliment to your character. And those of us on the Angels consider character to be as important as talent.
MATHIS: See, that sounded like another insult.
LA ANGELS: Jeff, if we wanted to insult you, we would just cut you.
MATHIS: You’re thinking of cutting me?
LA ANGELS: Not until we can see what Bobby Wilson can do. He’s a better fielder than you. If he can hit, you’re history.
MATHIS: Please don’t cut me. Who else is gonna want me?
LA ANGELS; So you agree to play for the lower salary?
MATHIS: I can’t believe you’re paying me a salary at all. $700,000 is fantastic. I’m really grateful to be in the big leagues. I still can’t believe no one has figured out I’m a stiff.
LA ANGELS: This is being taped, you know.
MATHIS: My name is Mike Napoli.
ARBITRATOR (waking up): I vote for the player!
LA ANGELS: What? Impossible!
ARBITRATOR; Nothing’s impossible if you believe in yourself. Three weeks ago I was a plumber.
LA ANGELS: You just gave him 1.3 million dollars!
ARBITRATOR: Who? Mike Napoli? He hit twenty homers. He deserves it.
LA ANGELS: No, Jeff Mathis.
ARBITRATOR: Who’s Jeff Mathis?
LA ANGELS: The guy you just gave 1.3 million dollars to.
ARBITRATOR (shaking Mathis’ hand): Congratulations. Now I have to go. They’re waiting for me.
LA ANGELS: Who?
They turn to see TWO MEN IN WHITE COATS holding a straight jacket.
Read more Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim news on BleacherReport.com
Posted on 06 March 2010 by Baseball Share
Coco Crisp's debut with Oakland gave manager Bob Geren an interesting dilemma at the top of the batting order. Crisp doubled and singled, Steve Tolleson drove in the go-ahead run and the Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 on Saturday. "That was a real nice first game," Geren said of Crisp.
Posted on 05 March 2010 by Baseball Share
I’ve already taken a look at the strong bullpens of Seattle and Oakland. The Angels’ bullpen is less set than either the Mariners’ or the Athletics’, however.
Candidates I’ll be analyzing include:
Brian Fuentes
Fernando Rodney
Scot Shields
Kevin Jepsen
Jason Bulger
Brian Stokes
Matt Palmer
Rafael Rodriguez
Fernando Rodriguez
Francisco Rodriguez
Rich Thompson
Posted on 04 March 2010 by Baseball Share
Chicago's A.J. Pierzynski hit a two-run homer to highlight a three-run third inning, and Los Angeles catcher Mike Napoli also homered as the White Sox and Angels played to a 4-4 tie Thursday before the Cactus League opener for both teams was called after nine innings. Chicago left-hander John Danks played his first professional game with brother Jordan Danks, who started in right field, and…
Posted on 04 March 2010 by Baseball Share
The Los Angeles Angels have added former MLB Network and Texas Rangers announcer Victor Rojas (ROH'-hahs) to their broadcast games. The Angels announced Wednesday that Rojas will join Mark Gubicza in the broadcast booth, calling games on FOX Sports West and KCOP. The 42-year-old Rojas spent five seasons as a member of the Texas Rangers television and radio broadcast teams prior to joining the…
Posted on 04 March 2010 by Baseball Share
The Los Angeles Angels have added former MLB Network and Texas Rangers announcer Victor Rojas (ROH’-hahs) to their broadcast games.
Posted on 03 March 2010 by Baseball Share
As I have said many times before, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are one of the best—if not THE BEST—run organization in baseball. They have one of the best owners in the sport, and just like with any business, it starts from the top down.
However, despite being run like a well-oiled machine, the Angels have made their fair share of mistakes over the years. There was the Gary Matthews Jr. contract, and I haven’t been a fan of their recent signings like Brian Fuentes and Fernando Rodney.
Matsui should stay away from the outfield
Two mediocre closers don’t equal one good one.
Now it looks like they are making another mistake—not with their bullpen, but with their outfield. The Angels are considering putting newly acquired Hideki Matsui in the outfield at least a couple of days a week.
That’s a big mistake.
The Angels signed Matsui to be their DH, and that’s where he should be on a regular basis. Matsui’s knees were so bad last year that he didn’t even play a single inning in the outfield for the New York Yankees in 2009. Even when he did play the outfield in the past, he wasn’t even that good.
Matsui has a career UZR/150 of -14.4 in left field. Carl Crawford he ain’t.
But if you are the Angels, why risk putting Matsui in the outfield? The Angels already have their outfield set with Bobby Abreu in right, Torii Hunter in center, and Juan Rivera in left. Why risk Matsui getting hurt by putting him out there two or three times a week?
If one of those guys needs a day off, just put Reggie Willits in the outfield. Despite his poor offense, I would rather have him out there a couple of days a week instead of Matsui out there for 50 games. I think that is a pretty fair trade off.
The Angels roster is pretty thin this year. Their depth isn’t what it used to be on the offensive side of the ball. If Matsui goes down because he was playing in the outfield, they will be in big trouble.
That is why they should just keep Matsui at DH and not play with fire by putting him in the outfield.
You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg
Read more Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim news on BleacherReport.com
Posted on 03 March 2010 by Baseball Share
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