SS Situation

by ponusbaum43 on Feb 27, 2008 12:04 PM PST

Here is a question that was asked to John Manuel from Baseball America on an ESPN.com chat about the Halos SS situation, and I tend to agree with his analysis, even though I know it will never work out this way.

Dan LA, CA: How do you think the Angels SS situation will play out this year? Will there be a big drop off in defense with the loss of Cabrera?

John Manuel: (2:49 PM ET ) I'm fascinated by that competition actually. I'm betting on Brandon Wood but have very little confidence in that bet; he's the top talent there and to me, they could use the offense. I'm not an Erick Aybar guy (or a Willy Aybar guy for that matter), and I'm not huge on Maicer Izturis, who I think is a great utility guy but that's his optimal role. Give the most talented guy, Wood, the shot, and see how he responds. My ample gut tells me Scioscia will go with the best defender, probably Izturis.

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Wood by July 1

...musical chairs before that...

by Rev Halofan on Feb 27, 2008 12:12 PM PST reply actions

Yeah...

It seems like it'll be Aybar and Izturis for a while, but I mean he's plenty capable defensively, has a better ceiling with the bat, which will only improve with seeing more major league pitching. The only thing he lacks over the other two is speed, and I think we have plenty of speed in the lineup with figgins, matthews, hutner, as it is.

by ponusbaum43 on Feb 27, 2008 12:19 PM PST reply actions

Let's see how Wood does

in the spring. If his offense is far better than his competitors, how can they deny him the job? I hope he spent some time hitting major league caliber off-speed pitches this off-season, like facing Frankie's slider.

"Erstad says he's got it. Erstad makes the catch!..."

by Rally Manatee on Feb 27, 2008 12:34 PM PST reply actions

The IF looked really rusty on Monday...

I overheard Scioscia barking at Kotchman: "C'mon Kotch, anybody can get the easy ones."

Both Aybar and Izturis were not looking super solid. Figgy was booting them left and right.

What I was watching was infield drills where Scioscia was hitting to the right side (Kotch and Howie) and Dino Ebel was hitting to Figgins and Alfredo Griffin was hitting to Aybar/Izturis. They were all booting grounders.

Quit yer whinin' and START CHEERING!

by Downing Rules on Feb 27, 2008 12:35 PM PST reply actions

That's why they call it spring training

gotta kick these guys into shape...

I'm a gutless, two-faced little b!tch.

by Los Angeles de Anaheim on Feb 27, 2008 1:52 PM PST up reply actions

don't expect Wood anytime soon

don't get me wrong, i'd give Wood all the chance in the world to win the job now...or even during the season. I prefer seeing the kid play now and work his way up from the 9th spot.

But i don't think he is going to be given a realistic shot whatsoever at the SS job until 2009. Unless of course he does his best Wally Joyner 1986 empression during spring training -- even then, i have a hard time seeing them give him the job over Aybar/Izzy.

by TTTT on Feb 27, 2008 2:14 PM PST reply actions