Tony Reagins Behind Jon Garland Dominance

by Rev Halofan on Apr 2, 2008 1:31 AM PDT

Sometimes the best trades are the ones you never make, but a lot of times the best trades are the ones you do.

The November dominoes were lined up: Orlando Cabrera to Chicago for Jon Garland, Torii Hunter signed as a free agent, Santana-Kendrick-Mathis-Adenhart to Florida for Miguel Cabrera. No doubt that Miguel Cabrera’s bat would be a great thing in our lineup. But a few months later the pitching depth we once had is gone and Orlando Cabrera has apparently delivered a #2 starter who pitched like an ace in his Angel debut. We will need Ervin Santana on Thursday and the thought of Adenhart on the bubble near the end of March would have been unfathomable at the conclusion of the winter meetings.

It seemed almost gluttonous, then, to leave the trade talks alone with 7 rotation-worthy starters. Surely Tony Reagins should purge, should trade for trading's sake. But the lessons of Zen-Master Bill Stoneman guided the young Tony to hold on to the deep, deep roster. The torch had been passed - not extinguished.

Tonight was only one game, but Garland tonight was the first feather in Tony Reagins’ cap. Perhaps Tony will have a down comforter’s worth by the All-Star break.

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Garland Ace#2

He brought a new style and theory of pitching to the Angels fans and we ate it up. The excellent defense we saw today backing up Garland made it work. Ace #2 is a good fit for our team.

Scioscia, "Roll the hole!"

by 44FAN on Apr 2, 2008 1:47 AM PDT reply actions

non-dream Weaver was SUPPOSED to be a ground ball inning eater

But he stunk it up and somehow ended up pitching in the WS. Good start for Garland. There's no place like home.

by melvintoast on Apr 2, 2008 3:40 AM PDT up reply actions

When was Jeff a grounballer?

Sea-at-ha-ha-ha that's funny.

by hauldog on Apr 2, 2008 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Like your enthusiasm

Escobar's late season dive and injury:

His finish and injury at the end of the season. Angels (continuation with the Tony man) always think about pitching first. Kind of like the braves. Pitching.

I don't know yet about GMJ and Hunter. Like them both, but am reserving judgement. I'm giving them tough love. Defense assured.

Lackey will come back and we will be in the top 3 in pitching. That is the worst estimate.

I have confidence in Santana, Mosley, and Saunders.

Love the Iz, Nap, Kotch, Quinlan decisions (Tony and Mike).

Wondering about my man Morales. I think he is special.

by vladtheimpaler on Apr 2, 2008 4:01 AM PDT reply actions

Agree......Naps is on pace for 44HRs!

I told him last year at fan fest that I belive he will hit 44HRs in a season. He smiled and replied, "Me Too." So far so good.

Sucks Morales didnt make the team he is, like Rex said during his Debut, "Lightning in a bottle." When he becomes an everday player, He will be up there with the Vlads, Fielders, Pujols........Cant Wait

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on Apr 3, 2008 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions

On pace for 81

after 5-4 win over Twinkies.

by vladtheimpaler on Apr 4, 2008 1:10 AM PDT up reply actions

So wait...

does he get a feather in his cap or a feather in his comforter? I'm all kinds of confused!

Captain, there are doubt's...

by Match Day 5 on Apr 2, 2008 5:21 AM PDT reply actions

hmmm....

i was thinking the same thing

by kingfish on Apr 2, 2008 5:49 AM PDT up reply actions

He trades the cap in for a comforter

with all the feathers he has saved up. Then he Netflixes HORSEFEATHERS in his queue

by Rev Halofan on Apr 2, 2008 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Is that

the first time the Marx Brothers has been referenced on Halos Heaven? Another reason we're better than Athletics Nation!!

Captain, there are doubt's...

by Match Day 5 on Apr 2, 2008 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Although I was a big

OC supporter - I didn't mind this trade. I love that he kept Howie and I'm sure Hunter will be successful. Bringing Hunter created a problem he still needs to fix however...too many outfielders. Needs to trade to bring another value player in a position the can help.

Outfielders For Sale.

by gorams77 on Apr 2, 2008 8:00 AM PDT reply actions

hmm

kinda like how trading for garland created a problem that needed to be fixed? just because 2 outfielders havent gone down to injury after 2 games doesnt mean its not a possibility.

whats wrong with having a good bench? is there some rule that if you have guys that could start for most teams that you have to get rid of them? consider the too many outfielders a luxury not many teams have

by ihearhowie2.0 on Apr 2, 2008 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions

O.C. Trade

I supported the trade from day one. I liked Cabrera a lot, but he was always eminently replaceable, and so many pundits that have talked about the hole at shortstop have been grossly overstating his importance. He was a .280 hitter for the most part, with minimal power, and a great glove. His OPS+ was annually below 100. The void created by his departure is filled by two options who are, at worst, marginally-below Cabrera's value (Izturis and Aybar) and one option who could be significantly above (Wood).

In exchange we got a middle of the rotation innings-eater who has the ability to win 15+ games with a 3.80-4.50ERA, and has postseason success to his name. How this was ever anything other than a big-win trade for us, I just don't know.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Apr 2, 2008 12:39 PM PDT reply actions