After all the talk it is finally time.

by pendletonmike on Dec 15, 2009 8:10 AM PST

For years we have been hearing how the Angels didn’t want to trade Brandon Wood. Now it is time to see what he can do. It also looks like we will have a new arm in the starting lineup. I don’t have a problem with this one bit. We have 4 proven starters and although they didn’t live up to standards last year (Saunders, and Santana) I think they will have great seasons. Injuries hurt this team and we had plenty of guys step up and give the team a chance to win. What a time to be an Angels fan! We are seeing franchise players leave to make ground for the new. Figgins leaving for Seattle, which nobody seems to have a problem with, and I think that has to do with the fact that he was a likeable guy. Lackey going to the hated Bosox, which everyone is up in arms over, and I think that is because of 2 reasons. 1) it’s the Red Sox. 2) He was not a guy to like, he was always yelling at his team, showing up the manager in the Post Season, and throwing teammates under the bus.

I hope all former Angels do well, but for some reason when they leave this team they just don’t perform to the same level. I do think that John and Chone will though. As for Vlad, I love you man and all of the great times we got to see.

I think our lineup will still be solid this year. We have 4 above average starters, I wish they were better just like you, but they could have great years this year. Who knows what is going to happen. I feel that Weaver will become a solid Ace and Kaz will have a great year. As for our offense we only lost 1 guy who really performed all year for us. Here is how I see the offense playing out this year. Let me know what you think….

1) Aybar

2) Abreau

3) Hunter

4) DH Matsui?

5) Morales

6) Rivera

7) Napoli/Mathis

8) Kendrick

9) Wood…

Granted we don’t know who will all be on the team next year but this is what we have right now…. If we don’t get Matsui then I feel you make Napoli the DH and give him at bats everyday, and have Wilson your backup to Mathis…

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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Comments

I dont think 3 Wood is gonna be in the 9 hole.......

Soth likes to use that as another “leadoff” type…….my guess for Brandon would be 8th….Howie might fit nice in the 9 hole.

Yeah, I just stare at my desk, but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too, I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work. - Peter Gibbons

by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 15, 2009 9:05 AM PST reply actions

Scioscia said that Izturis is the number one third baseman and leadoff man.

So until Wood proves something in Spring Training, or until Izturis loses it, it really isn’t time yet. Scioscia simply isn’t ready to slot Wood in 3B, out of options or not.

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by AlanFalcon on Dec 15, 2009 9:49 AM PST reply actions

If that is how it plays out...

Then I don’t have a problem with it. Then you could put Aybar in the 9 hole. Plus we all know how much Scioscia loves to move players around. I see Wood as that guy that plays 4 times a week and fills in for a player that is going to get the day off. He has also played the corner outfield spots so I think we might have been getting him ready for that utility spot. I just find it hard to believe that Wood spent the last year at AAA for nothing. What Scioscia says now and what happens at spring training are two different things.

"F@&* it, lets pitch"
-Ervin Santana

by pendletonmike on Dec 15, 2009 10:27 AM PST up reply actions

I heard the same thing.

I’m starting to think that BWood isn’t very well liked by Mr. Scioscia. MightyMoucer is a great utility type guy. Kendrick hasn’t proven that he can stay a) productive or b) healthy for an entire season. Wood is still a relative unknown at the MLB level, and Aybar has had one good season under his belt. Izzy is a key part of the infield, and I think it is in the best interests of the team if he keeps his utility status alive.

1 line siggy line because I was asked nicely. Go Angels! helpfindscottajob@gmail.com

by Slasher52 on Dec 15, 2009 10:30 AM PST up reply actions

They said the same thing about Morales a year and a half ago:

I’m starting to think that BWood isn’t very well liked by Mr. Scioscia.

by wumbug on Dec 15, 2009 5:35 PM PST up reply actions

And I heard that as well, in a radio interview of Sosh.

Nevertheless, check the current depth chart for 3B on the Angels MLB tame site.

Had I owned the Pittsburgh Pirates, I could have saved America.

by Stirrups on Dec 15, 2009 8:15 PM PST up reply actions

I like our lineup

But I dont see how Matsui plays into it. That one really seems like a bad signing. Maybe I’ll be wrong, but he seems too slow and not enough of an offensive force. He seems to have had a peak year (for his age) last year and I doubt he will recreate it without arod and teix hitting around him. As for his spot in the lineup, Basically he seems like Bobby Abreu #2. (not that bobby is bad, just not much of a “threat”)
I
’d almost say I prefer to slot matthews into RF (assuming we dont find anyone to take him) and bump abreu to DH.*wow that is a scary sentence* But Matthews did fairly well when torii and vlad were both out last season and had some good hits and the money is already spent so assuming he can hit his .280 and 15 hr, why not spend the cash on some pitching?

by Balls and Strikes on Dec 15, 2009 3:07 PM PST reply actions

I disagree with your comments

I guess that’s what blogging is all about, we can disagree as fellow Halo Brothers.

1. Matsui is not a bad signing.. not at all. #1 – Dude can still hit. He batted .274, 28 HR, 90 RBI. His OBP was 367 and his OPS .876. We needed another lefty bat and he is a professional hitter. #2 – Revenue – He will bring new marketing opportunities for our team. We will all just have to put up with the banging drums and other annoying noise-makers at the games.
2 He is nothing like Abreu… trust me… nothing like him.
3. Matthews should not be slotted into RF. Do we want Abreu and Matsui in the line-up or Abreu and Matthews… THIS IS NOT EVEN CLOSE. Matsui is a far better hitter and Matthews is not enough of an upgrade in RF to balance things out.

Light up the Freakin Halo!

by marshgr on Dec 15, 2009 4:28 PM PST up reply actions

Matsui is another Abreu

Who grinds out at-bats, but is a little more power, like Vlad.

Matsui is a tough out and while Abreu may take a nine-pitch at-bat and get a base hit to the opposite field, Matsui is a guy who can take the same at-bat, but drive the ball out of the ball park.

T he only thing that would be cause for concern is his health – obviously a player is worthless [maybe not with Matsui and his international appeal] if he is injured for a prolonged period of time.

Or is Kendry perhaps the one who needs to sit?

by BBFan1 on Dec 15, 2009 4:53 PM PST up reply actions

I agree 100%

Japan always tunes in for their players. So guess what team will have all of their games covered live in Japan? The Angels and Mariners, and I love how the team has gotten even more patient at the plate this year. Matsui is just going to add to that. I don’t figure he will hit 28 HR this year being that he will be playing most games at a pitchers park, and with the marine layer is towering flyballs will be just that. Who cares though because we have plenty of guys that will hit 20+ this year. Matsui, Morales, Rivera, Hunter, and possibly Napoli depending on how many AB’s he gets so I will just pencil in 20 for the catchers spot. We have plenty of guys around him. Opposing pitchers will not have an easy out, anywhere. I am excited to see what happens for the rest of the offseason.

"F@&* it, lets pitch"
-Ervin Santana

by pendletonmike on Dec 15, 2009 5:26 PM PST up reply actions