Epic Shredder

by Rev Halofan on Mar 5, 2009 5:30 AM PST in Angels News

Damn, two posts in two days from L.A. Seitz of Chicago, the uncontested King of the Illinois Halosphere, and they are two GREAT ones.

First, he deconstructs Bill Shaikin's LA TIMES puff piece on the Angels taking walks.

Then he has a detailed post advocating once and for all giving Brandon Wood his shot in the bigs, defensive posiiton be damned.

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I enjoyed the Wood article.

He makes a lot of very good points. I especially approve of questioning just giving the job to Kendry. It seems like a bit of an oversight however how little service is payed to his defensive ability being wasted at first. At least it seemed like a rather mild concession. I also agree that defensive ability at 1st is underrated, and that Wood isn’t a spectacular SS, but he makes his plays and has a strong arm.

I guess the question his post failed to articulate is why is this club so clearly concerned with Wood’s “Value” as a left sider if they’re going to just continue to sit on him without giving him a real chance as they have since he’s been “ready”.

by MidwayCityLivestock on Mar 5, 2009 10:39 AM PST reply actions

It's weird because they had no problem with Kendrick at 1B

And using him at first for a half season or so didn’t hinder his ability to play second, so it’s not like if you make Wood a first baseman for a year, he can’t be moved back to the left side.

Ultimately I just want the guy who starts the season at first to have earned it during the Spring. Maybe that’s the way they’re moving, and they just haven’t been public about it. But to the extent that their public comments match reality (which isn’t always the case with the Angels), it doesn’t make much sense to me.

I want the best nine bats in the lineup, I guess. Hell, I’d try Rivera at first if I were management, at least in the Spring when you have split squad games.

by LA Seitz on Mar 5, 2009 11:04 AM PST up reply actions

To clarify a bit

The Angels have X guys in camp right now with a shot of making the opening day roster. Let’s say it’s 18, of whom 14 or 15 will break camp with the Angels. Seven offensive slots are spoken for (C, 3B, SS, 2B, and the outfield spots). We may not know who will be playing all of them, but we know who won’t be (i.e., short could by Aybar or Izturis, but it’s basically one of those two). Right now, Wood and Rodriguez figure to be on the bench or in Salt Lake, primarily because the Angels have guys who play their positions.

My point is the first base job should be open. I haven’t seen anything on the field over the past couple of seasons at the major league level to just give the first base job to anyone in particular. If Morales steps up and takes it, that’s awesome. But what if Wood or Rodriguez have monster Springs and Morales struggles? Do you refuse to try either one at first just because they happen to be “too good” as fielders to play at first base? That didn’t keep the Angels from playing Kendrick there for a while.

Right now, the Angels have Morales, who is a serviceable to solid first baseman defensively. If he gets outplayed this Spring by Wood and/or Rodriguez, I think you have to look at one of those two as the starting first baseman. It is correct to say they aren’t as valuable at first base as they are further to the left on the defensive spectrum. But the comparison isn’t between Brandon Wood (or SR) as shortstop vs. Brandon Wood (or SR) as first basemen (assuming the SS and 3B jobs are filled). The comparison is between one of those two as first baseman vs. Morales as first baseman. Let them battle it out this spring and make one of them earn a job.

by LA Seitz on Mar 5, 2009 11:21 AM PST up reply actions

You are absolutely correct...

Here’s hoping that both Wood and Morales rake in spring and the whole point is moot.

Sadly, I fear that Wood still wouldn’t get the full time chance he needs.

by MidwayCityLivestock on Mar 5, 2009 12:58 PM PST up reply actions

trade figgins to the yankees

and let woody blossom

by ihearhowie2.0 on Mar 5, 2009 11:04 AM PST reply actions

Mis-titled...

I thought this was an article about a new surfing prospect. Tubular, brah!

(eg: Mark Richards was an epic Aussie shredder back in the 80’s.)

by Downing Rules on Mar 5, 2009 11:44 AM PST reply actions

by MidwayCityLivestock on Mar 5, 2009 1:00 PM PST up reply actions

You are a full-on grommet, midway. Get off my wave.

;)

by Downing Rules on Mar 5, 2009 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

It is a great question… why is Morales seemingly being “handed” the 1B job? Have any of you folks who are fortunate enough to have been to Tempe this spring seen anyone else at first base?

by Downing Rules on Mar 5, 2009 1:40 PM PST reply actions