TUESDAY ANGELS ROUNDUP: Santana Nears Return, Guerrero Wants to Play The Field

by WiHaloFan on Jun 30, 2009 8:31 AM PDT in News Comment 15 comments

More photos » by Donna McWilliam - AP

Up next for Angels: Tuesday at Texas - Los Angeles Times
Joe Saunders vs. Scott Feldman

Angels open big series with victory over Rangers - OCRegister.com
A four-run sixth inning served as the first warning shot, pushing the Angels to a 5-2 victory over the Rangers in the first of six meetings in the next 10 days between the AL West's top two teams.

Los Angeles Angels Looking To Turn Things Around - Bleacher Report
No team has had to deal with the same amount of key injuries or the tragic death of a young star on the rise. As bad as things were for a while in Anaheim, they are really starting to turn around.

When you're wrong, you're wrong - Angels Unplugged - Los Angeles Times
The Rivera we're watching now is a completely different player, hitting .307, bombing clutch home runs on a consistent basis, like the two-run job that broke open last night's big game with Texas, and rocking along at close to a 100-RBI pace.

Ervin Santana rejoins Angels - Los Angeles Times
Santana, on the disabled list because of an inflamed triceps, will throw in the bullpen Wednesday, and if he comes out of that workout OK, Manager Mike Scioscia said Santana will be folded back into the rotation this weekend against Baltimore.

A Look at Ervin Santana's Nearing Return - Bleacher Report
The article says he was sitting between 91 and 93 on the radar gun, which may be a little bit below where he’s been in the past

Guerrero steps up throwing program - Angels blog - OCRegister.com
Vladimir Guerrero threw to bases as part of his pre-game throwing workout today

Talkin' about the age-33 falloff phenomenon, with Bill James - Joe Posnanski - SI.com
For many good-to-great players, 33 is the age when they begin to grow old. Maybe the bat slows a touch. Maybe nagging injuries nag more. Maybe the legs lose a little bit of their spring. Maybe the shoulder aches when they try to throw home.

Chat with Buster Olney - ESPN
QUESTION: Wouldn't Brandon Wood (LAA) be good insurance for A-Rod (and Jeter)? How about for Hughes?

Buster Olney: I was talking about Wood with a GM Sunday... He's a tough one to place a value on. On one hand, he has hit well in Class AAA, and on the other hand, the Angels have bypassed him time and again. What kind of a big leaguer could he be? I think the answer to that is even more murky than it was three years ago, oddly.

Chone Smith can see the future - Angels blog - OCRegister.com
Sean (sometimes Chone) Smith, who blogs at Anaheim Angels All the Way, is no ordinary blogger; he’s one of the most prominent sabermetric writers going, and the creator of the CHONE projection system, by some measures the most accurate statistical forecaster for hitters.

Poll

Angels starting pitching rotation should be (in not particular order) Lackey, Weaver, Saunders, Santana, and....

Sean O'Sullivan

140 votes

Matt Palmer

96 votes

Shane Loux

1 votes

Dustin Moseley

16 votes

Someone else (comment below)

11 votes

264 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 15 comments | Share

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Comments

The Big "O"

Sean has earned the opportunity. The “shine” is off Loux and Palmer.

by mustard_man on Jun 30, 2009 8:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Angels need to slow down Santana. They're rushing things.

If they activate him, I’d rather they wait until after the All-Star break. It’s still a bad sign that his velocity hasn’t returned. Additional re-hab starts aren’t necessary. It would be better to focus on a few more power bullpen sessions and make absolutely sure that his arm is sound.

by Fan Since 1981 on Jun 30, 2009 9:19 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I like SOS and Palmer BUT

I dont think either of these two can show consistency throughout the rest of the season. I am hopping that we make a trade to pick up a fifth starter and then use Palmer and SOS to strengthen our bullpen.

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Jun 30, 2009 9:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Small sample size.

I am the Iron Man

by 44FAN on Jun 30, 2009 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Angels 5th starter should be

Tim Lincecum. I heard he’s like pretty good and has a good fastball and that he only loses when the other team gets really really lucky.

by MH252525 on Jun 30, 2009 10:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Pshaw. We saw Lincecum. We beat him with a AAA pitcher. He must be garbage.

Besides, dude has a mullet. He needs to be a Phillie.

We don't have a Bullpen. We have a Cowpen. Before we get to call it a Bullpen these guys gotta grow a pair.

by Stirrups on Jun 30, 2009 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Play the hot hand

I’m sending an SOS out to the world

by foxpaw on Jun 30, 2009 10:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well

I think that Palmer is a better choice because his record is intimidating and the Angels score a TON of runs when hes pitching.

by TheAntiSox on Jun 30, 2009 10:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Letting pitchers like O'Sullivan, Looux, or Palmer prove themselves in the majors is for rebuilding teams.

Teams who want to win now make trades for proven players.

Make a trade.

by WiHaloFan on Jun 30, 2009 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm gonna have to disagree here. Letting your 5th starter be the unproven rookie

is how you get guys like Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana. Going out and getting a mediocre veteran as your 5th starter is a terrible way to keep winning. Want an example? A few years ago the Texas Rangers traded away a guy proving himself in the majors (Chris Young) for a ‘proven veteran’ – Adam Eaton. Who got the better of this trade? I know who I’d pick. Jon Garland is a proven veteran, yet his numbers are nearly indistinguishable from Matt Palmer’s, who also happens to win more games. I’m sure the Mariners had guys who could have given them the same numbers Carlos Silva has or better for a fraction of the cost.

Point being, getting a proven vet is neither cost effective nor the always the best option.

#34 Forever
Plugging the upside since 2006.
Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Jun 30, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd go with Palmer

he seems to get rocked in the early innings but gets stronger and better as he gets deeper into the game. SOS is steadier early so might be better doing 1-2 inning stints.

by Fred Fredrix on Jun 30, 2009 1:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Palmer will do better in a rotation spot.

He finds success over the course of a game fighting in and out of trouble. O’Sullivan is good right out of the box and could be the medicine we need right now in the bullpen. Make the best use of both of them.

I am the Iron Man

by 44FAN on Jun 30, 2009 2:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs