Best in the West? I Think So...
by pendletonmike on Dec 11, 2011 8:56 PM PST
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PrintAfter reading all the 'experts' write about who is best in the West, I noticed a few things that happened to be left out. For one, Jordan Walden is getting absolutely wrecked in the media. I don’t know how many times I have heard that the Halos need to trade for a "proven closer." I don’t get it, as a rookie, Walden put up some impressive numbers.
As a fan (and I am writing this as a fan of the Angels) who watched almost every game last year, you can discount a few of Walden's blown saves. One of which Torii Hunter lost a fly ball in the sun – blown save on a routine fly ball that would have ended the game. Another game I can remember off the top of my head was Jordan coming in with runners on second and third (or maybe bases loaded) and gave up ONE run for the blown save. He did blow some games that he shouldn't have and you can’t have 10 BS without a few mental gaffs, yet I will not write him off as a closer. Looking at the stats, Walden (outside of the BS) put up a very solid ROOKIE year.
Closers
Mariano Rivera: 44/49 saves 60 K 61.1 IP, WHIP 0.90
Jose Valverde: 49/49 saves 69 K 72.1 IP, WHIP 1.17
Brandon League: 37/42 sv 45 K 61.1 IP, WHIP 1.08
Chris Perez: 36/40 saves 39 K 59.2 IP, WHIP 1.21
Neftali Feliz: 32/40 saves 54 K 62.1 IP, WHIP 1.16
Jordan Walden: 32/42 saves 67 K 60.1 IP, WHIP 1.24
When you look at Feliz and Walden’s numbers side by side, there really isn’t much of a difference. Yet Feliz is considered one of the best closers….
The Angels got off to a busy start before the winter meetings by trading for Chris Iannetta. Then answered all of the problem spots by signing LaTroy Hawkins, CJ Wilson, and Albert Pujols. They got the big bat that fans have been asking for, the middle of the rotation starter, and a back end reliever to alleviate the pressure put on Scott Downs.
The Angels have gotten quite some slack for signing a 32 year old to a 10-year contract. I don’t think it’s good for business to sign players to long term deals like this one; however, there is more to this signing then just getting the player. Pujols is one of those special guys that you can only come across once in a blue moon. Just look at the sales in jerseys and season tickets just a mere 24-hours into the signing. AP will decline for the next 10 years, but you can expect him to contend for an MVP award for the next 5 years. I don’t look at years 6-10 as "overspending" because of the TV deal he helped the team get from FOX. I don’t see his character getting in the way of becoming a full time DH, and I see him hitting .270 + and around 25 HR’s a year. I will take that for what he can give us early in his contract.
CJ is being killed by the Rangers fans. I see them trying to make the signing look like less then what it is by saying that he isn't an ace and that we overspent on him as well as AP. CJ is a number 2 starter – not a number 3, although he will be our number 3. His contract may be too expensive for Texas, but it is fair market value for the numbers he put up. He will do great things for the city and the team.
Chris Ianetta has been overlooked in my opinion. He is a significant upgrade from Mathis offensively and is very capable defensively. Then there is Hawkins – who has gotten almost zero coverage. One of the most important pieces will be LaTroy and what he can bring to the pen.
With King Albert in the lineup you can count on everyone to improve this year - he is that special. If Wells doesn’t perform before Mike Trout gets to 150 AB’s in AAA then you can count on him sitting quite often. Hunter will be able to perform behind Pujols and hopefully will hit the whole season like he did the last two months of last year.
I see Vernon staying within himself now that he knows the ball does not travel well in Angels Stadium. He will make the adjustments that he needs to make to become a line drive hitter once again and he should be good for a .270 AVG and 20 HR.
I expect Kendrick to have a break out season this year and will go on the record to say he hits over .320 and has another 15+ HR season.
Bourjos needs to get comfortable hitting leadoff because Aybar will be a 6 or 7 hole hitter for the rest of his career.
The Angels lost so many games because of the bullpen and if they could have just finished off half of those games without blowing them – then were in the playoffs. Hawkins will help with this and hopefully Downs can stay healthy this season. With all of this happening, I don’t thing JD is done with the off-season. Abreu is tradable as long as the Halos cover about half of his contract, so I expect them to trade for another bullpen piece.
There are still a few trades to be made…. Who needs to go?
This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.
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W O W
The Feliz comp shocked me. I suppose some Texas Twit would say “Wass Hiz FIP?” with some weird drawl.
Feliz also walked more...
4 more in just 2 IP more.
" Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up." ~Bob Lemon
by pendletonmike on Dec 11, 2011 9:06 PM PST up reply actions
this
I didn’t realize how similar they were, yet Feliz is considered vastly superior.
go long with extenze...i do
by angelsownredsux on Dec 11, 2011 9:11 PM PST up reply actions
2011 Comparison: Walden vs. Feliz
FIP
Walden: 2.79
Feliz: 3.57
K/9
Walden: 9.99
Feliz: 7.80
Swinging Strike Percentage
Walden: 12.5%
Feliz: 11.2%
BB/9
Walden: 3.88
Feliz: 4.33
xFIP
Walden: 3.33
Feliz: 4.27
WAR
Walden: 1.7
Feliz: 1.0
Average Fastball Velocity
Walden: 97.5 mph
Feliz: 96.3 mph
In 2011, as the above numbers illustrate, Walden posted superior numbers to Feliz in several categories.
by Fan Since 1981 on Dec 11, 2011 9:24 PM PST up reply actions
And to think
He did it with only one pitch. Think of what he will become as he develops his slider.
" Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up." ~Bob Lemon
by pendletonmike on Dec 11, 2011 9:31 PM PST up reply actions
We saw him throw his slider sucessfully occasionaly last season
and he was absolutly unhittable when that happened.
"id take 5th Dimention Wormhole Rivera over Wells any day of the week"
-clover_black
by the king of CERA on Dec 11, 2011 9:52 PM PST up reply actions
Is this why Texas wants to put Feliz back in the rotation?
If so we are comparing Walden’s numbers to failed closer.
by Bozo's1000son on Dec 11, 2011 10:44 PM PST up reply actions
No
They actually think Feliz is a total badass and will light it up as a starter next year.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
Follow the Chicken on Twitter
by SportsChicken on Dec 12, 2011 4:11 AM PST up reply actions
Mostly, Walden got really, really unlucky last year
Let’s not forget that save he blew against the Dodgers where the umpires blew two calls in the ninth inning to hand the Dodgers the victory.
He struggled at times (very inopportune times) and he desperately needs one of his other pitches to be reliable. But I think he’ll be fine long-term if he develops one of his other pitches.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
I agree.
I saw most of the games last year on TV. He was very impressive at times. He did have too many blown saves, but some were unlucky and another factor was “image”. There were a few blown saves that were just plain uglier than an average blown save, where he looked young and lost sort of. If we tick off three BS for bad luck, at least four of those remaining blown saves just looked bad…. like when you see a generally graceful athlete bite it terribly. So they stick in the mind and you say, “He just didn’t seem reliable and dominant”.
Walden had a little bit of the Agony of Defeat Guy going on.
Tim Salmon + Yankee cap = HOF.
by gitchogritchoffmypetis on Dec 12, 2011 12:37 AM PST up reply actions
I know exactly what you mean. Good point.
He’ll be better this season.
by Rock Island Line on Dec 12, 2011 4:58 AM PST up reply actions
I don’t see how Walden getting impregnated by Tim Tebow is going to make him have better pitching results.
After this off-season, I have no recollection of this Del Ninja character we use to discuss.
IMO
If he wants to be more consistent, he needs a new windup that will allow him to repeat his delivery on every pitch. The way he literally jumps forward is not only unorthodox, but makes repeating his delivery on every pitch a near impossibility. It also might make him an injury waiting to happen. One of the problems I always had with K-Rod was how spastic his delivery is. It makes it very difficult for him to be consistent. Walden’s delivery is the same in that regard.
I'm not an expert on this
But I have a feeling that with most pitchers, if you COMPLETELY overhaul their delivery, you wind up throwing the baby out with the bathwater. In other words, he’ll throw strikes, but he’ll throw them at 91 instead of 98. If you could tweak it a little bit, that might work.
But it also may be true that there’s just no way he can be consistent with his current delivery.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
K Rod got all spastic on his own.
Look at the 2002 World Series DVD…. totally different delivery, no falling over. K Rod was a moron who was hell bent on screwing himself up, so we let him go.
Trying to coach a whole new wind up to someone who has made it all the way to the majors is like trying to make them a lefty if they were a righty…. not really possible. Hell, by the time you pitch 4 years in high school, that’s pretty much your motion. that’s why scouts worry about it in the draft.
Tim Salmon + Yankee cap = HOF.
by gitchogritchoffmypetis on Dec 12, 2011 2:08 PM PST up reply actions
The only pitcher I can think of
And I’m not even clear on the specifics, who completely re-did his delivery after reaching the majors was Roy Halladay, and he’s probably the exception that proves the rule. It just doesn’t happen.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
From what I have read Rangers fans are mad at the Rangers FO for not even offering CJ
a contract. CJ himself said the Rangers did not make an offer. The fans all wanted CJ back badly.
Napoli's 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th homers of the year (four more than Jeff Mathis' career total) rained down on Angel Stadium like knives from the ceiling.
They are even more pissed
about the contract we signed him too… They were expecting a much larger investment on our end.
Fun season ahead
The team we are fielding this year is awesome! So many possibilities and ways to arrange this batting order, best staff in MLB, some minor improvements in pen, and some youngsters chomping at the bit to get to the Big Show. Wow, what a great time to be an Angels fan!! I CANT WAIT FOR OPENING DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by spoken through Angels on Dec 11, 2011 9:55 PM PST reply actions
.270 is quite optimistic for vernon
I’m thinking maybe .250 but with an obp still signifigantly south of .300
"id take 5th Dimention Wormhole Rivera over Wells any day of the week"
-clover_black
by the king of CERA on Dec 11, 2011 9:56 PM PST reply actions
i think vernon wells will have a good season next year
Hes always followed up a bad season with a pretty good season so heres hoping that he hits somewhere around .275 with 25 HR’s
Year Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
1999 TOR 24 88 8 23 5 0 1 8 4 18 1 1 .261 .293 .352 .646
2000 TOR 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000
2001 TOR 30 96 14 30 8 0 1 6 5 15 5 0 .313 .350 .427 .777
2002 TOR 159 608 87 167 34 4 23 100 27 85 9 4 .275 .305 .457 .762
2003 TOR 161 678 118 215 49 5 33 117 42 80 4 1 .317 .359 .550 .909
2004 TOR 134 536 82 146 34 2 23 67 51 83 9 2 .272 .337 .472 .809
2005 TOR 156 620 78 167 30 3 28 97 47 86 8 3 .269 .320 .463 .783
2006 TOR 154 611 91 185 40 5 32 106 54 90 17 4 .303 .357 .542 .899
2007 TOR 149 584 85 143 36 4 16 80 49 89 10 4 .245 .304 .402 .706
2008 TOR 108 427 63 128 22 1 20 78 29 46 4 2 .300 .343 .496 .840
2009 TOR 158 630 84 164 37 3 15 66 48 86 17 4 .260 .311 .400 .711
2010 TOR 157 590 79 161 44 3 31 88 50 84 6 4 .273 .331 .515 .847
2011 LAA 131 505 60 110 15 4 25 66 20 86 9 4 .218 .248 .412 .660
by Frank158369 on Dec 11, 2011 10:14 PM PST up reply actions
I know it's no consolation, but at least we know the absolute worst we can get out of him.
What we saw this past season is as bad as it is going to get. This guy rebounds well and he is motivated to prove that he’s worth the money. Besides, he’s also going to benefit from the presence of Pujols in our lineup. I think having Albert in the middle of our lineup takes alot of weight off guys like Torii, Bobby, and Venon to be the guy. I really expect Wells to be significantly more productive next season. I’m not expecting .300+, 30 HR, 100 RBI; but I am confident he can get somewhere around .275, 25 HR, 80+ RBI.
by moralesforpresident on Dec 11, 2011 10:53 PM PST up reply actions
hope you're right
he will never be worth his salary, but that would at least make him a pretty legit bat.
"id take 5th Dimention Wormhole Rivera over Wells any day of the week"
-clover_black
by the king of CERA on Dec 12, 2011 9:06 AM PST up reply actions
i hope we dont trade Trumbo and give him a shot at 3rd.....the meat of the order of Pujols Kendrys and Trumbo seems too good!
Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champs Tony Romo Super Bowl MVP
-Me, October 3,2011
All the Talk has been about Trumbo staying put.
Before AP was signed, Morales was going to play 1st and Trumbo was going to play 3rd. That was the plan we had heard. Well with Morales getting bumped to DH (if he’s healthy) Trumbo still makes sense at 3rd.
Also Scioscia says Albert will be hitting 3rd, which means he’ll see more at bats— but who bats behind him?
RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09
I blog about the Angels at First2Third.net
Trumbo only makes sense at third if you don't mind ground balls not being fielded.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
by Gorbachav5 on Dec 12, 2011 8:13 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Have Aybar cheat a little to 3rd
and have Petey play up a little. Torii and Vernon have decent enough range.
Or maybe I’m dreaming. I don’t know, but a line up with Pujols, Morales, and Trumbo makes me all warm and fuzzy. When you stagger Wells, Hunter, Ianneta, and Kendrick, things could get real interesting next year.
RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09
I blog about the Angels at First2Third.net
I guess I'm not as keen on trying Trumbo out at 3rd
Because I don’t think we really need his bat in the lineup making lots and lots of outs, especially now that we have Pujols to hit homeruns.
It’s pretty rare for someone to have as terrible an idea of the strikezone as Trumbo and improve to the point where he’s even adequate at getting on base. It’s not like he was a 20 year old in the big leagues last year either. He was 25. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m worried that he’s going to be really bad at the plate next year when pitchers have a thorough scouting report on him. That scouting report will read like this:
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES THROW A STRIKE.
EVER.
If he can learn to lay off that stuff, then I will happily eat crow. If not, I’m thinking he’s most useful as a part-time guy/ pinch hitter when you need a homerun.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
by Gorbachav5 on Dec 12, 2011 9:39 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Also, don't get me wrong
I was happily surprised by Trumbo last season. His power was welcome, and he played decent defense over at first. First base very easily could have been a black hole. If he can repeat what he did last year, he’ll have decent value for a few years, despite the lack of walks.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
Walden
Walden will be better this yr. I think he was thrown into the fire before he was really ready because of the total inability of Rodney to throw a 1st pitch strike…or 2nd…or 3rd pitch for that matter. If he can work in a solid change up that will do wonders to keep hitters off balance. A good slider would just be icing on the cake and make him untouchable!! Pitching with a 4 run lead instead of a 1 run lead will also do wonders for the young man.
by spoken through Angels on Dec 11, 2011 10:04 PM PST reply actions
lolz @ ranger fan
2 world series, no ring.. about to get their shit wrecked for at least a decade.
Shoulda coulda woulda. I almost have a little sympathy.
What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.
by clover_black on Dec 11, 2011 10:05 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
No sympathy for anything in that state
Rick Perry is a loser, The Cowboys invent new ways to make me laugh every week, they love executing retards, and they’re obsessed with the idea that they do everything ‘bigger’ down there.
Though, I suppose they know how to do choke-jobs bigger.
In the end, f*** Texas.
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by Caseys Kiss of Death on Dec 11, 2011 10:36 PM PST up reply actions 6 recs
I would rather live in Canada
" Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up." ~Bob Lemon
by pendletonmike on Dec 11, 2011 10:37 PM PST up reply actions
My brother and I died laughing at the reaction from Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, when the Cowboys
got that field goal kick blocked to end the game.
Napoli's 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th homers of the year (four more than Jeff Mathis' career total) rained down on Angel Stadium like knives from the ceiling.
after a tough loss like that all i can do is turn around and look that we have ALBERT PUJOLS on our roster!! haha
Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champs Tony Romo Super Bowl MVP
-Me, October 3,2011
Tough loss?
How odd…I thought it was a rather awesome win!
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by Caseys Kiss of Death on Dec 11, 2011 11:13 PM PST up reply actions
Growing up in Yorba Linda...
I never really was a Rams fan, having been too young to really get into football as much as I did baseball with the YL Little League. I made a decision watching the 96 Super Bowl that I’d follow whoever won that year, and the Cowboys won, so since then I’ve been a Cowboys fan. Other than that, I hate the state of Texas.
by BrentSchmidt on Dec 12, 2011 4:27 AM PST up reply actions
Tony Romo will never be Super Bowl MVP
He is one of the league’s most talented QBs, but he consistently finds ways to lose. He is the anti-Tebow.
I enjoyed watching him flop around in his own end zone last night
Willits? Check. Reagins? Check. Mathis? Check
I still don't see how Romo is one of the best QB's.
I mean, the dude hasn’t really accomplished anything (although T.O.‘s tearful defense of Romo was hilarious) that would bring accolades. Point being, if Romo played in Cleveland or Washington, he wouldn’t get half the love he gets now. He’d be thought of as an over-hyped, underachiever.
YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....
Eww
Glad you didn’t do that with the 96 world series. Gross.
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by Caseys Kiss of Death on Dec 12, 2011 9:48 AM PST up reply actions
You realize you just described almost every member of Boston's pink hat brigade.
YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....
by halofolife on Dec 12, 2011 10:04 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Not to be harsh but...
Ignoring your local teams and just choosing to become a fan of whatever team is winning is a douche move ;-).
by Darth Duane on Dec 12, 2011 10:33 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Football just wasnt something I was into at the time, and the Rams were already long gone when I finally did start following, so I don’t see why that’s a douche move for me, but whatever. Still a fan of the Ducks since their inception and Clippers since 2001.
by BrentSchmidt on Dec 12, 2011 3:49 PM PST up reply actions
Also... I was only 11 at the time.
If that counts for something.
by BrentSchmidt on Dec 12, 2011 6:26 PM PST up reply actions
Well you were young.
But I loathe the Cowboys. I actually was a Rams fan growing up, but always liked Art Monk and John Riggins. So I rooted for the ’Skins in the east, Rams in the west. Once Georgia Frontiere moved the team though, I bailed on the Rams. The last NFL game at the Big A coincidentally was the Rams/Skins. Guess who I rooted for.
YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....
This reminds me so much of a gal who sat next to me in Brennan's years ago
wearing a LeBron jersey & was busy cheering on the Cavs up on the big screen in a place full of Lakers fans like myself. When I asked her if she just moved here from Cleveland, she replied that she’s never been there & actually grew up in LA, but decided to become a Cavs fan solely because they were supposed to be winners and LeBron was going to make them the greatest NBA dynasty ever. Sad.
All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine.
by Quad Fin Rider on Dec 12, 2011 4:14 PM PST up reply actions
Tejas ain't so bad.
Frankly, Tejas is a lot like California in a number of ways.
Here are few:
1. It seems to emit polarizing reactions in people who are not from there.
2. Both are fucking huge. With a lot of awesome parts and a lot of shitty parts (this is of course subjective, just like the whole Nor Cal/So Cal thing is…)
3. Both could probably survive as their own country (maybe less so for California nowadays…but doesnt Cali have like the 8th largest GDP in the world?)
4. Mexican/Latino culture has a HUGE influence on the culture of the state in various ways…
There are many more I can think of but that’s just a few. Its easy to make fun of the “surfer bro” accent just as much as it is to make fun of the “cowboy-drawl” accent. I am a Cali boy through and through…but I am not really down to just shit on Texas. I love barbecue, tex-mex, lone-star beer and warm weather.
"The Transplant" (So. Cal boy stuck in NYC)
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Dec 13, 2011 8:40 AM PST up reply actions
You forgot the girls, which should have been #1.
With the possible exception of Hawaii, no other state can even think about competing with the plethora of home-grown beautiful women these two states produce.
(You also might be interested to know that, while Texas is the largest oil-producing state, that is mostly because they allow off-shore drilling. The largest oil deposit on the continental US happens to be right here, under Wilmington/Carson.)
Dear Texas: "One, two...........THREE!" The next number IS THREE!!!
Wow, trippy.
I’ll def. stop making fun of texas now because we share a similar GDP and both make a delicious burrito.
Sing kumbaya with me?
What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.
by clover_black on Dec 13, 2011 7:10 PM PST up reply actions
Tex-Mex-Sux.
As does whatever it is that they call their “BBQ sauce”.
Dear Texas: "One, two...........THREE!" The next number IS THREE!!!
I identify more with Nor Cal than So Cal
which would probably go a long ways in understanding my hate of Texas.
And I’d say Texas is twice as polarizing as California.
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by Caseys Kiss of Death on Dec 14, 2011 4:23 PM PST up reply actions
I sure hope we can unload Bobby.
Except for Wells, he is the most expendable player we have in our surplus of OF/DH, and he is getting paid about twice as much as he’s worth.
Problem is, I have a feeling Jerry likes Abreu because he seems to be just the type of player he likes, even if he is declining.
We’d be best off clearing room in the OF for Trout, and using Trumbo as a corner outfielder/DH full time. Even Wells at his best is not as valuable to our team as Trout on Opening Day. One can only dream…
by moralesforpresident on Dec 11, 2011 11:02 PM PST reply actions
Make Bobby hitting coach
And trade Mickey Hatcher.
by mrboma on Dec 12, 2011 1:38 AM PST up reply actions 5 recs
I still don't get the fuss over Pujols' last 5 years of his contract
Pujols’ comps, who are great, Hall of Fame players, did well even as they pushed 40. Here are some right handed hitters, and their final good year(s):
Frank Robinson
Age 38
.245/.367/.453
141 OPS+
Robbie actually slugged .508 the following year in limited action
Hank Aaron
Age 40
.268/.341/.491
128 OPS+
The year prior, The Hammer slugged .304/.402/.643 line at age 39!!
Willie Mays
Age 40
.271/.425/.482
158 OPS+
Willie still put up good numbers for the Mets the following year in a part time role, at age 41.
These are Albert’s best comps as right handed hitters. Juan Gonzalez is too, but Gonzo didn’t have Albert’s strike zone discipline, and played during the height of the steroid era, so I’ll exclude him.
The three Hall of Famers were such dominant hitters that they aged gracefully. Pujols, too, has been a completely dominant hitter so far in his 11 year career. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gave the Halos good seasons in 8 or 9 years out of the 10 year deal. He’s that good.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." - Woody Hayes
by johnnyangel101 on Dec 11, 2011 11:05 PM PST reply actions
Also
if you believe that WAR is worth $5 million a win on the FA market, then all Albert needs to do over the next ten years is average 5.1 WAR per year.
He’s averaged 8.8 over his first 11 years.
Even with a decline, he can easily do more than enough in the first several years to make a mediocre back-half of the contract into an overall return on investment.
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by Caseys Kiss of Death on Dec 11, 2011 11:16 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Not even thanks to depreciation of WAR value!
I believe the number is around 4.4 or so. Beyond doable.
by lightupthehalo29 on Dec 11, 2011 11:33 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, I couldn't be bothered to actually look into what depreciation would do to that value
thanks.
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by Caseys Kiss of Death on Dec 12, 2011 12:08 AM PST up reply actions
Frank Thomas
I think, even when he’s “declined” Alberts a pure enough hitter that he’ll kind of be like Frank Thomas when the Hurt had those revival DH seasons with the Jays and A’s. I mean, he’ll be older, and that’s not worth 20+ million a year, but I think after several awesome seasons and broken records, he will decline to that level, and that’s not too terrible a DH to be stuck with.
I mean, even if he “slows down” he is a HITTER. From the day he set foot on a JC campus in KC. HITTER. He’ll still make good contact, even if he isn’t a beast any more, at age 40-42. By then it will be his job to supplement Cowert, Chron, Trout, Willie Mays Hays etc. Who ever pans out in 2016.
Tim Salmon + Yankee cap = HOF.
by gitchogritchoffmypetis on Dec 12, 2011 12:51 AM PST up reply actions
Yup
I’ve been saying, toss out the comps to his contract-size-counterpart since he signed i.
A-Rod, as “good” as he was/is, had his flaws. Not only does it seem increasingly likely that his career has been chemically aided since HIGH SCHOOL, but he’s always walked less, and struck out SIGNIFICANTLY more than Pujols, with a lower batting average. Never the contact hitter Albert was. I don’t see much of a hitting comp between the guys. Albert has had seasons where his K and HR totals were neck and neck. A-Rod is a perennial 100K guy. Albert hasn’t struck out more than 76 times since he was a rookie. Just a hitting machine.
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by Caseys Kiss of Death on Dec 12, 2011 1:30 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
This is the same reason I think he will hit at least .270 per year....
That is after his big years are behind him.
" Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up." ~Bob Lemon
by pendletonmike on Dec 11, 2011 11:36 PM PST up reply actions
So let it be written, so let it be done.
Tim Salmon + Yankee cap = HOF.
by gitchogritchoffmypetis on Dec 12, 2011 2:12 PM PST up reply actions
Walden was garbage
last year. He can’t throw strikes with any consistency. 10 blown saves and several other shaky outings.
Upgrade needed.
AKA
“I’m gonna barge into this conversation ignoring all the statistical data that says that Walden was pretty good, fixate on the most flawed stat that he was bad in, ignore that he was a rookie, and then be on my way.”
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by Caseys Kiss of Death on Dec 11, 2011 11:14 PM PST up reply actions 11 recs
Thanks for saying this for me. :)
Official prediction: The Angels will win the AL west this season.
by RexTookMyStash on Dec 11, 2011 11:21 PM PST up reply actions
I do whatever I want. I'm like the HH Godzilla
Official prediction: The Angels will win the AL west this season.
by RexTookMyStash on Dec 12, 2011 1:12 AM PST up reply actions
Oh my god
Shoes… Oh my god! Shoes.
RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09
I blog about the Angels at First2Third.net
Walden is a horrible interview...
Fact.
What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.
by clover_black on Dec 11, 2011 11:22 PM PST up reply actions
Never seen him
wouldn’t be surprised.
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by Caseys Kiss of Death on Dec 11, 2011 11:25 PM PST up reply actions
Its bad.
But thats why im not a gm. My team would consist of awesome interviews or awesome hair.
What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.
by clover_black on Dec 11, 2011 11:27 PM PST up reply actions
There are almost certainly more guys with awesome hair
It’s really hard to find interesting players.
If you hate bad interviews, don’t watch any interview of a hockey player. Awful.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
This is why Walden should be replaced by Brian Wilson
"I have something 95 percent of all those All-Stars only wish they had: a World Series ring. If I had to choose between that and being an All-Star, it would be no contest. I’d grab the gold ring and never look back." -Tim Salmon
by BruinHalo on Dec 12, 2011 8:50 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Poor guy is really awkward
Remember the allstar game?
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
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by SportsChicken on Dec 12, 2011 4:13 AM PST up reply actions
You watched the games
Did he look like a guy you want pitching the 9th in the playoffs?
The answer is a clear no.
I counter your argument with Fernando Rodney
The year before we signed him, Rodney saved 37 out of 38 games. Do you really think that we should be basing all of our decisions on Save percentage? That seems to be the way Tony Reagins made decisions.
I do agree Walden was much better than many say he was,
but why has no one so much as suggested Scott Downs as a closer? He had numbers superior to Walden in most categories. I get that Downs isn’t as “intimidating” as Walden and that he’s not your traditional fireballer closer, but if you can get the outs, why does it matter? I’m not 100% behind this, but I think we should at least toss it around as a possibility.
I think it had something to do with Downs being hurt...
When Waldo was named the closer Downs was on the DL with that freaky toe injury. Plus Walden out performed him in the Spring, so up to that point Walden was out performing Downs and Downs was injured.
" Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up." ~Bob Lemon
by pendletonmike on Dec 11, 2011 11:35 PM PST up reply actions
Honestly, I think Downs is too valuable as a setup guy/fireman
You want to bring Downs in in the 7th inning with runners on base. Walden would scare me in that situation. More likely to get a strikeout, yeah, but also much more likely to walk a guy.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
Waldo will scare me no matter what inning he's pitching in.
As will every pitcher in a close game late. I think Walden in the 9th scares me more than Walden in the 7th or 8th would. There’s less pressure, so he probably won’t walk as many guys. Or maybe I’m putting too much faith in the intangibles. Either way, I just think it’s something to think about.
by Tom Servo 93 on Dec 12, 2011 12:03 AM PST up reply actions
I would much rather have Walden come in with the bases empty in the 9th
For me, it has nothing to do with Walden being scary. You’re right that he’s scary wherever.
It has more to do with Downs being a better pitcher. I want Downs to pitch in the highest leverage situations, which, in a lot of cases, come in the 7th or 8th innings and involve runners being on base. I think Downs is wasted if you pidgeonhole him in the closer role.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
Same reason we never made Shields our closer.
He’s perfect for what he does.
by moralesforpresident on Dec 12, 2011 12:53 AM PST up reply actions
We have to remember Walden was a rookie.
Although he didn’t light it up like Feliz did his rookie year and Kimbrell. However he is still learning how to pitch and the experience he gained could only have been beneficial.
Mathis is finally gone. Only good things can happen now.
by Angelsrthebest101 on Dec 11, 2011 11:44 PM PST reply actions
Nice post.
I’d have to agree that Walden did pitch pretty well, given the context. I mean, the guy did get freakin elected to the All-Star game by his peers. So it must mean that some other players think he has some stuff to his pitching.
And I definitely have to echo the others in here as well. Walden got screwed over by that damn Dodger-umpire robbery. And then in the last real playoff push we had guys dropping balls and other weird defensive errors, including when Walden himself tossed into the outfield.
I think the best thing to do would be to tell Walden he is the closer going into spring training, and not in the middle of the season off the heels of awful pitching of the previous closer. Plus who knows if Fraudney griping about not pitching anymore made young Waldo nervous.
LIke was said above
gets that slider in there with more consistency
the dude will be lights out;
if not, Houston we (may) have a problem.
Aybar
Why should Aybar bat so low in the lineup?
He was actually better at leading off than Bourjos.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
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I'm guessing they split it up a bit.
2013 is Aybar’s possible free agency year. There’s every reason in the world for him to perform at his best this season. Segura is lurking.
I'd make Aybar the full time leadoff hitter
Until Pete stops striking out and takes more walks.
Pete’s speed is nice to have leading off, but getting on base is more important.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
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by SportsChicken on Dec 12, 2011 9:34 AM PST up reply actions
Uhhhh, Bourjos had a higher OBP than Aybar last year
And higher than Aybar’s career OBP. Their career walk rates are equal. Now, the strikeout thing is a good point, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
Right now, I don’t see much of a difference in either of them hitting leadoff. If Aybar finally figured it out on the bases as last year seemed to show, then I lean slightly toward him.
However, I’d be more inclined to hit Callaspo leadoff when/if he’s in the lineup.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
by Gorbachav5 on Dec 12, 2011 9:55 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
+1 on Collaspo leading off.
After this off-season, I have no recollection of this Del Ninja character we use to discuss.
As long as he learns how to run the bases, yes.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
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by SportsChicken on Dec 12, 2011 8:36 PM PST up reply actions
Definitely agree about Callaspo
But, maybe it’s just a small sample size, Aybar had a higher OBP when batting leadoff.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
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by SportsChicken on Dec 12, 2011 8:36 PM PST up reply actions
Actually Aybar leading off against Righties and Bourjos leading off against Lefties
would be a good split.
by WhatShouldIThrowToday? on Dec 12, 2011 10:15 AM PST up reply actions
Good idea
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
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by SportsChicken on Dec 12, 2011 8:36 PM PST up reply actions
Good work
Psst: check this out.
Learn it, love it, live it.
by Rock Island Line on Dec 12, 2011 5:06 AM PST reply actions
Walden was terrible
The book dragged on and on. I wanted to fall asleep. Jordan however was pretty good.
" With Haren bolstering the rotation, the Angels are set up beautifully for 2011"- Another East coast biased reporter
by Halos2011champs on Dec 12, 2011 6:27 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Any book that can't be turned into a Jonah Hill movie totally sucks donkey balls
All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine.
by Quad Fin Rider on Dec 12, 2011 6:38 AM PST up reply actions
I thought Walden was the basis for all the Friday the 13th movies...
by Rock Island Line on Dec 12, 2011 7:06 AM PST up reply actions
hmm interesting.....
“When I wrote the following pages, or rather the bulk of them, I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from an abandoned campground, in a house which I had built myself, on the shore of Crystal Lake, and earned my living by incessantly murdering free-loving substance abusing teens. I lived there two years and two months” – the untold Walden
by ItCouldHappen on Dec 12, 2011 8:46 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs
You could sell it under the name
On Walden Pond – The Reckoning
Tagline – Simplify, simplify, for MURDER
Unlike this cat, my love for the LAA will never die.
by NathanielS on Dec 12, 2011 9:20 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
As an aspiring english teacher
I am both amused and disgusted by the degradation of Walden, but I think that it might be necessary to truly understand Jason’s motives, and the Angels closing issues/solutions
by ItCouldHappen on Dec 12, 2011 1:36 PM PST up reply actions
A future mashup?
The American version of Pride and Prejudice and Vampires?
In the long run men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high.
Walden
by matthiasstephan on Dec 12, 2011 2:56 PM PST up reply actions
The internet makes me shake my head sometimes
I got into some entertaining arguments last night on MLB Network’s facebook page in between sets during the show I was at. It’s amazing to me how many people don’t understand basic facts, like the Phillies not being part of the AL…or that Jeff Neimann and Wade Davis do not give the Rays the best rotation.
Scioscialist Party of America - Redistributing your defense since 2000.
would that show be almost acoustic christmas, perchance?
also, how do the rays always get their players to sign such team-friendly contracts?
oh, snapppp.
Wrex the Halls
I was there for Pennywise, Social D and blink.
As for the Rays, well, the Friedman is strong with them.
Scioscialist Party of America - Redistributing your defense since 2000.
by Commander_Nate on Dec 12, 2011 8:45 PM PST up reply actions
I'd argue that CJ signed a below market deal.
He signed for roughly the same amount Lackey did 2 years ago and AJ 4 or 5 years ago.
Willits? Check. Reagins? Check. Mathis? Check
Some of those stats really surprise me
Walden seemed to give up a ton of leadoff or one out walks. I never would have guessed his BB/9 ratio was better than Feliz.
Maybe he just bunched his walks together. Those frustrating, never should have happened blown saves tend to stand out.
Something else to consider...
There remains a lot of bravado over the fact that, although the Halos signed Pujols, the Rangers offense is still so completely dominant that they remain far and away the cream of the AL West. And it is true that in 2011 the Rangers scored 188 more runs that the Angels. And it is true that Pujols is not going to make up all those 188 runs on his own.
But what is NOT true is that the Halos NEED to make up all those runs. They only need to make up 10 wins (which is overstating the case, considering the surrender that goes on in the final days of any season, plus the addition of a 2nd WC slot). You don’t need 188 runs to realize 10 wins. CJ Wilson alone gives us 5 wins (based on 2011 WAR) and deducts 5 wins from Texas. Pujols gives us 3.3 more wins at 1B than we got from Trumbo, and Trumbo might not be going anywhere, anyway. Ianetta gives us almost 3 wins as an upgrade at catcher.
Besides, a large part of why the Rangers score so ogten is NOT the players on the roster, but the bandbox they get to play in. The Halos actually outscored the Rangers on the road (which is half the entire season) in 2011 (362 to 257) with an offense that was quote anemic.
We gots that pitching. We gots the D. Now we gots the hitting. We will be fine.
Dear Texas: "One, two...........THREE!" The next number IS THREE!!!
Wow, that's interesting
I didn’t realize the Angels actually scored more runs on the road than Texas. That really goes to show how big an effect that park has on hitters. I knew it was a hitters park but didn’t think it was that drastic. I guess this helps explain the difference between Napoli’s 2010 and 2011 season. That and the chip on his shoulder I’m sure.
Napoli actually hit better on the road than at home last year
So, no, that does not explain the difference between his 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Stirrups’s observation regarding runs scored on the road is very interesting. At the same time, as Gorbachev pointed out, we only outscored the Rangers by 5 runs on the road (not 105 runs), and the Rangers had to play 10 road games in Anaheim (1 out of every 8), while we got to play 9 road games in Arlington (1 out of every 9).
Still its shocking considering they outscored us by a total off 188 runs
Even with a hitters park I would at most expect about 2/3 of that to be at home not all of it and then some!
But Texas FAR AND AWAY led the league in road ERA
Texas road ERA = 3.19
Next at 3.65 was the MFY. That’s half a run difference. Angels were actually 5th in road ERA at 3.99.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." - Woody Hayes
by johnnyangel101 on Dec 13, 2011 2:34 PM PST up reply actions
Which included CJ's 2.31 ERA away from home over 121 innings pitched.
Doh! That would be OUR CJ this season, not TexASS’!
Dear Texas: "One, two...........THREE!" The next number IS THREE!!!
Sorry to nitpick, but this is kind of a big difference
Texas scored 357 runs on the road, not 257. So yeah, we did outscore them on the road, but not by much. Still, the point stands that quite a bit of their offensive advantage is related to their home park.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
I'm still surprised Tx didn't try hard to sign Wilson. He didn't give up many homers in Arlington.
I think the biggest question this year for the Angels is whether K-mo is going to be healthy and sharp enough to bat 4th. I hope hope hope he is. If he is the Angels offense is going to for real.
And the big question in 2013 is going to be if Trout can be a legitimate lead-off hitter.
Trout
Kendrick
Pujols
Morales
drools
I hate that ballpark
as crappy as Vernon was last year, he was still .417/.462/.833 in Arlington
All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine.
by Quad Fin Rider on Dec 12, 2011 2:24 PM PST up reply actions
Imagine the numbers Fielder will put up there if the Rangers sign him
This is the one potential move this offseason that still worries me.
Please....NO
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
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by SportsChicken on Dec 12, 2011 8:38 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah. Typo on my part. 357 it wass upposed to be.
Dear Texas: "One, two...........THREE!" The next number IS THREE!!!
I think the West will be a dogfight
Texas still has a great lineup. Their pitching staff will match up well with outside of the Angels and Rays. Texas still has a chance to win every night. This thing is far from over.
lineup
i just can’t wait until trout is starting alongside bourjous in that outfield and then in the lineup with pujols. It will get special!!
by hunting-for-trout on Dec 12, 2011 9:53 PM PST reply actions
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