Angels April Inevitables

by Rev Halofan on Mar 12, 2011 4:37 PM PST in Angels News

We have reached the halfway mark in Spring training. It is looking more and more like some things about this Angels squad are inevitable for opening day. Some roster spots are easier to call than others and a few are up in the air. Here is a pretty simple take on the players who will get the most starts at their respective positions for the Angels in April.

1B: Mark Trumbo WHY? They will be patient with Kendry(s) Morales and will want to see their 2010 minor league player of the year get in some good work against big league pitching.

2B: Howie Kendrick WHY? Because water is still wet and the sky is still blue when it is not cloudy or night. Something tells me that great or mediocre, Howie is going to be a starter in Anaheim for many years to come.

SS: Erick Aybar WHY? Remember the teacher's pet in school? Well on the Angels he is not a chick who asks for more homework, he is Aybar.

3B: Maicer Izturis WHY? Instead of doing the dishes (signing Beltre) you can always take the nice champagne glasses you got from some cousin at your wedding out of the dusty box and drink orange juice out of them. Eventually you will break one of those dainty stemmed vessels, like Izzy is made of glass minus the tall stem, and then you are left with recycling your Starbucks cup (Alberto Callaspo).

C: Bobby Wilson WHY? Because I hold out hope that Mike Scioscia will see Terdo McPremium (Jeff Mathis) for what he is: more useless than the ballboy.

OF: Vernon Wells in LF, Peter Bourjos in CF and Torii Hunter RF WHY? The only other possible options are Abreu making room for another DH and benching Bourjos or Reggie Willits being there because someone got injured.

DH: Bobby Abreu WHY? They will slowly rehab Kendry, there wil be no rush, It is win-win for them as all losing can be blamed on his absence.

Pitching Rotation: No surprises, even Scott Kazmir will get until May to tank.

CLOSER: Fernando Rodney WHY? Because he will not blow his 8th save until May 15. Eight blown saves are Scioscia's limit.

HIGH-LEVERAGE PEN: Scott Downs, Hisanori Takahashi, Jordan Walden WHY? Because they are paying two of these guys too much to mop up and Walden will be auditioning to be Mayor McSave of Post-Rodneywood.

LOW-LEVERAGE PEN: Kevin Jepsen, Rich Thompson WHY? Jepsen is better than Chaka Kohn, Frankie-2 and Cassanova while Richie-G'Day is out of options.

BENCH: Jeffo McWilson will grab pine as the backup catcher (King Conger will be in AAA getting starts every night), Willits, Callaspo, and Brandon Wood will quietly pass their Quinlan time. The only mystery at this juncture is whether they will keep an out-of-options Jason Bulger as the 7th man in the pen or take another position player, maybe chance lefthanded hitting Jeremy Moore at least to start the season as Chris Pettit is basically a Willits substitute.

What do you think?

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In the words of James Allen

Absolutely, Absolutely, Absolutely!

"Yes but" is the best way on earth to stay broke and subservient -Rev. Halofan

by Greyson Peltier on Mar 12, 2011 4:41 PM PST reply actions

Barring injuries, or shocking trade:

Morales, Kendrick, Aybar, Izturis, Mathis/Wilson,Wells, Bourjos, Hunter, Abreu,…Callaspo, Wood, Willits.

Weaver, Haren, Santana, Pineiro, Kazmir,… Rodney, Jepsen, Walden, Bulger, Thompson, Downs, Takahashi.

If they DL Morales to open the season, Trumbo gets the call until Morales is ready, then back to AAA. No way they bring up JMoore yet (he needs to play every day in AAA…Pettit is first OFer called up after injuries….Conger gets reps in Salt Lake City until at least 2nd half of season, possibly September if Mathis/Wilson hit.

by wumbug on Mar 12, 2011 4:51 PM PST reply actions

Kazmir

I want to be optimistic, but holy crap this guy looks terrible. Jarod Washburn never looked so good…

by Zaius on Mar 12, 2011 5:30 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

Pettit is a Willits substitute that would hit 8-10 HR's a season

Randomly adding an S to the end of my name

# Halo Heaven Fantasy Champ 2008 #

by UK Halo on Mar 12, 2011 6:17 PM PST reply actions

sorry

but Mathis is going to be the starting catcher on March 31

by truhalo on Mar 12, 2011 6:19 PM PST reply actions

agree

Rev may as well hold on to his nuts than hold out hope Soth will see the light and have Wilson start as catcher over Mathis.

"It's our money," owner Arte Moreno said.

by 44FAN on Mar 12, 2011 6:40 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah

Mr. Rev shouldn’t hold his breath. The funny thing is that Wilson appears to be a very similar catcher to the Soth himself. Good defense, calls good game, “little ball” type hitter, good teammate…alas, Mathis must have some incriminating evidence against Scioscia and Reagins.

The Devil went down to Georgia, and all I got was this gold fiddle. Go Angels!

by Slasher52 on Mar 13, 2011 7:56 AM PST up reply actions

Totally agree...

I wish it wasn’t so, but you just know they are going to run Premium out on opening day.

by thetooth on Mar 13, 2011 9:44 AM PST up reply actions

Yep

He’ll put Wilson on the bench and tell him he won that job. Congrats

"We are not on an austerity program," Arte Moreno

by thebigtizzle on Mar 13, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions

jeff mathis will start 200 games this season

What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.

by clover_black on Mar 12, 2011 6:42 PM PST reply actions

Premium Play

by eyespy on Mar 12, 2011 7:42 PM PST up reply actions

Whoof

by Bolt Deck on Mar 13, 2011 7:48 AM PST up reply actions

That actually bodes well for the Halos

although I think it means the WS would have to go all 7

I bleed Angel red

by squarefootnatlpark on Mar 13, 2011 9:23 AM PST up reply actions

Correction: Sosh would like Mathis'nt to start 200 games this season,

but he won’t – due to injury or overt lameness.

A wise man does not need advice and a fool won't take it.

by angelslogic on Mar 13, 2011 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Where will Q be playing

we know that the Angels will resign him

Meet up for Angels vs. A's Doubleheader Saturday, Jul 16, 2011
It will rock like the Catalina Wine Mixer!!!!!!!!!

by DAD OF VLAD on Mar 12, 2011 7:51 PM PST reply actions

DFA Wood and that saves a roster spot for somebody...

God #@%^ Mother F@#$in' Reagins! You make Omar Minaya look good.

by Monkeyspanked on Mar 12, 2011 10:08 PM PST reply actions

They re-sign Q

Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch

by red floyd on Mar 13, 2011 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions

If Morales

isn’t able to start the year at first base and only DH expect Abreu to start in LF and Bourjos to sit and Wells in CF and Trumbo to start at first. Looks like Bourjos may be the odd man out if Morales is the DH.

by AngelKeith on Mar 13, 2011 5:45 AM PST reply actions

Especially if his [Bourjos] "hip problem" / "groin tightness" doesn't get better

Apparently something he has been dealing with on-and-off for awhile

by Raaddad on Mar 13, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions

I think you got it wrong...

I don’t think they are gonna DH Morales, I think they are talking about the possibility of going without him on the roster for the first couple weeks.

Also, if you know Scioscia, you know he will go with defense over almost everything. If Kendrys does DH, Scioscia will likely go with a rotating DH spot with Wells and Abreu with the occasional day off for Peter.

dissenter, dubious and devil's advocate to blog monitors everywhere.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 14, 2011 7:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

Much better offensively, but with Abreu in left, much worse defensively.

by JeffJoiner on Mar 14, 2011 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions

If this team starts the season

With both Jeff Mathis and Brandon Wood on the 25-man roster, for the second year in a row, then someone in the front office needs to find a sword to fall on.

by Suboptimal on Mar 13, 2011 10:35 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Sword and the Stone is a great movie...

It doesn’t include any WAR talk, though, so I dunno if you would be into, Sub.

dissenter, dubious and devil's advocate to blog monitors everywhere.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 14, 2011 7:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Arthurian legends have more war than a SABR conference

by Suboptimal on Mar 14, 2011 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions

i'd like to add Krapshmear and Rodney to the list.

At least Jaun is gaun.

by Wally's World on Mar 14, 2011 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I think most of this is right.

But I think Kohn makes the pen — he’s been too consistent, and Scioscia has already indicated that he’s going with a 12 man pitching staff.

For myself, I’d swap Wood for Pettit in this scenario. Wood really has to go, and Pettit isn’t really Willits2. Pettit has a .501 SLG throughout the minors. The one season he played more than 130+ games, he hit 44 doubles to go with 18 HRs.

If the guy could stay healthy, he might be the best pure outfielder we could put on the field — a 20/20 guy with speed, patience and power who plays all three positions with plus defense.

by Turks Teeth on Mar 13, 2011 11:33 AM PDT reply actions

I'd definitely keep Wood over Willits

For all the talk about Mathis and Wood, Willits is the real waste of a roster spot.

Randomly adding an S to the end of my name

# Halo Heaven Fantasy Champ 2008 #

by UK Halo on Mar 13, 2011 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions

He has speed and is a good bunter...

And he’s kept his average above .200 in 2010. 3 things over Wood.

dissenter, dubious and devil's advocate to blog monitors everywhere.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 14, 2011 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions

7 man pen

I read recently that the Halos were leaning toward a 6 man pen to start the season (they have 3 off days in the first 15 games).

by jco on Mar 14, 2011 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions

That's to say: my bench would be Mathis, Trumbo, Callaspo and Pettit.

Of course, Mathis will be the opening day catcher, but I share the Rev’s robitussin dream.

by Turks Teeth on Mar 13, 2011 11:35 AM PDT reply actions

logic says that should be the bench.

and that actually isn’t a bad bench at all.

"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen

by IE Angel on Mar 13, 2011 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions

ro

yeah

by Rev Halofan on Mar 13, 2011 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed Rev

Mathis, Willits and Wood…How freaking long do we have to deal with these manny moe and jack chumps???

I’m already having to deal with Izzy and Abyar smurfs getting too many ABs. Don’t get me wrong, I like both players but they are utility players not starters.

Trumbo is a stud and so will Trout…the future is bright!

by Fixer29 on Mar 13, 2011 10:41 PM PDT reply actions

Rev, agree with you down the line,

except Kohn makes the team one way or another.

And by the way, upon clicking on this post the first time, my Norton anitvirus blocked virus “investigateantivirus.com”

A wise man does not need advice and a fool won't take it.

by angelslogic on Mar 13, 2011 11:17 PM PDT reply actions

what brower are you using?

by Rev Halofan on Mar 13, 2011 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions

MSN Explorer.

A wise man does not need advice and a fool won't take it.

by angelslogic on Mar 14, 2011 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Who still uses that?

Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch

by red floyd on Mar 14, 2011 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Me

MSN Explorer = Internet Explorer, no?

by wumbug on Mar 14, 2011 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Nope, IE is not the same as MSNE

Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch

by red floyd on Mar 15, 2011 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions

RF, please tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Am I being stupid for paying ~$10/month for MSN? I call them whenever I have any problem (virus, or otherwise), and I generally get good service handling whatever problem.

Please tell me the right thing to do……………………………………

by wumbug on Mar 14, 2011 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Steve Jobs

Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch

by red floyd on Mar 15, 2011 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

When my hard drive crashed a few months ago,

it was great that MSN saved all my favorite sites, mail, e-mail addresses, etc. I use MSN for my mail as well.

A wise man does not need advice and a fool won't take it.

by angelslogic on Mar 15, 2011 8:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Bulger will stick around....

I would like to see Kohn in the bullpen as well. Although, our bullpen has been seriously rock solid so far in Spring. At least the dudes who actually have a shot at making the team. Without look at stats, I am pretty sure that Walden, Kohn, Downs, Taki and Thompson all have 0.00 ERAs. Not that they’ve pitched a lot of innings but still very encouraging.

Wood? Goddamn he looks bad. I think he needs out of the Angels organization. I feel like theres too much pressure on him at this point. Send him to pasture….

dissenter, dubious and devil's advocate to blog monitors everywhere.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 14, 2011 7:31 AM PDT reply actions

REV Question: 8 blown saves limit?

Has this been a trend with Soth or are you just throwing that out there?

dissenter, dubious and devil's advocate to blog monitors everywhere.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 14, 2011 7:37 AM PDT reply actions

I think he just estimated what the average mamger's tolerance would be

And then added 25% for Scioscia.

"That's the true harbinger of spring, not crocuses or swallows returning to Capistrano, but the sound of a bat on a ball." ~Bill Veeck

by LAASurfin on Mar 14, 2011 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions

It's probably an average.

15 blown saves allowed for a proven vet, 1 allowed for a rookie or youngin. Add 15+1, then divide by 2.

Pollyanna is dead. But don't get mad at me, I didn't kill her. Tony Reagins did.

by snowhor on Mar 15, 2011 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

There is no indication Morales will be on the DL

He reportedly is running at full speed and will be in games by the end of this week. Barring a setback, Kendrys will be the first baseman on opening day.

The Mathis-Wilson debate is moot. Both guys will make the roster. Conger will not. And since Mathis has never started more than 90 games, Wilson will start about half the games.

The bench will include Callaspo and a catcher. Willits also will make the roster if he is healthy; otherwise Pettit will take his spot. Wood also apparently will get another chance. Although Trumbo most likely will start in AAA rather than on the bench in Anaheim, he clearly has passed Wood on the depth chart in the event of an injury to Morales, Abreu, Wells, Hunter, or Bourjos.

Kazmir will be the 5th starter. He will have until May to at least be mediocre; if he can’t do that, he will go to the DL with an alleged injury, and Bell, Takahashi, or Palmer will take his place.

The bullpen will include Rodney, Downs, Jepsen, and Walden in the high-leverage situations. Takahashi will be used like Darren Oliver of old and as a bridge on days when Kazmir fails to get past the 5th inning. Thompson and Bulger, both of whom are out of options, will round out the group.

3B Izturis
DH Abreu
RF Hunter
1B Morales
LF Wells
2B Kendrick
SS Aybar
Ca Mathis
CF Bourjos

Bench: Callaspo, Willits, Wilson, Wood

SP1 Weaver
SP2 Haren
SP3 Santana
SP4 Pineiro
SP5 Kazmir

Bullpen: Rodney, Downs, Jepsen, Walden, Takahashi, Bulger, Thompson

by Brody on Mar 14, 2011 9:49 AM PDT reply actions

potent

Angels should be able to hold off the Mariners for 3rd in the AL West. How does your GM still have a job?

"If Josey were a composer, he’d be Salieri." t ball February 15, 2011

by spliffy on Mar 14, 2011 10:16 AM PDT reply actions

The same way Greenberg retained Cliff Lee and his own ownership stake in the Rangers.

Scioscialist Party of America - Redistributing your defense since 2000.

by Commander_Nate on Mar 14, 2011 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions

very true

our pitching sure does suck. oh wait, no it doesn’t. good luck with CJ Wilson as your #1 SP, he should take you far.

"You realize that Ive been posting on AN since 07 on this name and I am one of the most rec'ed posters there right?" - Some douche named DFA from AN

by 2pintsofbooze on Mar 14, 2011 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Another very thin book

The Texas Ranger Dynasty…

enjoy it while it lasted…

by Zaius on Mar 14, 2011 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

As thick as "Famous Jewish Sports Legends"

Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch

by red floyd on Mar 14, 2011 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Two chapters

Sandy Koufax
and
Bob Dylan makes the Sophomore Swim team, 1956

by Rev Halofan on Mar 14, 2011 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Airplane!

Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch

by red floyd on Mar 15, 2011 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Trumbo starts at 1B on Opening Day

Morales will be eased into the lineup over the first couple of weeks. I see Trumbo starting, Morales DH’ing and Sosh having to decide whether to play Abreu in the field or sit him down. I say for Weav and Haren (the fly ball pitchers) sit Abreu, for Kazmir and Piniero play him.

by JeffJoiner on Mar 14, 2011 3:50 PM PDT reply actions

Mathis

So i’ve never really posted on here before but i’ve followed this site basically every dayfrom work and i love it. That said, i don’t see why everyone hates mathis so much, the dude has showed he has what it takes to hit when healthy. I mean he is hitting 333 in ST right now so im fairly optimistic. Between him and Wilson our catchers should be strong this year. (BTW catcher isn’t really an offensive position on this team… id take great defense eveytime and let the other 8 batters in the lineup do their jobs). Any thoughts?

by Screw the NYBankees on Mar 15, 2011 10:52 AM PDT reply actions

Now you've done it.........

by wumbug on Mar 15, 2011 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions

not trying to start a fight...

Just voicing my opinion… he can hit as long as he stays healthy

by Screw the NYBankees on Mar 15, 2011 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm not either.

I just know what you’re opening yourself up for, from many of the musicians on this site who know only one tune.

by wumbug on Mar 15, 2011 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Love this comment

I play music for your entertainment

by Seik1177 on Mar 15, 2011 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Bourjos is already an offensive liability.

Throw in an Aybar or Brandon Wood on top of Jeff Mattress …. WOOF.

And Mathis has been healthy all but a few weeks last year. The guy cannot bat >200 to save his life. Health meant nothing and a 333 in ST is inconsequential.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Mar 15, 2011 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

i understand bourjous....

he will only produce defensively…. wood won’t play…. aybar will hit now that he doesn’t lead off and can be aggressive…. and like i said mathis was not healthy last season… even when he returned… a wrist injury kills your batting ability… and sadly a 333 in ST is better than most of our boys right now :(

by Screw the NYBankees on Mar 15, 2011 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions

FOR HIS CAREER

The guy cannot bat >200 to save his life …

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Mar 18, 2011 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

jeez, you certainly picked an interesting topic to start off with

the thing is, despite what Sosh and the Halos FO will have you believe, Mathis isn’t this defensive wondergod that he is hyped up to be (did you watch last season?). so that, coupled with his .199 lifetime batting ave is why there are frustrations with him. and to blame injuries is just plain ludicrous. besides a couple games in the ‘09 playoffs, and 2 weeks at the beginning of last season (and I guess now 2 weeks in spring training, even though the pitchers aren’t really in form yet), he has shown he is not a good hitter. Trying to excuse 95% of his career where he hasn’t been productive due to injuries is not an argument I would stick by.

but welcome to HH. I like your screen name.

"You realize that Ive been posting on AN since 07 on this name and I am one of the most rec'ed posters there right?" - Some douche named DFA from AN

by 2pintsofbooze on Mar 15, 2011 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions

well said but....

From what i have seen…. mathis batted really well 2 seasons ago in the playoffs and carried that into the beginning of last year which tells me it wasn’t just a streak as he maintained his newly found power through the off season… to be honest i’m never one to say injuries are a scapegoat but i don’t believe he healed his wrist last year…. probably one of the worst places a catcher can be hurt… not to mention it knocked him out of his batting groove as he was noticeably more timid at the plate….. he has the ability… trust me

by Screw the NYBankees on Mar 15, 2011 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Hit the link below and read a great post by Suboptimal.

There is no use re-arguing Mathis with you; let the facts in the post speak for themselves (and you will see how misguided you are.
link

A wise man does not need advice and a fool won't take it.

by angelslogic on Mar 15, 2011 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions

yea i dont disagree with the article....

but hes wrong to say CERA doesn’t matter…. im sorry but im going to trust arguably the best manager in baseball about his choices for players at the position he played his whole career….. id let anyone argue over any position other that catcher….

by Screw the NYBankees on Mar 16, 2011 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions

oops

other than*

by Screw the NYBankees on Mar 16, 2011 12:36 AM PDT up reply actions

You've got friends here, so speak your mind.

The loudest kid in the classroom isn’t necessarily the one who knows the most.

They haven’t convinced me yet, either.

by wumbug on Mar 16, 2011 1:38 AM PDT up reply actions

So, when he continues to be sub-Mendoza in 2011...

do we claim that he is still feeling the wrist injury?

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Mar 18, 2011 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions

if Mathisrocks5 can come to the realization

that Mathis sucks, you too will eventually come to your senses. check out the link angelslogic posted and soak up the info. and if you’re still not convinced, the season starts in 2 weeks, and we can then let current actions speak. and if my some miracle Mathis kills it this season and you prove us all wrong, as Angels fans it’ll just be a win for us all.

"You realize that Ive been posting on AN since 07 on this name and I am one of the most rec'ed posters there right?" - Some douche named DFA from AN

by 2pintsofbooze on Mar 15, 2011 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions