Why Kendrick isn't platooning with AK.

by johnsamo @ Halos Heaven on Jul 7, 2006 4:25 AM PDT

Why Isn't Kendick Platooning with AK?

Kennedy can't hit lefties... Pitchers have better averages than Kennedy against lefties... and not just some pitchers, most of them.

The reasons are:

(1) Tim Salmon is taking his spot on the roster largely sitting on the bench and chewing gum. And taking an at bat or two once a week. Why do we keep a guy who takes a few swings once a week and can't play in the field?, Because years ago, Salmon was good, so he stays on the team till he quits or literally falls apart.... see also Erstad. ANd whenever Scioscia is feeling down, he can lack at the bench, see Salmon there, and still dream it's 2002.

(2) The Angels won't demote AK to platoon status because, like Salmon and Erstad, he used to be good and since he can still actually play on the field without getting hurt, he plays.

(3) Kendrick might God forbid win the job fulltime and Scioscia would have to bench another cherished veteran.

(4) You can't be sure Kendrick is good enough yet, so maybe we should wait till he's hitting 500.

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

Tweet Comment 35 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

And worst of all

I think this slavish devotion to longtime vets is hurting GA... I actually think GA can still hit, but he needs to be taken out of left so he can DH nearly all the time to rest his legs, but then Scioscia wouldn't have the pleasure of looking out in left and seeing GA and still thinking it's 2002.

I've seen Juan Rivera play the outfield, he's okay. Why isn't he out there so the aging Arthritic planter fascitius vet can rest a bit more? I don't know how many more good at bats GA has left in his body, but chasing down those balls in left field is reducing the number.

by johnsamo @ Halos Heaven on Jul 7, 2006 4:33 AM PDT reply actions

AK can't hit period!

Not just vs. lefties. Howie is going to have to wait for 2007.

by riktermiller on Jul 7, 2006 7:29 AM PDT reply actions

Glove

But what about Kennedy's glove!!!!

Sat and smoked against the wall, drank a beer, felt the chill of fall..of fall.

by ClutchHomer on Jul 7, 2006 8:47 AM PDT reply actions

It's Kendrick

and the reason why he's not platooning with Kennedy is been there, done that. Lefties are at most a fifth of the starters you'll see, and he needs regular playing time.

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Jul 7, 2006 8:52 AM PDT reply actions

^^^ Up there

That's the right answer.

Eat My Angel Dust.

by Angels95 on Jul 7, 2006 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Horseshit!

Dammit people, pay attention! Kendrick was already called up, already used as the vs-lefties part of a 2B platoon, and he sucked. THAT IS WHY HE IS NOT ON THE TEAM NOW. Good grief.

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Jul 7, 2006 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Or

were you referring to my post above and I'm just being a loon?

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Jul 7, 2006 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

NO

He sucked because he was put on inconsistently, in high pressure situations, and was not given the breathing room he needed to adjust. He should only be called up if he's going to get consistent AB's (i.e., if AK gets traded).

by Clutch on Jul 7, 2006 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

I think

we're saying roughly the same thing.

Kendrick needs regular AB's. As the lefty part of a platoon, that's already been shown not to work.

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Jul 7, 2006 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Kendrick

is going to have to adjust sooner or later. Why not make it sooner? If the Angels had a lineup that was more consistent, which it looks like they are starting to get, carrying Howie wouldn't be a problem. But GA and Figgy aren't hitting either. I don't know, nothing they do makes sense.

by higdog on Jul 7, 2006 10:04 AM PDT reply actions

Too bad

HK-47 can't play centerfield.

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Jul 7, 2006 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions

LF ?

by higdog on Jul 7, 2006 11:40 AM PDT reply actions

I'd take that

in a heartbeat.

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Jul 7, 2006 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I actually said platoon...

I just said platoon to not anger all the fanatic Angel fans who still think AK is a top level 2b. In reality, 2 things will probably happen. Kendrick wins the job full time or the pressure of Kendrick's call up actually lights a fire under Kennedy and he starts playing well.

AK it too young to be decliing because of age. I think it's because he knows he's an Angel's favorite and he's got the job regardless of his perfromance. That knowledge can affect your work habits on a subconcious level.

I think making him fight for playing time might actually wake him up, unlike some other Angel favorites, he's still got his health.

by johnsamo @ Halos Heaven on Jul 7, 2006 2:36 PM PDT reply actions

Samo, Samo

Look: say what you mean. The rest of us aren't mindreaders.

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Jul 7, 2006 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks

I second the motion - clarity makes your idea stronger.

by Rev Halofan on Jul 7, 2006 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I've learned

If you dare mention that a former good ANgel doesn't have it and is hurting the team, they'll talk about their past exploits like it's relevant to how we'll do this season.

by johnsamo @ Halos Heaven on Jul 7, 2006 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions

maybe instead of just bashing a guy for the

sake of bashing him, back it up w/ some stats. . . you continue to bash Salmon b/c he can't play the field, and you say he is done, but the fact is he's a DH vs lefties with an OPS near 1,000 vs lefties

A bad day at the ballpark is better than the best day at work

by SoCalSoxFan @ Halos Heaven on Jul 8, 2006 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Touchee

by Jack Frost on Jul 9, 2006 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions

I think

AK is holding back a little reduce his current trade value. He also might not be doing so things he was doing in years past.

by higdog on Jul 7, 2006 2:47 PM PDT reply actions

Trade AK

I know the deal with the Jays fell apart. But at this point in the season I think they should trade AK for anything of value (even minor leaguer) that they can get - similar to what they did with Weaver.

He will not be re-signed at the end of the season anyway so that Kendrick can move up. So its simple - trade AK and promote Kendrick. Howie has the better bat and its not like the D can get any worse than what it has been.

by gorams77 on Jul 7, 2006 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions

i agree

we have to trade him asap. if we have a better player waiting in the wings, and ak is definately leaving anyways...it seems simple to me. get rid of him. yes, it hurts me to say it. i was there when he hit 3 dingers in a playoff win years ago. i love the guy. but for the good of the team, we gotta lose him. get a pitching prospect or big league reliever and bring up howie. sorry, but we gotta do what we gotta do.

"I want to win when the whole world is watching, ... I want to win a World Series in an Angels uniform." - Vladimir Guerrero

by angels4adam on Jul 7, 2006 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Even though I'd down on AK

I want to see if Kendrick's call up might light a fire under Kennedy. AK is too young to be declining this way. I'd still like to have a good lefty hitter.

by johnsamo @ Halos Heaven on Jul 7, 2006 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions

What did I say

about most players declining at age 27?

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Jul 7, 2006 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Or I should say

reaching their peak at age 27?

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Jul 7, 2006 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I wouldn't be so sure ....

that Kennedy will not be re-signed. The team has been experimenting with Kendrick at third, and I wouldn't rule this out as an option. I think it is becoming increasingly clear that McSpasm is not the answer at third. Perhaps Kendrick would work there. Of course, if the team plans to move Wood to third and keep Cabrera then the above plan would be nixed.

by Jack Frost on Jul 9, 2006 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions

My above post is response to gorams77

by Jack Frost on Jul 9, 2006 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Here is a bet

I will bet you ANY amount of money - ANY - that AK will not be re-signed.

I will happily open an escrow account at my bank or your bank with the necessary paperwork - they will trade Vlad before they re-sign the Lost Ranger Adam Kennedy...

by Rev Halofan on Jul 9, 2006 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions

agreed whole-heartedly...

Barring injury, I guarangaldamntee you Kendrick will be the 2nd baseman in '07, and Kennedy will be elsewhere. Especially since we'll still have some solid fall back options like Izturis and Aybar.

by thewebb on Jul 9, 2006 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions

AK's trade value is almost non existant

A vet salary on the last year of his cotract AND he's not hitting... who's gonna give any kind of prospect for that?

by johnsamo @ Halos Heaven on Jul 7, 2006 7:45 PM PDT reply actions

Someone who needs a 2B

Kennedy is defenitely down but not useless. A team in a playoff run/push in need of a 2b would give up at least a minor leaguer for him - thats why the Blue Jays wanted him.

by gorams77 on Jul 7, 2006 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions

i'm sure

detroit wouldnt mind him. polanco is suckin balls right now, plus he can play 3rd, and inge can play outfield, so that would give the tigers alot of versatility. i'm not sure who we would want from their roster. certainly not fuckin kenny rogers.

"I want to win when the whole world is watching, ... I want to win a World Series in an Angels uniform." - Vladimir Guerrero

by angels4adam on Jul 7, 2006 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Kenny is starting the All Star Game

I'd trade Kennedy for him.

by Rev Halofan on Jul 7, 2006 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions

please...tell me its a joke

since when have you, the rev ever been in favor of a trade where we get an old prick? i have a feeling thats not a true statement. hes at least 81 years old, and he has a 12 mph heater. besides all of those qualities, hes a prat and i hate him.

"I want to win when the whole world is watching, ... I want to win a World Series in an Angels uniform." - Vladimir Guerrero

by angels4adam on Jul 8, 2006 8:23 AM PDT up reply actions