Wood to third base

by rowast on Feb 21, 2007 11:07 AM PST

This is just the facts

The Angels confirmed that Brandon Wood will indeed get time at third base this spring, which is what just about everybody predicted would happen with the slugging high-level prospect. The experiment will begin in two days when the Angels start to work on fielding fundamentals. Manager Mike Scioscia did say that Wood's days at shortstop have not ended just that they are making Wood more versatile to give him an additional path to the major leagues. Scioscia also claimed the move was not done because Erick Aybar also projects as a Triple-A shortstop this season.

source: daily news blogs: http://www.insidesocal.com/mlb/archives/doug_on_the_angels/index.html

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

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Comments

Anything

to get his bat in the lineup. I feel bad for the member(s) of this site that fought against the idea that Wood would move off of SS for any reason. This is no doubt a devistating blow to thier wisdom.

by riktermiller on Feb 21, 2007 11:08 AM PST reply actions

A Devastating Blow

can be had legally in Amsterdam ... delivered to your hotel in fact.

by Rev Halofan on Feb 21, 2007 12:05 PM PST up reply actions

huh

then why am i at work studying for an exam and not over there?

retire number fifteen.

by rowast on Feb 21, 2007 12:08 PM PST up reply actions

Because you made some baaaaaaaaad

career choices.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Feb 21, 2007 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

Wow...

That sucks

Peanuts...Get your Overpriced Peanuts!

by Angel Hawker on Feb 21, 2007 12:32 PM PST up reply actions

L I T E R A L L Y ! ! !

by Rev Halofan on Feb 21, 2007 12:33 PM PST up reply actions

What would make it Devastating?

I don't think I want one...

by Hutch (someone took my name) on Feb 21, 2007 12:57 PM PST up reply actions

you fall in love with her

and then realize that she's a whore... (see she was actually supposed to be in a different room and you actually thought that a total stranger liked you that much so quickly)

my signature sucks

by proletariat on Feb 21, 2007 10:59 PM PST up reply actions

Dude sell the rights

this is a screenplay and half a sequel ! ! !

by Rev Halofan on Feb 21, 2007 11:02 PM PST up reply actions

read my mind

i'll print this page and mail it to myself!

my signature sucks

by proletariat on Feb 22, 2007 12:02 AM PST up reply actions

the pauper's copyright!

by Rev Halofan on Feb 22, 2007 12:15 AM PST up reply actions

Um, no

Seeing as how up to this point the Angels repeatedly said Wood would stay at SS, I'd say that "wisdom" was well grounded. Obviously this changes things--but until now, claiming that he was going to third was wishful thinking.

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Feb 21, 2007 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

Time for Acunda to change his signature...

Put Wood at Third base, Kendry at first, now lets go win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peanuts...Get your Overpriced Peanuts!

by Angel Hawker on Feb 21, 2007 12:34 PM PST reply actions

I see this as a

96 exclamation point team this season.

by Rev Halofan on Feb 21, 2007 12:35 PM PST up reply actions

Not too fast!

The names ACUDA and i actually want Wood to stay at SS and move Aybar to CF so we can get Matthews out of here ASAP. Then again i would rather have Wood at 3B than Figgins so i think i might change it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on Feb 21, 2007 4:46 PM PST up reply actions

Out of curiosity

Why Wood at 3B and not Aybar? I mean, he's the one with the phenomenal athleticism, right? Any word on if they're trying both out?

I like the notion of Wood/Aybar/Kendrick infield, especially since it frees the Angels to package OC for another bat or a long-term solution to 1B (in case Kotchman/Morales don't work out) or an OF/DH guy.

Here's hoping...

by Brendo on Feb 21, 2007 12:37 PM PST reply actions

why?

by all accounts, Aybar is the superior SS - that's why.

by rbrianc on Feb 21, 2007 12:46 PM PST up reply actions

Also

I doubt Aybar will hit enough to stick at 3b long term.

by elricsi on Feb 21, 2007 1:06 PM PST up reply actions

he'll hit OK

better than Figgy with more power too, but if you are saying he won't hit for power like an average AL 3B, you're exactly right.

by rbrianc on Feb 21, 2007 1:15 PM PST up reply actions

Seems like it's Wood's Day on the Newswire...

Read an interview here:

http://www.beloblog.com/Pe_Blogs/baseball/

that is if you are comfortable reading a 909 newspaper...

Peanuts...Get your Overpriced Peanuts!

by Angel Hawker on Feb 21, 2007 12:45 PM PST reply actions

"No Scarface posters"

That's funny.

by Higz on Feb 21, 2007 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

Wow

Is Matt Hurst that desperate for friends? That's kinda cool I guess, but after Rev. I think I'm already pretty much set with the Instant Messaging.

I wonder if we should send him an invite to our Fantasy league? I'll have to consult with the managers. Seems like a nice enough guy?

At the very least, some folks here should be able to use him as an Angels resource...

hit me back, just to chat

E-mail me at mhurst@PE.com and I will post the questions and my answers in this space. Also, if you're a Yahoo! Messenger user, we could do a live chat on that and I will post responses to this blog. Yahoo! name is matthurst16

Hope to hear from you soon!

Posted by Matt Hurst at 7:19 AM

by Bilko 420 on Feb 21, 2007 11:02 PM PST up reply actions

Chang's Spicy Chicken

Actually, this is kinda an entertaining blog. Thanks for the 909 link. But two bodyguards and multiple personal agents at PF Chang's is somehow accessible and easy-going?

Forgot to mention this the other day. One of the cool things about spring training is how accessible and easy-going the players are. Once the season begins several of them turn it on and become robotic in their nature. During spring, you actually get to see the real, human side of them.
Even fans do, too.
The other night, moments after agreeing on a one-year, $12.4 million deal with the Cubs, I spotted Carlos Zambrano at the Tempe P.F. Chang's with his agents and two body guards.
Of course, I had to wait about an hour for a table, but when you have that kind of cake in your pocket, you can pretty much buy the restaurant not to mention, get seated right away.
Posted by Matt Hurst at 7:20 AM

by Bilko 420 on Feb 22, 2007 8:54 AM PST up reply actions

Or, perhaps

This is just Hurst's cannabinoid-induced irony...

by Bilko 420 on Feb 22, 2007 9:05 AM PST up reply actions

or the munchies

by Rev Halofan on Feb 22, 2007 12:34 PM PST up reply actions

Awesome news!

From Hursty again:

Vladimir Guerrero looks like he didn't get a haircut all winter and his hair, while not excessively long, looks like a combo between Bob Marley and The Simpsons' Sideshow Bob.
I was talking to Orlando Cabrera this morning, who has been close to Guerrero since their days together in Montreal and asked him what he thought of the new look.
"I like it, man," Cabrera said.
Should Guerrero just let it all go and look like Boston's Manny Ramirez?
"Oh yeah," Cabrera said.
Hey, it could happen.

by Bilko 420 on Feb 22, 2007 8:23 PM PST up reply actions

I'm shocked. Shocked i tell you.

Wood at 3B --- this has been speculated upon by everyone starting the day he was drafted in June 2003.

with Aybar at SS (great field, good hit), this makes tons of sense and always has.

the best part is i'm expecting him in Los Angeles (at 3B) sooner now.

not Opening Day, but Chone better be getting figgy with it in April from the start. Or else before June, Wood could be our man at 3B, and Chone is our PR.

by rbrianc on Feb 21, 2007 12:55 PM PST reply actions

Wood at 3b

It is about time they moved him over to third...middle infield is CLOGGED in our system and we needed to start moving some guys around. We are going to need Aybar at SS in AAA so we can trade him at the deadline for the extra offense we all know that we are going need.

More importantly, this gives us another viable option at 3b in the next year if Figgy has another 2006. I like the move ALOT...Put him there all Spring, and then give him 40-50 games at Salt Lake and evaluate where he is at and our needs! Hopefully we dont need him and he can get a full year of mistakes our of the way at 3b in SLC

Stoneman, so far NO GOOD!!!

by P237 on Feb 21, 2007 1:17 PM PST up reply actions

whos at second

presuming kendry is at triple a, then we have an infield there of wood, aybar, and kendry.....

who's at second? i figure rodriguez is down at arkansas so that excludes him...

with a catcher of mathis (probably) and an outfield with gorneault, and murphy and pride

that team is looking good (for a triple a club)

but i still gotta ask who's at second?

retire number fifteen.

by rowast on Feb 21, 2007 1:33 PM PST reply actions

2B Minor League Depth

Projected for 2007:

Casey Smith - AAA

Abel Nieves - AA

Devin Day - High A (Quakes)

Larry Infante - Low A (Kernels)

by Rev Halofan on Feb 21, 2007 1:43 PM PST up reply actions

Baseball Prospectus Handbook

lists 2B depth as this:

Sean Rodriguez, Ryan Mount, Tadd Brewer

i'd guess SLC starts Wood (3B), Aybar (SS), Rodriguez (2b).

But i wouldn't be surprised to see Aybar head to Anaheim when camp breaks, so that'd make room for Brown in SLC.

Interesting question about Brown though. You are right, by all accounts, he should move up to SLC after a good year at AA and playing in the AFL.

And for the record, BP lists PJ Phillips as higher in the orgainzational depth chart for 3B than Brown. Phillips is our 14th best prospect. After that its Freddy Sandoval at 3B. Trumbo? he's listed as our 29th best prospect and at 1B. Michael Collins is also listed at 1B (he's always been a catcher in the system.

by rbrianc on Feb 21, 2007 3:36 PM PST up reply actions

Rodland??

by wumbug on Feb 21, 2007 4:57 PM PST up reply actions

Rodland retired

"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know" - Bill Parcells

by johnnyangel101 on Feb 21, 2007 9:58 PM PST up reply actions

Matthew Brown

So I take it he is going back to AA?

No offense? Howie, Kotch and Napoli will change your mind.

by hauldog on Feb 21, 2007 1:47 PM PST reply actions

Brown

is an organizational player at best. He isn't the type of player who will start on a championship caliber team.

by riktermiller on Feb 21, 2007 2:21 PM PST up reply actions

Okay

but how does Wood's move effect him?

No offense? Howie, Kotch and Napoli will change your mind.

by hauldog on Feb 21, 2007 2:24 PM PST up reply actions

I think

Brown is an after thought. This move addresses a few different problems that the Angels are facing during the spring. Having Wood at 3B will push Figgins this spring, will allow the Angels to begin the season with Wood at 3B (mistake) if he has a big spring, and make room at SLC if Wood and Aybar both fail to make the 25 man roster. If Aybar makes the 25 man roster Wood could continue to play SS at SLC leaving Brown to play 3B. Most likely Wood and Aybar end up starting the season in SLC with Brown backing up at 3B, playing 1B, and maybe spending time at DH.

by riktermiller on Feb 21, 2007 2:37 PM PST up reply actions

Cool

Thanks

No offense? Howie, Kotch and Napoli will change your mind.

by hauldog on Feb 21, 2007 2:40 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe

Matt Brown will play 1B at AAA.........Kendry might make the 25-man roster along with Quin, Izturis, plus one more guy for relief in the outfield (Willits or Murphy). Kendry might rotate with Kotchman AND Hillenbrand.

I don't believe Hillenbrand would be on the team had Rivera not broken his leg......and I don't think he will be once Rivera comes back. I remember reading that the Yankees were also looking at Hillenbrand when the Angels nabbed him.

by wumbug on Feb 21, 2007 5:05 PM PST up reply actions

I sincerely doubt

we trade Hillenbrand to the Yanks midseason. I agree that there is no room for him when Juan returns but I see the NL as a the potential trade destination.

No offense? Howie, Kotch and Napoli will change your mind.

by hauldog on Feb 21, 2007 5:08 PM PST up reply actions