After promising an off-season of big changes, either by trades or free agent signees, the Angels took a called 3rd strike. Carl Crawford, Cliff Lee and now Adrian Beltre will not be wearing a Halo uniform in 2011. The Angels made competitive offers to 2 of the 3, but in ended up losing out to 3 different teams.
The Angels now get to watch Beltre for the next 5, or maybe 6, years. Yes, Angel fan’s, Beltre is now part of the Rangers. I think they way overpaid at, reportedly 96 million, for possibly 6 years. I can only hope Beltre hits more like he did in Seattle, than Boston, where he hit .268 from 2005-2009. Let’s see how the Angels match up with the Rangers:
Angels Edge Rangers
C Jeff Mathis TX Y.Torrealba
1B Kendry Morales LAA Chris Davis
2B H. Kendrick Even Ian Kinsler
SS Erick Aybar LAA-By a hair Elvis Andrus
3B Woocalaysturisd TX Beltre
LF Abreu/Rivera TX Josh Hamilton
CF Julio Borbon TX Peter Burjos
RF Nelson Cruz TX Torii Hunter
SP Jered Weaver LAA Colby Lewis
SP Dan Haren LAA C.J. Wilson
SP Ervin Santana LAA B. Webb
SP Joel Pineiro LAA Matt Harrison
SP Scott Kazmir Even Scott Feldman
CL Fernando Rodney TX Neftali Feliz
Bullpen Even Bullpen
Scott Downs Arthur Rhodes
Hisanori Takahashi Darren Oliver
Kevin Jepsen Omar Beltre
Jordan Walden Darren O’day
Trevor Bell Mark Lowe
As the Giants proved in October, good pitching beats good hitting. The Angels have the pitching covered, but they have way too many question marks offensively. I don’t live in a, ‘What if” world, so as of right now the Angels look no better than a 2nd or 3rd place team in the AL West—–even if they do sign either/both Johnny Damon or Scott Podsednik.
Now I love the MLB writers. Knowing a few, I can tell you they work hard every day and night. When we are sleeping, they are trying to break stories. With that in mind, I do have to take exception to Lyle Spencer’s claim that Jeff Mathis might have made the all-star team if he didn’t hurt his wrist. If hell would have frozen over, that would have happened. With close to 1000 AB’s, Mathis is hitting .199. I guess if he had 500 more at-bats he’d be at the 250 level.
Spring training starts in just over a month, so we’ll see first hand, what the new/old Angels look like.
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Written by Bill Mahoney
O'kay I'll talk about myself a little. I've been working in the television/radio industry for over 21 years. I started at 2 so I am just a tad over 21 (That is a joke). My career has taken me around and and even out of the United States. Right now I call Vegas home, but I just never know where life will take me next. Until 2002 my irrational love for the California/Anaheim/LAA had taken me down some very dark roads, but with Arte Moreno in charge I finally saw the a light at the end of the road. I really love most every sports and having as much fun as possible.
A fan Jan 17 201112:10 am
I’m a long time fan..
Eric Jan 17 201112:31 am
Sorry about that… As I was saying, I’m a life long fan I’m 32 was brought home from the hospital in Angels pajamas by my father! I too am becoming increasingly disenfranchised with the moves the organization has made or lack there of I should say. I have had season tickets for a while now & not sure I want to re new them for this season. Not jumping ship or anything, just debating if the cost is worth it when they’ve done nothing at all to compete, sure they tried… But how hard? I have stuck through the early years of 100 game loss seasons, the NAME CHANGE ( worst offense in my opinion ), & what has lately just complete inaction, but I’ll still support them 100%. Just not sure I’m willing to spend what’s amounts to a small fortune to do it.
Eric Jan 17 201112:43 am
There’s a grammar error & a missed word in there but I think you get it! Look forward to future posts. I really appreciate the fellow fan point of view as opposed to the everyday Generally bias media.
Bill Mahoney Jan 17 201110:14 pm
Eric,
I agree with you 100%. The Angels have really come up short this offseason. It’s not just that they missed out on Beltre and Crawford, but they didn’t appear to have a plan B, C or D. All I keep hearing is a bunch of IF’S: If Howard Kendrick hits better, If Aybar rebounds, If Wood learns to hit, if Mathis stays healthy and does anything. If a team is basing their season on if’s then you have to believe that they don’t believe they are very good.
Season tickets: I know that has to be a tough decision. I do have hope for the Halos because they have a strong pitching staff, so it might be exciting to see some low scoring games.
Thank you for respecting my unbiasedness (Not a word, I know). I have worked in the media most of my life, but I have been an Angels fan for almost 40 years. I wil always write what I think, no matter how wrong it may sound to others.
Thank’s for commenting and Go Angels!!!
Bill