The Angels

[Jobu]

[HeavenlyHalos]

To add, Green was acquired via trade where we sent out Callaspo. Cowgill was simply an UFA pick up where the Mets let him go.

 

The Angels actually traded minor league outfielder Kyle Johnson for Cowgill.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

The best thing about this is that they still don't have their complete roster just yet and Trout hasn't really turned things on. They have room to grow and be even better

 

Calhoun/Hamilton/Freese all back shortly

Burnett and likely 1 of Bedrosian/Alvarez added to this pen at some point

 

Cowgill and Richards are the 2 standouts for me so far this year. Their performances have been huge

 

We're five games over .500 without all this. On the flip side, we have been 8-2 in our last ten games and that has has been good enough to lose a game in the standings (Oakland has been 9-1 in the same stretch).

 

Other good news: Boston and Texas are both below .500.

 

Just looked at the standings - holy crap! I had no idea that Milwaukee was playing this well.

[Brandon]

The Angels actually traded minor league outfielder Kyle Johnson for Cowgill.

I could be wrong, but I thing he was pocked up for future considerations which ended up being Johnson.

[Hollyw00d]

Pitching and the pitching staff have stepped it up this season.

 

 

there ya go

[Hollyw00d]

scioscia said we would win 95 games....hmmmm maybe he's on to something

[Angels_Make_Me_Drink]

And all of this with Trout sucking.

Boy, I can't wait for him to return to god level.

[/sarcasm].

[GalericX]

I approve of this thread  WOOOHOOOO!

[markb]

We're five games over .500 without all this. On the flip side, we have been 8-2 in our last ten games and that has has been good enough to lose a game in the standings (Oakland has been 9-1 in the same stretch).

 

Other good news: Boston and Texas are both below .500.

 

Just looked at the standings - holy crap! I had no idea that Milwaukee was playing this well.

 

That we're keeping them close for now is huge, though.  We will get better in the next month with guys returning and Trout hopefully remembering he's Mike Trout, while the A's are living off a (probably) unsustainable staff ERA of 2.92 and some overperformance on the offensive end (Derek Norris has a near 1.000 OPS).  

[HeavenlyHalos]

I could be wrong, but I thing he was pocked up for future considerations which ended up being Johnson.

 

Not that it matters much, but here is a link to the trade:

 

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/06/26/less-cowgill-mets-trade-of-collin-cowgill-to-angels-for-kyle-johnson/

[nando714]

Let's keep it going against the Stros.

Go halos!

[Vegas Halo Fan]

So Cowgill and Green. Where did they play last year. I mean Green has been GREAT this year. He is hitting machine 

 

When the Angels acquired Cowgill from the Mets he was playing here in Las Vegas for the 51s, the Mets AAA affiliate. He was playing decent ball, but nothing that made me believe that he would do as well in the majors as he has.

Edited May 19, 2014 by Vegas Halo Fan

[Taylor]

I'm back to being cautiously optimistic.

 

I'm optimistically cautious.

[Docwaukee]

and they still have potential significant value upgrades in a couple of area:

 

they have a -0.3 WAR at the 3b position.  Can Freese continue where he left off? 

they have a -.01 WAR at the DH spot.  Only because it has improved dramatically over the last 14 days.  Their depth should continue to put this on the rise.

 

 

they have overachieved in a couple of areas:

 

RF - with calhoun out, Cowgill has been tremendous.  While I don't expect him to continue to be as good as he has been, perhaps the combo of the two could be pretty close. 

Howie and Aybar have been very good, but not totally out of the realm of what is reasonable

The SP has been very very good.  I am not sure we can expect it to continue at the level it has.  But it might.  It very well might.  One of the best things so far this season has been that one guy was struggling and the guy who stepped in has back to back starts beating cliff lee and david price.  That's just cool. 

 

Two completely unheralded areas where they have excelled is on defense and base running.  Their defense has been so good and personally I think it's because the pitching is keeping them awake. 

 

The biggest wart as of right now is still the bullpen imo.  They've been better, but still not quite there.  The upside is that they have internal options.  Burnett is actually pitching in real games.  DDLR could be back in a bit and even if they don't pan out, you've got Alvarez and Bedrosian. 

 

My biggest concern going forward is still SP.  At some point Skaggs and Richards could run out of gas if they keep racking up the innings at their current pace.  This is the area I could see them making a move. 

[ukyah]

and they still have potential significant value upgrades in a couple of area:

 

they have a -0.3 WAR at the 3b position.  Can Freese continue where he left off? 

they have a -.01 WAR at the DH spot.  Only because it has improved dramatically over the last 14 days.  Their depth should continue to put this on the rise.

 

 

they have overachieved in a couple of areas:

 

RF - with calhoun out, Cowgill has been tremendous.  While I don't expect him to continue to be as good as he has been, perhaps the combo of the two could be pretty close. 

Howie and Aybar have been very good, but not totally out of the realm of what is reasonable

The SP has been very very good.  I am not sure we can expect it to continue at the level it has.  But it might.  It very well might.  One of the best things so far this season has been that one guy was struggling and the guy who stepped in has back to back starts beating cliff lee and david price.  That's just cool. 

 

Two completely unheralded areas where they have excelled is on defense and base running.  Their defense has been so good and personally I think it's because the pitching is keeping them awake. 

 

The biggest wart as of right now is still the bullpen imo.  They've been better, but still not quite there.  The upside is that they have internal options.  Burnett is actually pitching in real games.  DDLR could be back in a bit and even if they don't pan out, you've got Alvarez and Bedrosian. 

 

My biggest concern going forward is still SP.  At some point Skaggs and Richards could run out of gas if they keep racking up the innings at their current pace.  This is the area I could see them making a move. 

 

 

that's a good post. cheers.

[Second Base]

The Angels have shown quite a bit of depth from players that weren't expected to contribute.  

 

-Grant Green's hitting the crap out of the ball and judging by his performance in Salt Lake, should be an everyday option at 2B, SS, 3B, DH or LF.  He won't be a specialist, but could offer a lot of guys rest and should be in the lineup everyday because his bat is too good not to be hitting everyday. 

 

-Efren Navarro has shown a quiet approach at the plate and offers some versatility in the corner OF and 1B.  His performance isn't a fluke either, he's hit in AAA for two consecutive seasons. 

 

-CJ Cron is showing that if nothing else, he's an upgrade over Ibanez at DH. 

 

-Collin Cowgill is getting on base and playing solid defense. 

 

-Matt Shoemaker has been given his shot at the 5th starter slot in the rotation and is running with it. 

 

- Kohn walks almost everybody but is missing just as many bats.  Salas has proven handy.  Morin is ready to take over as a setup man. 

[markb]

As good as our SP has been, I'm not even sure it could be classified as overperforming.  

 

- Weaver and Wilson are about what you'd expect.  

 

- I and I'm sure a lot of others felt Skaggs was fully capable of the mid 4's ERA he's sitting at.  

 

- If you average out Santiago's messy starts with Shoemaker's two unexpectedly good ones, you get a semi-mediocre 5th spot.  Shoemaker will regress from these first two starts because he isn't going to win the Cy Young, but Santiago is probably going to be better given another opportunity.  

 

- Richards is the wild card here.  Many of us optimistically felt this could be a breakout year, but a mid 2's ERA is beyond the most hopeful expectation.  Then again, when you throw a 97 mph sinker, just keep the ball over the plate and sky's the limit.  

 

Doc's endurance concern is probably the biggest one.  I feel like the young guys could very well keep doing what they're doing for the time being, but neither has ever thrown close to 200 innings.  No need to empty the coffers for a big name, but a midseason trade for a decent sp who can eat some innings may be main priority.  

[WinnipegHalo]

Wow ok perfect, Thx you Mets . Good trade on pur part! For Green.

So, do you guys think Cowgill and Green will stay in thé line up when our injured players return ? Becuz i really like Green's game.

[Angelsjunky]

Don't forget also that Grant Green was taken 12 picks before Mike Trout in the 2009 draft. Billy Beane is still kicking himself for that one.

Edited May 19, 2014 by Angelsjunky

[Angelsjunky]

He was asking you about Conga, who I think we acquired after he was designated for assignment by the Miami Sound Machine.

 

Maybe the Rhythm got him.

 

[fan_since79]

Just looked at the standings - holy crap! I had no idea that Milwaukee was playing this well.

 

They have a pretty good relief pitcher named Rodriguez.

 

[laagamer]

Damn that's so sweet sounding.

We're really fun to watch right now.

[T.G.]

I could get used to this.

[Lou]

He was asking you about Conga, who I think we acquired after he was designated for assignment by the Miami Sound Machine.

 

Well I didn't want to come of as a smart ass*

 

 

 

* tried, but came up with nothing

Edited May 19, 2014 by Lou

[Chimi]

Angels are the second hottest team in baseball right now. The problem is, the hottest team has been the A's who are 9-1 in their last 10 games. Tonight's game will bring the Angels and A's even in games played so would like to see the Angels win and gain that half game.