There's a Reckoning Coming

[instant karma]

My humble observations after the first 3 games are as follows:

• Sooner than later, the angels will part ways with Zach Cozart.  You just can't have a third baseman who produces no power and hits below the Mendoza line.  My hunch is if Cozart contnues not to  produce, he'll be released by the end of April and the team will go with another option.  Maybe Rojas as has been suggested.
• Peter Bourjos:  Same as above.  we can't have  a left fielder who hits below 200.
• Felix Pena:  I love his stuff, but I've noticed over almost every start I've seen that he is dominant as long as no one gets on base.  The moment he walks someone or someone gets a hit, he becomes a different pitcher.    He implodes.  I don't know if he just cannot pitch out of the stretch or if he loses confidence or if he starts to grip the ball tighter, but it's a pattern.

That said, I have confidence will Angels will contend this season,

I welcome your opinions.

[Lou]

I'll bet you $5,000 that Cozart won't be released before May 1, 2019 

[Tank]

8 minutes ago, instant karma said:

That said, I have confidence will Angels will contend this season,

i have a hard time disagreeing with this statement.

[Lou]

his name is no longer BourJESUS.

it's BourjISIS.

[stormngt]

Bourjous was supposed to be a 4th outfield defensive specialist.  At that role he is fine.  

Funny you complain about Cozart power when he has been the closest to get a HR this season.  He is really a second baseman and not a 3b.  Unless he plays well enough to bring a trade interest the Angel's will be patient with him.  I can see them moving him to 2b and bring in more power for 3b.  Let's be honest La Strella and Fletcher dont have a lot of power either and both have options.

 

I think your views are a bit harsh for Pena.  I just dont think he will be consistent to be anything more that a backend starter.  I am not sure if he belongs in the rotation over Barria.

[Troll Daddy]

31 minutes ago, Lou said:

I'll bet you $5,000 that Cozart won't be released before May 1, 2019 

That’s all ... more like $100k and that’s still light lol

[Lou]

1 minute ago, Troll Daddy said:

That’s all ... more like $100k and that’s still light lol

"remember your audience"

[UndertheHalo]

Felix Pena is a fine spot starter and long man.  We’ll see Barria pretty quickly I suspect. 

As to the other 2. I don’t see Bourjous hanging around too long as a starter.  It’s not why he’s on the team and unless he really surprises us the Angels will probably try a bunch of different internal guys there.  Goodwin, Fletcher, eventually Hermosillo, probably Walsh and maybe Rojas.  There’s going to be a lot going on over there while Upton is out. 

Cozart is going to get a very long leash.  It is what it is.  Hope for the best.  There’s no way he’s released after 1 month.  Regardless of how shitty he is.  

Edited March 31, 2019 by UndertheHalo

[HighDesertHalos]

Poor Bourjos, everybody uses to love him, but now.....

[Docwaukee]

41 minutes ago, instant karma said:

My humble observations after the first 3 games are as follows:

• Sooner than later, the angels will part ways with Zach Cozart.  You just can't have a third baseman who produces no power and hits below the Mendoza line.  My hunch is if Cozart contnues not to  produce, he'll be released by the end of April and the team will go with another option.  Maybe Rojas as has been suggested.
• Peter Bourjos:  Same as above.  we can't have  a left fielder who hits below 200.
• Felix Pena:  I love his stuff, but I've noticed over almost every start I've seen that he is dominant as long as no one gets on base.  The moment he walks someone or someone gets a hit, he becomes a different pitcher.    He implodes.  I don't know if he just cannot pitch out of the stretch or if he loses confidence or if he starts to grip the ball tighter, but it's a pattern.

That said, I have confidence will Angels will contend this season,

I welcome your opinions.

I don't disagree that Cozart isn't going to produce but they aren't going to release him any time soon.  He's owed $25mil and will become a very expensive utility IFer because he's also probably the second best defensive SS on the team.  

I completely agree they're going to have to find a work around for Bourjos.  I think what I'd consider is bringing up Ward even though he didn't look very good in spring either at the plate or defensively.  Then the OF platoon becomes Fletcher and Goodwin with Cozart going to 2b.  Or Rengifo at 2b instead of Ward at 3b.  3 games in and it's already clear that La Stella isn't an everyday player.  

they need to get a little creative now that Upton is out.  

I like Pena.  He's got really good stuff, but as you mentioned, he loses his way pretty easily.  He doesn't have a lot of starter experience so I'll give him a pass for now.  

[failos]

Lol at “hits below the Mendoza line.”

the team has played 3 games

Edited March 31, 2019 by malotru

[GrittyVeterans]

I’m not a fan of Cozart but he’s going to get his chances. That’s just how it goes when you sign a guy to a 3 year deal like that.

Bourjos is just really bad - without a Upton out somewhat long term they need to try someone with higher upside for that role

[hangin n wangin]

This team really does look like shit on paper right now and on the field it also looks like shit.

[fan_since79]

At the end of April we might have three or four guys in the lineup hitting below .200

Hurry back, Ohtani. 

 

[stormngt]

7 hours ago, Dochalo said:

I don't disagree that Cozart isn't going to produce but they aren't going to release him any time soon.  He's owed $25mil and will become a very expensive utility IFer because he's also probably the second best defensive SS on the team.  

I completely agree they're going to have to find a work around for Bourjos.  I think what I'd consider is bringing up Ward even though he didn't look very good in spring either at the plate or defensively.  Then the OF platoon becomes Fletcher and Goodwin with Cozart going to 2b.  Or Rengifo at 2b instead of Ward at 3b.  3 games in and it's already clear that La Stella isn't an everyday player.  

they need to get a little creative now that Upton is out.  

I like Pena.  He's got really good stuff, but as you mentioned, he loses his way pretty easily.  He doesn't have a lot of starter experience so I'll give him a pass for now.  

Can Goodwin play centerfield?

[floplag]

This forum is definitely in mid season form even if the team isnt... 

[Lou]

8 hours ago, HighDesertHalos said:

Poor Bourjos, everybody uses to love him, but now.....

not true.

a couple of us never loved him 

[Second Base]

Lineups don't change that quickly folks.  The front office and dugout made a decision on who they want to break camp with and they're going to stick with those players for a little while. 

- Zack Cozart is on this team, whether we like it or not.  The only thing that changes is what position he'll be playing, be it 2B, 3B, SS or UT. 

- Tommy La Stella has had a decently long career at the major league level.  The team is more likely to bet on him continuing to be a quality option in the infield versus anything else. 

- Yes, something will likely be done about LF. Either Bourjos will start to hit, or Goodwin will hit, or they'll send Fletcher out to LF, or they'll promote Ward and put him out in LF.  Either way, I don't envision Peter Bourjos remaining the starting LF for long. 

- 2019 was always going to be a year of transition. Sure, the Angels spent some money on short contracts to give them a chance at sneaking into the playoffs, but the fact remains that they have a ton of money coming off the books after this season, a whole wave of prospects knocking on the door, and a window of contention that's about to open.  This front officer has its sights set on 2020.  The best thing that's probably going to come from this year is the Angels manage to flip some of these one year contracts for even more prospect capital.  Cody Allen, Matt Harvey, Trevor Cahill, they're all likely to have some value at the deadline. 

[Claude]

2 hours ago, hangin n wangin said:

This team really does look like shit on paper right now and on the field it also looks like shit.

What’s the Mariners magic number again?

[bloodbrother]

55 minutes ago, Second Base said:

Lineups don't change that quickly folks.  The front office and dugout made a decision on who they want to break camp with and they're going to stick with those players for a little while. 

- Zack Cozart is on this team, whether we like it or not.  The only thing that changes is what position he'll be playing, be it 2B, 3B, SS or UT. 

- Tommy La Stella has had a decently long career at the major league level.  The team is more likely to bet on him continuing to be a quality option in the infield versus anything else. 

- Yes, something will likely be done about LF. Either Bourjos will start to hit, or Goodwin will hit, or they'll send Fletcher out to LF, or they'll promote Ward and put him out in LF.  Either way, I don't envision Peter Bourjos remaining the starting LF for long. 

- 2019 was always going to be a year of transition. Sure, the Angels spent some money on short contracts to give them a chance at sneaking into the playoffs, but the fact remains that they have a ton of money coming off the books after this season, a whole wave of prospects knocking on the door, and a window of contention that's about to open.  This front officer has its sights set on 2020.  The best thing that's probably going to come from this year is the Angels manage to flip some of these one year contracts for even more prospect capital.  Cody Allen, Matt Harvey, Trevor Cahill, they're all likely to have some value at the deadline. 

Bingo.

[stormngt]

58 minutes ago, Second Base said:

Lineups don't change that quickly folks.  The front office and dugout made a decision on who they want to break camp with and they're going to stick with those players for a little while. 

- Zack Cozart is on this team, whether we like it or not.  The only thing that changes is what position he'll be playing, be it 2B, 3B, SS or UT. 

- Tommy La Stella has had a decently long career at the major league level.  The team is more likely to bet on him continuing to be a quality option in the infield versus anything else. 

- Yes, something will likely be done about LF. Either Bourjos will start to hit, or Goodwin will hit, or they'll send Fletcher out to LF, or they'll promote Ward and put him out in LF.  Either way, I don't envision Peter Bourjos remaining the starting LF for long. 

- 2019 was always going to be a year of transition. Sure, the Angels spent some money on short contracts to give them a chance at sneaking into the playoffs, but the fact remains that they have a ton of money coming off the books after this season, a whole wave of prospects knocking on the door, and a window of contention that's about to open.  This front officer has its sights set on 2020.  The best thing that's probably going to come from this year is the Angels manage to flip some of these one year contracts for even more prospect capital.  Cody Allen, Matt Harvey, Trevor Cahill, they're all likely to have some value at the deadline. 

Bourjos isnt on the team to be a starter. 

[ten ocho recon scout]

12 hours ago, Lou said:

I'll bet you $5,000 that Cozart won't be released before May 1, 2019 

(Whistles in amazement) That will buy a whoooooole lot of parkin', boy!

 

[Lou]

4 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

(Whistles in amazement) That will buy a whoooooole lot of parkin', boy!

 

or 2 parking passes and a bottled water 

[Rico]

Bour doesn't have a hit, struck out 3 times yesterday.  Where is his thread? 

[Reveille1984]

Our lineup is Trout, Simmons, the re-animated corpse of Pujols and a bunch of guys.  If Ohtani and Upton don't come back strong, we're in for a long, dismal offensive season.