WallyWorld

The other thing to take into consideration is how much of Pujols & Hamilton is Dipoto, and how much is it Arte wanting to put butts in seats? I suppose even if it is the latter though, it would be still be Dipoto's job to talk him out of it.

The interesting thing to me this year is that the majority of the ML pitching staff are guys Dipoto traded for or signed via FA. In other words, this year's pitching is on him. In the rotation, Weaver is the only guy Dipoto inherited, and I have a hard time believing he wouldn't want Weaver here anyway. In the bullpen, it's a little less so, with Madson, Burnett, and Frieri being his guys. Still, those figure to be 3 key guys. Not saying he should be automatically fired if the pitching sucks this year, but the bloom will definitely be off the rose.

I love how quickly the mood on this board changes. After the first couple innings last night we had people calling out their pride, saying they needed to get rid of people. A couple innings into today's game and people are picking their seats for the parade route.

in the first inning of today's game, against the Royals - "every pitch is important, especially here in ST."

did not know that. good depth to have in case Callaspo or Kendrick go down.

I liked the idea of him as our utility IF a whole lot more than Romine or Harris, I can tell you that.

Alden Gonzalez ‏@Alden_Gonzalez31m Bill Hall was given his unconditional release today. #Angels that's a shame

I'm definitely in for a free league - don't really care about the format.

could be, and if that's the case, our bullpen feels a whole lot shakier to me.

I'm a little concerned about Downs too. He was pretty bad in the 2nd half last year, and he hasn't exactly looked great this spring. He was a rock for us in the past. Maybe I'm just having flashbacks to Justin Speier.

I agree, it's a little frustrating, but trying to use it to claim there are serious problems in the clubhouse and whatnot is just silly. Again, if this is happening consistently in the regular season, that's a whole different story.

couldn't possibly be that it's a meaningless game and they don't really care, right? they play like this in the regular season, vent all you want. but ST is a joke.

they're dependent on Berkman, Beltre, and Cruz staying healthy - which ain't gonna happen.

you can mostly thank our atrocious minor league pitchers for that. in other words, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Weaver started in a camp game earlier today. Last start he was going through a 'dead arm' phase - which is normal for him in spring - and I guess they figured they didn't need to have him pitch against the Rangers in Surprise, which is a launching pad. He's also going to face them for real in a couple weeks.

not to nitpick, but opening day game is in Cincinnati, so no DH either. One of Trumbo/Bourjos/Pujols will not be starting.

MS has mentioned all three as being options, and has batted Callaspo some in that spot this spring.

so Ryan Chaffee looks like a good candidate for the bullpen . ..

wow, Burnett sucking.

Alden Gonzalez ‏@Alden_Gonzalez23m Tommy Hanson left the game with right tricep tightness. #Angels say it was "for precautionary reasons" and list him as day-to-day. doesn't sound too serious, but one never knows with these things. we'll see.

if Hanson does go on the DL, I would assume Richards would take his place, but maybe I'm wrong.

for those of us not watching, anyone want to explain what's happening? Hanson went out to pitch the 4th and was pulled because of an issue with his back?

have to say, I like that Trout is still taking his walks rather than trying to pound everything.

hahaha, great game so far.

a voice of reason and logic.