ineedanap

Not announced, but I think he should start in AAA as a starter, I don't think they should use him in the bullpen. We need depth for our rotation and Richards should stay stretched out in Salt Lake until he is needed. We have enough quality arms with Frieri, Downs, Jepsen, Burnett, Lowe, and Williams.

Yeah, we've really been spoiled by the Angels bullpen of the recent past. A huge part of those consecutive playoff appearances was the bullpen (especially Scot Shields). Anyway, what you are saying is not only true of 2002. Almost every year it takes until about the ASB to form a cohesive pen. It was just as true when we signed Romero and Oliver, as when we traded for Frieri. Still, I'm more excited about this year's pen than any in the recent past. Frieri, Downs, and Jepsen is a shutdown pen. Add Burnett and you have 4 guys who have proven they can get the job done. Then Madson will come back. Be patient; it will probably take him a while to return to form, even after he returns to the mound. But, then we'll have yet another arm to slot in the closer's role, moving everyone down an inning. Williams will be just fine in long relief and you have Richards as a wild card.

Watch Blanton and Hanson 2013 become Zito and Linecum 2012.

What a great pickup. Good FB/Slider combo, essentially for free. I bet St. Louis wishes they had a Marine Layer.

Doesn't seem like a bad deal to me. De La Rosa has some really good numbers in AAA, and apparently really good stuff. Geltz was awful in AAA. But, at only 25, I'm guessing the Rays are hoping Geltz can improve.

Yeah, if we could get him and stow him in AAA, until Hanson (or another starter) goes down. We could really use the depth and he could really use the shot of being in the rotation on a World Series winning team.

If he bats second all year, I think he will have well over 69-79 runs scored. I hope he doesn't wait until halfway through the season to heat up, like last year. He could have a career year, if he starts hot and stays hot. It's a shame he doesn't walk more often; he would be a much more consistent offensive force. I'm hoping for career years for Aybar, Kendrick, and Callaspo.

I'm excited to see some of the BP arms. Lord knows we won't be promoting starters to the MLB level anytime soon. But, its nice to see us drafting some college arms and building a BP from the farm, instead of from free agency.

He's not a terrible pitcher. Methinks, pitching in Philly hurt him. He doesn't walk anybody, strikes out about an average number of guys and gives up hits. With our OF and IF defense, and our park, he should be a very effective pitcher for us. He's not going to light the world on fire, but he should give us a ton of quality innings. I could see him giving us 200 sub 4 ERA innings. Much better than Santana or Haren last year.

Well, we have Weaver and Wilson locked up. And we have Blanton for two years. Richards should be ready to take over for Vargas next year. Hanson is still young and, if healthy, could be a reliable #3 for years. So our major league rotation, like our offense, should be in good shape while we wait to draft and develop. In the minors, we have Maronde, but it looks like he is slated for the BP. Other than that, we have AJ Schugel. So, to answer your question, depending how well they draft (and how many picks they have), it will probably be at least 3 years before the Angels have any promising starting pitchers in the upper minors. On a more positive note, they do have a number of good looking bullpen arms throughout the system.

Heck yeah! We have no quality depth at the upper minors. But, JD is making space and picking up quality pieces at bargain prices. Who would think we could get a BP arm as good as Lowe for nothing. He got Ramirez from the Mets for nothing as well. You could make the same argument about his signing of Madsen as well. Sign him for a year and let him rehab with us, and maybe we could get an experienced closer for pennies on the dollar. JD is a smart, talented GM. Aside from the big-name signings, he has done an excellent job of finding talent and building this team. Also, wrt the lack of depth, JD has locked up the major league squad for enough years to give the farm system time to develop young players. After signing his extension, Callaspo is the next position player to become a FA. By that time Cowart will be ready to become the next Angels 3B.

I wish Callaspo would get one. He's not the greatest hitter, but he is a really good defensive 3B. I think Beltre is too good not to win, though. I can almost guarantee Richards will get a good amount of innings as a starter. What team (other than CHW) can get through a season with only 5 starters? I really hope Conger wins the backup job and becomes great at throwing out base stealers.

Works great for me. Very clean, thanks Chuck!

They are both 25 year old, left-handed OF'ers. One's got more power, the other more speed and patience. If they can stick, either would make an intriguing candidate to bat second in the future.

Yeah, but Schuck has better patience, speed and doesn't strike out as much,

Madson may be ready by May, but it might still be a while before he returns to form. Look at Joe Nathan, when he came back from his surgery he was terrible for most of the season. The Twins released him. The next year the Rangers picked him up and he was back to being Joe Nathan. Hopefully, Madson can return to being the effective closer we know by mid-season.

What about Detroit? They have a good rotation.

Who should get the fourth outfielder spot? Discuss.

Well, Blanton's start was encouraging. He probably could've gone 1 or two more innings, if it wasn't ST.

Trout would've ran that into an infield single last year.

Hey, its Downsy! I <3 Downs.

He sure did. Offense almost had a few HRs, but other than that, nothing. I'm sure they'll come around.

Bourjos missed his pitch there. And then looks at strike 3

Haha! I just asked that Rojas.

I want to know why Maronde was sent down, if they aren't going to use him as a starter? Likewise, why (potentially) keep Richards in the BP, if his future is that of a starter? Use Maronde until Madson is ready.