GregAlso

This is an awesome extension. My only question is about luxury tax. If they are ever willing to pay the tax it'd been good to do it this year. They could've signed him to 7/$145.5 million. This would've made his AAV for each year just over $20 million, this would've opened up $5 million each year for tax purposes. Just interesting to me. I guess no questions now, just enjoy it.

Just like to point out: first HR to Hanley (a RHH) was on a changeup & 2nd HR was on a grooved Fastball down the middle (not up in the zone.) just sayin!

Relievers "roles" (knowing which inning you pitch) is only 20 or so years old. Before LaRussa you had a fireman that came in to get out of tough situations and everyone else came in when called. Better use of bullpen. Closers are only important because of the save stat and the money associated with it. Also because that's how they're taught in the minors. If they get used to a new paradigm in the minors they'll be fine in the majors.

The one worry I have is that he is too much in live with the whiff and that could get him trouble. If he uses his defense and his arsenal he could be very good, kind of a left handed weaver (if he plays his cards right.) [that is he let's go of the strikeout, gets more popups and lazy flyball outs.]

Good stuff Chuck. Just listened to it. Glad to hear from Alden.

Thanks for posting Jeff! Really think it might be Long over Shuck not just because of ST #s but because of positional flexibility. He can play all OF spots and 2B. I like the idea of Pena, but his spring looks an awful lot like last year's #s. I think Calhoun can pick back up his first base glove to back up Pujols or Howie could do it too, and then we always have Ibanez in a pinch (gulp). I don't think Pena makes it. I think Romine might make it for his bunting and base running skills. Although he could loose out to McDonald. That race is too close to call. Lyon surprises me in the bullpen. I haven't seen a lot from him. I kind of thought it might be the side arm lefty, who's name escapes me, Boshers? Calhoun Trout Pujols Hamilton Freese Ibanez Kendrick Iannetta Aybar Conger Long Romine Green Weaver Wilson Santiago Richards Skaggs Frieri Smith Jepsen DDLR Salas Moran Boshers (side arm thrower?) Burnett (DL)

Reminder of the other half of my previous comment: "From May 5th 2012 (day of first HR) to Aug 22nd (the 23rd thru 28th he missed due to knee injury) Pujols had a .985 OPS." So, for 3 1/2 months of the 2012 season, over half the season, he had a .985 OPS. It faded when his knee was injured. In 2013 he had a problematic offseason, a knee that wasn't fully healed and Plantar Fasciitis that kept him on one leg and eventually ended his season. Every slump he has had as an Angel has a very rational explanation. His health can be questioned. That is fair game. But, if he is healthy then he can at least put up a .985 OPS. There is no evidence to say he will suddenly hit like Kotchman. Albert hit 17 HR in 99 games on 1 freeking leg! He has not forgotten how to hit. He hit well for over half of the 2012 season! His body may not hold up long term, but if healthy, he will hit.

What?! Never been a great fielder?!! He's a 2 time Gold Glove winner and in 2007 he was 5th best in defensive WAR. Yea, never been good... Misinformed you are. Sheesh From May 5th 2012 (day of first HR) to Aug 22nd (the 23rd thru 28th he missed due to knee injury) Pujols had a .985 OPS. So, yea, he can still hit a year and a half later. Just thought this thread needed some facts to balance out the rank negativity. For the record, yes, Albert's numbers say he is as good as Hank Aaron & Babe Ruth. He is definently better than Big Papi and everyone thought he was washed up too.

Actually he has had decent years versus the slider. He has been hot and cold in how he deals with it. Last year was his worst by a long shot. If he rebounds to his career norms then he can be very productive. Check out my article on him from two weeks ago here on AngelsWin for all the numbers.

Leaving thurs night/fri morning by car. Going to the away game on Friday at Talking Stick & the two at Tempe on Sat/Sun. Can't wait.

Here's an informative Q & A about this new technology. 3 stadiums in 2014 & all 30 in 2015. @jonahkeri: At Grantland: Did a Q&A with @mlbam CEO Bob Bowman on their supercool new tracking technology. http://t.co/sd2XwXrE0Q

I'm going Saturday night but my wife is not. It would be great to get her in to Sunday morning since we're going to the game on Sunday together. Is that possible?

Exactly, huge breakthrough for accurate defensive player valuation. Like Pitch Fx was in 2008, but greater.

Yep, this^^

This is suppose to be available for tv replays and they are saying it should be publicly available sometime next year. They'd eventually like for it to available to fans at the stadium via wireless devices. This will really help us quantify defense. First stat will be route efficiency for both fielders & base runners. Also first step time & running speed/acceleration will be very useful to see which player really gets good jumps and who relies on their speed. The batted ball info could be will be very interesting. All in all very exciting.

They are adding this info to player cards at brooks baseball. Here's an example from twitter. Click the link to see Jose Molina's catcher card. @brooksbaseball: Also, these are in progress: http://t.co/kJDNjTMZQZ Gives a nice snapshot of value, sortable data, more added this afternoon.

Jeff, thanks for repeating the CBT info. I gotta imagine people here trying to correct you or those who repeat the same questions could get really annoying but you answer without any perceived annoyance. Great job!

The research tends to show that two of the issues when big long term deals go bad are these: wrong side of 30 & branding over baseball. It doesn't mean they are guaranteed to go bad just the research tends to show. The branding over baseball is clear in Aroids contract with Texas when he left Seattle.

The option doesn't count but the buyout portion does, because the buyout is guaranteed money.

There is a debate in the sabermetric community about long-term deals should only be given to players on the right side of 30.

More info on this: @jphoornstra: Highest MLB salaries pre-arbitration: 1. Mike Trout, age 22, 2014: $1M 2. Albert Pujols, 23, 2003: $900K 3. Ryan Howard, 27, 2007: $900K @JeffFletcherOCR: Jerry Dipoto called Trout's deal a "landmark." Said his performance warranted "breaking a rule" on their 0-3 pay scale. #angels @BillShaikin: Dipoto on Trout's $1m deal, record for pre-arb player: "It's a landmark .. I think it's fitting. He's earned that. We're glad to provide it"

@BillShaikin: Trout's $1 million salary is largest for a pre-arbitration player on one-year deal. Previous record: Ryan Howard, $900,000. #Angels Just more good news and it finally puts to rest all of those talking about how the FO insulted Trout.

HaloRed, I didn't read that article. I don't subscribe to the Register could you post a link? (Sorry Jeff, if you're reading this.) but it does sound interesting.

Here is some more info and a Q & A about the class: @brooksbaseball: I answer many questions about the new free, online BU Sabermetrics course taught by @sabermetrics101 here: http://t.co/e0hn4ZTfNZ

Eric I understand O-Swing on offspeed pitches could be a problem but his flyballs off four-seam fastballs weren't traveling as far. On Brooks you can break down distance by individual pitch type. The fact that he squared up four-seam fastballs and his hits didn't go as far is why I think he may have lost some power.