axalar

I'm sure he doesn't have the mental capacity to handle a switch in his position in the lineup AND a change in position. Those things must really be weighing on him.

I don't think anyone is asserting that he doesn't have the mental capacity to do it. However, think back to comments that his agent (or he) made when it was announced he'd be starting in LF. He wasn't too pleased to be moved away from the glory position. All the glory he enjoyed in the first season has been chipped away at in different ways. My thinking is simply that he's not being treated as the second coming of Mantle and every great in the HOF with on-the-field organizational moves the Angels have made - and that's a dampener on his excitement, enthusiasm and drive.

It could be argued that that's completely out of this world, but when we have as limited information as we do about his psyche and personality, who's to say its anymore wrong than it could be right?

I'm gonna go ahead and assume that this team still sucks with a healthy Weaver (who wasn't exactly dominating when he went on the DL). Lucho has done well in place of Callaspo. Romine and Harris have done decently in place off Aybar. The pen could definitely use Madson and Burnett but I doubt they make THAT much of a difference.

The injuries haven't helped, but Trout, Hamilton, Blanton, Kendrick, Iannetta, Frieri, and Downs all sucking ass hasn't helped even more.

Burnett instead of Roth last night would have been nice.

Give him CF and leadoff and he'll be back to normal.

I was actually thinking this last night. Since they took him from his favorite position and moved him from such a highly regarded role leading off (where he's no longer even encouraged to use his speed on the basepaths), it seems like they took all his swagger. Maybe this will light a little fire inside him again.

Also, wasn't the Hamilton signing pushed greatly by Arte? I seem to remember him visiting him in his home in Texas without Dipoto.

What's Dipoto to do when he starts the offeseason with a large chunk of dough to assemble a more quality team, then Arte decides to give him pennies to assemble it instead after signing Hamilton? You guys have to realize the Hamilton signing that Arte wanted totally handicapped Dipoto's options.

Arte wanted Pujols over Fielder because it was better for marketing. They'd put up roughly the same production though Albert's knowingly wouldn't be as long lasted, but Albert would play to Moreno's reach for a bigger Hispanic audience and the "LA" market. That's that. It failed a little more than Arte probably wanted due to Albert's shit start and the failure of the team to do anything post-season wise. I still think that could change, though.

In 9 games this season, Houston leads the majors with 101 K's. The last two Angels opponents: Oakland 57 K's, Texas 62 K's. The Angels pitching staff has been middle of the league in K's, at 70 this season while Houston has struck out a whopping 45 batters (second worst in the majors.)

Silver Lining for Astros fans: Houston pitching will have struck out double what they currently have after this series. -.-

Silver lining - ticket prices should drop to squat soon and we can buy up tons of tickets for when the team starts to play (if you're the gambling type).

Bourjos

Hamilton

Pujols

Trout

Trumbo

Kendrick

Iannetta

Callaspo

Aybar

This would entertain me sufficiently (not necessarily today due to the way Hamilton/Trout are currently underperforming).

Although I like Trout/Bourjos in the #1 / #2 as well with Pujols at #3. Double steal, anyone?

Front page of Yahoo:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/juice-umpire-marty-foster-unbelievably-bad-strike-three-140716533--mlb.html

For a lot of the young adults leaving home/school these days, they do not regularly purchase cable anymore. It's something like 30% that get Netflix and choose to never get cable. I'm one of those people; and I would definitely pay for MLB.tv if every game weren't blacked out. Total revenue loss for MLB there.