Hoops McCann

Let's hope he doesnt take any pitching advice from Salas.

I dont want to disappoint anyone, but the answer will not be Freese. Hitting Freese in the clean-up spot is not going to turn out well for David or the team. He needs to be in the 5-hole. Trout and Pujols.

Trout 2-5...2B, single Freese 0-4

Well said and quite correct, Stradling. Thanks

Well said and quite correct, Stradling. Thanks

HH, I certainly didnt intend to mock any of the fans here. I read this site daily and know how much the posters here love the team and the game and can certainly sympathize with their frustration. I understand what a disappointment he has been as I've been as disappointed as anyone. I follow this guy religiously, he's my favorite player of all-time, I've met him numerous times (and he's always been nothing but gracious). I want him to succeed and I want the Angels to succeed. I chose to try to be more positive than negative, but again, I understand the issues and it really is an issue of expectation management. I always hope and expect the best from #5.

That a fair and valid point and one I can not find much to disagree with; however, Pujols played 3B, then the outfield and later 1B. He may not have the speed of Trout or play the premium position of CF, but he was an excellent defensive player in all positions. Never had the speed of Trout, but was considered one of the better base runners in the game. I think those aspects are often overlooked when you see the gaudy numbers he put up year after year.

Please beat the Pond Scum.

While true, my comment was more on the bi-polar nature of people's feeling regarding AP. Please remember that I'm an AP apologist. He is the greatest player I ever had a chance to see and I am certain I wont get a chance to see anyone better than him in his prime. I know people here think Trout is the best and he is currently the best player in the game. But, AP in his prime was better, in my opinion. He isnt the same player as he was, but during the years with the Cardinals, the guy was hands down the best player in the game and will go out as one of the ten best players of all-time. Mike Trout may top that, but it wont be easy and I hope for all Angels fans sake that he does top it.

I would agree. Given how poorly the pitching has been in the early going, I think there are even a few very critical pitchers that would represent an equally critical loss. Losing Josh is a massive blow, but the offense should still be able to perform. The pitching is a bigger concern, in my opinion.

I hope for everyone's sanity on this forum that Salas is never brought in with the game tied or a lead. He's awful, well, awful is being polite.

So, he reminds you of the Jim Thome in nothing but the stance. So, essentially, he's the human windmill.

So, the first few games he was the ever present Albert-tross, now it's kudos. Pretty much this site in a nutshell.

As a person who is mainly a Cardinals fan, but does support the Angels, I'm a little surprised by the fatalistic outlook of most on the board. Is it a big blow...certainly. No arguing otherwise. However, it is a baseball team and there are other people who can contribute and pick up the slack, but from reading this, it seems like people think the team is doomed. At least give it more than 10 games before capitulating. It's a long season and lots of things, both expected and unexpected happen. As the great Yogi Berra was fond of saying, "You never know". Remember, "Baseball is 90 percent mental; the other half is physical."

I understand how he feels, but he certainly didnt handle it in a diplomatic fashion. Something about it being a long trip and its impact on the team, but he's happy that the Aussies get to see MLB. Something a tad diplomatic would have made this a non-story, but Grienke has absolutely no awareness of things like this.

Bailey, while being a good pitcher, isnt worth $100M. He just isnt. From St. Louis newspaper: performance of two starting pitchers over the past two seasons, 2012 and 2013: Pitcher A Age: turns 28 in May. Innings: 417 Fielding independent ERA: 3.69 Strikeout rate: 21.3 percent Walk rate: 6.2 percent Quality starts: 41 Fangraphs wins above replacement: 6.2 Pitcher B Age: turns 27 in May. Innings: 370.2 Fielding independent ERA: 3.45 Strikeout rate: 23.8 percent Walk rate: 8.8 percent Quality starts: 35 Fangraphs wins above replacement: 6.0 Congratulations, Lance Lynn. If Homer Bailey is going to get a six-year deal worth $100 million, that's very good news for Lynn. Lynn (Pitcher has a similar profile to Bailey (Pitcher A). Lynn is even better in some ways, including strikeout rate and adjusted ERA. And they are virtually even in WAR.

Johan may be worth a shot, but also depends on how much he's asking. Again, little downside if the money is right, but the chances of him working out are fairly slim. That arm looks to be shot.

Blandoggle?

totally and completely disagree with this. Is he a great player...absolutely he is. Does he have the chance to be one of the greatest of all-time...absolutely. But, not coming along for another 50+ years, that seems a tad like hyperbole. Same thing was said about Albert Pujols as well and as you can see, the whole is and should be greater than the sum of the parts. You can justify it how ever you like, but the Angels management must be rationale when it comes to this. I certainly think they need to re-sign him as a priority, but not as you put it "it doesnt matter". It does matter. It always has and always will.

Do you guys really think Mulder will be servicable? I'm not buying it. He's been out of the game for quite some time and now he's found a "new arm slot" after playing catch. Good luck with that, but I wouldnt assume he'll make the team. Blanton is awful and I understand everyone's trepidation with him getting starts as those are valid concerns. I'd imagine Skaggs will get every chance to win the job and imagine how awful he will have to be to lose the 5 spot to Blanton.

The pitching staff (both starters and the pen) just isnt good enough to win the division let alone a play-off series. In order for the team to be in the mix then, the offense will have to make up for the pedestrian pitching, which is a possibility. However, this assumes that Pujols and Hamilton (and Freese to some extent) need to have solid years. Not spectacular, but very solid. Sure, it is possible and the team is in the mix, but I have a feeling that the achilles heel will be the pitching and it will be the root cause should the Angels not be playing in October.

I bet that Milwaukee will finish with a better record than the Reds this season. In fact, I think they may finish with a better record than the Pirates and have an outside shot at the NL Wild-card. Of course, there is no way they will win the NL Central with the Cardinals ruling the roost:)

Albert running? That's a good one.

trust me when I say the one thing you will NOT want to see is Salas' fast ball.