CardsFanVegas

We've got a spot about five miles from the house just waiting for a new ballpark.
 
Now that the NFR is bolting town, a lot of discretionary cash has been freed up.

I'd love to see Seattle field a competitive team.    The fans up there have yet to even see their team appear in a WS!   
 
But a 10 year contract to anyone IMO is a bad idea.   Still, would love to see it happen because it would bring some excitement to a team that really needs it.

2014 is pretty simple. If Hamilton and Pujols rake, the Angels will be awesome. 

weird that we got a #3-#4ish type with Vargas for Morales, but can't do the same with Trumbo.

Saying our bullpen set is completely inaccurate. Yes, we have a lot of guys but are we really counting on Jepsen, Kohn, and Salas?
With that said, Mujica isn't that great. Yeah his command is pretty damn good but I think there's a reason the Cardinals didn't use him in the playoffs.

I hope you all have an outstanding day with your loved ones! While the day is focused on football, food and fellowship, make sure to reflect on what you're thankful for.
 
There are many things that I'm thankful for.
 
I'm thankful for my kids & wife.
I'm thankful for good friends and for a loving family. I'm also thankful for Max & Princess, my dogs.
I'm thankful for an incredible step-dad who has always loved me and treated me like I was his own.
I'm thankful that the God I believe in will not leave me or forsake me.
I'm thankful for my health, my job and a wonderful house on a river and by the beach.
I'm thankful for the gift of a giving heart, something my parents bestowed upon me.
I'm thankful for this website and what it has become in the past 4-5 years. (2014 is our 10-year anniversary)
I'm thankful for the talented group of writers we have here. Best Angels content on the net.
I'm thankful for my Board of Directors, Mods & Contributors here.
I'm thankful for my friendship with Tim Mead.
I'm thankful for the friendships that have been formed from this very website. Some of you are truly like family.
 
Lastly, I'm thankful for moving up to Seattle in 2005 when I did. This opportunity allowed me to share some of best moments in my life from 2005-2008 with my dad, as we had lived thousands of miles away from each other since I was a kid. As some of you know, on November 27th, 2008, my father unexpectedly passed away from a massive stroke just a few hours after we shared laughs and fellowship with the family, at the house I used to visit him in for years growing up. Now, my house.
 
I'm thankful that I hugged my dad earlier that day when he arrived and when he took his last breath on this earth, later that night. I'm thankful for all the memories with my pops that I have to reflect on and hope to come close to leaving behind a legacy that he would be proud of, that my kids and those who really know me can take a little something positive away from the life I lived on this planet.
 
Some of you back in 2008, on this very website, were my rock. Your prayers were heard and felt by myself and my family. See, my dad was not just my father, but he was also my best friend. Please love on and hug your loved ones and friends, as in just a moment, they can be with you, and gone just like that.
 
Here's a video I made for my dad's memorial service where I gave the eulogy. I hope that by watching it, you can be thankful for what you have, and for what those love you.
 
Happy Thanksgiving, AngelsWin.com Members.
 
 

I only saw him pitch a couple times this past season and he looked pretty damn good to me. There literally is no chance we can get him if the Cubs want high end prospects in return for him. The Cubs are the exact opposite kind of team we should be dealing with in my opinion. We should be looking to move Trumbo,Howie or Aybar to a team that has a lot of young cost controlled pitching that believes they are one player away from competing for their division. A team like Tampa, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, even Az.

I think Albert is going to perform.
 
Yes a slow start in 2012, but after the middle of May he was fine.
 
2013 he was dealing with the foot condition.
 
2014, his foot is all healed up.  He's been here a couple years.  I predict he is going to win Comeback Player of the Year and really tear it up.  That won't make the contract any better in year 8,9,10.. but I think the Halos will get some good years out of him.
 
And you say that Freese can't stay healthy, and its true he has been on the DL a good bit.   2012 was the first year he played a full season in the MLB.   2013 he played most of the season but started off on the DL.   But he was traded for a guy who also has a history of not staying healthy.   The trade was a low risk deal that moved guys who were going to be platoon players on their former teams to a place where they can be everyday players.  Especially Freese.

Trumbo and Aybar for Tulowitzki.
 
I wish.

He was playing on a court with a bunch of kids with Downs syndrome. Just what level of competition do you think that is? Do you think he is running up and down the court, boxing people out, running pick and rolls and going in for the slam dunk?

Albert's daughter has Down's syndrome. This is his charity event for that. If you notice in the pictures the kids on the basketball floor and the picture of the kids on the bench with him are all special needs children.  
 
You need to focus on what is right in the world instead of being over critical of a player giving a whole lot back to the community.

I dont think you can criticize the trade just yet.  We have needed an upgrade at 3rd for a long time.  Its not unrealistic to think Freese could hit over .800 OPS next season, and play great D at 3rd.  That would be a huge upgrade.  And were still solid in the Outfield.
 
Where is Bourjos going to play with Trumbo and Hamilton out there? 

In reality, both of the main pieces of this trade were likely to be platoon or bench guys on their former teams in 2014.   
 
Both are injury prone.  Both have high upside.
 
They get a chance to start fresh in new enviornments.  I hope it works out for everyone.

2012 version was an All-Star 3B.  Hitting .290 w/20HR.
 
He had a down year.   He can turn it around.
 
This is a trade that fills needs for both sides.
 
Cards get the defense upgrade they needed in CF.    Angels get a 3B who has been an All-Star and WS MVP.   
 
Both guys are coming off down years, both are risks.  Both have high upside.   
 
Who knows, maybe Salas will find his 2011 self in Anaheim.     Cards don't have the OF depth the Angels have.   
 
With that said, if I was DiPoto, I would held out for a AA SP prospect.   But I think both teams fill some of their minor needs with this trade.   Cards still need a SS,  Angels still need a starting pitcher or two.    I don't think the Angels want to move Aybar, who would play in his place?

You are going to get the basic Saber argument that clutch is non existent and then protection is non existent and then finally RBIs are a false stat. Wash, rinse, repeat.
 
Not that I think Freese is Mr.Clutch aka Derek Jeter but for a career with RISP his slash line is .290/.374/.441/.815.
 
In comparison other Angels
 
Pujols  .334/.468/.632/.1.100
Trout  .316/.415/.535/.950
Hamilton .295/.369/.511/.880
Iannetta  .253/.401/.447/.848
Trumbo .252/.303/.478/.782
Kendrick  .285/.337/.408/.745
Callapso .270/.337/.397/.734
Shuck  .296/.301/.386/.697
Aybar  .270/.301/.386/.687
Bourjos   .219/.288/.343/.631
 
The Angels let go our oft injured CF that was least likely to drive in a run for Freese that is head and shoulders above Callaspo and out performs Trumbo and Kendrick. He is no Pujols or Trout but he is the best replacement RISP hitter for 3rd base the Angels have had since Glaus.

You must not follow the Cards too closely, then. SS has been a big gaping black hole pretty much since Renteria left (especially offensively).
It's probably a year more than most of us would like, but considering the options that were available and what others were asking in the trade market, the majority of us seem to be pleased with it. Especially not having given up any young talent.
I know I am!

I honestly can't believe the Angels took Salas off the Cardinals hands.    He was a non-tender candidate.    Hasn't pitched well in 2 years.   Maybe he'll turn it around here.

I would rather have Trout/McCutchen/Harper

If I were becoming a baseball fan today and could choose which team to follow, it might be the Cardinals. They aren't the Evil Empire like the Yankees, don't have the annoying Red Sox Nation thing going on, but have a legacy almost as good as those two, and are as well run as any organization with both a great current team and a bright future.
 
The Angels, on the other hand, have a bland history and legacy and are poorly run, at least since Stoneman departed and before he arrived, but the simple fact is that I'm an Angels fan for life, at least unless they trade Trout away for a box of A-Rod's used condoms.
 
To quote Adam's favorite movie, Brokeback Mountain, Angels "I can't quit you."

Mark Trumbo â€@Mtrumbo441h @keithlaw @Joe_TOC I know how big a fan of mine you are Keith. I got your back the next time Space Mountain denies you due to height limits.
 
 
That HAS to count as a TRUMBOMB....   Honestly, seeing that made everything else about today fade away.

Peter Bourjos will become a fan favorite in St. Louis very quickly.
 
He plays an NL style game which no team plays better than the St. Louis Cardinals.
 
He's a whiz in CF defensively, has a better arm than folks realize and can run like the wind.
 
No power, really, but will hit 8 to 10 HRs for the season if he plays every day.
 
Seemed to be coming on as a hitter when he went down with an injury last year and spent some DL time.
 
I think he is an arch-typical St. Louis Cardinals type of player who will fit in well.........YES -- an upgrade over John Jay.

2 things will make this thing work:
 
Solidify the pitching staff somehow(We'll find out in the upcoming weeks)
Freese is able to come close to his 2012(If everyone is so sure Bourjos can replicate his 2011, why can't Freese his 2012 season?)
 
 
Happy to have Freese on the team. Hoping for the best.
 

 
 

In reality, both of the main pieces of this trade were likely to be platoon or bench guys on their former teams in 2014.   
 
Both are injury prone.  Both have high upside.
 
They get a chance to start fresh in new enviornments.  I hope it works out for everyone.

Peter I loved you while you were here and wish you luck with your new club. You will be missed!
 
I'm gonna go have a drink now....

2012 version was an All-Star 3B.  Hitting .290 w/20HR.
 
He had a down year.   He can turn it around.
 
This is a trade that fills needs for both sides.
 
Cards get the defense upgrade they needed in CF.    Angels get a 3B who has been an All-Star and WS MVP.   
 
Both guys are coming off down years, both are risks.  Both have high upside.   
 
Who knows, maybe Salas will find his 2011 self in Anaheim.     Cards don't have the OF depth the Angels have.   
 
With that said, if I was DiPoto, I would held out for a AA SP prospect.   But I think both teams fill some of their minor needs with this trade.   Cards still need a SS,  Angels still need a starting pitcher or two.    I don't think the Angels want to move Aybar, who would play in his place?