halosfan1970

Matt Joyce is really good at working a walk too.

This thread makes the Matt Joyce thread look insightful. 

Cowart at 3B and Pujols/Choi at 1B would definitely improve the infield defense, but why the quick hook to AAA for Cron? He's always been somewhat streaky as a hitter. We're only six games in to April.

"You're living in the past man..."

I'll be happy with 1 win

Baby steps

Baby steps... 6 hits, 2 run game.

I'm really digging her being in the booth on Sunday nights. Love her analysis and energy!

She's cute too for bonus points.

She doesn't have nearly as much charm and lovability as Curt Schilling, but she is still ok.

Can't hurt.

Well it might, but some people around here would probably like that.

Freese is hitting 3rd for the pirates behind McCutchen.

 

I could see him having a big year.

Uh-oh. Once you mention David Freese in any AW discussion, Notti's hemorrhoid pops back out. This thread will now head to 8 pages of how David Freese is injury prone and a poor defender.

He's played mostly SS in his career.  And he had only 7 errors at third base last year.

Escobar may or may not improve defensively over 2015, but errors committed is a completely irrelevant statistic in predicting his 2016 fielding performance.

Why is Gentry playing over Nava so much lately?

Well if Gentry is the right handed side of a platoon in LF with Nava, playing today would make sense. Alex Wood is a left handed pitcher.

I'd like to see Ortega and Cunningham kept on the roster, but wouldn't that give us six outfielders?

Sure but who are you going to leave off the 25 man roster in their places? There's only one non-pitching spot left on the roster. Choi, Ortega, and Cunningham are all competing for that one. 

http://monkeywithahalo.com/2016-articles/angels-2016-predictions-pujols-calhoun.html

 

 

Once again, my favorite article to write every single year.  I've had some success in the past, but last year was pretty bad.  We'll see if I can get back to the 2-3 out of 5 range on these bold predictions. 

No bold optimism for Kyle Kubitza in 2016?

I got a blue screen crash and I had to reboot my system twice after visiting this site.

Since the poll asked "who wins" I voted Choi. His Rule 5 status gives him an advantage in making the 25 man roster, and he has mostly performed well.

If the poll asked "who should win" I would lean toward Ortega with his combination of speed, defense, and arm. 

Why does my security software always warn me that this site is dangerous?

When you have the best defender in baseball playing right next to you ... some of that talent is bound to rub off.

Simmons has been mentoring Gia on his defense.

I agree. Playing next to Cron at 1B is going to do wonders for Gia's defense.

If he takes the easy route and says he is done, won't he forfeit this year's salary?

Sure if he retires, but he won't retire. He can just spend all of 2016 on the DL. Guaranteed contract.

Difference is clarity on rules, I would agree he is a clown but in this case if it is stuck then it should have been ruled a double.  Spring Training should be considered MLB Ball Park rules even if played at minor league type ball parks.  I see this as more of an MLB over site when it comes to preparation of it players and umpire staff, they should be using rules associated with Major League ballparks only; not a Cespedes blunder.  BTW - he needs no extra help creating blunders!

 

 

Edited:  I looked closer at video and ball did not look stuck at all, just leaning against the fence.

and appeared to touch Cespedes before going under the padding.

Oh I am.  I've watched them play and peaked at the numbers.  What I'm saying is that I'm not here to convince you otherwise.  You can take it for it's value and believe me or not.  But if if you don't, you're more than welcome to go find them yourself. 

You haven't been accused of hyperbole, so it must be a good day.

Gentry "a superb fourth outfielder"? Hahahahaha. He hit .120 last year in the big leagues and spent most of the season in AAA despite being on a pretty terrible Oakland team. At AAA he put up a whopping .646 OPS. Scotty wants his hyperbole back.

Craig Gentry had a .120 batting average over 56 plate appearances in 2015: Recency bias, small sample size bias, and framing bias are clearly in play with your "in-depth" analysis. A review of three years of offensive metrics and a look at Gentry's platoon splits is more encouraging than your concise analysis of ".120 Hahahahaha." 

An MLB fourth outfielder has to be able to provide skills not always related to a high OPS/SLG. A fourth outfielder can provide above average on-base percentage, solid back-up CF coverage, and speed on the bases even if he is a slap hitter. Gentry is an improvement in each of these areas over Colin Cowgill in 2015.

The sad internet pedantry and a tired attempt at a snappy insult are noted. I may not be right about the Angel's bench in 2016, but I think I expressed my opinion reasonably well.

So, Gia is not good enough to warm the bench but he IS good enough to start? That's kinda wacky.

 

If Cliffy shows himself to be good enough to start, the Angels should just trade, release or demote Gia to AAA. Defensive backups are easy to find.

 

BTW, two more hits for Cliffy today. 

Giavotella is out of options. Either he is the starting 2B or they need to release him. He doesn't have the capability to play utility 3B or SS.

CJ's going to be an amazing left handed knuckleballer by Opening Day!

Cliff Pennington, Kaleb Cowart, Kyle Kubitza, choi and Craig Gentry

 

I wouldn't even call that depth. More like warm bodies capable of imitating real MLB players.

Cliff Pennington - a clear upgrade (definitely offensively & probably defensively) at utility infielder over Taylor Featherston.

Geovany Soto - a solid second catcher who is respected at game management and who can control running games far better than Chris Iannetta.

Craig Gentry -  a superb fourth outfielder who plays a plus CF. He hits left-handed pitching well and he is the speedy baserunner missing in the past. He's a clear improvement over Colin Cowgill.

Ji-Man Choi - a higher upside version of Efren Navarro for 1B/LF. He's not quite as good defensively, but he looks like he has much better gap power and OBP abilities offensively.

All four are capable of contributing far more in 2016 than just being warm bodies.

Also... at least the kid wasn't in the Angel's clubhouse when Pujols had that infected lymph node in his groin that grew to the size of a golf ball.

Maybe all 24 other teammates really do support Laroche on this, but if you were one (or more) who expressed discomfort with it to management (privately) would you admit to it publically? The social media world would be vicious to anyone who did.