Torridd

I think trading HK at this time would be moving toward regression. His position would just become another one we would need to replace.

Actually, more because of his stature. With the stature, you make the money.

You guys who are saying to trade Howie, do you see Lindsey as a sure thing? I just looked at his stats and he's hitting about .280 in AA ball.

Trading HK would be silly. Will the team really be better? Isn't that the purpose of any trade?

I think it's a better chance to score with men on 2nd and 3rd. Also, if Hamilton doesn't hit into a DP, you still have Pujols.

Don't like the odds of that, ettin. I'd be reluctant to sign with a team that traded me unless I had no choice and he'll have choices.

I've read a lot of talk of taking advantage of Trout (and Trumbo) while they're still with the team, i.e., the Vargas poll. Given the team's status, how long do you think it will take for it to become viable? My take is that I'd like to get one more starter and hope there's a resurgence especially from Hamilton. He's still relatively young and a comeback is not out of the realm of possibility. The team is made to win now so you sign Vargas, get another starter, tweak the bullpen and pray. There's really nothing to be done with the offense.

So the manager has to think, "I better let Bourjos hit because if not they'll walk Trout and Hamilton will not get a hit." You can't be a good manager thinking like that. Like any good manager, you need to be positive and give your team the best chance to win. Bourjos doesn't do that. I can see Kendrick or Aybar who have more experience under their belts. Bourjos has to bunt.

Also, as a manager, you can't afford to think like your first sentence. You have to go by the player's history.

I don't agree, shep. PB bunts. Men on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out gives the Angels a better chance to win via wild pitch even if Trout is walked. I understand your thinking - go with the hot hand - but I think you have to manage as you would ordinarily unless the situation is extra special. I don't think it is in this case.

Also, being a manager is partly being a psychologist. He's only been on the team for a few months. You've got to give him the chance to drive in the run. I mean, is the team going anywhere? It's a June win and he's needed way beyond that. Can't ostracize him so early in his tenure.

That's what he's paid for.

Yes, he's in an horrific slump, but he can't get out of it if he doesn't get the opportunity. He's paid millions of dollars to be "The Man" and he has to get a lot of chances at doing that before relegated to the slaughterhouse.

I could see if he was a small guy with a lot of experience like a Pedroia or something, but Bourjos is just a guy on a hot streak. He could have easily popped up or struck out as he ended up doing. He hasn't been doing it, but you have to give Hamilton the chance to drive in the run.

Also, Hamilton may feel less stress in A knowing he only needed a sac fly.

If he was on Peds, why did he suddenly stop? He was just as likely to be caught last year or the year before as this one.

Not the Gettysburg Address, but I like it.

What do you realistically suggest? He has to play and he won't bat eighth or ninth like some have suggested.

I agree. We need dependable starters and he's been pretty good.

I really don't think it matters where he's hitting while he has this approach. He'll eventually come up in a big spot. We just have to hope that there's nothing wrong with him and he'll get his head together some time before the contract ends.

Yeah, I don't know what's going on with Richards. He seemed to do the same when he was starting.

Hindsight. I see no problem with PB bunting. True, they may walk Trout to pitch to Hamilton, but if PB hits into a double play then we are wondering why didn't he let him bunt like he would ordinarily. Unfortunately, it's just another game this year that goes into the "just one of those games" category. Generally, we win these games - just not this year.

HK 3 for 5 HR

I thought Figgins was pretty good. Also, Eckstein was a pain in the neck to opposing pitchers. Orlando Palmeiro was also pretty good.

Least favorite right now is Hamilton. It's like "zip zip the modern way" per the Honeymooners. He's got to give himself more of a chance to get on base.