Torridd

It seems to be inferred that we couldn't get Meyer straight up for Santiago. Is that true and would we want to make that deal if we could?

I just think Wells had more potential to be good. That's why I say this is a worse trade. I think Santiago is a lot better than Nolasco. I guess we'll see what happens with Meyer. It's done. It's not like Santiago was my favorite player, but when you make trades I always thought you were supposed to come out better. I don't think the Angels are a better team right now. We'll see if Meyer can change that.

My point is that Eppler is betting it all instead of playing it safe. He could have gotten young players for Santiago, but not with the upside of Meyer. Most of us would have been happy with the safe playhere. Eppler chose the big play. We'll see how it goes.

Nice stuff, ettin. All I can say is that I hope Meyer works out. Eppler has a lot of his reputation riding on this one.

This is how I see it. If we wanted to concentrate on starters, then keep Santiago. If we want to get arms, we could have traded Santiago for younger guys with better track records or younger track records. Nolasco is who he is. He's not going to get better overnight. This deal is going to rely on Meyer. I think Santiago IS better than Nolasco so they're not a wash. Santiago had been playing well and was comfortable playing for us. Now we have to start over with Nolasco. I'm not ready to say Eppler is awful because he's done some good things, but like the Simmons' deal, as someone has said, I am scratching my head. The good thing is that that deal has worked out so far. Hopefully, Eppler is right about this too.

I think this is worse than the Wells trade because you're taking a gamble on a guy with an injury history. Wells had a history and was healthy. I think more of us hate this trade especially since Santiago has been successful, an All-star to boot.

I'm generally optimistic Sig, but this is a bad trade. Hector, 5-inning pitcher or not, had been doing well and was comfortable on the team. Nolasco is crap. No doubt about that. Our only chance is if Meyer gets his act together. And then we gave up another pitcher.

I'm glad he didn't. He's a real good hitter.

I don't understand this trade at all.

Would someone who watches him regularly give assessments of him? Is he capable of being successful again? What is he doing wrong exactly? Do you think he can perform well as a reliever? Should we release him? Thanks for your insights.

I think we should do all we can to make the playoffs. Draft picks aren't sure things.

Glad I was VERY wrong about this! Great game Skaggs!

Hope you're right Zen.

How do you think he'll do? When we did this for Lincecum, most of us were correct. I'll say 5 1/3, 5 runs, L. I don't think Gee will do a lot better, but we'll lose a high-scoring game.

I'm glad he said this although he may have felt he didn't have a choice. If the guys in the clubhouse really have the fervor, then why totally break up the team? Obviously, it can't get any worse, barring further injuries, so let the players treat this as a challenge to see how many wins they can get. The Angels will eventually have their run too although it will probably be too late by then. There's a lot to playing for pride.

I don't think this year's team could be worse considering all our injuries. Since I've been a fan (1979), there have been some horrid teams whose injuries couldn't match up to this year's.

I would trade him before Escobar.

I would say we're in 90% of the games and then lose them. Bullpen is horrid (Salas, Alvarez, Guerra) or injured. Starters are injured. I think one more reliable bat (around Escobar, Trout, Calhoun, Pujols) could shore up the order. Cron is too wishy-washy and we don't know about Marte yet. Am I being idealistic?

He and Alvarez have to go.

I think we should keep him and Escobar has been a good leadoff guy. I'd rather not have Calhoun go back there.

Also, what is the point of trading Calhoun for those who suggested it?? Calhoun is probably one of our top five players.

I think they should compete. I think we have a lot of talent on the team, but we need some "tweaking" for the hitting, major changing for the bullpen, and health for the starters. I just don't see the point in losing a bunch of games purposely even if we're doing it unintentionally now.

...could have come back from this division deficit?

I read that Street got a lot of non-calls from the ump. How would you assess Street's performance? Was he awful or didn't get a break?

Thanks for the quick response! Yes, I remember the A's were red hot too!