Ace-Of-Diamonds

He can't retire. He will have to be DFAd, and if no one picks him up, he can go to the beach, play golf or whatever, but he can't officially retire and still get paid.

The problem is that you will have all of those questions going into 2018.  You are really only gambling on one year of not having that leadoff guy.  If you make the right trade and FA signings and give some of the guys in the monors a chance you may find that guy and it would be for the long term.  I know some guys aren't high on Cowart, but he's a former top prospect that has seemingly figured out his issues with the bat.  Whether or not that will translate to the majors will only be known if he gets the shot.  He plays elite defense, is fast and can therefore steal, and he is sporting an OBP 60 points higher than his BA for the second year in a row.  He could potentially be our leadoff guy and future 3B. We won't know until he's given a shot.  What we do know is that Escobar is gone after next year and we end up with all the holes you mentioned, no solution, and nothing in return for him leaving.  This is the chance to get something for him.  Whether or not that opportunity actually presents itself is the real question.

Look, when you lay it on the line as the Halos already have, while that offense has displayed among the best in MLB (despite the hole in LF), I'm as ballsy as can be to solidify the rotation and make a run at this with!!  If they must trade Joe Smith, a rental, through all of this, fine, but make the run happen!  
Btw, Cowart is READY!
 
 
 
 
 
  

I would keep our 3 top pitchers, that are still healthy: Shoemaker, Santiago, and Skaggs. (the 3 S's). Replacing them is expensive and a crap shoot.

Be thankful he isn't having a Harper type slump. It started in late May, and he hasn't come out of it as of yet. He was hitting .286/.406/.714/1.121 on May 1st. after going 0 for 4 today and 1 for his last 13, his slash line is .237/.377/.453/.830. Now that's a slump for the ages. He is no longer in the conversation as the best player in baseball. He was called the best by some, as late as mid April, after having that MVP season last year.

I would keep our 3 top pitchers, that are still healthy: Shoemaker, Santiago, and Skaggs. (the 3 S's). Replacing them is expensive and a crap shoot.

I would keep our 3 top pitchers, that are still healthy: Shoemaker, Santiago, and Skaggs. (the 3 S's). Replacing them is expensive and a crap shoot.

If we need to throw games to guarantee a protected pick, no way. As long as we play to win every game and still fall short and get a protected pick fine, otherwise no.   

Cowart has an 11 game hitting streak in Salt Lake and hitting .289 with an OBP near .350. We will never know if he can hit major league pitching if we don't give him a chance. I''m pretty sure he couldn't hit worse than Marte. He might not hit as many HRs, but in all probability he will hit for a higher average than Marte.
If we have no one else to lead off, Calhoun this season is getting on base at .360 pace. He isn't going to hit .320 but he hits more HRs than Escobar.

4 complete innings for Shoe, only 38 pitches. no hits, no walks

If we need to throw games to guarantee a protected pick, no way. As long as we play to win every game and still fall short and get a protected pick fine, otherwise no.   

If we need to throw games to guarantee a protected pick, no way. As long as we play to win every game and still fall short and get a protected pick fine, otherwise no.   

7 innings, 3 hits, 5 Ks, 0 ERs, 1 BB, WIN

Simmons is hitting .286/.314/.372/.686

Skaggs is back starting Tuesday. Nate Smith can't be worse.
All winter we were told we had 8 starting pitchers going into April,  that turned to shit fast.

Last 28 days : Albert Pujols .333/.408/.631/1.039 - 7 HRs - 27 RBIs

maybe, maybe not. Can't you tell from the inflection in my voice.

At those games everyone got a foul ball, and their own personal concession vendor.

That's why beer drinking Germany, kicked wine drinking France's ass 3 separate times. In fact, children in french schools were taught to I surrender in German. LOL

Last 28 days : Albert Pujols .333/.408/.631/1.039 - 7 HRs - 27 RBIs

At those games everyone got a foul ball, and their own personal concession vendor.

At those games everyone got a foul ball, and their own personal concession vendor.

Skaggs is back on the mound for Salt lake. 10 strikeouts and 1 hit while leading 3-0 in 5 innings, so far. I'm listening on the Bees website. Today is a double header so the games are limited to 7 innings each.

Well at least he has 4 runs to work with.

Pujols has 71 RBIs, (3rd most in the ML) with 68 games to play. He has raised his average 35 points in the last month or 2. He is on pace to have his best year as an Angel. He is on pace to have more RBIs this year than he did in 2010, when he lead the league with 118. I doubt we make the playoffs but he may make it interesting to watch the games. It wasn't interesting a month ago.