Hubs

Calhoun is a cheap very productive player. With 5 players making over $100 million in Salaries (Hamilton, Pujols, Trout, Weaver, Wilson), they need this type of asset to fill out the roster.
 
They will not trade him. 
 
Joyce is a nice add to balance the lineup out. He's a productive lefty, former All-Star, and a solid DH/Backup OF candidate. He is the starting DH in my opinion. Cron had a bad year last year in regards to OBP, Joyce solves that. Cron can play at AAA, and Cowgill can DH or play the OF when they face a lefty. Joyce is the replacement for what Ibanez was supposed to be. 
 
Krauss hit .200 in the majors, he's not a huge add. Brennan Bosch replacement. 
 
In my opinion, the lineup against righties now looks like
 
Calhoun
Joyce
Trout
Pujols
Hamilton
Freese
Iannetta
Rutledge/Green
Aybar
 
And against lefties
 
Calhoun
Cowgill
Trout
Pujols
Freese
Cron
Iannetta
Rutledge/Green
Aybar

Shields is only one year younger than CJ. He is going to turn 33 before the end of the year. CJ is 34. Hamels is just about to turn 31.
 
Scherzer is going to be 31 next season after the All-Star Break. Dan Haren is also 34. I only say that because earlier this week, I thought we were getting him back.
 
I don't understand the fascination with older pitchers. I am fine with getting a guy who is affordable when he is in his early to mid thirties, or even in his late thirties. But to trade our #1 prospect for a guy like Hamels is not how you build a winning team.
 
I also don't understand why people don't think Hector Santiago has the #5 Spot locked down. I know DiPoto said earlier this week that there would be a competition for the five spot, to say that Heaney or Tropeano have it right now (as Mike DiGiovanna said in today's Times), is not giving Santiago enough credit. Sure right now if Skaggs was healthy, there might be a competition between he and Santiago for that fifth spot, and Skaggs has better stuff, so he might have the edge there, but also because Santiago is likely out of options, and can pitch out of the pen, whereas Skaggs likely has options and can't….then maybe there is a competition. 
 
Now however, the rotation is locked in my humble opinion.
 
Weaver is guaranteed the #1 spot in the rotation.
 
Richards is likely to slot in at #2 based on his performance last year. If he is healthy enough to start the year in the rotation. Which is not sure yet.
 
Wilson is likely the #3, because he is under contract for $19 AAV the next two seasons, and while he pitched poorly for the end of June, July, and August (plus the playoff game) he had been excellent at other times. And was good in 2012 and 2013 for the Angels. He'll want to get it right, he's a competitor. No one will take him in trade.
 
Shoemaker is guaranteed the #4 Spot. He'd be the #3 based on last year's performance, but they'll probably want to separate the two lefties.
 
Santiago had a 2.98 ERA in the 2nd half. He was better as a reliever (0.00 ERA), but as a starter once he regained his spot in early June, he had a 3.58 ERA  the rest of the way. Everyone is going to have a frustrating start once in a while, but a 3.58 ERA is right in line with his career mark. He's just about to be 27. I think he'll be that guy going forward. In 2016, there will be many choices (Skaggs back, Heaney, and Tropeano ready), but for 2015…Santiago has this spot unless someone takes it from him with an outright brilliant spring.
 
 
Also, let's not forget that Heaney, Tropeano, Rasmus, Alvarez all have options. That means that even with a brilliant spring, if everyone else is healthy, and the pen is set, then they end up in the Salt Lake rotation.

Shields is only one year younger than CJ. He is going to turn 33 before the end of the year. CJ is 34. Hamels is just about to turn 31.
 
Scherzer is going to be 31 next season after the All-Star Break. Dan Haren is also 34. I only say that because earlier this week, I thought we were getting him back.
 
I don't understand the fascination with older pitchers. I am fine with getting a guy who is affordable when he is in his early to mid thirties, or even in his late thirties. But to trade our #1 prospect for a guy like Hamels is not how you build a winning team.
 
I also don't understand why people don't think Hector Santiago has the #5 Spot locked down. I know DiPoto said earlier this week that there would be a competition for the five spot, to say that Heaney or Tropeano have it right now (as Mike DiGiovanna said in today's Times), is not giving Santiago enough credit. Sure right now if Skaggs was healthy, there might be a competition between he and Santiago for that fifth spot, and Skaggs has better stuff, so he might have the edge there, but also because Santiago is likely out of options, and can pitch out of the pen, whereas Skaggs likely has options and can't….then maybe there is a competition. 
 
Now however, the rotation is locked in my humble opinion.
 
Weaver is guaranteed the #1 spot in the rotation.
 
Richards is likely to slot in at #2 based on his performance last year. If he is healthy enough to start the year in the rotation. Which is not sure yet.
 
Wilson is likely the #3, because he is under contract for $19 AAV the next two seasons, and while he pitched poorly for the end of June, July, and August (plus the playoff game) he had been excellent at other times. And was good in 2012 and 2013 for the Angels. He'll want to get it right, he's a competitor. No one will take him in trade.
 
Shoemaker is guaranteed the #4 Spot. He'd be the #3 based on last year's performance, but they'll probably want to separate the two lefties.
 
Santiago had a 2.98 ERA in the 2nd half. He was better as a reliever (0.00 ERA), but as a starter once he regained his spot in early June, he had a 3.58 ERA  the rest of the way. Everyone is going to have a frustrating start once in a while, but a 3.58 ERA is right in line with his career mark. He's just about to be 27. I think he'll be that guy going forward. In 2016, there will be many choices (Skaggs back, Heaney, and Tropeano ready), but for 2015…Santiago has this spot unless someone takes it from him with an outright brilliant spring.
 
 
Also, let's not forget that Heaney, Tropeano, Rasmus, Alvarez all have options. That means that even with a brilliant spring, if everyone else is healthy, and the pen is set, then they end up in the Salt Lake rotation.

Shields is only one year younger than CJ. He is going to turn 33 before the end of the year. CJ is 34. Hamels is just about to turn 31.
 
Scherzer is going to be 31 next season after the All-Star Break. Dan Haren is also 34. I only say that because earlier this week, I thought we were getting him back.
 
I don't understand the fascination with older pitchers. I am fine with getting a guy who is affordable when he is in his early to mid thirties, or even in his late thirties. But to trade our #1 prospect for a guy like Hamels is not how you build a winning team.
 
I also don't understand why people don't think Hector Santiago has the #5 Spot locked down. I know DiPoto said earlier this week that there would be a competition for the five spot, to say that Heaney or Tropeano have it right now (as Mike DiGiovanna said in today's Times), is not giving Santiago enough credit. Sure right now if Skaggs was healthy, there might be a competition between he and Santiago for that fifth spot, and Skaggs has better stuff, so he might have the edge there, but also because Santiago is likely out of options, and can pitch out of the pen, whereas Skaggs likely has options and can't….then maybe there is a competition. 
 
Now however, the rotation is locked in my humble opinion.
 
Weaver is guaranteed the #1 spot in the rotation.
 
Richards is likely to slot in at #2 based on his performance last year. If he is healthy enough to start the year in the rotation. Which is not sure yet.
 
Wilson is likely the #3, because he is under contract for $19 AAV the next two seasons, and while he pitched poorly for the end of June, July, and August (plus the playoff game) he had been excellent at other times. And was good in 2012 and 2013 for the Angels. He'll want to get it right, he's a competitor. No one will take him in trade.
 
Shoemaker is guaranteed the #4 Spot. He'd be the #3 based on last year's performance, but they'll probably want to separate the two lefties.
 
Santiago had a 2.98 ERA in the 2nd half. He was better as a reliever (0.00 ERA), but as a starter once he regained his spot in early June, he had a 3.58 ERA  the rest of the way. Everyone is going to have a frustrating start once in a while, but a 3.58 ERA is right in line with his career mark. He's just about to be 27. I think he'll be that guy going forward. In 2016, there will be many choices (Skaggs back, Heaney, and Tropeano ready), but for 2015…Santiago has this spot unless someone takes it from him with an outright brilliant spring.
 
 
Also, let's not forget that Heaney, Tropeano, Rasmus, Alvarez all have options. That means that even with a brilliant spring, if everyone else is healthy, and the pen is set, then they end up in the Salt Lake rotation.

Shields is only one year younger than CJ. He is going to turn 33 before the end of the year. CJ is 34. Hamels is just about to turn 31.
 
Scherzer is going to be 31 next season after the All-Star Break. Dan Haren is also 34. I only say that because earlier this week, I thought we were getting him back.
 
I don't understand the fascination with older pitchers. I am fine with getting a guy who is affordable when he is in his early to mid thirties, or even in his late thirties. But to trade our #1 prospect for a guy like Hamels is not how you build a winning team.
 
I also don't understand why people don't think Hector Santiago has the #5 Spot locked down. I know DiPoto said earlier this week that there would be a competition for the five spot, to say that Heaney or Tropeano have it right now (as Mike DiGiovanna said in today's Times), is not giving Santiago enough credit. Sure right now if Skaggs was healthy, there might be a competition between he and Santiago for that fifth spot, and Skaggs has better stuff, so he might have the edge there, but also because Santiago is likely out of options, and can pitch out of the pen, whereas Skaggs likely has options and can't….then maybe there is a competition. 
 
Now however, the rotation is locked in my humble opinion.
 
Weaver is guaranteed the #1 spot in the rotation.
 
Richards is likely to slot in at #2 based on his performance last year. If he is healthy enough to start the year in the rotation. Which is not sure yet.
 
Wilson is likely the #3, because he is under contract for $19 AAV the next two seasons, and while he pitched poorly for the end of June, July, and August (plus the playoff game) he had been excellent at other times. And was good in 2012 and 2013 for the Angels. He'll want to get it right, he's a competitor. No one will take him in trade.
 
Shoemaker is guaranteed the #4 Spot. He'd be the #3 based on last year's performance, but they'll probably want to separate the two lefties.
 
Santiago had a 2.98 ERA in the 2nd half. He was better as a reliever (0.00 ERA), but as a starter once he regained his spot in early June, he had a 3.58 ERA  the rest of the way. Everyone is going to have a frustrating start once in a while, but a 3.58 ERA is right in line with his career mark. He's just about to be 27. I think he'll be that guy going forward. In 2016, there will be many choices (Skaggs back, Heaney, and Tropeano ready), but for 2015…Santiago has this spot unless someone takes it from him with an outright brilliant spring.
 
 
Also, let's not forget that Heaney, Tropeano, Rasmus, Alvarez all have options. That means that even with a brilliant spring, if everyone else is healthy, and the pen is set, then they end up in the Salt Lake rotation.

Shields is only one year younger than CJ. He is going to turn 33 before the end of the year. CJ is 34. Hamels is just about to turn 31.
 
Scherzer is going to be 31 next season after the All-Star Break. Dan Haren is also 34. I only say that because earlier this week, I thought we were getting him back.
 
I don't understand the fascination with older pitchers. I am fine with getting a guy who is affordable when he is in his early to mid thirties, or even in his late thirties. But to trade our #1 prospect for a guy like Hamels is not how you build a winning team.
 
I also don't understand why people don't think Hector Santiago has the #5 Spot locked down. I know DiPoto said earlier this week that there would be a competition for the five spot, to say that Heaney or Tropeano have it right now (as Mike DiGiovanna said in today's Times), is not giving Santiago enough credit. Sure right now if Skaggs was healthy, there might be a competition between he and Santiago for that fifth spot, and Skaggs has better stuff, so he might have the edge there, but also because Santiago is likely out of options, and can pitch out of the pen, whereas Skaggs likely has options and can't….then maybe there is a competition. 
 
Now however, the rotation is locked in my humble opinion.
 
Weaver is guaranteed the #1 spot in the rotation.
 
Richards is likely to slot in at #2 based on his performance last year. If he is healthy enough to start the year in the rotation. Which is not sure yet.
 
Wilson is likely the #3, because he is under contract for $19 AAV the next two seasons, and while he pitched poorly for the end of June, July, and August (plus the playoff game) he had been excellent at other times. And was good in 2012 and 2013 for the Angels. He'll want to get it right, he's a competitor. No one will take him in trade.
 
Shoemaker is guaranteed the #4 Spot. He'd be the #3 based on last year's performance, but they'll probably want to separate the two lefties.
 
Santiago had a 2.98 ERA in the 2nd half. He was better as a reliever (0.00 ERA), but as a starter once he regained his spot in early June, he had a 3.58 ERA  the rest of the way. Everyone is going to have a frustrating start once in a while, but a 3.58 ERA is right in line with his career mark. He's just about to be 27. I think he'll be that guy going forward. In 2016, there will be many choices (Skaggs back, Heaney, and Tropeano ready), but for 2015…Santiago has this spot unless someone takes it from him with an outright brilliant spring.
 
 
Also, let's not forget that Heaney, Tropeano, Rasmus, Alvarez all have options. That means that even with a brilliant spring, if everyone else is healthy, and the pen is set, then they end up in the Salt Lake rotation.

Shields is only one year younger than CJ. He is going to turn 33 before the end of the year. CJ is 34. Hamels is just about to turn 31.
 
Scherzer is going to be 31 next season after the All-Star Break. Dan Haren is also 34. I only say that because earlier this week, I thought we were getting him back.
 
I don't understand the fascination with older pitchers. I am fine with getting a guy who is affordable when he is in his early to mid thirties, or even in his late thirties. But to trade our #1 prospect for a guy like Hamels is not how you build a winning team.
 
I also don't understand why people don't think Hector Santiago has the #5 Spot locked down. I know DiPoto said earlier this week that there would be a competition for the five spot, to say that Heaney or Tropeano have it right now (as Mike DiGiovanna said in today's Times), is not giving Santiago enough credit. Sure right now if Skaggs was healthy, there might be a competition between he and Santiago for that fifth spot, and Skaggs has better stuff, so he might have the edge there, but also because Santiago is likely out of options, and can pitch out of the pen, whereas Skaggs likely has options and can't….then maybe there is a competition. 
 
Now however, the rotation is locked in my humble opinion.
 
Weaver is guaranteed the #1 spot in the rotation.
 
Richards is likely to slot in at #2 based on his performance last year. If he is healthy enough to start the year in the rotation. Which is not sure yet.
 
Wilson is likely the #3, because he is under contract for $19 AAV the next two seasons, and while he pitched poorly for the end of June, July, and August (plus the playoff game) he had been excellent at other times. And was good in 2012 and 2013 for the Angels. He'll want to get it right, he's a competitor. No one will take him in trade.
 
Shoemaker is guaranteed the #4 Spot. He'd be the #3 based on last year's performance, but they'll probably want to separate the two lefties.
 
Santiago had a 2.98 ERA in the 2nd half. He was better as a reliever (0.00 ERA), but as a starter once he regained his spot in early June, he had a 3.58 ERA  the rest of the way. Everyone is going to have a frustrating start once in a while, but a 3.58 ERA is right in line with his career mark. He's just about to be 27. I think he'll be that guy going forward. In 2016, there will be many choices (Skaggs back, Heaney, and Tropeano ready), but for 2015…Santiago has this spot unless someone takes it from him with an outright brilliant spring.
 
 
Also, let's not forget that Heaney, Tropeano, Rasmus, Alvarez all have options. That means that even with a brilliant spring, if everyone else is healthy, and the pen is set, then they end up in the Salt Lake rotation.

Wilson was good last year before he got hurt around the beginning of June. At the end of May he had a 3.05 ERA. After a bad start against Houston where he didn't make it out of the 3rd, he pitched an excellent game against the White Sox (1 Run in 7 IP). The Braves got him for 4 runs in 6 innings in his next start, then had an excellent start against the Indians (1 run in 7 IP). He either got hurt after this start, or in his next one, as in the next four starts he allowed 21 runs in 16 2/3 innings. That's an 11.34 ERA. He then went on the DL for a sprained ankle and returned a month later. CJ had never missed a start until this season. Even in with a couple of bad starts factored in, he had a 3.34 ERA before this run of 4 starts.
 
When he returned in the second half, it was clear he still wasn't healthy. His season should be split by the first fifteen starts, which was 99.67 innings and a 3.34 ERA (Just over 6 2/3 IP per start) and his second 16 starts, which is 51 ER in 76 innings. (just over 4 2/3 IP per start, 6.04 ERA).
 
It's not that he suddenly forgot how to pitch to such drastic results. He had an ankle issue, but there was something else going on, that he wasn't talking about.
 
And Santiago was excellent in the second half. He should've had the 3rd playoff start. In 12 starts and 3 relief appearances he had a 2.98 ERA. He had good months of June, July, August, and had one disaster of an outing in September, but was otherwise excellent. 
 
For a pitcher under the age of 25, I don't know what you are expecting. Both of these guys are legit pitchers. Wilson may be on the downside of his career, but Santiago definitely is on the way up. Richards had a 4.16 ERA in his third season, should we have cut ties with him before last year too? 

Wilson was good last year before he got hurt around the beginning of June. At the end of May he had a 3.05 ERA. After a bad start against Houston where he didn't make it out of the 3rd, he pitched an excellent game against the White Sox (1 Run in 7 IP). The Braves got him for 4 runs in 6 innings in his next start, then had an excellent start against the Indians (1 run in 7 IP). He either got hurt after this start, or in his next one, as in the next four starts he allowed 21 runs in 16 2/3 innings. That's an 11.34 ERA. He then went on the DL for a sprained ankle and returned a month later. CJ had never missed a start until this season. Even in with a couple of bad starts factored in, he had a 3.34 ERA before this run of 4 starts.
 
When he returned in the second half, it was clear he still wasn't healthy. His season should be split by the first fifteen starts, which was 99.67 innings and a 3.34 ERA (Just over 6 2/3 IP per start) and his second 16 starts, which is 51 ER in 76 innings. (just over 4 2/3 IP per start, 6.04 ERA).
 
It's not that he suddenly forgot how to pitch to such drastic results. He had an ankle issue, but there was something else going on, that he wasn't talking about.
 
And Santiago was excellent in the second half. He should've had the 3rd playoff start. In 12 starts and 3 relief appearances he had a 2.98 ERA. He had good months of June, July, August, and had one disaster of an outing in September, but was otherwise excellent. 
 
For a pitcher under the age of 25, I don't know what you are expecting. Both of these guys are legit pitchers. Wilson may be on the downside of his career, but Santiago definitely is on the way up. Richards had a 4.16 ERA in his third season, should we have cut ties with him before last year too? 

Overreacting to a playoff sweep is certainly par for the course. 
 
Yet a team that wins 98 games is not going to fire the manager, nor are they going to make major shakeups. They are going to try to position this team better for post season success, get healthy, and hope for better outcome in 2015.
 
Unlike in 2008 when the Angels had the best record in baseball at 100-62 and lost in the first round, the Angels don't have a lot of impending free agents or big decisions to make on prospects or even on arbitration eligible guys.
 
Where are the holes?
 
Trout needs to cut down on his strikeouts. That's certain. Hamilton needs to get healthy. If he can be the guy in April we saw, this lineup is deadly. Even if he does it in a streaky fashion. He's got 75+ on his contract, there's no way we eat or trade him. 
 
Freese hit much better after June 1 and is eligible for arbitration for the third time. Beckham is as well. They also have Grant Green and Luis Jimenez. What the 3B position looks like in ST is one question mark only because they have a lot of options.
 
They need to address the pen with Jason Grilli and Joe Thatcher as free agents. Is Mike Morin ready for a bigger role? Will Cam Bedrosian figure it out? Do they go after Free Agents left handed relievers like Duke or Miller? Not earth shattering opinions. I suppose they could swap Jepsen if they brought back one of their own free agents and signed a lefty. He's also eligible for arbitration for the third time.
 
At C, they could use a better defender. The Royals were able to steal at will. That's not okay in the playoffs. Iannetta is a serviceable catcher, but not a premium defender. Conger's offense never materialized and his defense is marginal, though he calls a good game. Is Russell Martin an upgrade that is worth pursuing? What is Iannetta worth in a trade? Another small question mark here. Martin had an excellent offensive season and is one of the best defenders even in his 30's. 
 
The Angels have five starters, something they couldn't say a year ago. And that's with Skaggs on the DL.
 
If Wilson gets back to form (clearly never right since his injury in June), Richards comes back on time, the Angels will again have a good rotation. If the Angels were to add a guy with solid but not elite numbers, would that be a bad thing? Remember that if they gave up their pick in the draft to sign an elite guy, it is the 30th pick in the first round, which is not like giving up a mid round pick. They could sign Lester without draft pick compensation, but that's not likely. Scherzer is pretty great, but is going to command high dollars. What about Santana or Liriano? There are others who could help stabilize the staff. Is this a good use of resources?
 
 
Finally the last position they need to address is DH. Scioscia likes veteran DH types, and with Pujols and Hamilton needing to get some "rest" at the DH spot, it would be better to have a veteran than a guy like Cron. Cron needs more time in the Minors. Navarro and Cowgill aren't long term solutions. Bringing back a guy like Torii Hunter would do wonders for the lineup and the clubhouse.   
Furthermore a guy like Hunter could help the batting order, by hitting 2nd, pushing Trout to 3rd and Pujols to 4th. 
 
RF Calhoun
DH/OF Hunter
CF Trout
1B/DH Pujols
 
2B Kendrick
3B Freese/Beckham
LF/DH Hamilton
C Iannetta/Martin/Conger SS Aybar
 
Overall though, health, maybe a few lineup tweaks, a Veteran upgrade or two, another 162 games and the Angels should be looking at another playoff series.
 
And the Angels should have the budget to do it.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I don't understand this trade from the A's point of view. Yeah they got a #1 starter type. Lester has been dominant at times this year, and it's a great rotation upgrade. 
 
For a rotation that was leading the AL in ERA. And 3rd in BAA. 
 
It sets them up for the playoffs well. Lester,Kazmir, Gray, Samardizja,…great playoff rotation. But is it that much better than Gray, Samardizja, Kazmir, Chavez? Is improving that third or fourth spot really worth one of your best hitters?
 
Also, defensively, in a big ballpark in Oakland, they just got significantly worse. Cespedes basically has been a fixture in left, while the other two OF spots featured Crisp, Reddick, Gentry and a host of other OF. They traded a fielder who has been great in left, for a guy who can't field in Gomes. They reacquired Fuld, ok, but he's got a good defensive reputation, but not a great one. And he's not been good for the Twins defensively. Crisp makes highlight reel catches, but has been really bad defensively this year. 
 
Next offensively, the A's lead the league in runs scored, 18 runs ahead of the Angels, but the actual stats don't say that they should be. I've stated this before, I don't know how they are doing it.
 
The A's have featured 87 different lineups in 107 games, so there has been relatively little consistency.
 
The main fixtures have been Crisp hitting first, Lowrie or Jaso second, and a 3-4-5 in some order of Cespedes, Moss, and Donaldson.
 
Crisp is hitting to a .789 OPS, Lowrie .681, Jaso .824. Then Cespedes at .767, Moss at .842 and Donaldson at .797. 
 
The bottom of the order looks really bad in Callaspo, Reddick, Sogard. Callaspo has a .614 OPS, Reddick is at .701 and Sogard is .513.
 
Derrick Norris is the best hitter on the A's but he's their catcher, and not playing everyday..because Vogt also is hitting the cover off the ball with a .951 OPS in a limited number of plate appearances.
 
So subtract Cespedes from the middle of the lineup and add Gomes to the mix? Gomes has better OBP than Cespedes, but it's almost exclusively against lefties as he has a .494 OPS against righties this year.
 
It's a huge blow to the middle of the lineup for the A's, plus a defensive negative, to improve their pitching staff, substantially. I don't think the risk is worth the reward going forward, but it is going to be a wild finish to the season.

I don't understand this trade from the A's point of view. Yeah they got a #1 starter type. Lester has been dominant at times this year, and it's a great rotation upgrade. 
 
For a rotation that was leading the AL in ERA. And 3rd in BAA. 
 
It sets them up for the playoffs well. Lester,Kazmir, Gray, Samardizja,…great playoff rotation. But is it that much better than Gray, Samardizja, Kazmir, Chavez? Is improving that third or fourth spot really worth one of your best hitters?
 
Also, defensively, in a big ballpark in Oakland, they just got significantly worse. Cespedes basically has been a fixture in left, while the other two OF spots featured Crisp, Reddick, Gentry and a host of other OF. They traded a fielder who has been great in left, for a guy who can't field in Gomes. They reacquired Fuld, ok, but he's got a good defensive reputation, but not a great one. And he's not been good for the Twins defensively. Crisp makes highlight reel catches, but has been really bad defensively this year. 
 
Next offensively, the A's lead the league in runs scored, 18 runs ahead of the Angels, but the actual stats don't say that they should be. I've stated this before, I don't know how they are doing it.
 
The A's have featured 87 different lineups in 107 games, so there has been relatively little consistency.
 
The main fixtures have been Crisp hitting first, Lowrie or Jaso second, and a 3-4-5 in some order of Cespedes, Moss, and Donaldson.
 
Crisp is hitting to a .789 OPS, Lowrie .681, Jaso .824. Then Cespedes at .767, Moss at .842 and Donaldson at .797. 
 
The bottom of the order looks really bad in Callaspo, Reddick, Sogard. Callaspo has a .614 OPS, Reddick is at .701 and Sogard is .513.
 
Derrick Norris is the best hitter on the A's but he's their catcher, and not playing everyday..because Vogt also is hitting the cover off the ball with a .951 OPS in a limited number of plate appearances.
 
So subtract Cespedes from the middle of the lineup and add Gomes to the mix? Gomes has better OBP than Cespedes, but it's almost exclusively against lefties as he has a .494 OPS against righties this year.
 
It's a huge blow to the middle of the lineup for the A's, plus a defensive negative, to improve their pitching staff, substantially. I don't think the risk is worth the reward going forward, but it is going to be a wild finish to the season.

Hubs, quit wasting blog articles in threads.

This would be Green's third full season at AAA.
 
He played 125 games there in 2012, 93 games there in 2013, and 25 games there so far this year. 
 
In 2012, in Sacramento….he hit .296 with a .796 OPS.
In 2013, in Sacramento and in SLC combined… he hit .326 with a .872 OPS.
In 2014, in SLC he's hit .365 with a .941 OPS.
 
He has nothing left to learn in the minors.
 
They went with Stewart over Green, not McDonald. Stewart can play 1st, McDonald and Green cannot.
 
In 40 games last year with us at 2B, he had 2 errors in 152 chances, for a .987 fielding pct.
 
He's passable in the minors at 2B and 3B, with fpct in the .960's range. At SS, he's below average, but that's why they've got McDonald. In the OF, he's been perfect.
 
I honestly feel though that he's going to get games in Anaheim all over the field. 
 
When he starts at 2B, Kendrick can play the OF, especially when CJ starts on the mound. When he starts at 3B, Freese can DH with Ibanez in LF. When he starts in LF, Shuck sits. When he starts as the DH, Ibanez can play the field or be on the bench.
 
He should play immediately against all lefties, whom he's killing in SLC. He's really Stewart's replacement going forward, except if they need a guy at 1st when Pujols DH's, it's not going to be Green, more likely Green would play 2nd and Howie would play 1st, or Ibanez plays 1st.
 
When Calhoun returns, it's less of an issue, but Green is a solid right handed option to figure into the mix, and he'll be fine in the OF, 2B, and 3B, and even as a RH platoon DH. Ibanez is 1 for 20 against lefties and Shuck is 1 for 17.
 
He has nothing left to learn against SLC pitching and should be up playing 3-4 days a week.

Well the Angels have started Grant Green in LF in 7 straight games.
 
I'm pretty sure he's coming up tomorrow. It's not like they want Jimmy Swift to get more PT at SS. 
 
Green had been doing very well from the reports I've received at SS. The move to LF is not only to make Green a better utility player, but to get his bat in our lineup ASAP since Shuck has been absolute poo at the plate. 

Would you rather have CC Lee?
He has not allowed any of his eight inherited runners to score.
He also has allowed five runs in 7 innings.
The most important skill for a reliever is not preventing inherited runners from scoring. It is, as it is with every pitcher, getting hitters out. If you do that, you'll also prevent inherited runners from scoring. If you're somehow doing one but not the other, like Salas, it's a fluke that will correct itself.

And schuck should be given a one-way ticket to Salt Lake. He has no business on a major league roster.

I sure wouldn't know it by some of the posts/threads I've read.
Good teams win these suck ass type affairs where the starting pitcher poops in the 6th inning, the bullpen walks a few guys and the offense fails to deliver with RISP.
LTBU bitches!

Devon White is #1 hands down. Good routes, fast as a gazelle, very strong arm and stole a ton of would be HR's.
Erstad, Bourjos, Pettis, Edmonds and Trout.

Why?
 
I simply don't get this. Shuck isn't hitting. Cowgill is hitting. 
 
If it's the righty-lefty thing, I'll just point out that Cowgill has a .286 BA against both righties and lefties. He has a 1.018 OPS against righties and a .824 OPS against lefties.
 
Shuck has a .537 OPS against righties and a .170 OPS against lefties. THAT's OPS not batting average. He's slugging .059 against lefties. 
 
Cowgill should start every day in RF. Until Calhoun returns healthy.
 
And as for LF….Until Hamilton is back...
 
Matt Long isn't doing great in SLC, but he's doing better than Shuck. Shuck isn't a great defender, so if they don't bring up Long and his .738 OPS this year than I should remind everyone that...
 
Grant Green is killing the ball. .968 OPS. He can play 2nd, SS, 3rd, and can probably play the OF. 
 
CJ Cron is killing the ball. .979 OPS….strictly a 1B or DH, but yeah, killing the ball.
 
I'd rather see Green or Cron up, with Ibanez or Kendrick playing the OF, than Shuck continue to get starts every day.
 
Cron as the DH, or at 1st, with Pujols the DH, and Ibanez in the OF is preferable to Shuck. And I know Ibanez isn't hitting, but he's going to be in the lineup most days anyway. This way they get Cron or Green in there instead of Shuck…and that's a win win.
 
 
 

Grant Green with another error-free game in LF in AAA tonight. Batting .372 with an incredible .960 OPS and 26 RBI. Needs to replace JB, STAT!

I think regardless of what the stats show, the Halos are going with Shuck everyday and a cowgill platoon vs. lefties. 
 
Shuck is pretty bad.  I'd rather see Green, Long, Cron or just about anyone else.  I have never been a big fan of Shuck even when he was supposedly capable last year. 

Why?
 
I simply don't get this. Shuck isn't hitting. Cowgill is hitting. 
 
If it's the righty-lefty thing, I'll just point out that Cowgill has a .286 BA against both righties and lefties. He has a 1.018 OPS against righties and a .824 OPS against lefties.
 
Shuck has a .537 OPS against righties and a .170 OPS against lefties. THAT's OPS not batting average. He's slugging .059 against lefties. 
 
Cowgill should start every day in RF. Until Calhoun returns healthy.
 
And as for LF….Until Hamilton is back...
 
Matt Long isn't doing great in SLC, but he's doing better than Shuck. Shuck isn't a great defender, so if they don't bring up Long and his .738 OPS this year than I should remind everyone that...
 
Grant Green is killing the ball. .968 OPS. He can play 2nd, SS, 3rd, and can probably play the OF. 
 
CJ Cron is killing the ball. .979 OPS….strictly a 1B or DH, but yeah, killing the ball.
 
I'd rather see Green or Cron up, with Ibanez or Kendrick playing the OF, than Shuck continue to get starts every day.
 
Cron as the DH, or at 1st, with Pujols the DH, and Ibanez in the OF is preferable to Shuck. And I know Ibanez isn't hitting, but he's going to be in the lineup most days anyway. This way they get Cron or Green in there instead of Shuck…and that's a win win.
 
 
 

Why?
 
I simply don't get this. Shuck isn't hitting. Cowgill is hitting. 
 
If it's the righty-lefty thing, I'll just point out that Cowgill has a .286 BA against both righties and lefties. He has a 1.018 OPS against righties and a .824 OPS against lefties.
 
Shuck has a .537 OPS against righties and a .170 OPS against lefties. THAT's OPS not batting average. He's slugging .059 against lefties. 
 
Cowgill should start every day in RF. Until Calhoun returns healthy.
 
And as for LF….Until Hamilton is back...
 
Matt Long isn't doing great in SLC, but he's doing better than Shuck. Shuck isn't a great defender, so if they don't bring up Long and his .738 OPS this year than I should remind everyone that...
 
Grant Green is killing the ball. .968 OPS. He can play 2nd, SS, 3rd, and can probably play the OF. 
 
CJ Cron is killing the ball. .979 OPS….strictly a 1B or DH, but yeah, killing the ball.
 
I'd rather see Green or Cron up, with Ibanez or Kendrick playing the OF, than Shuck continue to get starts every day.
 
Cron as the DH, or at 1st, with Pujols the DH, and Ibanez in the OF is preferable to Shuck. And I know Ibanez isn't hitting, but he's going to be in the lineup most days anyway. This way they get Cron or Green in there instead of Shuck…and that's a win win.
 
 
 

SP has been the topic of contention in the offseason. The starters have been pretty decent actually, 9 QS in 20 games.
A few of the other starts have been good starts, but don't meet the QS criteria.