Mark PT

34 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

One contact point? What?

Could the Angels do better than Calhoun? Of course. But they could do better at about 24 of their roster spots. You have to prioritize, and they have much bigger problems than him, and they used their resources to try to improve those. Also, the guy who may be their next franchise player plays his position, so that’s even more reason to just leave it alone. 

Of course, I agree there are more pressing priorities for this team but that was not the point of the discussion. One contact point means he can not hit the ball to the left side. He tries, at times, but fails more often than not. I, personally, am a fan of Calhoun. He is high energy, great defense, and a good teammate (as far as I've heard). I just think he can hit and would look to replace him when other issues are resolved.

Just now, Jeff Fletcher said:

You have unrealistic expectations then. 

No, I just feel you look for upgrades. I said you keep him while shorthanded. But Calhoun has tremendously poor at bats. He has one contact point while batting. 

Just now, Jeff Fletcher said:

Do you know what the major league average is right now?

It’s .245.

Great, you still dont keep a .240 hitter unless there are no other options. 

2 hours ago, totdprods said:

He’s a prime example of how people can get caught up on batting average still. I don’t think it’s ever going to recover for him. He’s a .240 hitter at best for the rest of his career, I’d imagine. 

The power has really kept him afloat - if he can keep drawing walks he will have embraced the three true outcome approach and might be solid still, but the power and walks will need to stay consistent, and he hasn’t been able to keep either consistent for years now. 

May will be a big month for him. He and Goodwin will be playing for their role once Upton returns. 

I dont think you keep a .240 hitter in your lineup other than at a platoon roll ever. Should always be looking to upgrade those player. I understand they are currently shorthanded.

On 1/24/2019 at 2:56 PM, eligrba said:

How can a round bat hit a round ball squarely? 

Is that you Yogi?

On 3/19/2019 at 11:37 AM, jgimondo said:

If you sign him after the draft you will not lose the pick!

Too many years on that deal. Sounds like CJ Wilson to me. 

1 hour ago, Angel Oracle said:

What is different about Heaney's injury this time vs a year ago?   Seems that he missed very little time a year ago, and now it will be two months when he returns?   I guess the bright side is that he will be limited to about 130 innings in 2019, which is what he should have been limited to in 2018, given the lack of innings in 2016/2017.   

Speaking without directly knowing if his injuries are the same, I have to believe he will have arm and shoulder problems his whole career because his mechanics suck. He is all arm no legs or back. 

7 minutes ago, True Grich said:

Eppler signed Cozart.  He also brought back Bourjos. The contracts to Harvey ($11 mil) and Cahill ($9 mil) aren't small potatoes. He's moving the future of the team in the right direction - but he's not without fault in the process - especially for this year's squad.  He also hired Ausmus... and time will tell if that was a good thing. 

I agree with all your points but I still think that overall, the growth in the minor league will overcome these weak signings. Plus these will be off the books soon enough. I dont mind Bourjos so much because if Upton is back and they can replace Calhoun with Goodwin, then Bourjos isnt that bad as a fill in or even a pinch runner.

1 hour ago, True Grich said:

I think Angel fans have every single stinking right to be angry and feel like there isn't any light at the end of the tunnel.  There isn't a single starting pitcher who give us any confidence what-so-ever.  Not a single one.  Seeing the team give up runs early night after night is just demoralizing.  Then watching late inning come backs fall short - adds to the frustration.

Adding to the misery is the fact that Houston is still a very, very good team.  Seattle is exceeding expectations and that doesn't help matters either - especially when you just watched your team lose 3 out of 4 (plus the two earlier in the season).

The hole is getting deeper and darker.  This sucks.  It blows. 

I still go to games and will continue to go to games, but it's getting easier and easier to find reasons not to.   Baseball is supposed to be fun.  This brand of baseball is hard to stomach.  I have season tickets... I'd like to get my money's worth out of having them. I feel like I'm wasting my time and my money.  I don't like it. 

It all adds up. The lousy pitching.  The poor hitting.  The stupid mistakes in the field by guys like La Stella and Bour.  The questionable decisions by Ausmus , etc. 

For 19 years - we were used to a certain style of Angels baseball. When it was going good - there was aggressive base running.  There was solid fundamental defense. They forced the issue on the bases.  They did the most with the talent they had.  They frequently out performed projections - or at least I thought they did.  This team looks like it's falling into the abyss.

It's on Eppler. It's on Ausmus.  It's on Arte Moreno. 

Last night's dismal crowd was shocking to see.  It was like we were back in the 70's and 80's when people didn't show up and those that did - were there to root for the other team. 

I agree with everything except the insinuation that this is Eppler's fault. I think he has done a great job so far. They were, what, last in all of baseball in minor league talent and in 2 years now rank in the top 10. This takes time. The Angels are still hampered by the Josh Hamilton and Pujols deals and traded much of their talent in the early 2010s. They have assembled a good bullpen, with some exceptions. They need to get Calhoun, Cozart, and Puljos  out of the lineup and bring up youth. 

1 hour ago, Angel Oracle said:

Bedrosian is one that you always wonder when he gets into a groove, how short of a time is it for.       Other than his 2016 season, he has never put it together at this level.

Because he has no control of any of his pitches. He is wild. His fastball is extremely straight and his curve is either in the dirt or down the middle. Never learned how to pitch.

Calhoun is done, period. He has one and only one contact point when up at the plate and that is way out in front. He can only pull the ball. Should have seen this 2 years ago when they may have been able to acquire some assets for him. Now, no one will trade for this guy. Absolutely worthless. 

13 hours ago, Troll Daddy said:

What do you suggest Eppler should do?

Nothing he can do at the moment. He has been doing a great job so far. IT took him just 2 years to elevate the worst minor league system to what the 5 th best. It will take him a while to replace the starting staff.

On 4/14/2019 at 12:54 PM, Angelsjunky said:

Trades aren't necessarily "won" or "lost" because sometimes both teams "win" (or lose).

As for whether or not Simmons is and will be worth more, that remains to be seen. Right now, yes, Simmons has been significantly more valuable. But let's check back in five years. But it is hard to see this ever looking bad for the Angels, unless Newcomb becomes a CY winner.

Not sure why Newcomb was sent down - he had one bad start.

This is either a clear win for the Angels or potentially for both. The Angels got a young SS who bats 275-300 and is dead solid defensively. This solidifies this position for 10 years. I think he is the best SS the Angels have ever had. 

12 hours ago, rottiesworld said:

Well it's not the Gallo. It could be anyone when they are facing fucked up pitching. I don't know why they love Cam so much, butt duty I guess. He sucks so bad and I just don't understand why they keep him. It is time to release him once and for all.

He has so much potential but cant locate his pitches, any of them, his fastball has no movement whatsoever, and the only place he can throw his curve ball is down the middle.

Nolan Ryan and Frank Tanna easily for me. These were my idols as a kid.

The year we finally have a bullpen that can pitch 4-5 shutout innings, our starting pitching will fail 

Its because he has not had one good at bat this season. He needs to be sent down to figure out the zone and his swing.

16 minutes ago, Blarg said:

So what is it like to be legally blind? 

I assume you are talking to me. Well my blindness resolved after retiring from umpiring and I am a fully functional Angel fanatic.

Hello everyone. My name is Mark. I am a physical therapist. Went to Brinkman-Froeming Umpire school in 1996. Umpired in Div 1 baseball for 1 year along with Div II and III for 5 years before going to grad school. Always been a huge Angels fan and look forward to a good season.