Angelsjunky

I said it in the offseason and I'll say it again: Trout is likely to regress this year, but it will be regressing from "godlike" to "awesome but mortal." I'm expecting something around .300/.850-.900 with 25 HR and 40 SB this year, and improvement next year. I've heard some fans predict ridiculous lines like .340 with 40 HR and 60 SB and I just have to shake my head. I mean it could happen but why expect that? Its almost unfair for the poor kid. Give him a chance to be mortal.

I never made it past little league, but thanks Vern, I appreciate the sentiment.

Sure. Blanton's WHIP?

2.00 WHIP through six innings. Great stuff.

But, but, but...Howie was a future batting champion.

At least if Blanton gets bombed (again), the decision to put him long relief when Weaver gets back and keep Richards in the rotation will be that much easier to make.

Reveille84, it doesn't have to be either/or. There's a big difference between playing every day in the field and sitting on the bench coming to the plate and (hopefully) running the bases four times a game. Not to mention that if Pujols gets on late in the game he can be pinch-run for. So we're really only talking about 4 times at bat and 0-4 times running the bases. Not being out in the field for nine innings should help and, if coupled with anti-inflammatories, will at least hopefully keep it from getting worse.

They already made a statement by sweeping the AL Champs. I agree with Chuck that taking 2 of 3 is enough to further it.

If I'm Jerry Dipoto I'm wondering WTF is wrong with this coaching staff and clubhouse that players frequently do better once they leave the team? Napoli, Wells, Santana especially so, but even Vlad to some extent. Dan Haren and Chone Figgins didn't, of course, so maybe this isn't true across the board. But you do have to wonder about Wells. I think it also points to just how important psychology is to the game. That said, he'll come back down to earth. I see him more as a .270, 30 HR hitter, not a .315, 35 HR type. He did the latter once or twice in his career but they were exceptions. When the Angels traded for him I hated it but thought he'd at least manage .270, 25-30 HR and only be another overpaid borderline star. Even though it was a bad trade at the time, no one could have foreseen how he played the last two years.

This is simple, really. As some have said, the best "cure" is rest. Pujols should not be playing 1B. He should be the full-time DH for the rest of the season and then, if need be, have surgery in the offseason (didn't know there was a surgery for it). Trumbo is not a bad first baseman. The question, though, is why is this a problem in April? Is this another case of a ballplayer being overly macho and trying to muscle through it? If there is a surgery for it, why didn't it happen back in November? Seems like Albert f-ed up on this one.

After a sweep of the AL Champs I think its safe to say the Angels are back.

Wells > Hamilton

I mean 1st.

I know it is only the 2nd inning, but it is nice outscoring the Tigers 17-1 so far in this series.

OK, there it is.

Now why wouldn't Trout try to steal here? Come on, Mikey, lets see those legs.

While glancing over the team stats at Baseball Reference I noticed a strange anomaly. Through 15 games the team is 9th in runs scored and tied for 7th in runs scored per game in the AL - just a bit below average in both. On the other hand, the team is 2nd in BA, 4th in both OPS and SLG, and 3rd in OPS+. Hopefully this will equalize in a positive way. The team should start scoring a lot more runs once they gel as an offense.

Chuck, relax. It isn't a real trade scenario. I'm just saying that I miss Torii's presence and expressing frustration at the comparative values per dollar: 5/$125MM for Hamilton 2/$26MM for Hunter Even if Hamilton out-hits Hunter--which I think he will--it likely won't be to such a degree that it makes that contract relative to what Torii would have likely agreed to to stay in Anaheim (2/$20MM?). I know you don't like WAR and other advanced metrics, but $125 million equates to 25-30 WAR in value. I have a hard time imagining that Hamilton will come close to earning that.

Since when has popular opinion inherently indicated truth?

MacNasty, I like the team on paper but it feels like the sum is less than the parts. The key quality of 2002, and many other World Series champs, is that the sum is MORE than the parts. I hope I'm proven wrong, but I think swapping Hunter for Hamilton epitomizes the "all-head, no-heart" approach Dipoto has taken.

I admit to being OK with letting Torii go, although I thought he deserved at least a one or two year offer and that he would have really helped the team staying for another year. I wasn't crazy about the Hamilton signing, although liked the idea of his bat in the lineup. That said, I'm really worried about him as an addition to the team. Hamilton started last year very hot but since about late May or June of last year he's been erratic at best. From all accounts he's a bit of a head-case (a fundamentalist and recovered drug addict...great combo there). I miss Torii. I miss his presence on the team, his heart. To be honest I'd happily trade Hamilton and his 5/$125MM contract for Torii and his 2/$26MM one. I still think that Hamilton will out-hit Torii this year, but it won't be close to worth his contract. This is another move that makes me question Dipoto's wisdom.

Cautiously optimistic.

I think ScottyA nailed it, including his emphasis on Lucho bringing something unexpected that helps the team do better. I do think he could surprise and steal 3B from Callaspo. But it comes down to how well he can adjust when pitchers start figuring him out. At best I think he could be a "Baby Beltre" - hit around .280 with 15-20 HR, 35+ 2B, an .800 OPS and very good defense, which would make him a very good player. But he could also struggle more and hit .250/.700 with 10-15 HR, which would still be decent enough to hold down 3B until Cowart is ready.

I don't get why Lowe is still on the team.

I'm going to be optimistic: That strikeout of Victor Martinez was the turning point of the year.