disarcina

he may not have had interest in playing for the Halos again. oh well. not sure why - I guess the relationship went south somewhere. I sure enjoyed watching him play SS.

the alternative seems to be Fletcher at SS and Rengifo at 2B or vice versa. Unless Fletcher is measurably better at SS - I'd leave Fletcher at 2B where he played pretty well last season. "If it ain't broke........"

What did Adrelton Simmons get for his one year deal with the Chicago Cubs? We couldn't match that? Still one of the best defensive SS's in Halos history. how many gold gloves have we had there? not many -- Did Fregosi ever win a gold glove? not sure. I know that DiSar did not. Orlando Cabrera won a gold glove with us - I thought he was great -- but Simmons took it to a whole new level -- the SS position is important and leader of the infield -- I know Simmons had some issues that were revealed after he left the Halos -- but both for Atlanta and for us - he was spectacular in the field and provided leadership just be his stellar play at SS. Didn't really follow him much with Minnesota -- sort of a lost year - but assume he was stellar there as well. Simmons also hit pretty well as a Halo -- hated to see him leave the Halos.

Yes it is. GEEZ. Oh well. Probably a good year for an 'unimpressive list' of ST invites because with the shortened ST, going to be tough to give everyone enough ABs, IPs and playing time,

Baseball is back so it's time to get ready for 2022. We have a fantasy baseball league through ESPN that was started through this AngelsWin. com board way back when it was on ESPN. it's an 8 team league -- it is designed for fans who want to play Fantasy League Baseball but do not allow it to take over their lives 24/7 as sometimes happen. what this means is we have a roto pick draft (I think its called a snake draft and if team owners want to participate when the draft is held - as in a live draft -- you can do so -- but there's no requirement that you be available on your computer at any given time. Most of us in this league simply are too busy to commit to being on one place at the same time on draft day -- so we do the roto/ snake draft option. This means you can participate , pick and change line ups - but can do so with as little as five minutes time per day or every three to five days as you can set your line up for the coming week. There is ONE spot open. There is NO COST to join. The BIG WINNER's PRIZE is BRAGGING RIGHTS. Also - it's a KEEPER LEAGUE - and as the league commissioner I have picked the KEEPERS (Five of them) for the team you would be getting -- if you sign up before the upcoming draft, you would be able to modify and change the Keepers that have been selected for your team. so it's fantasy league baseball that allows you to be more connected to the season and follow all players without taking over your life 24/7 (Believe me, it happens to some folks). Anyway - if you're interested -please e-mail me tj.staffel@comcast.net we do make one very important/ qualifier - if you want to join us - GREAT - but we ask that if you do request to be the new team owner in our league that you commit to playing all the way through to the final game of the regular season. What happens sometimes is a team owner feels they are out of contention and just quit making like up changes on a regular basis and just quit participating,. The way the scoring works each team's standing/ points impacts every other team in the standings - so please play right to the final out of the season. If you want IN, e-mail me.

Remember back when in the good old days when the baseball post season was limited to the best teams - Division winners etc. and that some of us used to laugh at the NHL and the way they played all season and then half the league made the playoffs? well, the NHL has cleaned up their act and fewer teams make the playoffs in terms of percentage of teams in the league vs. playoff spots. Now MLB appears to be going the way of the past NHL practice. Heck, by the time this lock out stuff is over - we might end up with a 30 team style March Madness season -- might actually generate more interest -- a two month March Madness format -- a lot of teams would go home after week one -- might have to incorporate a loser's bracket where teams could climb back into the elite eight or final four by running the table after their first series loss..... crazy? sure - but not much nuttier than stuff they're actually discussing. I think MLB implodes this year. When the NHL had their lock out / work stoppage issues they lost their national NBC contract and it took several years to get back on network TV again with a lot of lost revenue in the intervening years -- MLB take note -- that's where you're headed.

just read a Manfred post on another site with the 'negotiations' update including details of the owner's offer which provides some concessions. obviously the financial stuff is front and center -- the 'rule change' stuff which seems to be just a bargaining chip for the owners to cave on some NON-financial issue as a 'concession' includes the DH in the NL (already bargained away by MLB into the deal -- and now 'outlawing shifts'-- while these 'rule changes' are mere bargaining chips for Owners and MLBPA to trade off from -- they are probably key issues for the fans. I cannot imagine 'outlawing the shift' in MLB -- why can't hitters just learn to hit to the opposite field and BEAT the shift. Drive in a winning run - perhaps twice will do it -- with that - and teams using the 'shift' on defense would think twice. I guess that did it in the NBA outlawing zone defense -- never made sense to me there either. Let teams play and defend how they wish -- in any sport -- work up an offense / play that beats the shift.

Looks like a delay to the season. My take is that if it got to this point -- and now it has -- the delay is going to be a lot longer than just two series or two weeks. I think we're looking at starting the season in mid-May to June. By that point, the players - especially the 90 percent of them who are not set for life - will start to crack. Some of these players straight out of high school, with limited to no further education or working skills other than playing baseball may discover that there's a real difference between the MLB world and the regular real work a day world.

Pegged my demographic correctly -- just list me as a member of the Dinosaur's Club. Used to get three daily (physical) newspapers delivered - now down to ONE. Still love the feel and smell of fresh newsprint. I'm a journalism grad who used to be a daily news guy - old habits die hard or in my case, not at all -- something about old dogs and new tricks.

TANK - I would like to join other ANGELSWIN.COM members in expressing appreciation and thanks to JEFF FLETCHER for taking the time to address and interact with these middle-schoolers. I think that's just great and the fact that it all came to happen because of the ANGELSWIN.COM connection is even better. TANK/ FLETCH - JOB WELL DONE. Thank you. My question to the students: how many here have a daily newspaper delivered to your home? And let's break that down - 1. actual paper delivered to your drive way ? 2. On-line version accessed by computer? How many of you read, see, review a daily paper on a regular basis?

I think once Arte gets the Stadium issue resolved once and for all -- and he was close to doing that until the State of California got involved. But once that happens - and the MLBPA's new collective bargaining contract gets finalized (hopefully without a delayed season start) -- then it would make sense, How old is Arte these days? He's getting up there in age and has owned the club for about 15 years now -- the thing that finally got the O'Malley's to sell the Dodgers was estate planning and tax issues - that's likely going to be an issue for Arte and his family as well. Arte has clearly increased the value of the franchise -- some won't like to hear this - but the re-naming or proabably better characterized as the 're-claiming' of the Los Angeles team name is IMO a large part of increased value of the team. Everyone recognizes Los Angeles and has familiarity with it -- not so much Anaheim. At some point, also, Arte has to get tired as a almost 'sole proprietor' competing against mega corporations that own teams. Arte has been great for the Angels overall - but I'm sure the new shine of owning a team has worn off and if he could make a fortune from selling the team and concentrating on real estate development - the Platinum Triangle or whatever they call the Angel Stadium area - and other real estate ventures -- that would probably work out fine for him and his family. Unfortunately , right now, today - in the middle of a lockout with a delay to the regular season and a near cancellation of Spring Training -- not too sure if many real investors will want to step into the MLB quagmire until the new collective bargaining agreement is signed, the lock out ended and the season has started on time and without a hitch. Oh, and then there's that COVID-19 pandemic thing.

Peter Bourjos had a pretty good run with us for about two to three seasons -- he was amazing in CF and quick on the base paths. Bourjos was a fun player to watch and root for. His second stint with the Angels was probably a nostalgic type mistake - but he did do well in Spring Training that year before fizzling out - I think - before mid-season. Trumbo had some power and had his moments as a Halo - the roster was congested with DH/1B types and he wasn't really great in the field in the OF. And, YES, Trumbo seemed to strike out a bunch. He got moved and I think did well with his new team. So I think you can re-evaluate the 'drastic under-estimation' of those two -- they helped the Halos during their time here. Also - what you're seeing here is the current day MLB roster/ payroll situation as well. Players don't remain with one team for years as in bygone days. Any player reaching 'veteran' type status with increasing salary to match becomes very expendable - if they're bench depth guys AND if they are not producing NOW ('what have you done for me lately?') That's just the economics of MLB today a trend which will only continue to accelerate after the current MLBPA contract is finally agreed upon - whenever that may be -- gone in MLB is that "John Havlichek" (using NBA sixth man example) depth guy who really makes a difference. In MLB - it's often a MIF slick glove guy or a key pen depth pre-set up guy who can also do long relief and perhaps spot start -- usually veteran players who have been around and really add to the experience of the team and can be a positive clubhouse influence. These days - those guys are gone -- the club would rather have a younger player, perhaps just out of college ball to take that roster spot and be paid the major league minimum (which the MLBPA now is asking to be about $750,000 a year - that's some minimum). Today's players need to make their mark and produce or they're gone. Teams far less willing to pay for 'past performance' for fan favorite veteran -- and that 'fan favorite' veteran these days may have been with the team perhaps only 3-4 years -- the roster turnover year to year is incredible and also IMO, something that is impacting the game's popularity and a cause for concern. As for prospects -- the Angels future may have been cast years ago when they 'won' the Baby Bonus (remember those days? -- before the amateur draft) and sign Rick Reichardt to a then just 'unheard of' $200,000 bonus without having played a single game of pro ball. Reichardt was billed to be the next Mantle etc. and hyped up big time (nothing like the social media/ instant access stuff of today) - he had a decent Halos career and later with the White Sox - he also played with an injury that wasn't fully disclosed/ known about until his playing days were over -- but he had a pretty good overall MLB career -- but never fulfilled the hype as the game's 'next superstar' when he first signed as a multi-sport guy out of, I think, Wisconsin.

This is a great career move for Jose Mota. I am happy for him -- it's unfortunate he's leaving the Halos after 20 years but I don't think our fan base appreciated what he brought to the franchise. I always liked Mota - of course - I remember well and was a huge fan of his farther, Manny Mota - who was a Dodger fan favorite for years as a player, coach and now in a front office PR "Ambassador" type role. This bring Jose to the franchise his father has been associated with for decades and was a very very popular player - a clutch hitting pinch hitter who once (and may still) held the NL record for all time pinch hits. His being activated during the September stretch one year after spending the year as a coach -and coming up with run scoring, tie breaking pinch-hit base hits against Houston his first two appearances is stuff of legend. Everyone liked Manny Mota -- just a nice guy with a great attitude and a very good ballplayer (who actually had some very good seasons with Pittsburgh playing alongside players like the great Roberto Clemente) And now Jose Mota is well positioned to take over Jaimie Jarrin's primary broadcaster role in Los Angeles - Jarrin is the Spanish language version of Vin Scully and is as popular with the Spanish language audience that Scully was for the Dodgers. I think this is great for Jose Mota -- who is still fairly young and can have a long run with the Dodgers in a role that has only gotten more important. I wish him well and am very happy to see him get this opportunity. He'll do great and be very well received. I hope he interviews his father as the first TV interview on the job -- that would be a keeper.

Congrats CHUCK kind of late to the announcement here but not a lot of baseball news going on now and probably not much for a while now according to how the negotiations are going at this time. I have family out that way (about an hour south of Nashville) and may look to finding a place out there at some point. And YES -- policies and taxes on the Left Coast has reached ridiculous levels - folks are definitely voting with their feet.

Brandon Wood was touted as a super star. not quite.

can't remember the exact deal - but did not like losing Sean Rodriguez

Unfortunate. Rod Carew was a great Halo. Yes, he went into the HOF as a Minnesota -- and that's correct IMO -- but he's still a Halo great. A great player -- but sort of has a rep as being kind of prickly. Not sure what role he would play with the Halos other than some PR type appearances. If he has more of a player development or scouting role with Minnesota involving club operations -- it's probably a conflict for him to do much more than a few PR type public appearances each year. And he can do that without having an official role with the franchise., Oh well, great player, great Halo - like all 'families' sometimes things get complicated and relationships strained.

Fleury wins !! Video tribute (about a minute long) very nice but thought Fleury deserved more. All the pre-game build top stories about Fleury's return just seemed to re-ignite the ridiculousness of that entire trade and the way the ownership/management handled it. Marc Andre Fleury displayed his trademark humor and class act throughout the return visit - refused to play the bitter spurned player - which if any player had the right to do - probably him -- how many players in pro sports get to become the FIRST real 'face of the franchise' player for the FIRST professional sports team in their town, be an expansion team that has a break out playoff run the initial season, is a contender from the first day of the franchise and has repeat contending years, playoff runs where the player gets named the top at his position (goalie) in the league -- that's Fleury. He literally got salary dumped for a bucket used pucks. That's no way to treat a future (500 wins in goal now ! - a milestone that should have occurred in a familiar VGK #29 jersey) Hall of Fame, Franchise player. Glad he won Saturday night. VGK scene at T Moble is truly IMO one of the best sports fan experiences available today -- my son and his wife live in Vegas and have been VGK / Fleury fans since DAY ONE. The TV coverage did not do justice to the love and respect the VGK nation showed Fleury Saturday night . He certainly has earned that respect. Just can't stand to see him in a Hawks jersey with a team that's in a re-building mode that will last probably through the end of Fleury's career --

Well, maybe - but then there's seemingly no rush right now -- MLB lock out has stalled all baseball activity - so it seems. Hey - Vegas Halo Fan -- speaking of Las Vegas professional sports -- big game coming up Saturday January 8 at T-Mobile Arena (if COVID variant stuff does not cancel it out) -- Marc Andre Fleury returns to Las Vegas against the Golden Knights for the first time since that horrible - right after the playoffs trade - to the Chicago Blackhawks. Fleury still beloved in Vegas -- was really their first pro franchise 'face of the franchise' star guy. I hope the game does not get cancelled. Golden Knights fans are great loyal fan base -- going to a game there is an event in itself. I think Vegas could bring a similar fanbase to the A's -- major upgrade. On Saturday night - expect a lot of VGK No. 29 Fleury jerseys and lot of cheering for the opposing team's goaltender.

11th hour deal with Oakland ? It's been more like 11 years - actually more like 30 -- the Oakland Coliseum Commission isn't exactly known for quick, decisive decision making -- Las Vegas ? If the A's commit, the Tropicana site would be imploded and ball park built in break neck speed - the A's might have to play in the far too small (but truly a great minor league ballpark) new AAA park in Summerlin for the first year-- but they would sell out every night - draw more there than in Oakland now -- the Cleveland GUARDIANS are supposed to play two weekend Spring Training games there vs. the A's in mid-March, 2022 (if not wiped out by the lock out) and no doubt those games will be standing room only.

you want to see a municipal government make things happen ?-- if the A's commit to Las Vegas -- Las Vegas would accommodate them - the Tropicana site would be imploded and a ball park built -- traffic would be a nightmare -- but the A's would draw better than they do now and the luxury boxes would be sold out from day one.

well - this post is responding to a comment about what a rip off the apparently state nixed deal is for the citizens of Anaheim. I agree with Stadling's response -- look -- they've been trying to develop the so-called/ dubbed Platinum Triangle forever without success -- I have not been down by Katella and State College Blvd. recently -- but I do know they finally developed some condo housing units on State College Blvd. which, in theory - should help some of the proposed retail area to pencil out better -- but Arte's deal with Anaheim gets that retail development done, provides some additional housing and keeps the Angels in Anaheim for 50 years plus. To me - that's a win -- and City of Anaheim previously voted for such an agreement, pulled it back, and now it's back and probably better than the prior agreement for the City. The State has come in and gummed this up -- the Housing Agency -- which is now blocking the best chance for new housing units on a site that's been snake-bit from a development standpoint for years - and as Stradling says -- the City's fallback position would be to sell to Disney -- oh well.

well - at this point at least - you can't point the finger at the City of Anaheim -- after a bad start they course corrected and provided Arte and the Angels franchise with a proposal that works for everyone -- except I guess the bureaucrats in Sacramento. City of Anaheim got it done - only for the bureaucrats to rip it away. Arte & the Angels ? They are dealing with economic reality in an uncertain world - they can't wait around for the bureaucrats to get educated on project financing and how investment works....... Anaheim residents should be really upset with Sacramento over all this.

exactly my response. need to place one of the poll answers to match what Lou has posted here.