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Nostalgically, I'd say: Nolan Ryan Bert Blyleven Mike Witt Jered Weaver Mark Langston

You should read the FanGraphs article I posted up in the other thread about the umpire last night. I think Blanton took advantage of the expanded strike zone.

It is fairly low for a starter. If you throw in that "cutter" he still is only throwing his fastballs at about a 43% clip which is still somewhat low. Jered Weaver has a variety of pitches but he still throws his fastballs at about a 58% rate. I guess we should just be happy he's not throwing it more right?

Maybe you're right but I don't see why we couldn't simply explain it to him up front? "Hey Jason we're gonna trade you for a prospect or two but we'd love to resign you in the offseason?" In the end it's the front office having some sort of conversation with Vargas about what he would like.

Sunk cost. As Angels fans we should be quite familiar with this term over the last few years.

Ummmm.... but every player, whether good or bad, started out as a prospect?

Someone may have already said this but why not trade him and then resign him as a free agent? **** Edit: IP did say this **** Best of both worlds if we get him at a fair price? He did go to Long Beach State so I have to imagine he probably likes the area?

Interesting article on the umpire of last nights game. Points to how Blanton excelled last night and why Hamilton did even worse than he normally does: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/why-does-john-hirschbeck-hate-left-handers To boil it down the home plate umpire, Mr. Hirschbeck, expands the strike zone significantly when left-handed hitters are at the plate. Seattle had a left-handed heavy lineup in against Blanton and he exploited that weakness. They also exploited Hamilton even moreso than usual.

I'd be interested.

I don't think it is just the offseason since he is hosing his spot in the lineup?

Give the thread time to simmer.... I'm guessing three (or is it just '3'?) more pages?

HD TV = A Higher Power Definition?

Ouch.

Wheter you buy into BABIP or not, Josh is currently 78 points below his career average BABIP for 2013. Combine this with his troubles on off-speed stuff (did you notice that he was thrown several change ups the other night and whiffed on quite a few of them).and you have the product you currently see on the field. I think we have a chance to see a closer version of the 2012 Hamilton one of these days if he can make some hitting adjustments to sliders, two-seam, and change ups.

Ervin's 2012 season sucked. He throws a HIGH amount of sliders and studies have shown that pitchers who throw 30% or more sliders and show a velocity drop have a high probability of an arm injury in the near future. I don't think it was a bad idea to dump him in principle. I like Ervin and wish him well but there were real reasons that decision was made. Of course Ervin is making them look bad now but oh well?

He's the clubbing leader right?

Not sure why you would think or say that? As of last year the Angels were one of the few clubs in MLB that had ZERO debt?

Angelswin.com: Where we love to talk about how we are royally screwed!

Yeah I think with the big league club pitching woes there is too much being read into this. I applaud the front office for trying a lot of our Minor league arms out in starter roles to see if they stick but this is a case of "I'll believe it when I see it".

I heard the same talk about Jered Weaver. Nothing is set in stone and we certainly don't know how Mike Trout feels so this is all pointless until he either stays or go's. Did we forget that his father was close to the scout that championed Trout to the Angels and also had Mike sign for slot pretty damn fast (since Mike wanted to play so badly too)? We really seem to be making a mountain out of a mole hill. Southern California is a great place to play and live and there is no readily available reason that Trout, like Weaver, wouldn't want to play here if we gave him the right contract that respected his abilities. I've said it before and I will say it again, give him a record breaking, very long-term contract and make him an Angel for life. Mike may have idolized Jeter growing up but there is no way that Mike will ever play with Derek considering their current ages and contracts so the Yankees angle doesn't fly to well either in my opinion. Yes Mike is from the East coast but there are a lot of people who move out to California and never look back.

Remember in WAR, the best defense is a good offense. In answer to the question I think he has not been mentally as sharp this season on both sides of the game. He is still young and doesn't always take the best routes to the ball but his speed sometimes makes up for that small error. I really think he is not as mentally focused, period. He may be taking the burden of the teams performance on his shoulders unnecessarily and may be "pressing" as S-C-I-O-S-C-I-A likes to say.

Pete Out in Center M H D and Lou say '12! Jump Peter, Fly High!

One scenario for this offseason might be the Yankees. If Lindsey does show enough maturity and ability to play and hit in the Majors, there is an outside possibility that Cano doesn't resign with the Yankees (we are talking about another potential $200 million contract for a player who is 31 years old and embroiled in the Biogenesis scandal) and the Skanks might want to trade for Kendrick (who has done extremely well in Yankee stadium over his career). In that scenario we might ask for a couple of prospects like Gary Sanchez and Jose Campos or some other combination that makes sense for us?

Scott is right about Howie. Unless we get a magnificent offer he won't be traded until this offseason at the earliest (and probably not until after 2014 in all likelihood). Lindsey is developing some power this season but Scott is correct in getting him up for a cup of coffee to see how he fares so that the front office can get a better idea of their options. I really don't see Trumbo going anywhere but I do agree that our younger players should get September calls and some regular playing time to showcase their talents for eventual spots on the big league club or for possible trades for pieces we do need.

Actually this is a great idea! I sent a request off to NotGraphs as they love to create and post these types of things on their web site.