Erick McClendon

Shots fired

Maybe the agent through out the 17 mil a year to start the bidding war to involve more teams so the end result might be a higher avg salary then if he just negotiated with the big payroll teams.

BINGO. pretty obvious to the thinking humans

I hope the Yankees pay him 25 million a year and he pitches like Chan Ho Park. 

But he is not Korean. Sin Shoo Choo could though

I see the only things the Angels have that others don't is the chance to play with Trout and Pujols. Maybe also a very likeable owner.

Trout/Pujols/Hamilton. Stats star power for sure!!!

I also agree that Seattle or Texas could be attractive options with their Japanese pitchers. I know that if I was going to Japan, the presence of another American on a team would be a big factor. Just not sure Texas or Seattle has the money to make it happen.

he will have a translator anyway of Japanese decent

I've been critical of Dipoto, I wonder who the real JD is

 

The real JD is Jon Daniels. the GM that actually runs things in Texas..

It used to be you could say the season started when Wood and Prior went on the DL. So much talent and yet never realized.

No there were serious concerns with prior's delivery. he had that dreaded Inverted W style release.

Let's stop overrating MLB talent and underrating Japanese talent. Ichiro became a better player when he came to the bigs, as have many others. You can't pin down Tanaka as a #3, he could end up being just as good as Darvish or at the very least pretty close. 25 years old, no draft pick, great command (better than Darvish and Iwakuma), and the price of starting pitching is going to get even more expensive.

Smaller K-zone in MLB as well as more disciplined hitters. Darvish did not walk people in NPB either

And who's to say that Kershaw didn't get used more than normal in HS?

Didn't Tanaka's past two seasons surpass even Darvish at his best in Japan?

Different ball used last 2 years in Japan. Hitting numbers down across the board in Japan because of change. His numbers are not better

Kershaw: Age 25, pitched 1180 IP in the majors, 219 in the minors. 1399 overall (1400 IP basically).

 

Tanaka: Age 25, pitched 1315 IP in the majors, no minors because he started in the Nippoto league at 18 years old. 1315 IP overall.

Does not include the High School Tournaments where guys pitch every day sometimes in Japan. Darvish' father made sure his son was not overworked in HS..

Looking at the numbers, Choo may have high OBP but his OPS vs. LHP is horrible. Brian Kenny may  have a mancrush on Choo, but it will come back to bite Texas in the future.

Says the fan of a team with Josh hamilton and Albert Pujols 

What does that have to do with what he said?

Maybe the wrong quote copied. i was referring to the guy hat said that LAA won the silly, "off-season FA award" and we see how that worked out. It did not work after signing Pujols and CJ Wilson because the rest of the SP/RP staff was not strong

It sucks that he went to an AL West team, but I'm not going to lose sleep over this like some of you.

 

You still have to play the games and after two seasons in a row in which the Angels won a paper championship heading into the season, I'm done with predictions and over optimism. I think the Angels as of right now have a solid team and if they add another arm like Garza or someone close to Vargas, they'll be REALLY good.

 

That said, it all boils down to the if the Angels get off to a good start. If they do, I believe they'll be fine and in a good spot to compete all season long. I think that's all we can ask for as fans and what we should look toward.

Difference is that Texas has solid pitching. LAA did not

Texas was better than the Halos before making this move and while Choo is a good player(who kills the Angels), I don't think this is a good signing by Texas. Lots of years and money for a player like Choo IMO. Makes them better this year and probably next, but I'd be worried about the last 4 or so years of that deal

 

 

Dont think texas was worried about being better than the Angels. they wanna be better than Oakland and Detroit etc. its a move they needed to make to maximize they chances while guys like Darvish/Fielder and Beltre are still good players..Texas still have a good farm system but I think it makes sense to go for it the next few years

Oakland has gotten better this off-season. its between texas and oakland IMO. if hamilton and old-man Pujols show up then its a 3-team battle. Also yeah the Angels need AT LEAST 1 more starting pitcher. Maybe 2

Texas was better than the Halos before making this move and while Choo is a good player(who kills the Angels), I don't think this is a good signing by Texas. Lots of years and money for a player like Choo IMO. Makes them better this year and probably next, but I'd be worried about the last 4 or so years of that deal

 

we all complain about Hamilton's extreme splits vs righty/lefty pitchers....take a good look at Choo's career numbers vs lefties.

Hitting eye does age well. he is not a speed guy although he can steal 20 bases a year. Texas lost payroll by not keeping Hamilton/Nathan/Berkman/Cruz

THis guy and Creshaw Scare me. Never thought I would say this go blue. If Texas ends up with 1 of these 2. WE are going to be the rams and az cardinals. 2 good teams in same division as 2 best teams

What language are you speaking?

sick lineup (Ibanez edition):

 

RF Calhoun L

CF Trout R

1B Pujols R

LF Hamilton L

3B Freese R

DH Ibanez L

2B Kendrick R

C Iannetta/Conger R/L

SS Aybar S

 

pretty siiiicckk!

 

That's my projection.

If it was 2011 its a "Sick" lineup

Dont see Texas trading for Price. i would like a Darvish-Tanaka-Holland-Perez-Harrison- rotation though

He is a great leader and he could babysit hamilton. Former GG defender too!!!

Good Lord.

 

The Angels would be so stacked it'd be hilarious. What a difference a couple moves can make.

Sounds like Winter of 2011 and 2012

I am with you guys on wanting Trumbo traded to AZ. Then Texas gets a better deal on Choo. GO LAA!!!

Hrs and RBI's. A younger version of Nelson Cruz

I would love for texas to get Choo. Maybe 6 yrs 112 million

As long as we have a 'lefty' specialist, we'll be ok.

 

Choo couldn't hit lefties if his life depended on it.

.340 OBP last year versus LHP