Palomar

How DARE Arte spend $$$ to try to improve the team. Not everything always works as planned but that works both ways. NO ONE knows what is going to happen. That is why the games are played. Of course I do realize what the original poster was trying to do but there really are people who only go with the sure winner to pump themselves up.

Hey it gives us a topic to discuss at the very least!

It's hard to give someone a GG when they move back and forth between positions...plus he doesn't necessarily deserve it this year anyway. Last year, being taken out for defensive purposes did not help either....probably the difference maker.

I wish everyone would move on, both Cardinal fans and Angel fans. Just because the Angels had a train wreck of a year doesn't mean that we are doomed with Albert the next 8 years. Isn't being a fan hoping for the best? Who knows, he may have a great year next year. Obviously the organization is limited to what they can do but who knows...maybe we get some good pitching and have less injuries. Sure the Cardinal organization looks good right now (and they have a great legacy) but how many times have pitchers been proclaimed the greatest ever in the playoffs and not panned out in the long run. The Cardinals worth should not be based on Wacca the next few years any more than it should be based on Albert the prior years. I'd like to see a player's worth be based on something longer than a couple of weeks of the playoffs and a team's worth be based on more than 1 player or lack thereof.

I agree that these final four teams are pretty much a worst-case scenario as far as who to root for. I wanted each ALDS/NLDS outcome to be different and hate this is the way it is playing out. I'm rooting for the Cardinals to win over the Doyyers and the Tigers to win over Boston but have a feeling that it will be a Dodgers vs Red Sox WS which will really suck. Kind of like the Angels vs Giants WS for Dodger fans.

After the stretch where the Angels were competitive and looking pretty good, it is nice to have that reminder of exactly WHY we are in the position we are in. Thanks Texas. You still suck....we just suck more.

Can't we just savor this performance and win? It's not like we have had much opportunity this season. There is always tomorrow for those who thrive on the negativity. Great night Trumbo!!!

Wow, so this was the atmosphere in the clubhouse in a year where the Angels almost made it to the playoffs? I can't imagine what it must be like THIS year.

Remember when we thought this team sucked even with Trout, Kendrick and Puljos on the team? Well it REALLY sucks now. And Blanton's record speaks for itself. This team expects to lose the minute Blanton comes on the field. It's kind of apparent what needs to happen.

Scioscia, DiPoto, and most of the coaches could be gone with only a handful of players untouchable. Arte can't afford NOT to make a big statement.

This has got to be hands down the worst bullpen I have ever seen. It's disheartening to the starting staff. It's like there are two games every night and no matter what happens in the first game, the 2nd game is doomed and the opposing team KNOWS they can come back and feeds off that.

Yep, let's hope they are peaking too soon, ala the Mariners when they won 100+ games.

There is a lot of assumption that Trumbo would net a quality starting pitcher. Really? Like the Angels have been successful in trading for pitching and there really are teams that are willing to trade quality pitching, not reclamation projects. That is the thing....most trades have net very little for the Angels. All they have done lately is help other teams or make roster spots for signing FAs.

So now it is time to blame the poor season on Trumbo. I guess blaming it on Puljos and Hamilton has already been exhausted so it is his turn. Who's next? Yep, he is struggling horribly right now (as Hamilton has) but the poor season still comes down to the pitching not being there this year. Replacing 3 starting pitchers and rebuilding a bullpen is a huge task and gamble. Obviously it didn't work out. Yeah, let's just get rid of our power production...that is the answer.

Most everyone here was very happy to get rid of Walden at the time.

It also depends on if signing Hamilton was DiPoto idea or Arte's. I don't think you can completely judge the Pujols signing at this point in time. But, one thing is sure that signing him changed the hitting philosophy of the team. It's never been in sync since. Bottom line: replacing 3 starting pitchers and rebuilding a bullpen is not an easy task and obviously DePoto did not sucessfully do that. Next year he or someone will have the same task.

The Angels have had their share of bad pitching staffs in the past, but this one is the worst I've ever seen. It's just sad.

Heart has nothing to do with it. It's pretty simple to see....the starting pitching and relief pitching take turns on tanking. The Angels could have won all 3 of the games against Texas if they could have held the Rangers in the late innings (who were not even hititng before the Angels came to town). Scioscia does manage the appearances of the bullpen but the pitching roster is out of his control. What magical manager that is available would take Scioscia's place?

Why would you complete a trade that doesn't help your team just to make a move.

Kudos to Albert for playing through pain to try to help his team win (especially when some players DON'T for much less injuries/illnesses), but continuing is only going to hurt the team and his effectiveness the rest of his career. Time to heal.

Ridiculous to even consider trading him when in half the games the Angels struggle to score runs and he is one of the few threats. What could you get that would be worth it? Pitching prospects....are there really teams out there willing to deal those? Doubtful.

Is there an equivalent article about the Dodgers?

It's pretty amazing how fast the mood changes around here after a loss.

They were IN the game the whole way, they just didn't WIN the game. Kinda sounds too familiar already.

Just one comment. Lowering the beer prices....that is a myth. It may have happened the first couple of years after Arte bought the team but definitely not seeing that the last few years. That said, it is good to do research when buying tickets. Sometimes it is better through the new Ticket Exchange and sometime through Stub Hub....it all depends on your timing of buying the tickets.