Grigori

Tickets to a Justin Bieber concert.

Well, y'all are just a couple of sweet boys, aren't you?

The Rangers have the second-best record in the league and are playing without Holland, Harrison, Beltre and Feliz.  They went without Lewis and Darvish for awhile this season, too, and without starters Profar and Soto, and won't get Soto and Profar back for quite some time.  I think we had ten guys on the DL, or something like that. Just don't get the fuss and excuses. If the Rangers can win with all of those guys on the DL, I don't see why anyone thinks the Angels can't win.  I mean Hamilton was what, a .700 OPS guy last year?  Don't see how he's going to make such a big difference. 

Great win, Angels. Congrats!! 

Maybe we shouldn't leave the Mariners out of the mix now, too. 

Well... as a Ranger fan, you know, you hate it to happen to where you are taking advantage of another team's misery. I mean, I'm all bereft and downright saddened by this, and Kazmir's tender triceps, and AJ Griffin out the first month...  Oh, I just feel soooo-ooo guilty... like I want it to be a fair fight and everything for the good of the sport, like the California Angels fans feel about Holland tripping over his dog and all...  I mean, LAWLZ... let's all be good sports  

Was that the Bates Motel? LOL. No, they don't want to move to a place like that. They should move to San Antonio.

This could wind up being like the Vlad signing before 2010 or the trade for Napoli as far as the Angels are concerned.  The Rangers only need someone to cover for Holland until he recovers from knee surgery, though.  Twelve starts, maybe. They don't need an all-star, especially if Harrison or Lewis is 100%. 

Trout is really good, AJ, but how are the Angels going to afford him when he becomes a free agent and pay Pujols and Hamilton's contracts?  It seems to me like the Angels need to go ahead and trade him.

I'm trying to figure out how the Angels make money off of this.  How big a cut does Moreno get when these guys do their Old Spice commercials? 

Seriously, wasn't this just a trade out of necessity for the Angels? They needed a 3B and it's not like they don't need to take some chances to find a good relief pitcher.  I look at it more as necessary housecleaning before they can decorate for the party.  

For the Cardinals it was a trade of convenience. The biggest feature for them was getting rid of a contract that was in the way. They have Taveras and Jay. Borjous was not necessary.  All this does for them is open up a spot for Wong and save them some money. It's not as if Borjous offers them any huge upgrade when they have the best prospect in baseball potentially moving into CF for them soon. 

IMHO, anyone who does not like the trade should have to a) explain who else was going to play 3B for the Angels, b ) explain why the Angels don't need anyone else to try out for a bullpen spot, and c) explain why the Cardinals even bothered with this.   

I think this sets up a trade of Trout to the Rangers for Mitch Moreland.  The Angels need more first basemen to go with Trumbo an Pujols.  

What is the relevance to Pujols when evaluating whether Fielder is declining or not? It's like saying global warming can't be happening because I just had a nice slice of cheesecake. But since you're intent on doing it, Pujols has had a WAR below 5 once, Fielder has been above 5 once. So yeah, that evidence you're using is laughably selective.

 

Pujols has declined at an alarming rate and the long-term outlook is pretty bleak. That has nothing to do with Prince Fielder's circumstances or future career path.

I wonder how many cheesecakes Fielder could eat. I bet it's a bunch. 

Well, at least we know the internet is working today even though the government is shut down and all. LOL. Has anyone noticed any difference with the government shut down? Are they cancelling the postseason or anything important? I'm hoping I don't get as much junk mail today.

The second one so far is real true.    But at least Hamilton put up a near .800 OPS (over .300 BA) from August 1 on.    Wells could only dream of doing that as an every day player the past 3 seasons.

Well, in the final analysis those who thought losing Hamilton and Napoli was too much for the Rangers were right. Berkman was a total fail. Losing Harrison, surprisingly, was not as much of a disaster as not having enough power in the batting lineup. I'm not saying Hamilton was the answer, but Berkman surely was not. It was a risky move from the beginning. Oh, well.. 91 wins is still OK.

I think you're dead on with the comparisons Glen.

So far:

Hamilton=Wells

Pujols=Vaughn

Do you mean Carl? I'm CarlG... I'm thinking the Angels should trade Trout to the Rangers to rebuild. It just makes sense. How are my Rangers ever going to get past the A's without Trout!

It's funny how neither the Angels nor the Rangers made the playoffs.

Yeah, I have to finally admit those A's are good. LOL.

Hey, AO, this was a transition year where the Rangers were working in Perez, Scheppers, Martin and Profar all at once. I told you guys at the end of 2010 you should trade us Weaver to get some minor league players and shoot for 2013, but no, they decided that Pujols and Hamilton were the answer.

I'm sure the Rangers can recover next year. 91 wins is a lot for a transition year.

BTW, I asked a legitimate baseball question and have another one: What young players did the Angels work into their team this year and how do you think they stack up to Perez, Scheppers, Martin and Profar? Maybe you can give a legitimate baseball answer this time.

Some Rangers fans have been discussing who the next Vernon Wells will be on the Angels, Pujols or Hamilton?

I feel like Vernon Wells inherited the spot vacated as a result of the GMJ failure. So, it looks like Hamilton is transitioning into the Outfield Boondoggle Role that has become a tradition on the Angels, taking over where Wells left off. I'm thinking Pujols may be likened more to a reincarnation of Mo Vaughn.

But I think the question is which one do you think will be the next big Angel salary dump, if either. Who would take either one, how much salary relief can you expect and is it possible for the Angels to get any players back?

I'm not sure which I appreciate more, the Angels contribution to my Rangers this weekend or AJ Happ for his great pitching effort against the Rays, but I thank the Angels team for laying down for the Rangers this weekend. It helped my favorite sports team overcome a number of unfortunate injuries and suspension this year to live another day. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season and the postseason.

Nice of you to show up. I guess you were just busy a week ago.

I wonder when the Angels are going to show up. Hopefully, not today!

What was all this talk about CJ thinking the Rangers balls are too slippery? He so spoiled with that big contract. Did he think the Rangers are going to rough up their balls and hand them to him on a silver platter? If he wants to win he's going to have to do it himself.

I'm cheering for the Indians and Tampa Bay to keep the Rangers out of the playoffs. Then, I'll cheer for whatever team faces the A's in the playoffs.

Good plan for Rangers Haters because it's doubtful the Angels will stop them. LOL.

I couldn't help but noticing the A's eliminated the Angels from the postseason last night. Y'all should be pulling for my Rangers to make their way into the postseason and beat the A's in the ALCS to get back at them for you. It was supposed to be the Angels vs. the Rangers the last two years. The A's are interlopers messing up our fun.

Hey, y'all know McCain was just joking, right? He was playing to his Arizona audience. LOL. I don't get what the hoopla is about.