monkeywithahalo

I'm really not all that worried. Between their own TV money, revenue sharing and the national TV contracts, the Halos will be clearing $150 million in revenue before selling a single ticket, beer or t-shirt, as shown here http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013/may/how-mlb-splits-your-tv-dollars.html The luxury tax is a legitimate concern, but I don't think it is a big enough to concern to start worrying about it affecting their ability to keep Trout. Moreno has demonstrated a willing to spend if it means winning. I suspect that the payroll can easily approach $165 million before there are any real repercussions to the bottom line and even then, as mentioned above, this team has no debt. They probably can't afford to add any more nine figure free agents, but given how well that has worked for them thus far, that is probably a good thing.

I think he'd be a great gamble in FA. I wouldn't pay too much for him, but he has a strong K/BB rate and is an extreme flyball pitcher, which fits the mold that Dipoto has been pursuing (not sure that is actually a point in his favor). What I find encouraging is that is road numbers are much better than his home numbers. He is no top-of-the-rotation guy, but as a potential #5 starter replacement for Tommy Hanson or Blanton, the Halos could do a lot worse, depending on the price, obviously.

This post is sponsored by arbitrary end points.

I've said it before, if the Angels are going to make big, risky signings, this is the kind of big, risky signing they should be making. You don't find 26-year old impact arms on the free agent market ever. Considering how little starting pitcher they have in the system, it seems like a no-brainer to pursue Gonzalez so Dipoto can stop filling the back of the rotation with the Joe Blantons of the world. The whole point of being a big salary team is being able to make these kind of gambles, really hope JeDi goes for it.

Fine, I'll be the one to say it. Why shouldn't Butcher be allowed to hit Blanton? Everyone else in the league does. Thank you! I'll be here all week. Be sure to tip your waitress.

Ironically,Williams has been so bad of late that Richards has been able to get stretched out. He threw 60 pitches last night and with the All-Star break they could have him throw a 75-pitch simulated game and be on track to start in Jerome's slot after the break. The question is if it is worth it with? With Hanson and Vargas due back soon, Richards would get like three starts and go back to the pen. They've jerked with his role so much already that I am not sure they would want to do that to him again.

Have you seen Eric Wedge manage? I wouldn't rule it out.

It really is a great idea and one that teams employ in the low levels of minors, but mostly to build stamina. The Rockies actually gave it a shot last year to limited success, but that had more to do with their lack of talent. I would not be the least bit surprised if the Astros gave it a shot in the next few years as they are toying with it in the upper levels of their farm system. The one real hindrance I see to it is that it would blow up the contract structures for starting pitchers and relievers since starters would be throwing fewer innings and relievers would throw more. The pay scale would be completely out of whack which would make it hard for a team to do this and still attract talent via free agency if every other team is using a traditional rotation (and thus paying starters big bucks).

Forget about Trout hitting in the Derby. I want him out on the warning track trying to rob the hitters of homers. The HR Derby is boring as hell, but I would watch it if Trout was scaling walls, increasing the level of difficulty.

A platoon seems like the optimal solution given the limitations of both players, but part of me wonders what Conger could do in a full-time role. We have all been so focused on his defense that it seems like we forgot that he was originally drafted as a guy who could have a big bat, and not just for a catcher. He's showing the power as of late and has demonstrated better plate discipline in the minors than we've seen so far.

There is reason for hope, his velocity bounced back some when he came off the DL and he returned to throwing at a lower arm slot, which he said he had to stop doing due to shoulder discomfort. The results aren't there, but he had a long layoff and might be searching for his command a little bit after altering his mechanics like that.

"Fishing for hits" I see what you did there! Clever!

For better or worse, apparently "Trouting" is now a thing: http://www.monkeywithahalo.com/2013-articles/june/mike-trout-meme-trouting.html .

As detailed here (shameless plus, sorry), the Angels have a great opportunity to extend Vargas for cheap. If they give him a qualifying offer, they'll essentially take him off the market. We saw last off-season that teams aren't willing to forfeit draft picks for mid-level players. That should give the Halos carte blanche to sign Vargas to a team-friendly two- or three-year deal. Besides, he is a perfect fit for this outfield defense and ballpark considering his extreme flyball tendencies, something that would actually make him a tough sell on the trade market. Rebuilding is great and all, but if you think Moreno is going to let Dipoto go into tear down mode, you're nuts. They need Vargas to hold down a rotation spot as a steady presence while they work to find upgrades over Blanton and Hanson.

Hmmm... can't help but feel like I've seen something similar somewhere... about a month ago... hmmmm http://www.monkeywithahalo.com/2013-articles/may/how-will-the-angels-lose-bingo.html

Hamilton and Pujols pray enough for all of us, but the problem is they aren't using the right prayer. I prefer this one: Our Trout who art in center (and sometimes left), hallowed be thy name. Thy MVP will come. Thy wheels get it done on the road as it is in Anaheim. Give us this day our daily win, and forgive us our LOBs, as we forgive those who pitch around you, and lead us not into poor situational hitting, but deliver us from losing. For thine is the franchise, and the leadoff spark, and the future World Series glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Anymore? I've never heard of that being a problem.

You're insane! We'll all die from cirrhosis by June!!!

Methinks you may not know the definition of formidable.

Even with the money, I can't imagine what the Angels can offer especially since the Phillies are an organization that would have no use for C.J. Cron. Besides, the thought has always been that the Rangers have a hard on for Lee and will jump on him if he gets put on the market.

In order to increase your game viewing pleasure from zero to something greater than zero, we have a new play-at-home game for you: How Will the Angels Lose? Bingo Edition! Because, let's be honest, there is no joy in Mudville right now and we need a little something to lighten the mood.

This is going to shock you, but Mitch Williams is a moron and all sorts of wrong here. This is Jepsen's pitch chart for the season: Remind me again how he is always down in the zone? Perhaps he meant that the problem is that Jepsen throws EVERYTHING BELT HIGH!

Little known fact, the Gaelic word for "losing" is Blanton.

No jumping the line! This is players only. The poll on most hated coach/front office exec is next week. (Just kidding... probably)

Mark Lowe didn't make the list because I assume that he will be an Angel for maybe another three days.