mp170.6

After Jose Guillen's infamous blowup, they seem to focus their acquisitions on mellow, level-headed guys. That's great for people getting along with each other, but mellow and level-headed people sometimes act this way out of apathy. I'm reluctant to make this association but the Angels' collapse the last few seasons coincided with Lackey's departure -- and I think Lackey was the last hot-headed Angel in that clubhouse? Could it be his getting pissed off helped motivate the team?

Serious question here. Arte has (or had) many other business ventures. Does he monitor the Angels on a daily basis, or is he busy with other things?

I don't see the point in waiting to see if Scioscia can turn the ship around. 2011 and 2012 were defined by dismal failures in April while the Rangers and A's got off to a great start. The way Pujols is looking he might be a lost cause for 2013, so there's even less breathing room this season. Who knows if Hamilton figures it out. Who knows if Weaver gets his velocity back. Who knows if the bullpen gets its act together. These problems are not overcome by "one game at a time" nonsense. These are things that could affect the franchise for years to come if other players don't feel motivated to step up and fill the gaps.

How do you stomach listening to Angel Talk?

You mean an employee of the Angels' front office?

I've been pretty positive about DiPoto but the one move I can't wrap my head around is Joe Blanton. Not only do they owe him $15 million through 2014, they also have to pay him a $1 million buyout for 2015. Hello? After being traded last year, he made ten starts for the Dodgers. He averaged less than 6 innings per start while putting up a 4.71 ERA, a significant decline from June and July when he pitched pretty well for the Phillies. Half of those starts were against terrible teams like the Marlins (69-93), Rockies (64-98), Cubs (61-101), Pirates (79-83), and Padres (76-86). I can understand taking a risk on him for ONE year, but why in the hell give him TWO years plus a team buyout for 2015 when your bullpen is still so questionable?

Mexico has a government? Who knew...

Maybe his blood pressure was 220/110 again and his rants were a signal to call 911?

That's actually funny. I know Mark Langston's brother and he works for Amtrak.

His CPU is not programmed to show emotion.

I think when he says "turn the page" it's actually a rolodex...not a book.

Hamilton will K on two pitches.

These games are just as important as the second half of September.

I bet Scioscia was totally unaware of the stats on that guy.

Butcher will be sleeping like a baby tonight.

I don't know how anybody expects Trout to live up to last year's performance. There's probably a 10% chance of that happening because he set the bar so high.

How does going to high school in the USA settle whether he was 16 or 20 at the time? Especially for somebody not born in the United States, there's no way for a high school to certify his age at the time he attended. Your logic doesn't make sense.

It's ridiculous to give any player over 30 a contract that exceeds three years. Even if they have to overpay for those three years, it's still night and day cheaper than having to absorb another 3-7 years on a player that can barely swing a bat any longer.

Sorry for the double post. Unintentional on my part.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-0425-angels-rangers-20130425,0,3743447.story

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-0425-angels-rangers-20130425,0,3743447.story

There's an easy solution to this. Delete the LA Times cookie from your web browser and it will "reset" the number of articles you can read for free. You could also read with a different browser because each browser has its own set of cookies.

WOW, nice finish

LOL, the Diamondbacks and Giants are also 4-4 top 11th right now.

Retarded in Scoring Position