mulwin444

Until he actually does something in the MLB, I'm tempering my expectations.

Aybar's best career OBP are from batting 2nd (.330 in 551 AB's) and 9th (.331 in 404 AB's). Another thing is he has demonstrated more power from 2nd position as well (.760 OPS batting 2nd to sub-.700 batting lead-off and 9th) most likely from seeing a ton of fastballs. Regardless of .319, .330 or .331, you hope your 1 or 2 hitters aren't in this neighborhood if you are hoping to take advantage of your power hitters 3-6.

Aybar has a career .319 OBP from the lead-off spot...that's 800 ab's. The guy is not even close to be a decent lead-off hitter but Mike puts him there because he SHOULD be, you know, because he's fast, switch-hits, and he's bunt-erific. The problem, though, is the team's best lead-off hitter is currently batting 2nd and there isn't a close 2nd option. We don't have a guy who works counts in options like Callaspo, Aybar, or Bourjos. If Trout is going to continue to bat 2nd, I'd probably stick Schuck there for a few games to see if can perform any better until Bourjos comes back and then look at my options.

I don't mind the call, it was just poor execution. Aybar is a spastic turnip-head so it didn't shock me when it failed but, still, not a bad call.

Makes too much sense for it to actually happen. When Weaver comes back, it should be a rotation of Weaver, Wilson, Vargas, Williams and Richards... Blanton, because he's a vet making $15 mil, will stay in and will probably be given until mid-June to sort it out before a move it made.

Never hated him...ever. Never loved him as much as others on this board either. To me, Howie is a solid, but unspectular, 2B who has holes in every aspects of his game. On offense, when he's on, he can be a force at the back of the line-up but his approach to hitting means that he will make a ton of outs, including "K"ing a lot on breaking balls low and outside and GIDP. Defensively, he's cvapable of stretches where he looks like a gold glover and then he begins to have trouble with routine plays. However, when it's all broken down, he's worth the $8 mil per season he makes...he earns it. Expect about a .275 .320 .750 slash line and you won't be disappointed.

There it is...it's the equivalent of Reno Hightower breaking out his white shoes.

Kohn must have been so distraught by that throw he couldn't find home plate....

Oh, and Bourjos is a better CF...one of the best in baseball. At 21, I'm sure Trout has time to adjust to the massive shift of 30 ft to his right defensively.

Or maybe he started to turn it around at the plate because talented players go through slumps and pull themselves out of it eventually and none of it has to do with where he plays defensively? Just a thought...

Jane McLean...she's a hottie

It's Arte's job to provide the resources for a winner, he's hired other people to use those resources to find winning pieces. The GM's job, along with minor league director and Manager, is to develop a plan and execute. I'm sure Arte feels a responsibility to provide a winner and has done what he could to try to accomplish this goal. When he took over at the end of 2003, he signed Vlad, Colon, Gullen and Escobar which set the groundwork for multiple playoff appearance from 2004-2009, including three consecutive division title. I'm sure a part of his recent signings were trying to re-capture this momentum, ill-advised as it may be. The fact is we have an owner to commit significant resources to put a winner on the field, not many teams in the MLB can make this claim. It's debatable as to whether those resources were committed correctly, so hopefully he learns from those mistakes.

There is not really much they can do at this point. The pieces they have are either expensive to move or create holes that would take a couple of seasons to fill effectively. First thing, move Aybar out of the lead-offspot. Ianetta has a higher OBP, for God's sake. He's just not good as a table setter. Aybar is talented but he's also a turnip-head who zero situational awareness. His contract is affordable so he could be moved but he'd have to be moved for a SS near the MLB level otherwise your options are Harris or (shudder) Romine. I know a lot of people want to move Trout to the lead-off spot again but it may be wiser to move him to third and have Callaspo bat lead-off and move Hamilton to 2nd so he can see more fastballs. Trout's skill set is evolving and, right now, he's the best hitter on the team...they need to maximize his RBI opportunities. Callaspo, Hamilton, Trout, Pujols, Trumbo, Kendrick, Aybar, Ianetta/Conger, Schuck When Bourjos comes back, move Callaspo to 2nd and Hamilton back to 4th or 5th. Commit to Garrett Richards for the rest of the season as a starting pitcher. He's got the best stuff of the alternatives that are left, quit jerking him around and let's see what he can do. RIght now we have 2 pitchers you can rely on to give a decent start: Wison and Vargas. Blanton is awful and his best would be not be enough to crack any rotation at this point. Stick his ass in the BP with a sign that says "Break glass in case of blow-outs". It's not fair to get on Enright, he's obviously not suited to be a MLB starter and the fact he was chosen at all is a greater mystery. When Weaver and Hanson return, the rotation could be respectable with Weaver, Wilson, Hanson, Vargas and Richards...not great, but decent. The BP has been better lately but Lowe needs to be shown the door. If Madsen is even close to what he was (his 94 mph fastball is encouraging) and Jepsen can heal up, a BP of Kohn, Jepsen, De La Rosa, Downs, Frieri, Williams, and Madsen has potential. Unfortunately, until some guys get healthy, there is not many moves to be made this season.

Yeah, Arte is a "snake-oil salesman" who has only pursued the top free agents the past couple of years after hearing for years he's not willing to do what it takes to do just that - attract the best talent. What is he thinking keeping his payroll equivalent to the market his team plays in and trying to maximize his investments marketing potential. I didn't like the Pujols or Hamilton signings but, come on, how is this his fault? If both of these two suck-holes would even approach what they've been capable of in previous seasons, the season is a little brighter. I don't think they'd be at .500 because the real issue is the SP+BP but the games would be a hell of a lot more exciting.

I'm always up for some antics...

First, Moreno is not going to say whether Mike is in trouble to the media. Second, Moreno has about $25 million reasons not to fire Scioscia right now and I don't think he even considers it unless a sure-thing candidate emerges.

Hmmm...what else can pick on Trout about today? I know, he also isn't smiling as much. Though I have no evidence to support it, I am going to claim he has a drinking problem which why he is putting on weight (I mean, come on, what a fatty) and, because alcohol is a depressant, this is why he's not smiling a much. See, answered both of those. Also, he, uh, his uniform isn't as dirty as it was this time last year..this must be a slient protest to not getting more money in the offseason. It's all coming together.

Mathis was a solid squatter...that's about it. Mike's man-crush on him convinced other orgs to give him a shot. I'm glad he is no longer a part of the Angels organization.

Trout anywhere in the line-up is going to be solid. The question becomes are they utilizing his talents. Trout getting on ahead of Pujols is more then likely going to limit his SB attempts. If you are alright with Trout stealing around 20 bags or less this year, then the two hole is fine.

CLE has as solid offense and BP, and their OF defense is vastly improved to where they were last season. The question mark is their rotation. Masterson is effective and is their most reliable starter but if they can get anything out of Ubaldo they have a solid 1-2. It gets merky after that: Kubler and McAllister inconsistent, Kazmir is an enormous question mark and Bauer is very talented but prone to wildness. This team will go where their SP pitching goes.

Yep, Mike has some weird fascination with Aybar in the lead-off roll when he is clearly not suited for it and really shouldn't push past 7th in the line-up. I think Mike sees a speedy switch-hitter (who is equally below-average at getting on base from both sides of the plate) who can bunt and has the speed to steal a bag and think that's a lead-off hitter.

This, as well. It doesn't make sense for either team.

He also picked Bourjos to start in CF over Trout when he could have already traded him for pitching prospects. Seems DiPoto likes him as well...

You mean we could trade an awesome CF at league minimum for the next Hellwig and Prieto? Where do I sign?!

Why would you trade someone cheap and talented that can help the team win? For every $25 mil per year salary, you need the Trumbos, Trouts, and Bourjos' to complete the line-up. For God sakes, they actually have Schuck taking a roster space, a guy who couldn't stick with Astros, and starting him. They have stiffs like Cousins and Romine getting reps. We need depth...talented, cheap depth who has actually succeeded at the MLB level. At this point, Conger is now best known for a 3 error game that cost them a victory and is so damn pull happy teams have an Ortiz-shift on for him when he comes up.