mulwin444

One word: Steroids

If the players hit league average with RISP and key players stop getting injured, the Angels have better record. Mike has no control over this part of the game. The fact is the Angels from 2002-2009 had better SP, a significantly better BP, and benefitted from having little competition within the division.

Basically, this. We lost our Ace so we've had to depend on a head-case like WIlson, who can barely make it to the 6th, a couple of WHIP destroyers like Blanton and Vargas, a decent 4 starter in Hanson, and a AAA project in Richards. Add to that a BP who hasn't seen solid contributions from Jepsen, Madson, and Burnett, a declining Downs, an inconsistent Frieri, and a cast of characters that make you long for the days of Jason Bulger and Bobby Cassevaugh, and this team is going to struggle to prevent runs. As for the offense, Hamilton has been the invisible man, Pujols is injured, Trout is trying to make adjustments, Ianetta has been "meh, and Kendrick waffles from All-Star to bench player, sometimes within the same game. I'm not a huge Scioscia fan but it's hard to rationalize the grip of injuries being his fault. Also, I don't know how he can be held responsible for the team's awful AVG with RISP. Perhaps it's DiPoto's fault for assembling this team and leaving the high minors and bench devoid of talent.

This brings to mind the old joke: "Why are divorces so expensive?" "Because they are worth it..."

I remember a similar conversation regarding the Angels stalemate with Weaver when he was drafted and how, because the Angels "won" by "only" paying him $4 mil, he was going to really stick it to them when he became a free agent...then he went out and signed a team friendly contract when the moment arrived. The only one slighted here was Trout's agent and, if Trout isn't an F'n idiot, he won't let any perceived slights effect his performance in 2013 where he can really lay the groundwork for a longterm deal that could hopefully cover him through his first years of free agency.