OC Sports Geeks

BREAKING NEWS: Angels GM Tony Reagins now Angels FORMER GM

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:52:00 +0000

Breaking News - The Angels have parted ways with (former) General Manager Tony Reagins today.

Owner Arte Moreno said in a statement: "In moving forward, we felt a change was needed."

Made. My. Weekend.

Angels 2011

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 05:50:00 +0000

RIP, Angels 2011 Season.

Bryan Stow Awakened, Asking for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:01:00 +0000

Not that I want to get into the pathetic Dodger fans are hoods debate, but the news out of the Bay area is encouraging.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/44625698/ns/sports-baseball/

Let's hope for his sake, and the sake of his family, friends, and real sports fans everywhere, that this man makes a complete recovery. To donate to Bryans children's college funds, please visit this site:

http://support4bryanstow.com/

Dear Halos...

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:51:00 +0000

Jake Taylor: Well then I guess there's only one thing left to do.

Roger Dorn: What's that?

Jake Taylor: Win the whole fucking thing.

It might be sacrilegious to use an Indian here, albeit a fictional one, but I think this about sums it up.

Go get it Halos.

Go get it.

He's Ba-ack! Teemu Confirms 2012 Season with Ducks Contract

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:56:00 +0000

Anaheim, Ca - - Anaheim Ducks Forward Teemu Selanne, who is the franchise leader is most offensive categories, including how many times he's thought about hanging his skates up, signed a one year deal today with the Anaheim club.

Coming off a season off playoff disappointment, the Finnish Flash had a second surgery to repair damage in his knee and had delayed committing to a season long past his self-imposed July 1st deadline.

Much to the delight if Duck management, it was worse the wait.

Selanne, who put up a 2010-11 campaign with 31 goals and 49 assists for a total of 80 points, didn't want to come back and play if it meant not competing at 100%. He used the prolonged break to test his knee and, per the OC Register, was happy with the results.

“I’m very happy that my knee has recovered from surgery and is ready for the season,” Selanne said in a statement. “I’m excited and optimistic about what this team can do and thankful to have another opportunity to play in Anaheim.”

Great news for Ducks, their fans, and real hockey fans everywhere, we get at least ONE more year to say we saw him play.

Additionally, Selanne started his career with the recently resurrected Winnipeg Jets. It doesn't take much of a stretch to think that having the opportunity to play at least ONE more game in the city where it all started wasn't a bonus, and a hell of a way to finish what is undoubtedly one of the best careers in the history of Hockey. The Ducks play in Winnipeg on December 17th, a night that will undoubtedly feature many cheers for their former star.

Beyond Winnipeg, the NHL is attempting to capture more of their european fanbase by playing regular season games overseas. The Ducks, for their part, will play their season opener in Helsinki, in Selanne's native Finland, on October 7th against the Buffalo Sabres.

All in all, this is shaping up to be the ultimate farewell season for one of the best players the game has ever known.

On a personal note, Teemu is a great character guy. Having been a fan since the inaugural season, I've had the great personal opportunity to meet the man on several off-ice occasions, many of them just purely by chance. In each case, he was not only friendly, and cordial, but sincere and honest. He is without a doubt one of the classiest players in all of professional sport, and if you want to talk about the definition of role model, it is Teemu.

Thanks for at least one more, Flash. We're honored to get to watch you do what you do for one more season.

ALWest Pennant Chase: Texas Magic Number at 12

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:19:00 +0000

As the 2011 Major League Baseball season winds down, most division races are all but locked in.

Detroit has a 12.5 game lead on the AL Central, their magic number down to 3.

The ALEast, similar to the West, has their leaders only 4 games apart. The distinction here, however, is that second place in the east is almost a shoe-in for the wild-card, given each teams record and the overall strength of that division.

Over in the National League, Philly leads the East by 10.5 games over Atlanta, leaving them with a magic number of 5 to clinch their division.

Milwaukee leads the Central by 6, and the surprising upstart Arizona Diamondbacks are all but running away with the West.

Which leaves the AL West, home of your beloved Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim).

The Angels have been masters of their own destiny for sometime, and while their most recent few games have been bit of a mixed bag, they're still decidedly in the hunt and almost keeping pace with the slugging Texas Rangers, trailing them by 3 games.

This leaves the Rangers (or the Halos, depending on your perspective) with a magic number of 12. For the uninitiated, magic number basically means any combination of division leader wins and 2nd place team losses that, in this case, total up to 12 means the Angels are spectators come October for the second straight year.

Much has been written about the Angels season, and how they're not playing up to their potential, or are too old, too weak, too bad with runners in scoring position.

I've written some of it myself.

With the final three games of the season here, at home, against the Rangers, anything is possible, as long as we keep pace.

Imagine the prospect of only being behind by a single game come that final series? Talk about September baseball at its Finest.

Especially when the Halos win....

Lokomotiv Team Crash: A Tribute

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:50:00 +0000

The 2011 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash occurred on September 7, 2011, at 4:02 PM local time, when a Yakovlev Yak-42 passenger aircraft, carrying the entire hockey team of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) crashed near Yaroslavl, Russia on its way to Minsk, Belarus, to start the 2011-12 KHL season. 44 people on board, including players, coaches, staff, and flight personnel were killed. Words don't do justice to the magnitude of pain and suffering being felt the world over for this tragic, tragic loss. Our prayers and condolences to all families, friends, and fans that suffer this loss along with us.

The Alberto Callaspo Trade: One Year Later

noreply@blogger.com (Tanner Shurtz) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 17:40:00 +0000

On July 22, 2010 the Angels acquired Alberto Callaspo of the Kansas City Royals for Sean O’ Sullivan and the Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith. The Angels had just upgraded their 3B problem, so now instead of Frandsen and Wood manning the hot-corner it will be Callaspo. Callaspo was also the Angels property once, but they traded him to the Diamondbacks for Jason Bulger. Funny enough, the royals rejected the trade 2 days prior to the actual trade, then O’ Sullivan pitched a great game against the Yankees in New York so the Angels offered the deal to the Royals after the start and they accepted. So, lets see how those 3 player are doing now.

Background Info:

Alberto Callaspo - Callaspo has a modest .275/.308/.410 line in 373 plate appearances this season (2010), Callaspo was originally signed by the Angels as a free agent in 2001, and spent four years in the club's system before being dealt to Arizona for Jason Bulger in 2006.

Sean O’ Sullivan- O'Sullivan, 22, has spent most of his year at Triple-A Salt Lake City, where he has posted a 4.76 ERA in 15 starts. A third-round pick in the 2005 amateur draft, O'Sullivan was the Angels' organizational pitcher of the year in 2007 and has a 5.15 ERA in 17 career major league games (11 of them starts).

Will Smith- Smith has a 4.24 ERA and a 3.47 K/BB ratio in 55 games (52 of them starts) in the Los Angeles minor league system, though his numbers have worsened this season as he's been elevated from high-A ball to Triple-A.

Stats and contract info 2011:

Alberto Callaspo- Signed through 2011 1/2MM, arbitration eligible and is a Free Agent in 2014
.281/.356/.365 21 2B 5 HR 43 RBI 47 R 120 H 7 SB 3.3 WAR (wins above replacement)

Sean O’ Sullivan- Signed through 2011 1/$421k Free Agent in 2016
Majors stats- 2-5 9 GS 11 G 6.92 ERA 53.1 IP 26 BB 18 K’s 1.781 WHIP 11.6 H/9 1.5 HR/9 4.4 BB/9 3.0 K/9 0.69 K/BB -1.2 WAR
Minors stats- AAA- 8-2 14 GS 4.22 ERA 74.2 IP 16 BB 55 K’s 1.353 WHIP 10.2 H/9 0.7 HR/9 1.9 BB/9 6.6 K/9 3.44 K/BB

Will Smith- No contract update.
Minors stats AA- 13-9 3.85 ERA 161.1 IP 45 BB 108 K’s 1.339 WHIP 9.5 H/9 0.7 HR/9 2.5 BB/9 6.0 K/9 2.40 K/BB

So far this has been a good trade for the Angels, since O’ Sullivan hasn’t contributed to the Royals too much, though Smith has done exceptionally well in AA. We’ll have to wait to see if we won this trade (or lost it) because 2 of the 3 players are still arbitration eligible and Smith hasn’t been called up to the Majors to collect service time. As of right now, I’d say the Angels won the trade, and even if I try looking into the future I still see the Angels winning this trade.

What to do with Morales in 2012?

noreply@blogger.com (Tanner Shurtz) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:16:00 +0000

It’s Spring time in 2012, the sun is shining, and you can smell the grass on the diamond. It’s spring training! Now, for the Angels there is a lot to look at during spring training, there is Mike Trout, Garret Richards, and ~~Brandon Wood~~ Kendrys Morales. After two seasons of out of baseball, Morales looks to make the team out of spring training, yet there are obstacles.

Obstacle One: Mark Trumbo has emerged as a top hitter on the Angels and has taken over 1B.

Obstacle Two: the outfield is full, with Mike Trout in left, Bourjos in center, and Hunter in RF with Vernon Wells at DH (assuming Abreu is traded)

Obstacle Three: Big time prospect C.J Cron is starting to appear in Vernon Wells rear-view mirror

Obstacle Four: After leg and ankle injuries Morales would be lucky to be able to play 1B (OF is out of the question. And so is 3B . . . you know who you are)

So where does that leave us? Morales can play part-time at DH/1B, BUT having not played for two full seasons, the chance that Morales comes out of the Spring Training gates with a spot on the 25-man roster is highly unlikely (and repeating his 2009 season is also unlikely). Leaving him to play in AAA/AA; the reason why I mention AA is because the pitching in AAA isn’t really over powering. Most top pitching prospects skip AAA to go to the majors; so most of the talent is in AA. Also, being in AAA the league is called PCL and it is widely known as a hitters’ league with extreme hitters’ parks, so fans would be screaming out to the front office if Morales has 10 homers in the first three weeks.

So we have two options: let him split time with Vernon and Trumbo at 1B/DH or trade him.

Both options are reasonable but personally I’d rather trade Morales. Why? Because we could get the most out of him that way. Here are some teams that might go after Morales:

A’s - Need a power hitting 1B/DH
Indians - Need a power hitting 1B/DH. They can move LaPorta to LF/RF
Twins - with Morneau injured most of the time, he could play 1B when he is injured, and DH when he’s healthy
Blue Jays - Need a 1B. they could go after Prince, but Morales would be a lot cheaper
Orioles - Same with Blue Jays
Dodgers - Need a cheap 1B
Rockies - Need a 1B-Helton and Giambi are getting too old
Brewers/Cardinals - cheap alternative to Pujols/Fielder. Also Morales > Gamel
Pirates/Cubs - Depends what they see in their organization. Colvin could play 1B for Cubs, though I don’t see them giving up prospects in a rebuilding stage
Nationals - Cheap alternative to Fielder/Pujols. Morales > Noris > LaRoche

There are 12 teams there, and depending on his recovery it could go down to 5 teams. His trade value would increase heavily if he proves he can play 1B and show power in the minors. What kind of return could we get from him? He’s a free agent in 2014, he is arbitration-eligible for the second time in 2012, and Scott Boras is his agent. So any team that trades for him in the off-season would have him for 2 seasons. Now, our best bet would be to trade him during the season because then he would give us a bigger return after playing in the minors for 2-4 weeks.

So, what kind of return would he get? He could get 3 B-type prospects or he could command major league pieces. I’m not really sure how he will do and I’m not too fond of those teams listed above farm systems. But I believe Morales could command 2 RP’s and an INF prospect or 1 major league ready SP, a RP, and a B prospect.

Now, is it likely that he regains his 2009 form and goes on to hit 30 HR’s for another team? Yes, it’s possible, but highly unlikely. The worst thing the Angels could do, is non-tender him a contract, which I doubt they will do. Another thing they could possibly do is eat 8-10MM of Hunter’s contract and trade him, put Trumbo in RF, and Morales at 1B. Again, all of these outcomes aren’t possible until we know the status of Morales’ recovery. Or they could sign Fielder, move Trumbo to RF (above scenario with Hunter) and rotate Vernon, and Trumbo with RF/DH; rotate Fielder, Morales, and Trumbo at 1B; rotate Fielder and Morales at DH. The last scenario, with the Angels signing Fielder, would almost guarantee Morales being traded.

What would you do? Keep Morales and play him part-time? Or trade him?

The Emergence of Peter Bourjos

noreply@blogger.com (Tanner Shurtz) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 22:24:00 +0000

What would we do without Peter Bourjos? The top defender on the team, 5th in the AL in dWAR with 1.2, 10th in the AL in WAR with 4.5, and leads the team in triples with 9 (3rd in the AL). He could have a LOT more stolen bases than 18 but he still is a great player, and can only get better. Looking into the future, we could have one of the best outfields (defensively) in the whole league-Trout, Bourjos, and Grichuk. Making only $414,000, Bourjos is a bargain... a major bargain. When I think of Bourjos and what his ceiling can be, I think of Hunter Pence's rookie year:

.322/.360/.539 30 2B, 9 3B, 17 HR, 11 SB's, 26 BB's

Bourjos 2011 year stats:

.275/.327/.445 24 2B, 9 3B, 10 HR, 18 SB's, 26 BB's

Bourjos can easily get his BA up, and his OBP up by next year, where I believe he will hit leadoff. He also can get up to at least 30 SB's a year, and his power numbers will inflate while getting used to the pitching. As I said before, he can only get better.

Look at the picture on the left, this demonstrates how effective Bourjos has been defensively at CF.

The Dan Haren Trade:A Year Later

noreply@blogger.com (Tanner Shurtz) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:52:00 +0000

On July 25, 2010 the Angels traded Joe Saunders, Patrick Corbin, Rafael Rodriguez, and a PTBNL for Dan Haren. The PTBNL turned out to be Tyler Skaggs, Skaggs was the Halos' supplemental first-round selection (40th overall) in 2009. At first glance this trade looks like a steal for the Angels, they give up 3 prospects, and a SP that was never really that good. But hey, let’s look at it, in-depth.

Joe Saunders- Signed thru 2011, 1 yr/$5.5M Arb-eligible and a Free Agent in2013.

9-11 3.82 ERA 172 innings 91 K’s 59 BB’s 1.326 WHIP 8.8 H/9 1.2 HR/9 3.1 BB/9 4.8K/9 1.8 WAR

Patrick Corbin- #9 prospect in Diamondbacks Organization (According to Baseball America)
9-7 3.91 ERA 156.1 innings 139 K’s 38 BB’s 1.286 WHIP 9.4 H/9 .7 HR/9 2.2 BB/9 8.0 K/9

Tyler Skaggs-#82 prospect (according to Baseball America)
9-6 2.86 ERA 154.1 innings 191 K’s 46 BB’s 1.069 WHIP 6.9 H/9 .6 HR/9 2.7 BB/9 11.1 K/9

Rafael Rodriguez- Pre Arb-Eligible Free Agent in 2016
03 9.88 ERA 4 SV 37.1 innings 18 K’s 21 BB’s 2.170 WHIP 14.5 H/9 1.9 HR/9 5.1 BB/9 4.3 K/9

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dan Haren- Under contract for 2011 and 2012 at $12.75MM per season with a club option for 2013 of $15.5MM ($3.5MM buyout).
13-7 3.19 ERA 194.2 innings 159 K’s 27 BB’s 1.022 WHIP 8 H/9 .7 HR/9 1.2 BB/9 7.4 K/9 3.5 WAR

I took the liberty to bold (and italicize) the better stat of Haren vs. Saunders . . . It wasn’t too hard.

Now, how does Saunders hold up against the Angels’ 5^th starter in Piniero (not including Kazmir, Williams or Richards because lack of innings pitched and won’t include Chatwood because I believe he’s our 4^th starter). Well, out of the stats listed above, Saunders beats out Piniero 7-3.

But what we lost in Saunders as our 5^th starter we gained a lot more from our #2 starter. Though I do miss having Skaggs. . .

Weaver, Santana, Kazmir, Piniero, Saunders < Weaver Haren Santana Chatwood Piniero

The Angels might be able to extend Haren (if they pick up his option in 2013) to a below-market extension (hometown discount). So they might be able to have Weaver AND Haren for more another 5+ years.

So after first glance it looks like a steal, after an id-depth look? I think it’s not exactly a steal but it’s very close to it (especially if he signs an extension). This deal would only look bad if we hadn’t extended Weaver.

Its time for Tony to Go.

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:17:00 +0000

Nobody even reads this. That's ok.

I'm writing for catharsis.

Angels. oh, man, what have you gone and done to yourselves?

Seriously, you were the toast of the ALWest, and you had respect. You had an owner who did the right things, an amazing fan experience, and a recent WS win. You had some names people could recognize, in their primes, and you made smart baseball decisions.

What has happened? Seriously?

In 12 short months, the team that went from "we're going to do something big" then promptly traded away their best offensive (only?) catcher (napoli) and a bit of a wasted player in Rivera for the WORST contract in all of baseball.

I like Vernon Wells. As a person, in his prime, he was a great ballplayer. For those that don't know, I grew up in Canada and always followed the Blue Hays with some degree of interest after their big years in the early 90's. I liked Wells enough.

Not for the money he got.

Not in Anaheim as a pure attempt to please fans clamoring for heads when we misplayed our hands completely at the Free Agency table and missed out on Crawford. He's been a big disappointment this year, too, in Boston, but still better than Wells.

We shit the bed at the Free Agency table last season, and this year we have no indication that there is any way to not repeat the past mistakes.

Its time for Tony to go. Putting the control of the team in a pseudo-GM who is just a media patsy for the owner and manager is a mistake. He clearly missed the boat completely last year, not only misreading the market but also misreading negotiations and tactics and interest completely. He's out of his league in this game, and that is evident by his lack of competency across the board. Sure, he made some good movies in the past, but his "good job" kudos have long been exhausted. Its time

I'll post about MAthis later.

Scioscia- - it's time to get your catchers head out of your ass. I love you as a coach, you're a class act, but this season, you're entire approach can be summarized by this look:

That seriously sums it up. Your team is plain and simply AWFUL offensively, and unless you play the kids and fall out of man love with Mathis, it will remain that way. I always thought that when they said you played a National League style of game that they were referring to lots of running,small ball, aggressive type stuff. I didn't realize until this season that it means you need to have a sub .190 hitter at the bottom of your lineup as an automatic out.

Its time to an overhaul in committment and approach, not just personnel, and it needs to start now.

Beltre et al.

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:09:00 +0000

Ok, so nothing is official yet with regards to Texas and Beltre.

And since I sort of wound the site down, nobody will read this, but I posted this at ocregister.com and wanted it to be more "out there".

Arte spoke with emotion and said he’d do what it took to improve this team.

While he did address the ‘pen, which I think was needed, we’re barely improved, and no big splash was made. Sure, we get a whole year of Haren, minus a whole year of Saunders, and we “should” get K-Mo back.

While I think we are a better team than 2010 showed – I think everyone was trying to fill Kendry’s Shoes in terms of power and squeezing the bat a little too tight – - I still don’t think we’re the top team in the West.

Oakland got better, and have a great young staff. Texas just beat the tar out of everyone and might be adding Beltre. Sure, they won’t know what to do with Michael Young, but which problem would you rather have? A revolving door at 3B w/ names like Callaspo, Izturis and Wood, or the embarassment of riches of Michael Young AND Adrian Beltre?

What it boils down to is that we now see that Boras doesn’t care about the Angels attempts at a hard negotiating stance, and he usually (though not always) gets exactly what he wants for his players.

Just never from Anaheim.

With the trend of many if not most big names (including our own Weaver and Morales) signed on with the Mega-Agent, the Angels attitudes will quickly make them also rans in every big name free agent pursuit.

Ok, so you didn’t let Boras push you around. You also didn’t get any of your off-season targets. Who wins when ego becomes part of it? Nobody.

Except Adrian Beltre and his XX Million dollar contract.

I honestly think 80/5 and an option for 6 isn’t TOO much. . .Sure its overpaying, but welcome to Free Agency 2010-11.You want to sign big Free Agents you have to (over)pay for them. That is the market. Understand that and react accordingly by either being a legitimate player - - even with the likes of Boras and the Ego checking that is required with him - - or don't. It's your money, and your team, and you're entitled to make whatever "smart baseball decisions" you want.

Just stop acting like Free Agents are a priority since you're obviously unwilling to commit the finances to them.

(btw, I know the Carl Crawford thing got stupid and we would have matched the money, but I still think you aren't quite getting "it").

That said? Fan Experience means squat if the team loses. I don't think we suck, but considering how much better the Red Sox got and how we didn't win the west - - or finish second - - last year, K-Mo isn't the difference maker for this team.

Testing, 1 . . . 2. . . 3

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 23:14:00 +0000

Ok, nobody will read this but me, but here goes.

Beltre is coming.

So is a Left Fielder (I'm thinking Ninja Style trade. Naps for ____)

Legit, though.

Totally surprising.

Ok, what I'm really going for here is a self fulfilling prophecy.

I stopped blogging mid way last season for personal reasons, and the Halos tanked.

I'm not saying I have ANY impact. But what the hell, right? This past week or so has been completely devoid of Angels news, so I figured I'd change that.

I have no sources, I have no facts, I don't even really have a gut feeling on this right now (media blackouts tend to have that effect on me).

But I know one thing for damn sure.

The Angels/Ducks could use some luck....

So Go Halos!

Go Ducks!

And Bobby Ryan, Hat trick and a 5 game winning streak. You can start now.

Angels, Ducks, The Site, etc

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:50:00 +0000

So the last few months, and by that I mean the entire NHL season (minus the Olympics, go figure, and Go Canada!), I've been a no-show. The three readers I did have I'm sure have long gone, and that's cool.

I would be too.

I'd like to start writing again, and I've said that a few times, essentially, whenever my numbers have sagged, and we all know that even though the Ducks season is over - - The Angels are off to a rough start, so there's plenty to say.

I think I'll just let this post simmer for a day or so, then come back and see if I'm inclined to write an entry, or just shut 'er down.

Thoughts?

So it's the NHL Trade Deadline!

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:11:00 +0000

Turns out I AM still alive, and I know my reader(ship) has disappeared, but that's my bad.

ANYWAY, it's the NHL Trade deadline today, 12pm PST, and here's the Ducks moves thus far:

Ducks send Evgeny Artyuhkin to ATL for D Oystrick and future considerations (or was it conditional picks?)

Ducks Acquire Aaron Ward from Carolina for G Justin Pogge.

Updates:
D Ryan Whitney to Edmonton for D Lubomir Visnovsky
F Petteri Nokelainen to Phoenix for Draft Pick
D Nick Boynton to Chicago for Future Considerations
G Vesa Toskala to Calgary for G Curtis McElhinney
7th Round pick to Toronto for G Joey MAcDonald

I have to do some homework regarding the salary numbers here, but it looks like we did some lowering on the cap hit, though not much. We DID do a big ol' Musical Chairs w/ Toronto goalies...Sending former Toronto goalie to Calgary and acquiring another Toronto backup in separate deals.

The Whitney move is great to shore up our Defense, and I like adding Ward, a good solid stay at home veteran.

Now just re-sign Whitney before he hits the RFA market. like, Now.

So far. . that's it...stay tuned. let's pray that Bobby Ryan is here come the end of the day.

IT'S OFFICIAL: Spring Training 2010 Begins!

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:13:00 +0000

Pitchers and Catchers reported to Tempe Arizona today for the official beginning to Spring Training 2010.

Thank the maker on this one.

I love even TYPING that sentence.

I seriously love baseball.

I'm also a huge hockey nerd, and to be honest, I'm quite enjoying the Olympic games thus far, especially that beat down that Canada put on Norway yesterday - - 8-0? Yikes.

Btw? Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan have scored so far in the playoffs, and Ryans was the first Mens' goal overall.

Go Ducks! Way to represent.

Wait, what? Ryan scored on Hiller? eek. Sorry mate.

ANYWAY...

Back to Baseball.

I love the smell of a live ballgame.

There's no place better on a gorgeous clear night in May or June than the third baseline, Angel Stadium.

That's so much closer now that the season has officially "begun to begin".

Can I even say that? Who cares! Nobody is reading this.

Keep a look out for a big Pre-season breakdown of the Angels, beginning this weekend.

I'll also have some roundup from some friends in Vancouver covering the games.

Gigeure to Toronto? Uhm, ok?

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:32:00 +0000

So the Ducks pulled the trigger on something that had been bantered about for a while now.

And it makes total sense on paper.

I get it.

The Ducks traded veteran netminder J.S. Giguere to the Toronto Maple Leafs, receiving Goalie Vesa Toskala in return along with Jason Blake.

This move reunites Giguere not only with long-time supporter and former Ducks GM Brian Burke in Toronto, but also longtime goaltending coach Francois Allaire - formerly of Anaheim - - now in Toronto.

This move is great because My favorite home team - - the Ducks - - helped out some significant holes in the Leafs - my lifelong favorite original six team.

It also makes sense financially. Giguere, who waived his no trade clause to play in Toronto, was set to mae over 4M this season and next, but the Ducks had been somewhat handcuffed with that salary. Jonas Hiller, who'd all but decidedly won the starting job from Giguere this season, was cheaper, and had been playing better, and carrying that much salary for a backup - - who clearly can and wants to start - - is a waste. Toronto had a need, they had the people Giguere was familiar with, and it was an easy fit.

Toronto also moved to get Dion Phaneuf from Calgary, a defender who'd fell out of favor and starting losing playing time minutes, in Calgary. Both Phaneuf and Giguere are exactly the type of big names that Toronto's Burke needs: Proven players, marquee names, and some semblance of direction by the long beleaguered club.

I will miss Giguere in Anaheim, but can't wait for him to don the Leafs Jersey. Much luck to him and his family on this one.

Beyond that, The Ducks new backup, Toskala, was once touted as an up and coming force in the NHL and should allow his often injury plagued play to be improved by less pressure in Anaheim.

GMJr to Mets?

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:47:00 +0000

MLBTradeRumors is quoting Heyman, saying that the Mets have acquired Gary Matthews Jr from the Angels.

No idea or any note as to who he's been traded for, though rumors abound that it was for a Pair of front row tickets to Spam-A-Lot off, off, off broadway and a case of game balls.

In defense to GMJr...wait, there's no defending the guy. The guy used HGH to have a career year in a contract walk year. Cashed in, and then complained about playing time even though he was a shell of that walk-year self.

He got his money, and will continue to get it, as it's rumored that Angels are picking upa considerable chunk of his salary.

So who do you think is coming our way?

Joel Pineiro? Why not Sheets?

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:06:00 +0000

MLBTradeRumors.com is reporting that the Angels are in on starting pitcher Joel Pineiro.

This will undoubtedly prove that they are in on him just enough to make it interesting for fans to follow up until the time the he is signed by either the Mets or the Dodgers.

Looking at his stats, he's a seemingly ground ball pitcher who started 32 games last year for the Cardinals...

Numbers...

15-12 W/L
214.0 IP
105/27 K/BB
1.14 WHIP
3.49 ERA

Sure, those are ok, but the guy's been absolutely hammered in the AL.

Why not Ben Sheets? Sheets, though definitely a high risk guy battling injury, would be a better option, though cheaper.

The only way Pineiro makes ANY sense for the Halos is a cheap 2 year deal.

Don't over-spend for the sake of signing someone. Please.

Haitian Victims

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:44:00 +0000

I've donated to doctors without borders, to help not only their Haitian relief efforts, but their efforts worldwide, as they provide services near and dear to my heart.

When I was a college student, my dad was in Medical school. Crazy, right?

At 44, he went back, Ph.D already in hand, to become a physician.

During his time in school, and for significant periods of time after, he and classmates/friends would go to Tijuana, Mexico and put on free weekend clinics in a building in what can only be described and ramshackle.

The electricity stemmed from one extension cord. I never thought to ask where it wa connected...

But I'd often go with them, lending my wannabe-pharmaceutical knowledge to the fray.

This was an area stricken with disease and poverty, and it was right here, 30 minutes from our own border.

The economic climate in Haiti prior to the devastation magnitude 7.0 earthquake was worse.

Since the quake, the true magnitude of lost lives and suffering, damage and utter devastation is beyond imagination.

Please donate. $5. $10. Something. If not Doctors without Borders, the Red Cross, someone, somewhere, needs it.

Ducks? What? here?

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:27:00 +0000

So yeah. I'm in having a bit of a quandry. See the poll above.

YOU call it, dear readers (reader.).

What should I do?

Rory Markas, 1955-2010.

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:40:00 +0000

Reports coming in from KLAA this morning that Angels Broadcaster Rory Markas has died, apparently of a heart attack. Details emerging saying Paramedics were called to his home late last night.
This is a sad, sad day for Angels fans, and another season marked with loss. My thoughts and deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. Angels fans everywhere are with you in your mourning today.

Relief for the Relievers?

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:08:00 +0000

ESPN is reporting that the Angels are in serious discussions with free agent reliever Fernando Rodney.

Let's Not Over-react...Yet

noreply@blogger.com (The Big Geek) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:10:00 +0000

Ok so Angel fans might call this off-season the winter of our discontent.

To sum up thus far:

1) Re-signed Bobby Abreu (yay!)
2) Lost Chone Figgins to Seattle (Boo!)
3) Lost John Lackey to Boston (Booooo!!)
4) Lost out on trading our future for Roy Halladay (meh...)
5) Signed Hideki Matsui (meh/yay!)

So we've lost some speed, a starting pitcher, and replaced those with a veteran hitter in decline with bad knees who'll play DH and really open up the Angels and their franchise to Japan and other international markets, so that's a win moving forward.

Here's how I see it more granularly...

1) Abreu - He was huge in teaching the youngsters - - and some Veterans - - how to be patient at the plate. He's not the former masher he once was, but he's a great presence, and the Angels essentially signed a player and batting coach in one. Also, Figgins should give Abreu at LEAST ten percent of his salary in Seattle, because without Abreu's patience rubbing off on him, there's no way Chone has the year he has last year.

2) Figgins - Sure, he was the core of our team, but it's also starting - - and I say this hesitantly - - to be the law of diminishing returns. His numbers on the bases have started to decline, and while he was all over the map with his new found ability to walk, his bat disappeared in the playoffs. We have to get Brandon Wood a chance, and Figgins deserved to test the market and get his. I think the deal he got was great, for Figgins, and will be good for Seattle for a year or two. I don't think he's worth the long-term commitment, and wish him well. It was just time to move on.

3) Lackey - I don't think you can blame the Angels ownership on this one. Boston overpaid for their number 3 or 4 starter. Sure, I liked John in Anaheim. He was bulletproof and one of our real junkyard dogs, but I think he was gone, no matter what. The writing was on the wall last year, and I think in HIS head the Angels aren't hungry enough and don't use him right. The problem is, the Angels used him perfectly, and that will continue in Boston, and he'll be unhappy there, too. That he ended up in Boston is a sucker punch, and I'll enjoy booing him. I hope he can live up to expectations of such a contract with perhaps the hardest fans to please in all of baseball. They won't take him ripping into his coaches and teammates too lightly, and I expect his stint in Boston to be one plagued by flashes of greatness tempered with devastating mediocrity, much like he was in Anaheim.

4) Halladay/Lee - Bittersweet. Did I want Roy Halladay? Sure. I don't think you can blame the Angels on this one, either. I suspect that Halladays rumors about wanting to train in Florida, near his home, were accurate. I also suspect that he wasn't as keen on waiving his no trade clause to come to Anaheim. He would have cost us 20 Million a year for the next few years, and he's probably the best pitcher in the game, at least top 5, and will be for a while. I think Philly lucked out in their extension, but adding Halladay over Lee isn't a HUGE upgrade. I think Seattle got the best of this deal in Lee. Should the Angels have made the move? Ok, maybe, but again, it wasn't all up to them, and I think Halladays no trade clause played a bigger role than we all want to think it did. I like fact that we didn't end up sending Aybar and Saunders anywhere, too, which helps.

5)Matsui - Ok, I'll take him. Over Vlad? I dunno. Maybe. I love me some Guerrero, ad while many say he's done, I think he has 2-3 more good years in him at DH, and I would've loved to see him in Cooperstown in an Angels uniform. Matsui is probably a better hitter, or at least more feared around the league than Vlad, who'd become a double play rally killer. Matsui will bring the Angels more brand exposure internationally and probably a few more butts in the seats, and he was the World Series MVP. Can he hit in Anaheim like he did in New York? He's never really done a lot in Anaheim, but his splits say he was better away from NY than he was at home. Time will tell, but for 6.5M, I say what the hell, right? Why not...

I don't want to see the Angels brass hit the panic button. After my initial freak out yesterday, I took a step back, got my legs under me, and thought about this.

Rumors are all over that the Angels are in on Derek Lowe, the stud of the Red Sox playoff run in 02, and a guy who's probably got better stuff at his age (36) than many others, the problem is he's owed some ridiculous amounts of money for three more years. Lowe at 15M isn't worth Rivera, even if we sign Bay. Bay is great, and probably better than Rivera at the plate, but only marginally. Maybe 10 more homeruns, 20 more RBI's and more name exposure. Rivera's as good defensively and his arm will save a few more runs a year than Bays, and again, the cost becomes the issue. Bay would cost, I'm guessing, somewhere in the neighborhood of 12-16 Million a year, and Rivera is much much cheaper.

Next years Free Agent Class is going to be one for the Ages, even if Joe Mauer and Albert Pujols re-up with their current clubs. Let's see how things go and make moves that make sense and don't hamstring us for the future just to make a move.

In the immortal words of Douglas Adams....

Don't Panic...