SB Nation - Los Angeles Angels

John Lackey's Legacy Will Be Consummated In Boston

ltrain2 — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:04:57 -0000

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

Will John Lackey's time in Boston make fans forget about what he accomplished with the Angels? Can he make winning Game 7 of the 2002 World Series as a rookie just a minor footnote in his career?

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With the signing of John Lackey to a 5-year, $82.5 million dollar contract, the Red Sox now boast three bona fide aces at the front-end of their rotation -- a rotation now widely considered one of the best in baseball.

Despite eight seasons with the Angels that saw Lackey accrue 102 wins, appear in an All-Star game, win an American League ERA title, and be named a World Series Champion; it is the final start of his rookie season that defines his career to this point.

On October 27th, 2002, just four days removed from his 24th birthday, John Lackey started the World Series' decisive seventh game against the San Francisco Giants. On only three days rest, Lackey allowed just a single run over five innings, becoming the second pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball to win Game 7 of the World Series as a rookie (the other being Babe Adams of the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates). The hat that he wore that night is now displayed in the MLB's Hall of Fame.

Lackey has certainly begun to create his legacy during his years in California, but it is his time in Boston that will consummate it.

The Red Sox's previous two World Series titles were predicated by the acquisitions of marquee starting pitchers; namely Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett.

Schilling and Beckett also came to the Red Sox as World Series Champions. In fact, they too were the starting pitchers for their team's title-clinching games. Both pitchers arrived in Boston already having had what most would consider career-defining accolades, however, it has been their time as members of the Red Sox that most will remember them for.

In 2001, Curt Schilling combined with Randy Johnson to form one of the most imposing 1-2 punches in playoff history. Schilling, then 35 years-old, started Game 7 of the World Series against the New York Yankees. The right-hander helped lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to their first and only World Series title in arguably the greatest baseball game of the decade. Despite winning multiple awards that season, including World Series Co-MVP honors (shared with Johnson), Schilling will always be remembered by what he did in Boston.

The Red Sox completed a trade in November of 2003 that sent four players to Arizona (Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon, Jorge de la Rosa, and Michael Goss) for Curt Schilling. The newly-acquired pitcher vowed to push the Red Sox past their 86-year title drought, and did so the very next season. Schilling won two World Series Championships in Boston (2004, 2007), and will forever be etched in Red Sox lore for his heroics in what will always be referred to as, "The Bloody Sock Game."

In 2003 Josh Beckett led his team (Florida Marlins) past the Yankees to a World Series Championship. The 23 year-old, like Lackey in 2002, started the series' final game on three days rest. Neither short rest nor the daunting task of pitching a World Series game in Yankee stadium phased Beckett as he twirled a complete game shutout, allowing just five hits over nine brilliant innings. Again, like Schilling, Beckett was named the World Series MVP.

In another blockbuster trade that again cost the Red Sox four minor-leaguers, most notably Hanley Ramirez, Josh Beckett was brought to Boston on Thanksgiving Day of 2006. In the 2007 ALCS against the Cleveland Indians, Beckett helped Boston stave off elimination at Jacobs Field by pitching eight innings allowing just one run, striking out eleven, and initiating the team's comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. While Beckett may have introduced the world to his post-season prowess while in Florida, it is his time in Boston that has seen Beckett truly established himself as one of the baseball's most notable "big game pitchers."

John Lackey embodies characteristics seen in both of the aforementioned pitchers. Like Beckett, Lackey is a Texas-native who incurred success in the MLB at a young age, both winning a World Series before turning the age of 25. Similar to Schilling, he comes to Boston following a rival-Yankees championship, and isn't hesitant about expressing his desire to help Boston back to the World Series.

However, the most intriguing aspect shared by the three pitchers may be the unwillingness to shy away from Boston's biggest threat heading into next season, the New York Yankees.

Just last season, in the American League Championship Series' Game 5 against New York, John Lackey created one of the most memorable images of the 2009 playoffs.

As Angels' manager Mike Scioscia approached the mound to remove him from the game, cameras captured the determined Lackey shouting, "This is mine!" A showcase of determination that surely caught the eye of Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox, leading them to offer the free-agent a long-term deal worth over $80 million dollars.

Lackey comes to Boston with a very impressive resume similar to those that accompanied Beckett and Schilling upon their arrivals. And like the those before him, he is in position to cement his legacy by what he accomplishes in a Red Sox uniform.

Despite spending time on the disabled list the past two seasons, Lackey is regarded as one of the game's most durable pitchers. During the span of five seasons prior to 2008, Lackey averaged just under 33 starts and 211 innings pitched. His average win-loss record for a season may be a mediocre 13-9, however, his career ERA is 3.81 and has not surpassed the 4.00 mark since 2004; all while pitching in baseball's most offensive-heavy league.

Lackey also brings that element of post-season success that Beckett and Schilling are known for. Despite winning just three of his seven decisions in the playoffs, his ERA is 3.12 in 78 innings pitched. Lackey started three playoff games in 2009 (one against Boston, two against New York), going 1-1 with a 2.29 ERA over just under 20 IP. That includes 7 1/3 shutout innings in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Red Sox.

Aside from last season, Lackey and the Angels had seemingly been Boston's annual stepping stone in getting to the ALCS.

-In 2004, the Red Sox swept aside Lackey and the Angels 3-0 in the ALDS en route to a World Series title.

-2007 featured the exact same result as Boston went on to their second championship in four years.

-The Angels managed to avoid the sweep in 2008, but again fell to the Sox 3-1 in the Divisional Series.

Now that Lackey is a member of the Boston Red Sox, expect different results -- unless you're comparing his transition to those made by Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling, that is.

Poll

After his career is finished, how will you remember John Lackey?

Yankees acquire Javier Vazquez

Eli Greenspan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:40:53 -0000

More photos » by Luis Alvarez - AP

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The Yankees and Braves have agreed to a deal that would send pitcher Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan to the Yankees in exchange for outfielder Melky Cabrera, lefty pitcher Michael Dunn, and righty pitcher Arodys Vizcaino.

Vazquez was rumored in a deal with the Angels last week, but the Yankees apparently swooped in and cut a fast deal.

Vazquez, who will make 10.5 million dollars in 2010, will give them a nice fifth starter a former Yankee who is familiar with the AL East.

Vazquez posted a 2.87 ERA in 2009, but that is expected to shoot back up now that he is in the American League again.

Cabrera fills a hole in the Braves' outfielder, but he is not guaranteed the spot season long. However, a move to the NL could spell success for Cabrera, who put together a fairly strong season in 2009.

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Melky Cabrera	154	485	66	133	28	1	13	68	43	59	10	2	.274	.336	.416

Dunn owns a 3.62 career minor league ERA in 110 appearances.

Vizcaino, 19, owns a 2.93 ERA in his brief minor league career, but has a high ceiling that should excite the Braves.

John Lackey: Last Ode to the Traitor

Rev Halofan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:40:58 -0000

More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

Huh? (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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I swore I would not write a tribute to John Lackey but then I was interviewed (LINK) by Randy Booth of the SBN Red Sox blog Over The Monster and I ended up paying homage to Big John.

And so I will write about him one last time for Angels fans and Halos Heaven readers and then just try to move on...

Last week the war of words simmered. We were told that it is "just a business" - which is code for "hide your feelings." We were told that the team's management was to blame. Not an issue of right or wrong, but the din of opinions missed the mark. You see, when YOU or ME put on that replica jersey, turn on that game or buy that baseball card, WE become that player. There actually is no "John Lackey." There is a guy with that name and he has an interesting job and works hard at it, employed by a major league baseball team to repeat precise movements under pressure. Yawn... let's just go to the ballet, that is "just a business" too. And the reason it is a broke business is that you don't wear a tutu to the opera-house and become that ballerina (thankfully). But at the ballpark there was a character we became every fifth day during the season named John Lackey.

You and I have at times become John Lackey. We have been on that mound and had that look of raw anger and seething hatred of the opponent... and having it has given our lives a deeper meaning. Feeling it... we have known how to live a little more certain of ourselves because of that night on the mound against the Giants or that afternoon against Oakland where, when you and I were John Lackey, we told Jason Kendall to stick his arm out a little more and then tackled him.

And so now this thing we have been has become a traitor and, repulsed, we stand for a few weeks of this offseason alone, unsure, not ready to become someone else, to grow our imagination of the possible through the perseverance of this stat-compiling character who defies human incompetence and achieves excellence. I have been him, you have been him and the game pulls us in because it allows us that space to share with the archetype of the hero.

Those who tisk-tisk us that it is "just a business" lack the imagination to enjoy this game at our deep level. We are superior to these sanctimonious scolds; WE are fans, the soul of what these players embody is an energy that melds into our consciousness. We become the player... forget that the guy on the field pirouetting like Nijinsky... he is just 3 or 4 percent of the equation. You and I giving him any attention... that is more than 90 percent of it; Just me and you and a hundred thousand others being one with that moment and understanding its greatness in an inter-generational history woven deep into the American character and international consciousness.

The team store has the John Lackey jersey I always wanted on sale for $20. I couldn't even lift the hangar from the rack my desire was so weak. He has "gone to the dark side" ... "crossed enemy lines" ... "sold his soul to the devil" ... you see, without the complex narrative that you and I add, this is just the ballet populated by pudgy men and boys following stupid rules.

But these human cattle are paid well to hone those reflexes and stretch those calves because who they are forever disappears into the trillion layers of meaning each player commits to when he suits up, takes the field and pulsates his psyche out into the cheering crowd, a diaspora of intimacy and archetype that he will never recover as we become him. It is the ritual communion of the fan - it is all for us, it is all about us and when you have hope, you pull in the energy of the player who embodies it for you and you become him, win or lose, it is the leap of a lifetime from your season seat, your bleacher bench, your living room sofa. Being a fan is living. You and I are more alive because we lived as John Lackey, but now it is time to live our own lives until hope finds us again. And we are here because we believe it will.

Angels Team Store Signals End of an Era...

Rev Halofan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:58:15 -0000

So we made it down to the Angels Team Store for some Holiday shopping. Whole store is 40 % off...

Arte is the only picture left in the Stadium facade windows and this pic will have to go soon as Vlad, Figgy and Lackey are there with him....

The billboard printing machine will have to be cranking out a Matsui, but the pulling of all the images signals that there will be a new use of the team logo in most of the stadium signage - probably incorporating that "Star" logo for the All Star Game - the one with all of its stupid text covering over the star itself.

The Vlad shirts are $8.99, the Vlad and Lackey jerseys are $20, even cool ones with the retro 70s Small "a" "angels"...

I ran out of the store and cried a little by where the Adenhart shrine used to be. It all finally hit me. A new decade is dawning in Los Angeles of Anaheim ... let's hope it is as successful as the one that just passed... I went in and resumed shopping ... all kids stuff for the nephews and a niece... hope they grow up with as many good memories AND winning memories as we have all had as fans.

Rev Halofan's Thoughts on John Lackey

Randy Booth — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:59:14 -0000

More photos » by Elise Amendola - AP

2 months ago: Los Angeles Angels' John Lackey walks back to the team dugout after Game 6 of the American League Championship baseball series against the New York Yankees was postponed because of rain Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, in New York (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

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It's time to get a little insight on John Lackey and what he brings to the Boston Red Sox. But who is better to ask than Halos Heaven leader Rev Halofan? No one.

I asked Rev a few questions regarding Lackey. His answer -- which you're certainly going to want to read -- are after the jump.

1) When you heard the Red Sox were interested in Lackey and/or signed him, what was your immediate reaction?

Really stunned, as I thought the rivalry would inhibit this sort of treacherous activity - and before you go telling me that it is a business, all that Mister Spock non-emotional analysis, consider Lackey's own quote that he had to plead with Theo that he was serious - the Sox obviously assumed there was more than this "just being a business."

I thought there was a good chance Lackey was returning and never ever expected this stab in the back. Chone Figgins will be cheered with a standing ovation upon his return to Angel Stadium. Benedict Lackey is gonna get some boos. For me personally I got food poisoning on Monday night, but I think the news breaking that afternoon spoiled the pork in my belly, so the whole affair caused quite a bit of vomiting that no Godzilla signing could cure. Fortunately our cleaning lady did a great job on the baffroom as will the Angels front office on the clubhouse.

2) Fill in the blanks: "John Lackey used to be ____________________, but now he is ______________________."

"John Lackey used to be the pitching equivalent of a Jimmy Page Guitar solo on the mound, but now he is an Andy Gibb falsetto poetry recital 24/7." Or does Peter Gammons have some sort of copyright on music analogies for baseball players?

3) What has the general reaction been from "Angel Nation" after the signing?

There are ball-less twits saying, "well it is all just a business." There are fans who have blood coursing through their veins who understand that Lackey is a traitor. Lots of sentimental folks are blaming the Angels front office. The best take I saw on the signing, though, was from Stephen Smith on his Future Angels blog, he proposed critics envision the Red Sox signing Matsui and the Angels signing Lackey for the same deals and then making this a trade - totally looks great if you are the Angels fro the money it frees up and risky in terms of years if you are the Red Sox.

4) How's Lackey going to perform as a Sox?

You will come to love him. He is a big game pitcher. He is frustrating when he nibbles with two strikes, but his "warrior"-ness is off the charts and completely infectious. You will get excited the morning of one of his starts. Statistically he may be closer to Kevin Millwood than to Roy Halladay, but for entertainment value, he is a marquee hero you want slaying the dragon for you, not some boring Soap Star of consistency.

Forget all that "he has been injured" bullshit. His forearm issues have been the Angels taking it easy and patient in Spring Training and are not chronic - Lackey the gamer would have pitched with the pain and a Tylenol ... the precaution was all on the part of Angels staff who were confident enough about the team's chances without a #1 for a month to take a "go-slow" approach with John.

And there is no truth to rumors about negative chemistry in the clubhouse. This guy is the ultimate teammate jocksniffer. When the Angels held their on-field tribute to Nick Adenhart, Torii Hunter and John Lackey held Nick's jersey on the mound - that says it all, he was the veteran who stood up for the team, and who speaks up in the clubhouse. Look he is THE man, THE Teammate, he wants the ball, and if his arm is going to fall off after Game 7, he will push his manager out of the way, take the mound and hit 93 on the gun.

5) Insert whatever rant you haven't been able to go on yet below:

I was bound and determined not to write a tribute to this eggsucking Texan traitor and you managed to squeeeeze it out of me Randy, damn you and your city. If there is a negative to Lackey, he might shoot his mouth off, especially with the way the press is in the Northeast, but it is part of a bigger persona package that you will all come to love, damn your souls, but Merry Christmas otherwise!

As always, thanks to the Rev for the insight.

Top Moments '09: No. 6 - Comeback Over Angels Features Trio of Shortstops

Randy Booth — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:00:20 -0000

More photos » by Elise Amendola - AP

3 months ago: Boston Red Sox's Alex Gonzalez, left, celebrates with teammates, including Dustin Pedroia, far right, after hitting a walkoff single to drive in the winning run for a 9-8 victory against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

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We didn't see shortstops Alex Gonzalez, Jed Lowrie and Nick Green work together a lot this season. But why would we? All three are shortstops and while they have some versatility, it's just rare to see three players all at the same position do something significant in the same game together.

Except on Sept. 16.

With the Angels in town for a three-game set, the Red Sox wanted to extend their five-game winning streak. They took game one pretty easily, setting the stage for a game two.

Game two started simple enough: the Angels went up 3-0 through five innings. The Sox managed just three hits before the sixth inning -- but that's when they took over with five runs. But that's just the start of this up-and-down game.

The Sox's 5-3 lead didn't last long, as the Angels went on to score four runs in the seventh. Then the Sox scored two in the bottom of the eighth, setting up a 7-7 all game going into the ninth.

Stressful.

The tie game didn't last long, though, as Bobby Abreu knocked Chone Figgins in with a single off of reliever Daniel Bard. The Sox were once again on the wrong side of the score and needed one run in the ninth to stay alive.

The ninth started in bad fashion for the Sox. Jason Bay and Mike Lowell popped up and flied out, respectively, putting the Sox's chances at slim to none. Typically when this happens, there is no hope. But this night felt different.

If the Sox were to try and win this game, it was on David Ortiz to get on base. He worked a walk, was pinch-ran for by Joey Gathright, and J.D. Drew followed with a single. This is where the shortstops come to rescue.

Jed Lowrie, who was hitting for Dusty Brown, singled to load the bases for Nick Green, who batted for Casey Kotchman. It was produce or go home. In what was a very heated at-bat with a lot of close ball and strike calls, Green walked, forcing Gathright in from third and making a tie game.

But it still wasn't done.

With the bases still juiced, Alex Gonzalez came to the plate to try and give the Sox another W. There were a lot of doubters of Gonzo at the time, but he came through in the clutch: Gonzo hit a soft blooper into left field that dropped to the feet of Juan Rivera to score Drew and give the Sox the comeback win.

Phew. That was an exhausting game.

With the trio of shortstops all making a late-game splash, it was an interesting sight to see. The Sox only won this game because they gutted it out. Terry Francona made some interesting lineup moves but it all paid off in the end.

After all, it does come down to the W.

The Atlanta Braves Weekly Wrap: Lowe, Gonzalez, Vazquez, and more

gondeee — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:06:42 -0000

More photos » by Rob Carr - AP

Former Atlanta Braves' closer Mike Gonzalez took his services to the Baltimore Orioles, along with the Braves' hopes for a first round draft pick in 2010.

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Here's a look at the major stories in the world of the Atlanta Braves for the week ending on December 20th:

In the Press...

The Braves officially released their spring training schedule.
With John Lackey signing, that officially opened the door for the Derek Lowe rumors to get hot and heavy.
For his part, Derek Lowe is unhappy about the Braves rumored intention to trade him, and he may have talked his way out of the Braves' favor.
Mike Gonzalez signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles, and the Braves lose any hope of getting a first round pick in 2010's draft.
The Hardball Times released their version of the Braves top-10 prospects.
There was some minor buzz about the Braves adding minor league slugger Mitch Jones.
The Angels were rumored to be interested in Javier Vazquez, but Talking Chop debunked that rumor, and then Mark Bowman officially debunked it.
The Braves signed utility infielder Joe Thurston to a minor league contract.

At Talking Chop...

The Atlanta Braves Fan Confidence dropped for the second straight week.
We released the Talking Chop Community Top-25 Braves Prospects.
I said that the Braves draft pick situation is not that bad, despite the team missing out on any first round picks next year.
Anyone need some last minute gift ideas for the baseball fan.

Notable FanPosts and FanShots...

ATLandUNC passed along a story about Chipper Jones being the 7th-best player of the decade.
cbwilk shared some of his pictures of former Braves players.
bbxxj ran down the Braves salary situation.
unite8 took the salary situation a step further by suggesting a course that the Braves should take this off-season.
secondbass passed along the information for the Rome Hot Stove gathering in January.

Class of 2005: The Angels Best Breakout Candidates

rghan — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:42:16 -0000

Folks with long baseball memories recall 2005 as the year the Angels drafted but failed to sign Buster Posey and Brian Matusz (best Eddie Bane quote ever: "[Matusz] wanted a million bucks. Guess we should have given it to him..."). The Halos obviously missed the boat with those two, but harvested a solid collection of players currently headlined by Peter Bourjos, Sean O'Sullivan and Trevor Bell. At the time, the Angels were also congratulating themselves on snagging five other teenage talents from the draft and international FA market whose names should be familiar here: Ryan Mount, P.J. Phillips, Angel Castillo, Jeremy Moore, and Luis Jimenez. Each was the quintessential high ceiling prospect, an athletic, up-the-middle player with tons of projection, but who would need plenty of development time. Four and a half years later, not one of those guys rank among the Halos' top 30 prospects, but they continue to flash some of the best tools in the organization.

Professional baseball is littered with the "skeleton frames of burnt out" athletes who never developed MLB-caliber skills, so picking just one of the 2005 cohort to breakout in 2010 is a roll of the dice. For me, the interesting thing here is not so much the individual players themselves, but the quantity of potential four and five tool athletes who will make a run at turning their considerable natural talent into baseball skills. The laws of averages suggests that one of Mount, Phillips, Castillo, Moore, or Jimenez will break through in High A or AA, and potentially crack most Top 5 Angels Prospect lists next year. So here they are, in descending order, your top minor league breakout candidates of 2010.

5) Ryan Mount - .253/.302/.345, 80 OPS+ with 4 HR and 5 SB's. -1 glove.

2005 - 2^nd Round, 58^th Overall, signed for $615,000

The difference between Mount's promising '08 campaign and his disappointing '09? A dozen homeruns. That's it...

Overall, his K-rate, walk rate, batted ball distribution and BABIP changed very little. He just hit 12 or so fly balls that died in the Travs' endless outfield instead of clearing the fence. No doubt Arkansas is a crummy park for hitters, but the 80 OPS+ underscores the limits of a player whose value is tied to good-but-not-elite pop. Batting .208/.250/.264 over 53 Arizona Fall League AB's did nothing to boost his stock (though he looks good in this video). While it's possible that Mount jumps to AAA next year, I think the favorable hitting environment would be counterproductive to his development: it would be a hard thing to commit yourself to a new approach when you're suddenly hitting .280 with power in Salt Lake City's thin air. Taking another shot at AA while fellow second baseman Nate Sutton advances to AAA makes far more sense. Moreover, recently signed minor league free agent Alex Valdez is coming off of a strong '09 season in AA, is currently smoking it in the Dominican, hitting .296/.353/.454, and will probably also move ahead of Mount on the organization's thinning middle infield depth chart.

4) P.J. Phillips - .232/.271/.366, 67 OPS+ with 10 HR, 23 SB's and +5 glove (in CF)

2005 - 2^nd Round, 71^st Overall, signed for $505,000

On the surface, Phillips' season looks far worse than even the disappointing .275/.311/.416 line he put up at the same level in ‘08. However, there are qualifications to consider: back in April, the Halos bumped him from shortstop to second base, where he gritted it out defensively but hit only .202/.237/.327; in the early summer, he shifted to the outfield, looked more comfortable, and hit .261/.304/.411 from that point on - certainly no breakout, but a step in the right direction. Moreover, he kicked ass in centerfield, drawing good reviews from both scouts and TotalZone. I saw him in August and he looked like the best athlete in a Quakes' uniform, ripping a double and a triple, running the bases well, and making two outstanding plays in the field. Most promisingly, he posted a solid .281/.333/.422 line against good pitching in the AFL after taking Pete Bourjos' roster spot on the Mesa Sox. The video here shows him working the count and driving the ball, providing hope for a 2010 breakout. Advanced pitching and the Travs' spacious ballpark will eat him alive if he doesn't change his approach, but again, take heart from Phillips working the count in the video above. I posted a picture of him below - that lanky frame remains extraordinary projectable.

3) Angel Castillo - .244/.321/.395, +103 OPS with 13 HR's, 16 SB's and +10 glove

2005 - August Signing, Bonus Unknown

Castillo is one of two guys in the Angels' system who could come out of nowhere in '10 and whack 30 homeruns. He also plays an outstanding right fielder, shows speed on the base paths, and will take one for the team at every opportunity (he tied teammate Roberto Lopez for most HBP's in the system last year with 17). However, while he did cut his k-rate by about 4% from ‘08, he still whiffed in nearly 25% of his '09 PA's. The most frustrating yet tantalizing thing about Castillo? He hit .298/.378/.558 against lefties last year (the flip side is he hit an anemic .224/.288/.348 against righties). Scouting reports have harped on Castillo's inability to hit breaking balls, so the extreme split makes sense. I saw him absolutely crush an offspeed pitch from a righty last June (a game winning homerun), and when I asked him about it he acknowledged that he was sitting on the change-up. If he ever learns to hit something with break (F-U Jobu!), watch out, because he has the tools of an allstar. The Halos signed him as a seventeen year old, so his clock is ticking a little too fast for him to still be in A-ball: he'll be eligible for the Rule 5 draft next year, and will have to make the 40-man by 2011 to stick with the Halos.

2) Jeremy Moore - .282/.336/.456, 108 OPS+ with 13 HR, 18 SB, and a +8 glove.

2005 - 6^th Round Pick, 193^rd Overall, Signed for $100,000.

The sabermetric wisdom pegs the toolsey Moore to regress - not breakout - after an '09 campaign that featured a 28% k-rate and well-above-average .388 batting average on balls in play. That's fuel for the haters, sure, but let's consider the positives: Moore actually reduced his k-rate by 4% over his 2008 numbers, he improved his walk rate by 2%, he had no problem squaring balls up, and his batted ball distribution - 19% line drives and 47% groundballs - supports an above-average BABIP for a speedy left-handed hitter. His best games of the season came in a brief July promotion to AA, so the Trav's cavernous park didn't trip him up much. Lastly, his defense was outstanding across the board, a virtue that outfielders Terry Evans and Chris Pettit didn't share in ‘09. Is he a late bloomer? The exceptional homerun power that he showed in Cedar Rapids was absent in the first half of ‘09, but could reemerge. His 56% stolen base success rate this season was terrible, but hopefully failure taught him a thing or two about when to swipe a bag. He showed a slight reverse split, handling lefties better than righties, so there's no sign of a platoon weakness (yet). All that could add up to him becoming a left-handed Terry Evans - which, fair or not, is more valuable than the right-handed Terry Evans - or even better. Or he could flop, but I have a good feeling about him. See the picture below.

1) Luis Jimenez, 3B - (2008 stats) .331/.361/.630, 151 OPS+ with 15 HR's, 6 SB's, and +5 glove.

2005 - August Signing, Bonus Unknown (as a catcher)

Here's the other guy who could come out of nowhere and knock 30 HR's in 2010. Luis "Lucho" Jimenez made all of the top prospect lists last year on the strength of two consecutive homerun titles, a crazy good (even for the Pioneer League) .293 ISO, solid contact rate, and scouting reports that said he could be at least an average third baseman. Sadly, he tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder in an ‘08 game where he made two diving plays - one trying to make a stop at the hot corner, and one diving back to first to avoid a pick-off - and succumbed to a surgery that sidelined him through 2009. He's currently on the AZL Halos' roster, presumably rehabbing, but where he slots in come 2010 is a mystery - if he's healthy enough to slot in at all. Do the Halos send him to Cedar Rapids, taking at-bats away from Dillon Baird, Casey Haerther and Mike Wing while ignoring Jimenez' ticking minor league free agency clock? Or do the Halos skip him to Rancho to reunite with his cohort, and hope for California League fireworks? At this point there are more questions than data to chew over, so all we can do is wait and watch for this guy in the boxscore.

Poll

Who's your bet to breakout in 2010?

MLB Trade Rumors: Johnny Damon to the Braves?

raygu — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:00:20 -0000

by Eric Gay - AP

about 1 month ago: New York Yankees' Johnny Damon breaks his bat grounding out to first to drive in a run in the fifth inning of Game 5 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, in Philadelphia. Philies catcher Carlos Ruiz watches. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Last night, we heard that the Yankees were closing in on signing Nick Johnson to be their DH in 2010. That begs the question? Is Johnny Damon's career as a Yankee over now? Some seem to think so. His agent Scott Boras has his work cut out for him for sure.

Newsday's Ken Davidoff seems to this so in a tweet last night"

Yes, I think this is the end for J. Damon and #Yankees. Cashman seems serious re: budget, youth, payroll management/roster flexibility.

This seems to support my theory that Jesus Montero will make his debut in Yankee Stadium this year,

So who are the list of suitors for Johnny Damon? I guess the Angels could be looking at Damon as they have lost Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins this offseason. Damon could take Guerrero's DH spot, and play some left field on occasion.

Or how about the Braves? The Braves need a leadoff hitter, and a left fielder. Damon can do both. But he will cost them some money. I don't see Damon getting more than a two year deal from anyone this year. But he could fit in the Braves lineup nicely. Damon went 24-82-12-.282-.365-.489-.854 in 2009, but I don't see him hitting 20+ HRs anywhere but Yankee Stadium.

Poll

Is Johnny Damon a fit in Atlanta?

Braves/Angels Rumor About Javier Vazquez

gondeee — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:37:00 -0000

I saw this rumor earlier this evening and thought very little of it, but then ESPN.com decided to repeat it and source it:

According to a reliable source, the Angels are talking to the Braves about Javier Vazquez. The Braves however want to deal Derek Lowe, obviously. The names of the players in a potential deal are not known, but it is no secret the Braves are looking for a power hitting left fielder and are said to be interested in Juan Rivera.

The ESPN rumor central piece adds this:

The Angels have actually been focused on Javier Vazquez, according to executives of two clubs that have spoken with them.

Maybe ESPN is reporting anything and everything, but they seem to have multiple sources. Kudos to AngelsWin.com, a blog, for getting this story first.

Compliments aside, both sites mention the big hang-up with Vazquez being his no-trade clause to West coast teams. I don't think a player would negotiate that level of specificity into a contract and then ignore it when it comes trade time. Vazquez has been traded enough to be picky, and he won't waive his no-trade just to because Bill Stoneman and Vazquez "keep in touch," as the AngelsWin post mentions. That's a lot of wishful thinking on their part.

Furthermore, Vazquez and his agent should know that going into a contract year there is more value in remaining in the National League where Javy had a career year last year. They should also have some idea that the Braves want to re-sign Vazquez. Atlanta's a good and stable situation for Javy, and I don't see him waiving his no-trade to leave, that's the only leverage he has.

This rumor is likely a result of the Angels asking for Vazquez instead of Lowe, but that doesn't mean the Braves are going to bite. Frank Wren's luck is not on the side of negotiating a trade and not having the player veto it. The Angels may very well have interest in Javy, but I don't think that will end up being his ultimate destination.