SB Nation User Blog: Angel Aviator

Home Sweet Home

Angel Aviator — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:17:46 -0000

I thought I would post a little something in regards to how important Home Field advantage is in the playoffs and how it is a lot more then one extra home game as previously reported by rally monkey.

I think it’s a big factor when you consider the Angels are a .500 team on the road against this years playoff teams (TB, CHI, BSX)

That winning record on the road against bad teams doesn’t mean squat when you’re talking about sleeping in your own bed and playing in front of your home crowd. Pitching on a mound that is tailored for each pitcher makes a difference as well. Lot more reasons to play for the HFA then there is not to. It’s always nice to play that 5th game of the ALDS at home and games 6&7 of the ALCS in front of your home town fans

If there is 2 teams out of the east (looks that way) its going to be a tough travel schedule should TB get past the first round………

The biggest thing about having HFA might be the AL team with the best record gets to choose its first-round schedule. One choice is Game 1 on Oct.1 and stretches the best of 5 series over eight days. The other format starts Oct.2 and has just 2 days off.

The eight day format allows both teams to go with just 3 starting pitchers. No pitcher would have to start on short rest either. This would allow Lackey, Santana and Saunders to all pitch with the rest needed and Lackey and Santana to pitch games 4 &5 if needed. Personally I think the extra days off make for a healthy team through the playoffs.

Not Alone ..........Float the Hope

Angel Aviator — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:09:31 -0000

As for the part about the injured.........

With Aybar and Kendrick the double play combo since Izzy went down the team has gone 4-9. Thats with Aybar and Kendrick playing. Since that day that Izzy was knocked out the club has gone 10-12 (3-6 against playoff teams). To assume that Kendrick will be healthy and ready is a lot to assume. To think Kendrick will just hit the ground running is also a lot to assume. This is the same guy that came of the DL last time and hit .174/.220/.239 in his first 50 PA. I sure hope he is healthy and is able to perform at 100% !

As for using pitchers as a comparison to position players is not a good comparison. Pitchers have a better chance of success then a hitter. Laws of avg are in the pitchers favor. Lackey threw over a 100 inn in 2002 and was successful never giving anyone any concern in his ability to pitch and have success. We all know the success F-Rod had as well. So sure no fear about Dondo at all. The rest of the pen has been a concern of late.

Tex can’t do it all by himself, but he might have to
Vald is a HOF no doubt! But his playoff numbers aren't. He has struggled this year and will be needed more then ever this year in the playoffs. That catching tandem is hitting .202 and striking out 1 out of every 3.1 AB's. The pitching will not get easier in the playoffs. As for Kendrick refer to above statements regarding his chance for contributing offensively.

How can a pitcher cut his hands on the bench?

Guessing he didn't and it has more to do with him throwing 100+ pitches in his last 5 starts going 7inn once. He has 27 starts this year 28 last year (most) and he needed to be rested because he is leaking oil just like Saunders. Lets be serious Sosh has been resting everyone and now its time for the pitchers as well.

And why put somebody from AAA in to pitch against the Sox?
See above

No, I’m not a manager, nor will I ever be, but I’m afraid we’re all used up.
True but you manage what is given and right now there isn't a lot that can be done, but hope that what has been seen for the last 3+ weeks is not what is seen in Oct. or it will be a long winter.

*Being in first place by double digits in the AL East or AL Central or NL East or NL Central is impressive. 1st by double digits in the AL West seems to have made some complacent when its just the first step towards what should be the objective each year.......World Series Champions.................

Baseball and Life

Angel Aviator — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:46:43 -0000

I was going to post this in regards to all the comments being made about the 9 year old boy that was shut down by a local league in Chowda land, but thought it best that I post it here for those that have kids.

I myself was lucky enough to play this game of baseball I love at a higher level then a lot of others. I am a son of a coach and had the opportunity to play along side many great players and play for a lot of great coaches. Along the way I learned many life lessons that have helped me through my adult life.

I have been all over the world doing coach’s clinics in Japan for a foundation that Hank Aaron and Sadaharu Oh have. I’ve even been to Sir Lanka to do a baseball camp/school. I will never forget setting up the field in this remote part of Sir Lanka only to have the rains come and lock us up in the room. Once the rain stopped and we went to the field we found that an elephant had decided to make second base his resting area. Getting the elephant to move was much easier then trying to persuade the Sir Lanka airport security that all the equipment we brought was not for guerrilla warfare. Try convincing a bunch of soldiers with automatic weapons on their shoulder that the helmets, bats and catchers equipment are for sport. After doing a demo in the airport at 3am and getting the US Embassy on the phone we were off.

I have spent time with those that coach/manage at the highest level I make sure to listen. I am smart enough to know I don’t know everything about this game, and that’s what makes it so fun.

What you read below is not something I have made up, but things I have been taught through my playing career and time in the pro game. I have had the great fortune to spend many days and nights with some of the greatest baseball minds in the game.

The list below is something that is enforced each day by me and the rest of the staff. It is something that is given to each player and often reviewed by the players (sometimes daily) and I like to think it has helped. Maybe you will find it useful as well.

1. NO EXCUSES.

Do not blame teammates, umpires, coaches, fans, or the position of the moon for your performance. Take responsibility for what happens on the field. Stand up, make no excuses, refuse the excuses that others might offer you. Excuses get in the way of learning because mistakes are denied. Be accountable. Remember you are not expected to be a perfect performer. No one is. Baseball is not an easy game to play.

2. PLAY WITH HONOR.

Always hustle, run out every ground ball and pop up, encourage your teammates, especially after an error, bad pitch, or a strike out, carry yourself with pride and dignity. Do not in frustration throw equipment. Do not ridicule another team or an opposing player's name, physical appearance, skill. Do not taunt. Do not distract an opposing player with low-level antics. Be positive with teammates. Never ridicule or criticize your teammates. They need your encouragement the most immediately after they have made a mistake. Show your teammates, your opponents, the entire world the values you hold dear by how you play.

3. BE RELENTLESS.

Never Yield. Never Yield. Regardless of what the scoreboard says, you are never defeated unless you give up, unless you go belly up. No opponent can make you do this. Giving up is something you do. Regardless of what the scoreboard says, no opponent can extinguish the flame in your heart or crush the intensity of your will without your consent. Never surrender.

4. SLAY YOUR OWN DEMONS, THEN SLAY DRAGONS.

Ignore those things outside your control: the judgments of umpires, the conduct and ability of other teams, the weather, your amount of playing time, the final score (this is a tough one). Do not show frustration or disappointment. Do not allow your opponents to gain joy from your inability to cope with self-pity. Do not throw equipment or whine in anger or slump your shoulders. Such behavior impresses no one. Maintain your poise. Learn, prepare, and focus on the next event. We cannot change the past. Instead, we should focus on the next action with determination, joy, and resolve.

5. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE THINGS UNDER YOUR CONTROL.

Your effort, your attitude, your commitment, and your approach to the game are under your control. Be enthusiastic, play with great effort, conduct yourself appropriately, meet this opportunity with great joy. Listen to your coaches. Be alert, play smartly, know the signs. You are always accountable. How you react to situations and circumstances reveals the person you are and the person you might become.

6. PLAY THE GAME ONE PITCH AT A TIME.

Focus on the current pitch. If you are a pitcher, what are you throwing now and where? If you are a fielder, what are you going to do if the ball is hit to you? If you are a base-runner, what are you going to do on a fly ball, line drive, ground ball, to the right side, to the left side? If you are a batter, what are you trying to accomplish on this pitch? If you are on the bench, how are you helping your team be successful?

7. FOCUS ON BEHAVIOR, NOT OUTCOMES.

The results of your performance are not fully under your control. The other team may be very good, or very bad. The bounces may go your way, or not. But your behavior and approach are under your control. At the end of the game, you, perhaps only, know whether you gave 100%, whether you did all you could to help your team. Those players who did are winners, those players who did not are losers, regardless of what the scoreboard says. Winners take care of the things within their control, enjoy their participation, and are justifiable proud of their effort. Losers make excuses, lose their poise readily, wallow in self-pity, and surrender at the slightest sign of adversity.

8. THE BEST PLAYERS ARE THE BEST LEARNERS.

Players who are coachable are always trying to learn more about being successful ballplayers and people. They listen and apply what their coaches and teachers suggest. Are you coachable? If you are, you are a winner. If you are not, you are a loser, regardless of what the scoreboard says.

9. BE A JOYOUS WARRIOR!

Be enthusiastic, positive, give 100%, understand that relentless effort in the pursuit of excellence is its own reward. The joyous warrior exemplifies the slogan "No Retreat & No Surrender." Win with humility, lose with dignity.

#1 Angel from ESPN & Baseball Tonight

Angel Aviator — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:08:49 -0000

The fans have voted and the votes are in. The top 3 Angels according to the votes gathered by ESPN are as follows

#1 Nolan Ryan (#2 HH)

Nolan received 60% + of the votes

#2 GA (#5 HH) came in second

#3 Tim Salmon (#1 HH)

The wonderful smurf Tim Kurkjian voted Garret Anderson as the teams #1 Angel. He backed it up with the numbers.

#1 in games played, AB's, Runs Scored, Total hits, DBL's, RBI's

He also talked about how he has been a All-Star 3 times winning the MVP in one, and being part of the only World Series winning team that the organization has ever had.

Seems to me the nation voted for the player that brought exposure and notoriety to the club.

Whats Halo Heavens thought on this?

Interview with Frankie

Angel Aviator — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 05:44:58 -0000

Just thought I would post this interesting article that was in the paper today. I found it to be somewhat interesting with all that has been discussed about K-Rod this year.

When it is all said he has done his job, but these numbers mentioned in the article are things I am sure the Angel management is also looking at, and it goes to show sometimes that all these numbers don't mean a lot because there is so many factors that go into winning a game.

Francisco Rodriguez feels your pain. And he'd love to do something about it.

But it's just not that easy to make things look easy, the Angels closer said.

"Hey, I'm working on it," Rodriguez said of fan reaction to the angst-inducing nature of many of his saves. "I wish I could strike everybody out on three pitches. But it's not like that.

"This is the big leagues. This is not a Nintendo game."

L I N K -to- OC REGISTER S T O R Y

Life of a Closer.....Not so Long??

Angel Aviator — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:18:28 -0000

F-Rod has been in exactly 13 games in the month of April and May and 12 in June. So far he has 10 this month with 9 days left in July. So with that math he has say another 25-30 appearances. Lets remember that there is not only physical strain involved with pitching, but also it is mentally taxing as well when your out there each night saving games. It's funny how nobody ever talks about how Thigpen was never the same pitcher after the year he racked up all those saves.

Thigpen was 26 yrs old (same as Frankie) when he saved 57 games throwing 88 2/3 innings. I remember playing golf with him in Texas during the 1991season and he talked about how it hurt to just swing the golf club. Thigpen would play 4 more years never saving more then 30 in any season, and during those 4 years he would not reach his one season total if you added up the 4 year totals after the 57 save season season.

If you take a look at the all time single season save leaders not many have gone on to have a lot of success after saving so many games. Gagne had 52 and 55 saves the following year, but was never the same (steroids).

Smoltz had 55 saves in 2002 on a new arm, but would soon find himself back on the slab with arm issues.

Trevor Hoffman had surgery at the end of the 1995 season, and would save 53 gms in 1998 only to have more surgery that cost him the 2003 season.

Randy Myers saved 53 games in 93 then a National League record. The following year he would pitch 40 1/3 innings with 32 K's. He would later have surgery on his rotator cuff ending his career after the 1998 season.

Mariano Rivera had Tommy John surgery before his career even really got started, and there isn't a lot of players that have had that surgery, and ended up having to have more arm surgery later. Of course there is always those that say Rivera was a user at times to help heal.
Pettitte/Giambi/Clemens shared that same locker room........who knows.

Rod Beck saved 51 gms in 1998. He would be traded less then a season later totaling 44 innings pitched in 1999 with 10 saves. Beck would go on to have Tommy John surgery after the 2001 season, retiring just 5 short season after saving 51 gms. In those 5 seasons he would avg. just about 45 innings and 7 saves. One season of 20 saves.

Dennis Eckersley's numbers slipped noticeably following the 1992 season when he saved 51 gms. although Eckersley still was among the league leaders in saves, his ERA climbed sharply, and his number of saves never climbed above 36.

Francisco Cordero would save 49 gms in 2004 only to be removed as the closer in early 2006, and later traded for Carlos Lee and Nelson Cruz.

Jeff Shaw would save 48 gms for the Reds/Dodgers in 1998. The Dodgers would give up Paul Konerko in order to acquire Shaw and the 25 saves he would log for them. Shaw would pitch for another 3 years before calling it a career.

Armando Benitez had 47 saves in 2004 and has been a mess since then with numerous injuries and recording just 45 saves since that 2004 season never pitching more then 50 innings in any season since.

Chad Cordero recorded 47 saves in 2005 and has pitched just over 150 inning since (320+ inning in his 6 yr. career). He is currently recovering from labrum surgery after pitching through shoulder fatigue for most of the 2007 season.

Looking at how the Angels have run Frankie out there the last few years, and the amount he has worked one has to think that maybe the front office brass is saying out loud that Frankie will not be an Angel in 2009. After all the shelf life of a relief pitcher isn't that long when they have been pushed for a few years.

Just a observation.............

Huff & Puffing for a Trade????

Angel Aviator — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:49:41 -0000

If there was any trade to be made how about exploring a trade for Aubrey Huff? He has always hit LHP/RHP well with power. I don't think you would have to give up anything of major proportions in order to acquire Huff. Huff is currently under contract through the 09 season paying him 8 mill a season

He is a left handed power bat that has hit for avg during his 8+ years in the BIGS. The Angels could seriously use some sort of help from the left side. He has played 94 of the Orioles 97 games this year mostly as a DH for the Orioles, but he has the ability to play 3rd (13 gms.) and 1B as well. Not saying there is a need for a 1B just saying he can play there. Heck of a lot better then the "Q".

So what does "HH" think about this trade, and what would you be willing to give in order to get?

Maybe Sean Rodriguez after all the Orioles are hurting in the middle INF spots, and Rodriguez is going to be odd man out in the Angels big league infield. Include Reggie Willits and a pitcher like Moseley/Bootcheck/Minor Leaguer.

Remember Figgy can go to being that All Star Utility guy moving him from 3rd to the OF should you want to play Huff at 3B a few times a week.

Figgy 3B

Kotch 1B

Vlad RF

Huff DH

Hunter CF

Anderson LF

Kendrick 2B

Catchers Spot

Izzy SS

Now Accepting Applications for Big League SS

Angel Aviator — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:50:23 -0000

So as time ticks away, and we all sit waiting for pitchers and catchers to report one questions still remains. When will the Angels have a shortstop ready to report for spring training that is able to play a solid defense for 150+ games, and contribute to the offense?

As it stands right now the Angels currently have no proven everyday big league shortstop. What they have now is nothing that would make anyone jump that's for sure. Sure the club has 4 players that have played there before, but none that have truly shown the ability to play the position with any consistence.

Some might argue that the club has Aybar to play the position, and talk about how Scioscia has a love for Aybar, but that will quickly sour when the player is kicking balls around the infield turning the most routine plays into errors (.913 FP). When you look at his defensive numbers last year they are awful. Not to mention there is no way he will ever make up for his lack of defense because he wheels some sort of wonderful bat. This is the guy that hit a robust .237/.279/.289 in 2007 and has shown it isn't a fluke by hitting .252/.288/.338 this winter. As for those that have attacked his base running ability, don't fear. After all one has to reach base in order to steal a bag.

Of course there is nothing to worry about because if he fails us then there is always M. Izturis who has played a total of 65 games at SS (.955 FP) in his 4 years in the big leagues. Who knows maybe he would have played more, but with the problematic hamstring injury he seems to always be battling and the fact that we need his power at 3rd we have not seen him play a lot of SS.

I know there is always B. Wood the savor of the franchise and the player that the club has often refused to trade that can jump in and play SS. In all honesty this might be the one that can fill the position and one day be a solid big league SS that has some offensive potential. 13 games in the show and 3 games at SS is a small sample size I know, but he has the most upside. It's going to be tough though for him to make us all forget the solid SS that played there the last 3 years winning a golden glove last year. Plus let us not forget this is the same guy that was taken off his winter league team's roster this off season when he managed to hit .171/.275/.171 while playing 3rd.

Some may say there is always Figgins to play the position, and that's true. Thing about Figgins he has only 27 games played at SS (.952 FP) in his 6 years in the big leagues and just 46 games at SS (.924 FP) in the minors. Of course if Figgins is playing SS then there is now that 3rd base problem.

Bottom line here is there is a serious issue at SS that the Angels need to take care of and it scares me, and should scare other Angel fans as well. After all we know "Who" is on first, and "Whats" on second, "I don't know" is at 3rd, "Why" we have so many outfielders, we have more centerfielder's `Because" we acquired one through free agency, we have the pitchers for "Tomorrow", and today's "catcher" is one of 2, but I give a darn about shortstop.

Poll

Opening Day SS

Chone Figgins

3 votes

Maicer Izturis

41 votes

Erick Aybar

24 votes

Brandon Wood

17 votes

Acquire through trade

5 votes

90 votes | Poll has closed

Breaking Down Tigers Trade

Angel Aviator — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 09:37:17 -0000

As we all know by now the Angels got beat by Detroit on the bidding war for Miguel Cabrera, and what ended up also including Dontrelle Willis.

The question here is why would J. Santana be the better trade for the Angels. There is talk here that Weaver, Willits, Adenhart maybe even Wood would go in this trade to acquire J. Santana. When you look at what Detroit gave up for the 2 players it isn't much after Miller and Maybin.

27 yr old C Mike Rabelo .256/.300/.357 in 51 games for the big club

24 yr old P Burke Badenhop a 19th round pick out of college who has only 18 innings pitched above A ball

23 yr old P Eulogio de la Cruz who posted a 6.75 ERA in just under 7 inn for the Tigers last year. Who has posted a 16-16 record with 32 SV over a 6 year period in the minors.

21 yr old P Dallas Trahern a 33rd round draft choice in 2004 and maybe the best minor leaguer of the deal but who has only 6 innings pitched above AA.

In the day(s) after the trade Detroit was crucified here for depleting the farm system, and I argued that wasn't the case. I think you can see that these other players included in the trade were not big draft choices and aren't players that figured into the teams success any time soon. Lets not forget that Detroit did not acquire two players that are on the downside in age (24,25)or skills.

I personally believe that the Angels could have pulled this deal off giving up Kendrick and Santana and Mathis while including a mid level (OF) prospect along with some lower level pitching prospect. I mean thats what the Tigers did to acquire Cabrera and Willis. Had the Angels did this your looking at making a strong rotation of Lackey,Escobar,Weaver,Garland,Willis and Saunders.

Sure there are those that would die if Howie was gone, and some that would question the back up catcher choices Wilson and Budde, but forever the club has raved about the depth they have in catching. Lets use it then. This trade would have made better since in the fact that you would be adding run production for years to come while also adding another strong LHP to the rotation. These 2 players could be signed for close to the 25-30 mill a year you would be locking up in Santana.
Giving you a team on the field that looked something like this
C - Napoli
1B - Kotch
2B - Figgins (natural position)
SS - Isturiz / Wood / Aybar
3B - MCab
LF - GMJ
CF - Hunter
RF - Vlad
DH - GA

Bench: Rivera, Willits, Wilson, and
Pitching: Lackey,Escobar,Weaver,Garland,Willis and Saunders.
Pen: F-Rod,Shields,Speier,Oliver, Bootcheck/Moseley.

Puzzling

Angel Aviator — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:26:20 -0000

I was just reading an article and there is the mention of how the Angels have jumped into the Johan sweepstakes.

It talks about how the Twins met with the Angels brass this afternoon to discuss a possible deal for Johan Santana. Meanwhile the Halo executives seem to be split on which big-ticket player to pursue via trade - Santana or Marlins 3B Miguel Cabrera.

The Twins are believed to be asking for pitcher Jared Weaver and blue-chip prospect Brandon Wood, for starters, in any package for Santana.

Why couldn't the Angels shock the world and get BOTH? Trade Santana [Ervin], Kendrick and Mathis for Cabrera (if the Marlins would ever accept), and then package Adenhart/Weaver/Wood for Santana.

After all you still have Figgins Isturiz and Aybar left for the middle INF spots. I know it's highly unlikely (especially when considering how reluctant the Angels have been in years past to trade away prospects, granted under Bill Stoneman), but it's fun to think about!

This would make the Angels the evil empire of the West wouldn't it?