SBNation.com User Blog: cuscus85

RIP David Courtney, Angels P.A. Announcer

cuscus85 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:53:31 -0000

RIP David Courtney, Angels P.A. Announcer

A very sad day.

549 Minor Leaguers have become Free Agents

cuscus85 — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 21:06:03 -0000

549 Minor Leaguers have become Free Agents

Some notable former Angels on the list under other organizations:
Dallas McPherson
Brandon Wood
Chris Bootcheck
Sean O'Sullivan
Stephen Marek
Shane Loux

OT: Hatcher not in the mix for Dodger's Hitting Coach vacancy

cuscus85 — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 21:12:27 -0000

OT: Hatcher not in the mix for Dodger's Hitting Coach vacancy

I'm surprised, yet not.

Fire Sale Miami: Dodgers get Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate

cuscus85 — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 07:23:40 -0000

Fire Sale Miami: Dodgers get Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate

Wow! Cold Blooded!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APgrUnNQPQw

Fangraphs' Clutch Statistic for Pitchers

cuscus85 — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:32:27 -0000

Fangraphs' Clutch Statistic for Pitchers

The link explains how the stat is calculated and gives a chart ranking a pitcher as being Clutch or as Choking.

I think this underscores the importance of getting Bullpen help, even in addition to Frieri who looks to be a huge help. The numbers are current as of last night.

Here is how the Angels' pitchers have fared so far in 2012:
Haren 0.59
Wilson 0.35
Williams 0.07
Downs -0.14
Isringhausen -0.16
Hawkins -0.22
Weaver -0.27
Santana -0.37
Jepsen -0.37
Thompson -0.46
Carpenter -0.78
Takahashi -0.99
Walden -1.13

And the newly acquired:
Frieri 0.30

Here's a link to the sorted stats:

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=3&season=2012&month=0&season1=2012&ind=0&team=1&rost=0&age=0&players=0&sort=12,d

Holy 4/28 Line-Up, Batman!

cuscus85 — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:16:40 -0000

Holy 4/28 Line-Up, Batman!

vs. RHP Jeanmar Gomez

1. Mike Trout LF
2. Howie Kendrick 2nd
3. Albert Pujols 1st
4. Kendrys Morales DH
5. Torii Hunter RF
6. Mark Trumbo 3rd
7. Erick Aybar SS
8. Bobby Wilson C
9. Peter Bourjos CF

Angels sign David Pauley to minor league deal.

cuscus85 — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 02:46:06 -0000

Angels sign David Pauley to minor league deal.

2011 Stats:
IP 74
ERA 3.16
FIP 3.98
xFIP 4.19
BABIP .258
K/9 5.35
BB/9 2.98
HR/9 0.73

FanGraphs on the 3rd Base Situation

cuscus85 — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:16:35 -0000

FanGraphs on the 3rd Base Situation

This is a very good read. It touches on various points, including a take from a scout believing Trumbo "...will play a passable third base.", Callaspo and Trumbo had nearly the same wOBA and Callaspo created more runs than Trumbo in fewer plate appearances.

It also ends brilliantly with:
"Mike Scioscia has understandably taken a lot of grief over past miscues such as the Mike Napoli-Jeff Mathis situation. However, if Callaspo is going to get the third base job because he is "Scioscia`s kind of player," then Scioscia should be commended for having his kind of player being simply better in this case."

DiPoto Going Moneyball?

cuscus85 — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:46:11 -0000

DiPoto Going Moneyball?

To my surprise, Angels.com has already penciled in Trumbo as the starting 3rd baseman on the Depth Chart. I wonder if DiPoto will have Scioscia play him out of position to get his bat out there ála Billy Beane playing Scott Hatteberg at first. Or maybe this was a goof on the part of the Website people.

Morales, Trumbo progressing

cuscus85 — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:45:51 -0000

Morales, Trumbo progressing

Fingers still crossed! Maybe DiPoto attempting to trade Abreu means he knows something we don't regarding the health of Trumbo and Bam Bam.

What If Scenario

cuscus85 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:01:41 -0000

What If Scenario

Preface:
This was fueled by my lingering distaste for the Vernon Wells trade. With all the amazingness that is named DiPoto, it still doesn't vindicate the trade. The sting resurfaces now and again. Like the AM830 interview recently where Vernon said he wants to hit 2nd or when the name Anthopoulos comes up. The only vindication will be if we win a championship with Vernon Wells as a contributor.

The Post:
Earlier today, I learned that the Blue Jays had signed Francisco Cordero to a deal worth $4.5 for one year. I felt very happy that the Angels dodged a bullet in signing another reliever that would have ended up on the list of bullpen arms that have aged us (J.C. Romero, Hector Carrasco, Esteban Yan, Justin Speier, Brian Fuentes, Fernando Rodney, Hisanori Takahashi, etc.). I figured they had owed us several favors(in addition to taking Mathis off our hands) since we took on Vernon Wells. Thanks Toronto.

Then, I was thinking how the fan base had been limping on, watching Vernon in Angel red and Napoli being called the World Series MVP prior their Game 6 collapse. But then again, we didn't trade Napoli to Texas. Anthopoulos did. And though Reagins earned and still deserves every criticism of the deal, Anthopoulos hasn't received any for also passing up on Napoli.

Not saying the he deserves much if any, as he moved the unmovable contract of Vernon Wells but how would Napoli have helped the team? Last year Napoli outperformed both the Jays' 2012 starting First Baseman Adam Lind and starting DH Edwin Encarnacion.

Edwin Encarnacion, in a Mr. Toad's wild ride fashion, was put on waivers by the Blue Jays after the 2010 season, picked up by the A's in November 2010, non-tendered in December 2010 and finally resigned by the Jays to a 2 year $6 Million deal by Jan 1st of 2011. He had a respectable .272/.334/.453 in 2011.

Then there's Jays 1st Baseman Adam Lind, who hasn't posted an OBP over .300 since 2009 and had below league average wOBAs in the subsequent 2010 and 2011 seasons. Essentially, his 2011 season was similar to Vernon Wells. Lind is signed through 2013, making $5 Million in 2012 and 2013, with team options through 2016.

What If:

Let's say Edwin was never resigned by the Jays, Napoli would slide into the DH slot very nicely along with his .320/.414/.631 slash line. Now you have added a 30 HR hitter to protect Jose Bautista.

Now post-2011 season, say that the Jays front office, unhappy with Adam Lind's production, decide to move his contract (eating some of the contract as well). You now have a slot open at First Base with the Jays making a legitimate run at Prince Fielder being their First Baseman.

Anthopoulos has been quoted as saying the Jays would be able to support a high payroll down the road(http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-24/bFfcgqDDJzfAEibhzqpnrxdzjqBivhchylmGkzlcivHGzFABEEknbDkIDosx/01-24-12_Alex_Anthopoulos_on_big_name_free_agents_for_web_1869278.mp3) . And in addition to that, Team President Paul Beeston said that Rogers Communications has never turned down a request to increase payroll(http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20120119_114529_428).

Between signing Francisco Cordero, Darren Oliver, Nelson Figueroa, Omar Visquel, acquiring Jeff Mathis, and reacquiring Jason Frasor, that comes out to $23.65 Million. Not to mention, if Edwin was never signed($3.5 Million Salary in 2012)and you moved Lind(or at least his $5 Million for 2012), that's $32.15 Million. Take $8 Million off for Napoli and $4 for the Morrow extension and you have $20.15 Million left to spend(With two Arbitration cases left to settle). Request your payroll to be increased and Back Load Fielder's contract and you could swing it financially. Him wanting to play in Toronto is another story.

Now you have the punch that Detroit has:

SS Yunel Escobar
LF Eric Thames
RF Jose Bautista
1st Prince Fielder
DH Mike Napoli
2nd Kelly Johnson
3rd Brett Lawrie
C J.P. Arencibia
CF Colby Ramus

Except you don't.

Ha.

Vernon Wells Trade Karma.

What If Scenario

What If:

Let's say Edwin was never resigned by the Jays, Napoli would slide into the DH slot very nicely along with his .320/.414/.631 slash line. Now you have added a 30 HR hitter to protect Jose Bautista.

Now you have the punch that Detroit has:

SS Yunel Escobar
LF Eric Thames
RF Jose Bautista
1st Prince Fielder
DH Mike Napoli
2nd Kelly Johnson
3rd Brett Lawrie
C J.P. Arencibia
CF Colby Ramus

Except you don't.

Ha.

Vernon Wells Trade Karma.

Toronto takes a Bullet for the Angels, Signs Cordero

cuscus85 — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:33:10 -0000

Toronto takes a Bullet for the Angels, Signs Cordero

Still, they could do more to make up for the Wells trade.

Kendrys Morales Update

cuscus85 — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:10:19 -0000

Kendrys Morales Update

Stand by to stand by...

Angels Sign Three to Minor League Contracts

cuscus85 — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:10:27 -0000

Angels Sign Three to Minor League Contracts

Looks more or less like AAA filler....

Eric Hurley - RHP
2011 Stats(AAA):
84.1 IP
BABIP .339
HR/9 – 1.07
BB/9 – 3.84
K/9 – 4.91
ERA - 5.55
FIP – 5.07

Robinzon Diaz – C
2011 Slash:
AAA - .303/.324/.408
AA - .357/.419/.536

Ryan Langerhans – OF
2011 Slash:
MLB - .173/.317/.346
AAA - .308/.468/.554

Ryan Braun Just Tested Positive for PEDs

cuscus85 — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:52:40 -0000

Ryan Braun Just Tested Positive for PEDs

Wow!

How Every Angel Fan Feels Today...

cuscus85 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:57:58 -0000

How Every Angel Fan Feels Today...

...after we signed Pujols and CJ Wilson ON THE SAME DAY!!!!

Angels In The Market for a Closer

cuscus85 — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:24:11 -0000

Angels In The Market for a Closer

DiPoto has inquired on Andrew Bailey, who made $465K in 2011 - (1st time Arb Eligible this Year)
Some Career Stats:
ERA 2.07 ...BABIP .240 ...HR/9 0.6 ...BB/9 2.6 ...K/9 8.9 ...K/BB 3.42

Tim Salmon added to the Hall of Fame Ballot!

cuscus85 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:16:52 -0000

Tim Salmon added to the Hall of Fame Ballot!

Can you believe this guy was never an All-Star?!

Boston Bloggers Want to Trade Youkilis

cuscus85 — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:00:32 -0000

http://bosoxinjection.com/2011/10/18/offseason-changes-trade-kevin-youkilis/

Boston Bloggers are calling for the trade of Kevin Youkilis based on him being oft injured and a bad clubhouse person. Could he be a fit for the Angels though? Here are some interesting breakdowns of career stats (not just BA and RBI, Reagins):

Career Home(Boston) Stats .305/.401/.513 (OPS .914)
Career Away Stats .273/.381/.471 (OPS .852)

Career Batting 4th .298/.407/.530 (OPS .937)

Career RISP .328/.436/.554 (OPS .990)

At Angels Stadium .309/.411/.553 (OPS .964)
*3rd Highest OPS at any away stadium with 40
or more games played.

Career BABIP .329

Now I ask, could Youkilis be the .800+ OPS man we need for our line-up? I can't really speculate on the Clubhouse issues but with all the middle infielders we have, I would assume that Scioscia would give Youkilis enough off days to keep him fresh and healthier. He makes $12 Million in 2012 with a $13 Million Option in 2013 or a $1 Million Buyout.

Suppose our (insert name of future Angels GM) and new Boston GM Ben Cherington can see some common ground in swapping out their respective bad contracts(i.e. Wells and Lackey) with a few extra trimmings on the side.

Boston needs pitching and pitching prospects bad. Angels need depth in their rotation, a big bat, and room for Trout.

Pure speculation.

An intriguing idea regardless…

http://bosoxinjection.com/2011/10/18/offseason-changes-trade-kevin-youkilis/

Career Home(Boston) Stats .305/.401/.513 (OPS .914)
Career Away Stats .273/.381/.471 (OPS .852)

Career Batting 4th .298/.407/.530 (OPS .937)

Career RISP .328/.436/.554 (OPS .990)

At Angels Stadium .309/.411/.553 (OPS .964)
*3rd Highest OPS at any away stadium with 40
or more games played.

Career BABIP .329

Boston needs pitching and pitching prospects bad. Angels need depth in their rotation, a big bat, and room for Trout.

Pure speculation.

An intriguing idea regardless…

2012 Free Agent Wish List

cuscus85 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:55:13 -0000

I was curious as to what are the favorite Free Agents us Halo Fans are wanting on our wish list this offseason. It seems that we are all so deflated from how the season played out and very eager to see how the front office retools itself, I haven't heard too many names thrown out other than the obligatory names that will command an ass load of money(i.e. Fielder, Reyes, CJ Wilson).

Offense:
As far as my wish list, the biggest need for our team is a middle of the order slugger. Not only do we not have a middle of the order presence but our guys with pop don't even have respectable On-Base Percentages (i.e. Trumbo, Wells). I also found out that Angels didn't have anyone this year in the Top 50 of MLB OPS leaders (On-Base plus Slugging %). In 2010 we had one with Hunter cracking the list at #50.

With that being said, I think making a good run at Fielder should be a priority since he has consistently hit as a middle of the order guy his entire career and has been in the Top 50 of MLB OPS leaders since 2007. He's a left handed bat in the line-up and will definitely make us a better team. Especially facing the Yankees and their short-porch in inevitable future post season match-ups.

Another Free Agent I like is Michael Cuddyer. He can play multiple positions, playing 1st, 2nd, and RF in 2011 and has played 3rd as recently as 2010. When I saw his stats, I would've envision him as a complimentary player to the team by splitting time at 3rd and RF. To my dismay, he had a higher OPS than anyone on the Angels last year with only Kendrick and Trumbo having a higher Slugging Percentage. Although he doesn't put up consistent HR numbers, he consistently gets on base with a career .343 OBP.

An interesting alternative to Fielder would be signing David Ortiz. He would be a cheaper Left Handed bat but would still bring a strong power presence in our line-up. He many not fit into the Angels plans with Kendrys' anticipated return but you'd have to image the Angels will target someone for a Fielder back-up plan. Big Papi wants out of Boston and I'm not sure the Yankees will take him.

Beltran and Aramis don't seem that intriguing as they are aging stars who want one last payday before they fade. I can't image the Angels signing Jose Reyes with a capable Aybar at shortstop and the surge of Trout who could easily become a Jose Reyes type offensive player with more pop.

Pitching:
You would also have to imagine with the work load that Haren, Weaver, and Santana put out last year someone will hit the DL. To sit pat will and let Jerome Williams, Tyler Chatwood, and Garrett Richards fill out the rotation scares the crap out of me.

I would love to see Mark Buehrle as an Angel. He can give the Angels innings as he's pitched over 200 innings for 11 seasons straight. He pitches with a fast tempo which is ideal for our defensive minded team. His ERA has always been respectable although he gives up a lot of hits. Not only has Buehrle said he's only looking for a 2 or 3 year deal, he also a won a championship to go along with his postseason experience.

Another possibility could be Jeff Francis. He has been injury prone to go along with a career 4.78 ERA but he made $2 Million with Kansas City and pitched in the World Series in the losing cause for Colorado in 2007. Inexpensive and could fill out the rotation as a number 5 starter with postseason experience.

Last but not least is the bullpen. I hate when the Angels sign relievers as they are always overpaid and underperforming with the Angels(i.e. Esteban Yan, Hector Carrasco, J.C. Romero, Justin Speier, Brian Fuentes, Fernando Rodney). But I would like to see the Angels go for Heath Bell. He has mentioned that he would want a 2 or 3 year deal and wants to live close to his native San Diego. I think a veteran mentor for Jordan Walden would be ideal for the Angels. Move Walden to the set-up role and have Bell close games. The back of the Bullpen would set up a lot nicer for the Angels with a Downs, Walden, Bell combo. Though Bell's strikeouts have gone down last season, his WHIP lowered from 2010. Not by much though.

Conclusion:
Obviously if we signed everyone I would like, our payroll would go even higher than last year but these are more brainstorming ideas and even more on the unrealistic side. Signing Fielder alone would cut the $40 Million that is coming off the books in half or more. Then there are all the arbitration cases and scheduled raises for Weaver, Haren, Santana, and Wells.

2012 Predictions: Trout and Conger will not be starters.

What Free Agents do you want to go for?