SAY I.

Misery loves company. Another great way to spot a fellow HH'er at games too.

C'mon Rev. Do it!

Tory Hernandez, a guy who was actually considered for like 5 seconds to be our GM (at 33!) was let go. Sounds like a nice kid who took it in stride. Ric Wilson (aka Not Eddie Bane) is kept on and one of DiPoto's guys from Arizona is joining the Angels as an assistant GM.

I know we 'live in the now' in baseball, especially with a new GM coming in soon.

But when you stop and think about it, isn't 2013 the more logical time to re-shape the Angels back into a World Series contender?

1. Refresh yourself on our contract situation this year and next: http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/los-angeles-angels-of-anaheim.html

The extra *$50-60 million* to spend in 2013 stands out, as does the huge opening (read: opportunity) created with Hunter and Abreu gone and either Aybar, Maicer or Kendrick being potentially replaced with inexpensive *Jean Segura*.

2. The available free agents in 2013 vs. 2012

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/04/2013-mlb-free-agents.html

Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Josh Hamilton, Matt Cain, Russell Martin, Miguel Montero, Liriano, Marcum, James Shields

Doesn't it just seem like showing a little restraint in the coming months and letting our young guys continue to develop and gear up for 2013 make a lot more sense than cramming Prince Fielder into an insanely crowded 1B/DH situation?

Maybe it's just me--and maybe this IS fake--but this looks like it would be a disaster of a re-branding effort.

Yuck!

Did anyone else hear that blurb last night about the team doing something for their 50th anniversary on friday with former players before the game? Is anyone else going or know whats up?

Thoughts on the reasons why the game and derby(down 20% from last year) both tanked in rating compared to the last two years?

Rob Neyer's blog post on Brandon Wood accounts for his numbers in AAA and references what those stats translated to in major league equivalencies (not good) over the past 3 seasons.

Interesting read. Mentions Wood projects to be a Joe Crede-type, which is something I always assumed was his ceiling (and something I'd die for now!)

Is this to be the new Quinlan or just insurance if Wood falls flat on his face? Maybe we're trading Wood?

Either way, our front office sure seems to prefer old guys lately.

Pretty crazy. Guys are free agents.

Makes sense. Trade Howie in a deal for Cliff Lee, trade other guys for Freddy Sanchez, maybe groom sean rodriguez to be the 2nd baseman of the future.

Freddy and Howie's similarities go beyond cutsie names. They both hit for average and dont walk, both play 2nd base...but Freddy is 31(!). He has 28 doubles this year.

Thoughts?

Yahoo breaking the story. Also being charged with another DUI...

If convicted of all 3 counts, its 55 to life in prison.

Lets hope for life

Nothing more to say. Angels Live will be on to pay tribute to Nick, air his innings last night and offer a final tribute to Angels starting pitcher Nick Adenhart.

"Angels manager Mike Scioscia says Matthews "isn't comfortable" with his role as a fourth outfielder, but despite rumors that the Angels may try to work something out with the Yankees, the contract will be difficult to move."

Peter Gammons ^^^

Maybe Figgins and Matthews for Aceves or Hughes? Maybe Swisher?

Quotes in LA Times from Scoscia really make it sound like Wood is heading back to AAA or the bench.

Here's another:

Wood is hitting .378 this spring, and he leads the team with eight extra-base hits. He has struck out three times in 37 at-bats. He hit .127 last spring, with 22 strikeouts in 55 at-bats.

The Angels could accommodate Wood by rotating Chone Figgins among third base, second base and the outfield, leaving at-bats for Wood at third base, shortstop and designated hitter, but Scioscia said he has no plans to rotate players among defensive positions.

"We could tap into that if needed, but I don't think we're going to approach the season wanting to move guys," Scioscia said. "You need that defensive continuity."

LA Times has some pretty annoying quotes from Matthews about how he was upset about how he was benched last year because he sacrificed his position and played hurt with a "serious injury"

Ya, way to sacrifice Gary. Playing hurt when you're totally ineffective is really putting the team ahead of yourself.

He says he wants to and plans on playing everyday this year and that he *hopes* its with the Angels.

Here to *hoping* its somewhere else.

Things of note:

-Anthony Ortega isn't throwing off a mound yet because his arm got worn out in winter ball.
-Brandon Wood will have to "hit his way on to the team" to get him into a reserve role. Sounded as if Scoscia is content to have Wood back in AAA if he doesnt light it up this spring.

Today's lineup:

Reggie Willits, cf
Bobby Abreu, lf
Brandon Wood, 3b
Kendry Morales, 1b
Jeff Mathis, dh
Luis Figueroa, ss
Chris Pettit, rf
Ryan Budde, c
Kevin Ramos, 2b
Shane Loux, p

Daily update via the Times. Interesting in that it says someone familiar with the Angels' thinking says Tony plans on opening negotiations soon to get it done before the season but also notes that Lackey was "surprised" they didnt approach him over the winter and that he might be interested in testing the market.

And for the A's to win the division with a pretty bad record.

I would have a much easier time shrugging it off if Nate Silver's election projections weren't so frighteningly accurate throughout the process and specifically on election day.

Also, my apologies for the projections being on a Red Sox blog. But most people I'd imagine dont have the subscription to BP

Apparently Mr. Madonna tested positive for steroids in 2003 when he was in Texas.

HA!

I know this is an Angels blog but I know a handful of people are big Lakers fans.

So 21 year old Andrew Bynum, he of the 26 & 14 average over the past 5 games is possibly out for the rest of the regular season. Not catastrophic as the team made the finals without him last year, but definitely puts a dent in their hopes of locking up home court throughout the playoffs.

Discuss.

According to SI's john heyman we offered about 180 million over 8 years yet will fall short. MLBTradeRumors has a link saying the Red Sox are at 8/184 and are looking to close by the weekend. All unconfirmed of course, but it looks like we may have lost out.

Call me crazy but this doesnt feel like the end of the world. We will have serious payroll flexibility moving forward(for the next 8 years) and will get an assload of draft picks this year in the first 2 rounds.

Kinda worries me that he's been working early to get ready for the March games. Anyone else worried this could wear him out before the end of the season or the post season when we'll need him most?

New piece up on the official website with a lot of quotes from Tony. Sounds like we've made our final offer and are banking on Mark having enjoyed his time here. This may be for the best instead of naively hanging on and losing out elsewhere...