I wish I knew how to do the link thingy where you can just bold a word and that's the link (maybe Rev can clean the link up?).  But, I don't, so here is my 'I told you so' to the likes of darkangel01, CaLiKrAzY, jimmuscomp, stalr, etc.

Some of the quotes in hear are fabulous:

but... but...
he can drive in runs...

- CaLiKrAzy

"GA should be platooning...
with Shea as the DH until Juan Rivera comes back when he will become the DH and GA and Shea will become bench riders.

He isn't an offensive threat any longer, he is overpaid, bad in LF, slow on the bases and a hack-tastic hitter.

Just like Erstad last year, I hope he gets hurt so that management isn't tempted to play him..."

- jimmuscomp

Willits should be the everyday LF, and at best G.A. should split time with Q at DH until Rivera returns after which he should ride the pine

- darkangel01

For more gems like this, check out the link!

http://www.halosheaven.com/story/2007/6/3/24322/96131

Ofcourse, I'm not trying to single out these people or even this link as there were hundreds probably like this on this site, but this was my personal favorite.

No, not Darin Erstad, me!  Me and several coworkers are heading down to San Diego for Microsoft's annual customer conference.  I'll be staying down in the Gas Lamp area (if that's the proper term).

Any comments/tips/tricks would be much appreciated.  Go Halos!

PS - I'd rather be going to spring training!!

We lost another leader, which is fine, as long as someone fills the gap.  Who do you think is most likely to become our next leader(s)?  I didn't do this as a poll as I'd rather have people list a few and also give their opinion.  My opinion of the best chance guys to become leaders, in order:

1. Kendrick
   
2. Cabrera (although there's a little too much flash in his game sometimes, when he stayed in after getting beaned in the finger, he earned my respect)
   
3. Lackey
   
4. GMJ (giving the new guy the benefit of the doubt and he should be above average on both offense and defense and play hard)
   
5. Napoli - good position to get leadership from
   
6. Morales
   
7. Santana (needs to quit pouting though)

Could this have been more predictable?

3 year/10 million dollar deal.  Good for them and good for the Cardinals.  Doesn't hurt us either.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2678901

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This is a great debate going on at work right now.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xlomSVQ0M-A

To get my 300 characters, I'll talk about how I'd rather be an Angels fan and lose than an As fan and win.  Especially a pre2002 Angels fan, not that I have anything against post2002 Angels fans, because they're helping sell more tickets, which gets us better TV contracts, and gets us better free agents.

I know I've mentioned in passing a bunch of times on this site something to the effect of 'don't be like a Red Sox fan.' I have never been able to properly explain what exactly I've meant by this.

It was with great surprise that a few days ago, Boston Globe writer Bob Ryan wrote a piece on basically exactly what I mean.  He feels Boston fans have lost their way and the fans think everything is about them, and not about being a fan of the game.  Very good stuff IMHO.  Enjoy.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/08/25/tracing_his_roots_as_a_fan/

What a shock, Eddings and his umpiring screw is screwing the Twins on about every call tonight.  You'll never guess who they're playing...The White Sox!  What a shocker.

AJ just continues to be an arsshole too.  Man, I can't stand that guy.  I'm not sure what the meaning is, but the Twins have this weird thing where they touch their nose when things are going good.  Ofcourse, just to be his normal prick self, AJ does the same thing to mock them towards the Twins dugout right after he got caught on the base paths and lucked out getting back to first safe.

Just hate him.  Almost as bad as Eddings.

phew.  They figured they didn't have enough assholes on their team, apparently.

I have two questions on McPherson.

1.  When is he coming back?
2.  Where and when will he play?  Will he play against all righties?  At DH, 1B, and/or 3B?

I'm not asking what people think should happen, I'm asking what actually will happen.  How many games per week do you think Izturis will start once D-Mac is back?  2 out of 3?  1 out of 3?  4 out of 5?  Anyone seen any stories/links on this?

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-angrep16jun16,1,5477732.story?coll=la-headli nes-sports-mlb-angels

If you want to pitch that bad, pitch better when you get the chance.  I like Donnelly and I'll always be partial to him because of the role he played in our good teams and especially '02.  But, if you're going to bitch when you're on your down slide, good riddance.  

Let's not drop another young guy in order to keep a guy like this on the roster.

Taking negotiations down to the wire, the Angels on Monday signed Grossmont College pitcher Sean O'Sullivan, a third-round pick (103rd overall) in last June's draft, for a bonus in the $550,000 range.

Had O'Sullivan not signed by Monday, he would have re-entered the draft.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-angelrep30may30,1,6238884.story?coll=la-head lines-sports-mlb-angels

AJ bowled over Barrett in the Cubs/White Sox game, then walked toward Barrett for no apparent reason (away from his own dugout).  Then Barrett punched him in the face.  Man I hate the White Sox, and especially AJ.

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Alright, we've all seen quite a bit of baseball now, if everyone's healthy, what's our best lineup for '06?

I know it will never happen, but I say...

1.  Cabrera SS - Doesn't K, works the count, what a rare concept for a lead off
   
2.  Kennedy 2B - Would be great if we had the luxury to bat him 9, but we don't.
   
3.  Vlad RF - I'm from the "best hitter bats 3rd" school of thought.
   
4.  GA LF - Still our 2nd best hitter I'd say.
   
5.  Salmon DH - Wow, if he stays healthy and continues being solid, we might as well just change his name to Tim Panther.
   
6.  Rivera CF - We're going to give up more runs with him in CF over Erstad or even Murphy, but with this team his bat HAS to be in the lineup.
   
7.  Quinlan/McPherson 3rd/1st - Quinlan only vs lefties and maybe not then if McPherson shows he can be an everyday player.  I just despise only giving these kids at bats against one side.
   
8.  Napoli C - 2/3 of games, with Molina getting the rest.
   
9.  Figgins - everywhere

Figgins should not have a defined role on defense, and he should bat 9th.  The biggest value he brings to the table is his flexibility.  If you play him anywhere full time, he's simply a below average player.  Are we positive he's actually better than Izturis when Izturis is healthy?

A great case could be made for Erstad to play 1st if he's healthy and bat 9th as well, probably at the expense of McPherson/Quinlan depending on who's struggling worse.  Same goes for Kotchman if he comes back up and plays well.

As much as I hate to say it, if McPherson or Kotchman are giving you similar production to Erstad, you might as well play the younger guy since Erstad is almost for sure gone after this year.

Going after Konerko even though so many fans, especially here, said don't do it.  Heaven knows our lackluster offense couldn't have used this stat line or anything so far this season:

AB HR AVG RBI R SB
50 5 .380 16 14 0

Instead, we've gotten this!

AB HR AVG RBI R SB
37 0 .162 2 1 0

We can blame some veterans (Cabrera comes to mind) on how they've started in the field, but the new guys are killing us on offense so far, not the veterans.  We just have to live with that and hope it is due to growing pains and not just being overrated.  

The defensive issues should fix themselves as time goes on, and I think the pitching will be stellar too (although Weaver starts are frightening), but the bats will once again be our ongoing issue.

It is common to want the backup QB, and everyone wants the prospect, or younger guy to replace the veteran.  The reality is, the lineup that gives us the best chance to win in '06 includes GA, includes Erstad, includes Kennedy, includes Cabrera, and includes the catchers sharing time with Jose Molina getting more of the time behind the dish.

Our team is what it is, an average to below average hitting team, with a very good starting rotation, a stellar relief corp (depending on K-Rod's health), and we WILL have above average D (although the OF corners are questionable, especially RF).  

Our offensive fixes most likely will not be internal, so they probably won't come from anywhere in '06.  The overwhelming sentiment on this site was to say no to Konerko, and that is fine, but then we just can't try to make our team something it is not.

PS - I sure hope something weird happens and we get a big lead in the standings so we can find out later in the year just how good Kendrick, and/or Wood, and/or Morales are without costing us meaningful games.

Here is an absolutely stellar article on Joe M.  It has quotes from several former Angels players like Mike Holtz, Shawn Wooten, and Troy Glaus.  I am just rambling at this point so I have enough words.  Hopefully this is enough.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/02/Rays/A_man_with_a_multitra.shtml

Has anyone else enjoyed seeing the contradiction by some Angel's fans saying: (and I'm paraphrasing, because I'm not talking about anyone in particular)?

1.  We need to get rid of veteran guys on their way down so Scioscia(boy I hate spelling that name) isn't tempted to give them at bats in place of the young up and comers.
2.  Boy I hope Salmon gets a ton of at bats at DH.

Hey, I love Salmon as much as the next guy, but reality is he hasn't been DECENT since 2003.  He'll be 37 this season.

A)  If he takes at bats and we send down someone like McPherson, we're crazy.
B)  For the people that say that Salmon should be getting DH at bats and Erstad and Anderson are washed up, you need to take down that 5 year old Salmon poster and wake up.  Erstad and Anderson have way more in the tank than Salmon, and it's not close.

Editors Note - Please God, tell Tim Salmon I will always love and respect what he has done for the Angels and I am a fan of his baseball career and him for life.

Let me get this straight, Manny's in left, Coco is in center, Nixon is in right, and Big Papi is the DH.  I don't see any of them losing their job.  Does this mean Manny is about to get shipped out west?  It would be surprising if they gave up a starter (although they have about 20 of them) for a backup OF.  cblesz, straighten this out for us.

I thought it'd be cool to have a forum where everyone can make their '06 predictions in one place.  Whether it be about individuals, the team, other teams, whatever.  

My #1 prediction:  If MacPherson doesn't get traded and tears it up this spring with power, he WILL start at 3rd.  Whether that means Figgins will become super utility and start at a different spot every day or Erstad will be out at center is another prediction in itself.

Just judging by some of Stoneman's comments, it sounds to me like they want D-Mac to get motivated by 'losing' his spot and come in and take it back this spring.

For those of you with ESPN Insider access, here is the link to this article:

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=2325951&CMP=ILC- INHEAD

A couple of interesting pieces in the article (there's more but I'm not sure what the rules are on copying paid stuff onto a free site):

The Angels, too, are absolutely loaded with impressive hitters. Shortstop Brandon Wood, only 20 last season, racked up 101 extra-base hits (mostly in Class A): 53 doubles, five triples, 43 home runs. Granted, he's just a decent shortstop, and likely will move to third base eventually. But still.

and...

Frankly, the Angels simply don't care about walks, organizationally. And it's hard to blame them. (this is Neyer?) In 2004, they finished last in the American League in walks but finished in first place. In 2005, they finished 10th in walks but finished in first place. Walks don't matter if the batting average is good, and the Angels do well in that department. (again, this is Neyer?)

Let's hope this is all true.  It says he's in the best shape he's been in since becoming an Angel and that his rehab is going well.  This needs to be true.  I just hope we aren't signing Weaver because we're worried about him.  I don't want what happened to Escobar last year to happen to him.  If they are signing Weaver and Colon is healthy, why the hell would they have spent that much on Carrasco?  I suppose they obviously didn't know they'd end up with Weaver, but still seems odd.

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060202&content_id=1305603& ;vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana

I absolutely cannot wait for this stupid trial to get over so the papers can start writing about the baseball team instead of that.

Is some of this stuff really newsworthy?  Just please tell me if they win or lose the lawsuit and if they need to change their name.  Other than that, I'd rather have them tell me how Colon is doing, or that one of the prospects has added 20 pounds of muscle, or something.  I just want baseball stuff at this point.  (I know this last paragraph was pure rambling but I had to get to 300 characters)

According to www.kfan.com out of the Twin Cities, the Minnesota Twins trade Romero to Angels.

Minnesota announced on Friday it has acquired infielder Alexi Casilla from Los Angeles in exchange for lefty pitcher J.C. Romero.  The weird thing is when you click on the link it doesn't bring you anywhere?  I can't find this on espn or any other source either.  They're talking about it on KFAN (radio station out of Minneapolis) like it's a done deal though, so it must be.

What's the word on Alexi Casilla?  I've never heard of him?  This has to be a steal.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/baseball/13282478.htm

According to this article, The Mets, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers, Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs are among the teams expressing interest in Soriano, according to sources.

I'd take this over Konerko any day.  Right handed bat with pop, not yet at his prime, much younger.  If he ever learns to stop swinging at those balls low and away he really could be an MVP.

White Sox: Rowand on the trading block?
 The News
The White Sox may consider trading center fielder Aaron Rowand in order to give rookie Brian Anderson more playing time, according to the Chicago Tribune. Rowand is due $6.5 million over the next two seasons.
 Our View
The Yankees will be a popular destination for Rowand for as long as this rumor persists, but a sleeper team might be the Marlins if they ship Juan Pierre out of town.

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/atoz/article_754084.php

Wow, lots to talk about in this one.  The possible Red Sox offer looks rediculous.  I am guessing there is absolutely no way that would happen.  If it does, it would have more to do with Moreno pulling authority (which I don't see happening), because it definitely doesn't sound like a Stoneman move.  

I'm not a big Klesko fan either, seems like they'd be just trading problems with the Padres.  Klesko's bat should be better, and he's younger (everyone is), but it seems far fetched.

Boy, I hope this is not real interest.  I don't see how getting Millar would help them.  The article also says Damon, Millar, and Mueller talked about all going to the same place to transplant the idiots thing on a different team.  Not sure that would be a great idea since all of them except Mueller are below average defensively and Millar is a below average hitter in my opinion.  Wow, offseasons are interesting these days!

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=110810

I just wanted to get everyone's take on Will's latest blog about the Angels/White Sox style of baseball in comparison to the Moneyball style.  I'm sure a lot of you know this, but Will writes for Baseball Prospectus and also blogs for personal joy at this site.  The blog is entitled 'The Backlash.'

http://postmessenger.baseballtoaster.com/

I've heard alot about who we 'shouldn't' have been signed last year.  Let's all list out the free agents we should sign this year and the ones we should stay away from.  Then we'll have everyone's opinions on record.  Let's see who would have made the best GM for this offseason for the least amount of money.

Let's only do free agents as trades are too tough to predict.

Keep in mind talent of player, quality of person, money, does he want to play in Anaheim, etc.  In other words, this isn't fantasy baseball (although I love fantasy baseball) where a Vlad for Manny or V. Wells for J. Guillen trade is justifiable.

In the sports world, it is always more fun and entertaining to second guess, and we will all continue to do so.  To balance it out though, every once in awhile we have to take a step back and look at the good that has been done.  In other words, let's see the forest through the trees.

First, let's look at the facts in the last 2 years as we know them (I'm sure I'll forget some).

Signings:

1. Vlad (huge and very unexpected)
   
2. Colon (huge, front of staff guy who pitches lots of innings)
   
3. Escobar (great signing, was best pitcher in '04 and key to bullpen in stretch run in '05)
   
4. Guillen (carried the team through Vlad's injury in '04, and dumped when his drawbacks started to outweigh his contributions.
   
5. Cabrera - gold glove caliber, clutch in the playoffs.  Probably more expensive than he should have been, but they would have kept Eckstein if they would have landed Clement - and they would have had him if the Pedro thing didn't fall through for the Sox and if Clement wasn't from the area.
   
6. Finley - Age wise it was a scary signing right away, but many 'experts' were calling the OF the best in the league with Vlad, GA, and him so it's not like it was a no brainer.  At the time they proactively signed him, the only other possibility, Beltran looked like he'd break the bank and would end up going to one of the NY teams anyway and if not back to Houston.  Lastly, if his shoulder didn't get hurt, maybe he still would have been decent.  They still needed him in the playoffs because Figgy had to play 3rd vs righties.
   
7. Yan - Yuck.  Sure he made the most money out of anyone in the bullpen, but that's because of how the system is setup for young players.  He was brought in for middle relief, nothing more.  Just didn't perform. 1 million is not exactly a load of money for a FA in this day in age.
   
8. Byrd - Ended up being the best FA signing of the year for us when you figure what he did over what his replacement would have, pitched every 5th day and was money as a 5th guy.
   
9. Morales - Books still out, but he's raking in the minors and gives them another option or trading piece.

Trades - Jose Guillen for Maicer Izturis and Juan Rivera.  Keep in mind this trade was at a time when other teams knew the Angels wanted to get rid of him.  They got two quality players in return that played very key roles for the Angels this season.  The As fans want to talk about injuries?  They both had injuries, the difference is thanks to Stoneman stocking the minors with talent through the draft and trades like this they were able to plug in quality players when guys went down.  Cabrera goes down?  Izturis fills in admirably and the Angels roll on.  Finley disappoints?  Rivera fills in great and was arguably the teams best hitter during the stretch run.

Drops - Turnbow, Jenks.  This is where it gets a little tough.  In hind site, it is hard to imagine why they'd drop guys like this and keep guys like Paul and Merloni.  Let's not forget though that Jenks has been a discipline worry since being drafted and he was throwing about 90 mph after his injury during spring training.  Turnbow had less baggage, but was the first guy that tested positive for illegal substances and had some arm injury history.  It appeared neither would be used to help the Angels in '05 because of how the team was setup going into the year in the bullpen.  With a crystal ball, don't do the Yan signing and keep one of these guys.  If only we had a crystal ball.

The praise goes much deeper than signings and trades however.  I've been an Angel fan since Reggie Jackson set foot in the Angel clubhouse (ironic now because I ended falling in love with all the Angel's other players and Reggie's K's drove me crazy).  Until these last 2 years, I was always told they were a small market team and they were spending the best they could.  Thanks to Moreno coming in and saying hogwash on the small market thing, signing players and more importantly making this a place where players WANT to be (ask Detroit how easy it is to sign players regardless of your pocket book if guys don't want to play there).  ((Just in the last year, Bonds and Manny said they would want to play here, so we have the luxury of being able to turn guys like this away, are you kidding me?  Is this the same team whose best player was Junior Felix not all that long ago?))  Also, Moreno has done all this while keeping tickets at about 28th in the league and lowering beer prices?  Orange County isn't the cheapest place on earth!  Now, he's on the cusp of signing a TV deal similar to that of the Dodgers.  I mean the hits just keep on coming.  

As for Stoneman, he has stocked this system with great players and great coaches.  Not only that, they have done it with quality people, where we don't have to 'sell our souls' for a guy like Milton Bradley or Carl Everett or even a David Wells (don't even think about getting him from Boston) in order to win, we can win with guys you can actually pull for and aren't constantly ripping the system they play in.  The Angels don't have 10 or 15 good players anymore, they have about 30.  That's how you win your division year in and year out.  The difference between this year and '05, or '01, etc?  When guys went down with injuries, we had a quality guy to stick in there.  Thank you Mr Stoneman.

As I heard Erik Kuselias say on ESPN radio this week, if you have a little kid and you're helping him pick out a favorite team, have it be the Angels because they are setup to be good for the next 15-25 years.  Amen to that!  That's a big thank you to Moreno, Stoneman, and ofcourse Scoiscia.  

Sorry for the book, I could go on and on, but I'll just reiterate with one last comment.  In case people forget what it was like to be an Angels fan in the '90s, the biggest difference now is I used to go into the year hoping I'd have a reason to still be watching in August, and now I go into each year hoping the Angels will win the World Series.  Go Halos.  

Now let's get back to second guessing!!