Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Everyone's Healthy. . .So. . .
A big deal was made about the Angels defying expectations by remaining in first place in the AL West despite injuries to Garret Anderson, Troy Glaus, Tim Salmon, Darin Erstad, and Brendan Donnelly. Right around a month ago, the Angels saw Anderson, Salmon, and Erstad all return to the lineup within a week. Strangely, while the Angels were on a roll then, there is no question that they've dropped off in performance--and win totals--since. Since June 12, the Angels area a very unimpressive 8-14. Patterns like that won't win what is considered possibly the best division in baseball. What's going on? Well, Mike Scioscia pointed out recently in the Chicago Sun Times that over the last 30 days, the Halos are hitting .230 with runners is scoring position.
That no doubt has something to do with it. How about being 10th in team ERA in June? How about the much-discussed plight of Fats Colon? Three of the five starters have ERAs in the last 30 days over 4.50, and one of the two who doesn't (Escobar) has walked 18 in his last 39 innings. Ramon Ortiz is the hottest guy that's started and he's in the bullpen. It's certainly not for lack of speed--the Halos had an AL-high 31 SBs in June. However, their BB/K ratio was bad at 0.43--only Texas was worse at 0.36. They also had the highest AB/HR ratio in the AL, only going deep 19 times in the month. There are a lot of intangibles here, but the bottom line is that the Angels aren't winning and the other teams are.
My Name is. . .Ramon
Ortiz still wants out. It's rumored that the Mets want him pretty bad, but basically all they're offering is some Animal Crackers and a Mento. There have also reportedly been in talks with the Orioles and White Sox, who could both really use some pitching. The Oriole deal would be ridiculous, considering the chip they're offering is most likely Buddy Groom, according to ESPN. Jose Valentin was reportedly the offer from the Pale Hose, but that really doesn't help the Halos either. Ramon's only got an option for 2005, so it wouldn't be ridiculous for them to move him. Will they? Not without something significant. I'd love to see Sele go, but the Angels would have to pick up a large part of his salary. He's also got the better numbers, so some team might bite if he were offered.
My Name is. . .Fats
Here's something you don't see every day. Colon's ownership in mixed leagues: 73%. In AL leagues: 37%. Apparently, even without another entire league of players, the AL owners have decided that the Kazuhito Tadanos and Erik Bedards of the fantasy world are better options. I wouldn't completely disagree. BC's last start was another terrible one in which he didn't strike out a single batter. He lasted 4 innings, 8 hits, and 7 earned runs. That's two starts in a row where he walked more than he struck out. The two starts before that were fine, both at least 7 innings and no more than 3 ER. However, those were the only two starts since at least May 14 that have lowered his ERA by the end of the game. This season isn’t over for Bart yet, but it getting close to time to waive bye-bye.
Our names are. . .Tim and Jeff
Both of these guys have been basically rendered useless or at least dangerous to own in fantasy. They're still producing, but neither are getting the full time PT they want and Scioscy is in a no-win situation either way. Some would say it's a good problem to have. Neither have been especially productive, although Salmon has had 7 RBIs in the past week, he's only had 4 hits, which puts his average around .250. The Angels have faced a lot of lefties lately, so the splits have been pretty even, but of course that won't remain true over the long term if this platoon situation holds. Salmon did get one start against a right-hander on Sunday and went 2-4. DaVanon's got speed and some pop, but Salmon's still a good hitter. Right now it's a risk to own either, but you take what you can get.
Los Angeles Angels?
Word out of California today is that owner Arte Moreno is looking to expand the sponsorship opportunities for the Halos and broaden the fan base by attaching the name of the second-largest market to the team's name. The current lease at Angels Stadium requires that the team be called the Anaheim Angels, so it's unsure how far this thing can go. It's certainly possible this could help in broadening the scope of the team's "national importance" in the long run, although some would say that a world championship just two years ago will do okay as well. Folks in Anaheim are sure to not like the possible change, but it's really unclear at this point whether or not this particular venture has wings to begin with.
Quality Over Quantity
Sorry to say, but the Halo Daily website is being discontinued for now. I just don't have the manpower (considering it's only me) to keep it updated when I have Cincinnati correspondent duties as well. I will, however, focus on making the Inside the Halo site even better, with extra columns and analysis that will only appear there (think DVD special features). Sometimes everything that needs to be said can't be covered in seven blocks anyway. Coming soon at Inside the Halo, I'm taking a look at mid-season report cards and seeing whether Angels that are being rostered by fantasy owners are making the grade. We'll see what to expect for the second half and beyond. Check that out at insidethehalo.blogspot.com. For the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
That no doubt has something to do with it. How about being 10th in team ERA in June? How about the much-discussed plight of Fats Colon? Three of the five starters have ERAs in the last 30 days over 4.50, and one of the two who doesn't (Escobar) has walked 18 in his last 39 innings. Ramon Ortiz is the hottest guy that's started and he's in the bullpen. It's certainly not for lack of speed--the Halos had an AL-high 31 SBs in June. However, their BB/K ratio was bad at 0.43--only Texas was worse at 0.36. They also had the highest AB/HR ratio in the AL, only going deep 19 times in the month. There are a lot of intangibles here, but the bottom line is that the Angels aren't winning and the other teams are.
My Name is. . .Ramon
Ortiz still wants out. It's rumored that the Mets want him pretty bad, but basically all they're offering is some Animal Crackers and a Mento. There have also reportedly been in talks with the Orioles and White Sox, who could both really use some pitching. The Oriole deal would be ridiculous, considering the chip they're offering is most likely Buddy Groom, according to ESPN. Jose Valentin was reportedly the offer from the Pale Hose, but that really doesn't help the Halos either. Ramon's only got an option for 2005, so it wouldn't be ridiculous for them to move him. Will they? Not without something significant. I'd love to see Sele go, but the Angels would have to pick up a large part of his salary. He's also got the better numbers, so some team might bite if he were offered.
My Name is. . .Fats
Here's something you don't see every day. Colon's ownership in mixed leagues: 73%. In AL leagues: 37%. Apparently, even without another entire league of players, the AL owners have decided that the Kazuhito Tadanos and Erik Bedards of the fantasy world are better options. I wouldn't completely disagree. BC's last start was another terrible one in which he didn't strike out a single batter. He lasted 4 innings, 8 hits, and 7 earned runs. That's two starts in a row where he walked more than he struck out. The two starts before that were fine, both at least 7 innings and no more than 3 ER. However, those were the only two starts since at least May 14 that have lowered his ERA by the end of the game. This season isn’t over for Bart yet, but it getting close to time to waive bye-bye.
Our names are. . .Tim and Jeff
Both of these guys have been basically rendered useless or at least dangerous to own in fantasy. They're still producing, but neither are getting the full time PT they want and Scioscy is in a no-win situation either way. Some would say it's a good problem to have. Neither have been especially productive, although Salmon has had 7 RBIs in the past week, he's only had 4 hits, which puts his average around .250. The Angels have faced a lot of lefties lately, so the splits have been pretty even, but of course that won't remain true over the long term if this platoon situation holds. Salmon did get one start against a right-hander on Sunday and went 2-4. DaVanon's got speed and some pop, but Salmon's still a good hitter. Right now it's a risk to own either, but you take what you can get.
Los Angeles Angels?
Word out of California today is that owner Arte Moreno is looking to expand the sponsorship opportunities for the Halos and broaden the fan base by attaching the name of the second-largest market to the team's name. The current lease at Angels Stadium requires that the team be called the Anaheim Angels, so it's unsure how far this thing can go. It's certainly possible this could help in broadening the scope of the team's "national importance" in the long run, although some would say that a world championship just two years ago will do okay as well. Folks in Anaheim are sure to not like the possible change, but it's really unclear at this point whether or not this particular venture has wings to begin with.
Quality Over Quantity
Sorry to say, but the Halo Daily website is being discontinued for now. I just don't have the manpower (considering it's only me) to keep it updated when I have Cincinnati correspondent duties as well. I will, however, focus on making the Inside the Halo site even better, with extra columns and analysis that will only appear there (think DVD special features). Sometimes everything that needs to be said can't be covered in seven blocks anyway. Coming soon at Inside the Halo, I'm taking a look at mid-season report cards and seeing whether Angels that are being rostered by fantasy owners are making the grade. We'll see what to expect for the second half and beyond. Check that out at insidethehalo.blogspot.com. For the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
