Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Spinning Their Wheels
Since June 3, when the Angels were 13 games over .500, matching their highest mark of the season, they've been the model of a team that absolutely just can't get anything going. They've managed two winning streaks of three or longer, both of those in the last 17 days, one of four games (which was interrupted by the All-Star Break) and one of three last week. They followed the first one up by losing 5 of 6, and thus far have followed the second one up with two consecutive losses. This is a team that will win 1, lose 2. Win 2, lose 2. Win 2, lose 3. It's not a good pattern. And while they are still very much in both the AL West and Wild Card races, the time to catch a groove is now. Five back of the Rangers, with a season record of 3-7 against them, makes the mud look pretty deep.
Some of the consistency the Angels lack is, of course due to the numerous injuries they've had over the course of '04. For example, last Friday against Seattle, Tim Salmon hit 8th in the order as the DH. Saturday, because of injuries, he was in the 3 hole. Sunday? Back to 7th. Last night? 3rd. This is a perfect example of the Angels season. Not trying to sound like ESPN's "The Rick", but it reminds me of my softball team. We're, uh, not very good. But one of the main reasons is because of lineup inconsistency. We have a different lineup every game. No one seems to play the same position more than twice. Does this sound familiar? The Halos have used 3 C, 5 1B, 4 2B, 4 SS, 5 3B, and at least 4 people at every OF position. Oh, yeah--and 13 DHs.
About That Lineup. . .
With Vlad and Anderson both out, the offense looks pretty meager. Salmon and his .254 average hitting 3rd. Erstad and his .402 SLG hitting 5th. Jose Guillen can't drive in everyone--he's certainly made an attempt with 9 RBI in the last week. When will more firepower return? Vlad may see action today, according to Scioscy and could very well start tomorrow. Garret Anderson's case seems to be a little more delicate, as there is no exact science for measuring a sore groin. He pulled himself out of Sunday's game to be safe, so I might expect him to sit the rest of the Texas series (which doesn't bode well for beating the Rangers). The injuries have been bad all year, but these two in a series where the Angels can either make up big ground or lose it, sure have happened at a bad time.
Does It Ever End?
I'm checking with the AMA to see if I will officially have my medical license at the conclusion of this season after covering the Angels' wide range of injuries. Jeff DaVanon recently became the 12th player the Angels relegated to the disabled list this season, beating out last season by 1 and tying '02's mark of 12. It seems that it would behoove the Halos to start ordering their MRIs, X-rays, band-aids, and Icy Hot by the dozen. There's gotta be some kind of discount for that. DaVanon is experiencing back spasms, which prompted the move, although there hasn't been any indication he won't be ready to go when he's eligible to be reactivated on August 5th.
I Guess It Doesn't
In other injury news, Troy Glaus has been able to swing a bat and do some light conditioning on his shoulder in Arizona, where he's currently rehabbing. Does that mean you should add on the assumption that he'll come back and give you 80 HRs before the end of the season? Uh, no. Don't get too excited. If. . .wait. . ."IF" he comes back, it will be as a DH only and that may even be too optimistic. I wouldn't be expecting TG at the ball park until '05. Also, Raul Mondesi has not resumed any baseball activities since reinjuring his quad during his minor league rehab. Don't look for Raul back anytime soon either, as the Angels have currently dropped all timetables related to him. For now, look for Josh Paul to get more looks in left until the regular OF is completely healed.
Yet Another No-Name
Robb Quinlan has stepped in at 3B and done a great job while Three Bags Figgins has had to venture back out to CF. In the last 5 games, RQ is 11-21 (.524), with 1 HR and 6 RBI. The last 2 years at AAA Salt Lake, he's shown the propensity for talent, with a very good season in '02. He regressed somewhat last year, but his MLB stats in limited time weren't terrible. He managed a .287 AVG in 94 ABs in '03 with Anaheim, although his other stats weren't that impressive. He's shown power in the past and although he doesn't look to have a great MLB future even at only 27, he's certainly a reasonable stopgap for Figgins while he mans center. Should you add him? As a 3B, he's not a bad add now when he's hot, but he'll sit soon. I'd pass, but keep him in mind should more injuries occur.
Benson and Center Field
The Angels wisely took themselves out of any contention for Kris Benson. He certainly wouldn't be an upgrade to what the Angels have. It looks like Anaheim against New York in the Unit War, Anaheim's prospects versus George's money. Randy would probably rather go north, but Arizona may not cave to the cash. They want players. . . Be sure to visit my new baseball commentary site, Center Field. There is also a link to it on the at the top of the sidebar. Check out the first article and be sure to chime in with your comments. It's geared to be an interactive site to talk baseball and have great discussion. Grab your glove and stop by Center Field. For the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
Some of the consistency the Angels lack is, of course due to the numerous injuries they've had over the course of '04. For example, last Friday against Seattle, Tim Salmon hit 8th in the order as the DH. Saturday, because of injuries, he was in the 3 hole. Sunday? Back to 7th. Last night? 3rd. This is a perfect example of the Angels season. Not trying to sound like ESPN's "The Rick", but it reminds me of my softball team. We're, uh, not very good. But one of the main reasons is because of lineup inconsistency. We have a different lineup every game. No one seems to play the same position more than twice. Does this sound familiar? The Halos have used 3 C, 5 1B, 4 2B, 4 SS, 5 3B, and at least 4 people at every OF position. Oh, yeah--and 13 DHs.
About That Lineup. . .
With Vlad and Anderson both out, the offense looks pretty meager. Salmon and his .254 average hitting 3rd. Erstad and his .402 SLG hitting 5th. Jose Guillen can't drive in everyone--he's certainly made an attempt with 9 RBI in the last week. When will more firepower return? Vlad may see action today, according to Scioscy and could very well start tomorrow. Garret Anderson's case seems to be a little more delicate, as there is no exact science for measuring a sore groin. He pulled himself out of Sunday's game to be safe, so I might expect him to sit the rest of the Texas series (which doesn't bode well for beating the Rangers). The injuries have been bad all year, but these two in a series where the Angels can either make up big ground or lose it, sure have happened at a bad time.
Does It Ever End?
I'm checking with the AMA to see if I will officially have my medical license at the conclusion of this season after covering the Angels' wide range of injuries. Jeff DaVanon recently became the 12th player the Angels relegated to the disabled list this season, beating out last season by 1 and tying '02's mark of 12. It seems that it would behoove the Halos to start ordering their MRIs, X-rays, band-aids, and Icy Hot by the dozen. There's gotta be some kind of discount for that. DaVanon is experiencing back spasms, which prompted the move, although there hasn't been any indication he won't be ready to go when he's eligible to be reactivated on August 5th.
I Guess It Doesn't
In other injury news, Troy Glaus has been able to swing a bat and do some light conditioning on his shoulder in Arizona, where he's currently rehabbing. Does that mean you should add on the assumption that he'll come back and give you 80 HRs before the end of the season? Uh, no. Don't get too excited. If. . .wait. . ."IF" he comes back, it will be as a DH only and that may even be too optimistic. I wouldn't be expecting TG at the ball park until '05. Also, Raul Mondesi has not resumed any baseball activities since reinjuring his quad during his minor league rehab. Don't look for Raul back anytime soon either, as the Angels have currently dropped all timetables related to him. For now, look for Josh Paul to get more looks in left until the regular OF is completely healed.
Yet Another No-Name
Robb Quinlan has stepped in at 3B and done a great job while Three Bags Figgins has had to venture back out to CF. In the last 5 games, RQ is 11-21 (.524), with 1 HR and 6 RBI. The last 2 years at AAA Salt Lake, he's shown the propensity for talent, with a very good season in '02. He regressed somewhat last year, but his MLB stats in limited time weren't terrible. He managed a .287 AVG in 94 ABs in '03 with Anaheim, although his other stats weren't that impressive. He's shown power in the past and although he doesn't look to have a great MLB future even at only 27, he's certainly a reasonable stopgap for Figgins while he mans center. Should you add him? As a 3B, he's not a bad add now when he's hot, but he'll sit soon. I'd pass, but keep him in mind should more injuries occur.
Benson and Center Field
The Angels wisely took themselves out of any contention for Kris Benson. He certainly wouldn't be an upgrade to what the Angels have. It looks like Anaheim against New York in the Unit War, Anaheim's prospects versus George's money. Randy would probably rather go north, but Arizona may not cave to the cash. They want players. . . Be sure to visit my new baseball commentary site, Center Field. There is also a link to it on the at the top of the sidebar. Check out the first article and be sure to chime in with your comments. It's geared to be an interactive site to talk baseball and have great discussion. Grab your glove and stop by Center Field. For the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
