Off we go on a road trip to Houston. I guess we better hope Drew Butera can keep up with all the sign changing. The Angels took two out of three against the Dodgers. We are on a roll.
Fangraphs Jay Jaffe writes that the Angels pitching is not actually all that bad and the defense is dragging it down. Says Jaffe, “Upton has become incomprehensibly bad.”
Albert Pujols Related Links
Mike Trout says he broke down a little bit at the news of Albert Pujols being designated for assignment. To elaborate on that, Mike Trout also says “I can’t thank him enough.”
A report came out Sunday that Albert Pujols was confrontational and yelling at Joe Maddon about his managerial skills. Joe Maddon disputes that was what happened.
Tony La Russa says Albert Pujols is not a fit with the White Sox.
Jack Kruger Related Links
The Angels traded cash considerations to the Rangers for Drew Butera on Friday. They designated Jack Kruger for assignment. His cup of coffee barely lasted a day. The Rangers then turned around and claimed Jack Kruger off waivers. Here is a little more detail about the transaction plus some news about Kohei Arihara to the IL.
Links From Around Baseball
Wade Miley threw a no-hitter on Friday night.
Byron Buxton was in the hunt for an MVP, but now he gets a little time out due to a hip strain.
I guess it was a tunnel rat rather than a trash panda.
Jacob deGrom’s back tightness isn’t going away. It moves around, but it’s still his back.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
Love that Fangraphs article. I read it a few days ago and it sure reinforces some things we already knew and opened eyes that our starters deserve better.
One important note, having a first baseman who can field and pick it at first will help our ERA and all those other pitching sabermetrics. The infielders can fire towards first knowing that a bad throw will be dug out. Saying it a different way, the infield will go all out to attempt making a difficult play vs. not wanting to make the risky throw and pocketing the baseball.
This is encouraging.
https://twitter.com/TaylorBlakeWard/status/1391584230799335425
So a bunch of possible future hall of fame players are chiming in on Albert being “disrespected” , blah, blah, blah, and they seem to be taking it personally, without knowing all the details.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DupyAkOZLYA
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say this was written specifically for us, not back in the 70’s.
F-ing brilliant….This forever will be Uncle Albert’s theme song and shame on you for not thinking of it years ago… shame!
And I propose “Rat vs Raccoon” used to describe the inevitable ”next” and going forward, all future “unknown” issues with the Angels.
Not sure if it fits since this is a f-ing brilliant song and most here don’t view Albert as a brilliant Angel.
If we do use it is Admiral Halsey Arte ? Also we’d need to change “butter pie” to “buttercup.”
Of course! Buttercup from butter pie…..there’s a few lyrics that can be changed. Cleaned up a bit.
But the kettle’s on the boil
And we’re so easily called away
can become…
But the runners are on the corner
And we’re in of need your Double Play
Ha ha, great !
I agree on the blah, blah, blah with the baseball royalty whining about Albert’s long overdue exit. Is this a Rat or Raccoon? Are they piling on because Arte is a known “Dick” and should have followed their “Elite HOF’er” protocols? Or are they as you stated not looking at the unavoidable facts?
While I have said for multiple years that Arte’s not a good Owner, he did stupidly step up and allow Albert to add to his steroid aided totals (My thoughts inserted here) and let him bring the team down some and all the while over paying him and not degrading him in public for not being the guy he paid for. The player’s certainly just don’t know what has been going on here. They fear they could be next in line to being dropped for non performance.
Poor Albert, having to sit home, spend time with his family, while still collecting millions. the Angels were just big meanies and disrespected him by not giving him a chance to play everyday and show why he is a HOF ‘er. Guarantee non of these Dominican whiners has had to watch Albert run (if that is what you want to call it) to first base as the double play ball reaches first when he is only a third of the way there. Father time beats all, even arrogant Hall of Famers who are apparently detached from reality.
Most of the complainers are Dominican; Big Steroid Papi and Pedro. Seems they are sticking up for one of their own…
yup, good ‘ol Roid user Papi. Makes sense tho’.
Papi is an arrogant dick who soaked in every second of his PED-gained retirement lap. I expect him to say stupid stuff.
An other discussion involving 10 individuals was what the commissioner is doing to the game by changing or adding new rules. Age made a difference here. the younger under 35 who are Middle of the Road fans liked some changes and most older “casual fans” did not like the changes. It was pointed out that the older folks that really liked and understood baseball were not who MLB cares about as we are not going to grow the game. Less younger kids play youth leagues now. I was unaware that less kids played youth baseball. One of my sons will with two boys play youth baseball disagreed, and he pointed out that he takes his kids to see the Padres often. Interesting conversation.
Yesterday we were down the hill at my son’s house as we celebrated several mother of different generations and different part & sides of the family tree. A good many people checked into the Great Room to watch a part of the game and unsolicited comment about the announcer of the game (Sutton) and I held my tongue as I was not asked for my opinion on the subject. If an average fan says something about the announcer then he is truly not that good.
We were spoiled for two decades with Rory and Victor.
The transition from Vic to Matt is as seamless as possible very similar styles, delivery, and dry wit.
Which makes Sutton stand out more. Daron reminds me off a youth pastor I had growing up.
If we start winning, maybe we will be distracted, less focus on him..
So the Angels lost six years of Kruger for a few months of Butera. And we wonder why we never have prospect depth.
That said the pitch calling and team defense took dramatic steps forward with Drew behind the dish.
Losing Kruger was some what of a Nightmare
I wasn’t (f)ready for your comment
At first I thought this move was a payroll slashing by our arch nemesis, The Rangers . But now they’ve stabbed us in the back with Kruger.
All we need now is to sign Jason in his place.
Why? we already have Michael M(a)yers.
Upton is signed through 2022. He makes $28 million next year.
He is only 33. That’s not a player you DFA. It’s a player you offer to another team for a prospect or two in exchange for agreeing to pay all of Upton’s salary to play elsewhere.
Signed through 2022. 🙁
Eh. Hes not bringing in negative value so he’s not exactly hurting the team (nor helping). I’d say just keep him on.
Zack Cozart’s value OTOH was completely negative. He hasn’t been in the league since. To add Pujols’ value has been negative for years.
he’s been negative the last 3 seasons:
WAR: -1.0, -0.5, -0.3
OPS+: 88, 89, 97
BA: .215, .204, .214
You might tolerate that batting from a plus defender, but for Upton’s D?
I only use fangraphs. Some sites may say otherwise. 2020 he was 0.0. Today he is still 0.0
fWAR: Trout #1, Buxton #2
bWAR: Buxton #1, Trout #5
so yeah, fangraphs
bbref has Trout #1 in O-War, #2 overall amongst position players. The difference is in D-War, where Buxton is +1 over Trout.
I have no idea if that is reasonable, but it is not as bad as you make it out to be.
Trout was ranked 5 amongst all players, including pitchers, e.g., behind deGrom et al. Personally don’t think it makes much sense to mix them.
My ideal outfield right now would be Legares in CF, Trout in LF, and Ward in RF.
We know that isn’t happening but when Marsh is ready I expect him to take time from Upton, not Ward.
I’d rather flip Ward and Trout even if Trout’s arm is suspect. The Emergency Ward looks like an accident waiting to happen out in RF.
Ward seems to have the better gun but agree, he is learning on the fly.
If we make a change this year (now), agree Jeff. But I don’t see this change taking place this year. Upton yes but I don’t see Mike moving to left or right that is. Lagares gold glove was in 2014 and I don’t think he is an everyday player. As for Marsh, if he cannot get over his aches and pains, we may never see him, never.
Well it doesn’t look like Lagares has missed a meal since his 2014 Gold Glove season.
BTW when you say never you mean August?
Realize he is not improving our chances to win, OF defense is very suspect. Unless he is popping homers, hard to keep rolling with him.
Also Upton would probably not agree to that
That’s a good point. He would have to waive his (I presume) full no-trade clause.
At least trade him for an overweight arm and get a new left fielder. The Fangraph’s article has all the reasons why we need to.
Guess the team wasn’t that high on Jack Kruger’s potential, in order to pick up Butera. Butera has always been solid on d, so those hits he brought Friday were just bonus!
Upton seems like a safe bet to be DFA’d himself at some point this summer when Adell and Marsh are viable options. That contract really became Pujols-lite.
Except that Upton is still providing value at the plate. But once there’s a better option, than DFA is a real possibility. That’s what normal teams do. Don’t understand why it’s such a big deal now that Pujols is gone.
He really isn’t providing value at the plate. He has been below league average offensively since 2018.
Add in defense that is among the worst in the league and I just don’t see how you can justify keeping Upton after making the call on Pujols.
Upton’s defense really is bad. He plays not to make a mistake, so often he doesn’t record/attempt an out I’d say 95% of LFs would make.
He’s streaky at the plate. We traded for the guy and extended when we needed a LF. His contract comes off the books next year right? I think Upton is much different than Pujols and would accepted limited playing time and PH role of asked/it comes to that.
Upton’s wRC+ currently sits at 101 btw.
Been a great year for Ohtani and pushing him to the limits. Maybe him and Upton should flip flop DH responsibilities. Ohtani in LF or RF could be amazing.
Welcome to the soap opera known as “Arte’s Children”