Firing your lame duck GM mid season is certainly a move. But having the old Cards guy ho ripped the Angels off constantly in the 2010s just fell into Arte’s lap. Even if he is only here to draft well, things may be looking up for this sorry franchise.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the team will magically be better. Things take time, and short of replacing half the team, there isn’t much that the new guy can do right now. Maybe he will be the one to trade players, if Arte will let him.
That’s the real question. If Arte will let him. On the one hand, Arte Moreno has knee capped GM after GM for 16 years. On the other hand, this is not a newbie. This is the best GM in the NL in the 2010s. A world series winner, and someone who had one of the best farms in Baseball. He can maybe do what he wants, as that may even be a part of his deal to even come on.
Anyway, how does the team do in the new era? Walbert Urena went 4 and 1/3 innings, giving up 7 runs on 6 hits striking out 5 and walking 2. Wow that’s bad. And it was all in a horrible 5th inning with 1 out. Nothing more than walks and singles through the infield. BABIP to death.
Highlighted Recap
It was a pitching duel, with the first run being a single by Walton in the 3rd.
Meanwhile, Urena was cruising, 4 perfect innings. And then the 5th happened.
Yikes. Well, the Angels did not give up, as they made it a game again thanks to Jo Adell.
However, the A’s got those back thanks to a questionable catcher’s interference
And a single
And a double
The Angels tried, even getting the bases loaded, but they strike out too much and lost the first game with the new GM.
Upcoming
More games vs A’s up next. After that, 3 in Seattle.
