While I don’t like the idea of big john’s ugly face being with the sox, there’s NO WAY in hell he is worth 5 / 85. Trying to keep pace with the yanks payroll can lead to stupid signings like this.
Sox paid wayyyy too much and I don’t blame the Angels for not matching it, but holy shit has Lackey just lost his luster in my book.
His antics that were regarded as bulldog ish here in Anaheim will be frowned upon in Boston.
The moment he publicly rips a player on his new team for a missed play, and publicly whines when he gets pulled after getting lit up – - and it will happen – - the fans will turn on him, and so will the Media.
In Anaheim, John had to just be the Ace, just show up, do his best, and gut it out. We were all delirious and 2002-Game 7 drunk. He proved it early here, and won’t have to live up to a contract.
In Boston, the moment he waivers and falters on the mound OR in the clubhouse, he’ll be eaten alive. He has no idea what scrutiny is. Welcome to hell, John. 85M can buy anything, but you just cashed the check, and now people will expect you to earn it.
The Angels always make “serious runs” at top free agents every year but really they are being used to drive up the prices of players for the competing teams. Then the Angels settle for a few useful veterans to fill out the line-up just enough to get them a few games into the post season and that is it.
If I’m Lackey, my stance is- you gave GMJ 50 mil over 5 years and he rides the pine. I want my cash.
Sadly, I still think we will be competitive in the west and possibly make the playoffs, maybe- MAYBE- fight into the second round before looking completely overwhelmed and later hearing Arte vow to do whatever it takes, again. Then watching every major FA sign with the big 3.
And yes, Big John has the right to go to whomever is willing to overpay a guy who never won a Cy Young, never won 20 games, only 15+ games 1 time, like to yell at his teammates when they screw up and sleeps with everything that moves under the iconic structure in the stadium … wait, that last part isn’t so bad.
Anyway — yes, he’s a traitor. And I hope that the Yankees score 15 off him every time they see him.
I have never used any f-bombs on this site, and now I realize it was all waiting for today.
This is fucking bullshit. Not only do we lose John Lackey to of all people the fucking Red Sox, but we also are not fucking getting Roy Halladay, and to top it off in part of that deal Cliff Lee goes to the fucking Mariners. This day fucking sucks. But don’t worry we are going to sign Hideki Matsui. News flash: Hideki Matsui fucking sucks. On what fucking planet, even in Vlad’s shittier years, is Hideki Matsui better than Vlad? So we are not signing Vlad because we are getting Matsui. Fucking great. We are going to lose the AL West to the fucking Mariners, and even if by some miracle we don’t, we are going to get pounded in the ass in the first round of the playoffs. Don’t say good for John. Fuck this, fuck the Red Sox. We are fucked.
Even with all his faults I’d rather have Vlad than Matsui.
Who does Arte think we are that he can piss all over us like this? Does he expect to keep drawing 3 million fans plus per season when we’re coming in third place.?
He doesn’t care about you or me. That would be fine, except for the fact that he has painted himself as some kind of “man of the people.” I am not saying that he doesn’t care about winning — I just think it takes a backseat to the bottom line with him.
Let me say what I said a few days ago when a few didnt like my comment, here it is again…"I dont like where this is going’. Maybe now the few that didnt get what I said and what I meant, will get it now.
Honestly, I’m really surprised with some of these choices players and owners make. It seems that this stuff happens without putting virtually any weight into how crappy this kind of stuff makes some fans feel.
Thanks Gomer, hope you enjoy bean town, and I hope they hate you when you get there
The M’s offered Figgins $20M more, and two more years, per the last media reports. There’s not a player in baseball that wouldn’t have taken that. And it’s hardly like the Ms are our arch-rivals or something.
Players take the big money, and the most years offered. Halos clearly didn’t make the high offers for either player.
this is a great lesson with lackey and figgy that when it comes down to it the fans are the most loyal people to an organization. lackey and figgy are prime examples that these guys we get attached to and pine over are: 1) family guys 2) ballplayers and 3) identified by their team. as don draper says," change, it’s not good, it’s not bad, it simply is."
the team has to show loyalty as much as the player. As an organization we obviously did not want Big John or Figgy as much as some other teams and that’s ok. I think people are overreacting here. Figgins was one of my favorite players to ever wear the Angels uni. He busted his ass every single day and he always showed up (even when he struggled, he was always battling.) If there is someone we will miss, it will be Chone. Lackey was very good in the “pond” in which he developed. He’ll be average anywhere else. He’ll be picked up by Texas in a year or two and we’ll get to see him struggle. Bummer, but I think it is actually the smart move for us. People need to chill with all of the doomsday talk. There are plenty of guys under the radar that would fill gaps in our line up. Bar none, Abreu was the biggest difference for us last year, a cast off, who was “at the end of his career”. A collection of the game’s best players is an Allstar game roster and it rarely makes for a Series champ like it did this year. More often it is about cohesion and role players bridging the gap between the stars. We still have stars, both emerging and in bloom. We’ll be fine. Bay would be a great addition, Matsui is not the albatross that others want to make him out to be. We have plenty of trade bait and there are some arms to be had. The end is not nigh.
If I had been asked back in 2002 which Halo would eventually be the last remaining player of that team, I would have said John Lackey. I really thought he was going to retire as a Halo, which makes this all the harder to accept.
I’d like to re-enact a scene from Predator that captures my rage… I will play the part of Dutch, and John will be Dillon.
Me: What happened to you, John? You used to be someone I could trust.
John: I woke up. Why don’t you? You’re an asset. An expendable asset. And I used you to get the job done, got it?
End scene.
We all know what happens to big john by the end of this movie…. TRY PITCHING WITH ONE ARM, BITCH
John Lackey does not have dominant stuff and was an alright pitcher. thanks to the Angels system Bud Black and Mike Butcher Lackey turned into a pretty good pitcher. What this team has done for him and he will turn his back on them for money. A team that the fans and him have been fighting for the last 5 years. thanks Big John I can’t wait to see the fans boo you when you come back. Way to be the most hated man in Anaheim.
Free agency is a part of baseball, we just deal with it. We’ve been afforded the opportunity to sign players away like hunter, vlad, etc. Yet when it hit homes and Figgins/Lackey suddenly leave, people act like its the end of the world and feel betrayed. Everyone was aware of this situtation for awhile, so dont act all surprised and cheated. In lackey’s reasoning if he cant beat them, why not join them. Let him enjoy that much tougher media market and see him crumble under the pressure. We’ll move on and sign sheets, bedard, etc to short term deals and outproduce him. Pennant fly forever and long live the rally monkey! We will be playoff bound again 2010, believe that…ya dig!!!
He thinks he made the right move for him personally. We all hope that players do that to play FOR the Halos and we must live with the times when players make decisions that we dislike, or despise.
The Sox are a great team and Lackey won a WS once and has had no luck trying to return with the team that brought him up. He probably thinks that this gives him the best chance to win another series or three in his career.
He spent his best seasons in LAAoA, he was the winning pitcher in game 7 of the WS with the Halos. If this team wanted him badly enough they could have matched that offer – they made a business decision to not pay that much for Lackey. I agree with that decision and I, for one, am happy my team isn’t pissing away another $15 million for sentimental reasons. Years 3, 4 and 5 of this deal could be ugly.
I think it’s a good move by Reagins. Save up for next off-season when some amazing players are available.
We weren’t paying $85 mil for Lackey. God bless him for getting it.
He brought us a title and nearly brought a couple more. Our teams failures weren’t his fault. Would have preferred he gone to the National League – Dodgers could have used him – but Boston still has a big bank account.
We may be in a world of hurt next year if Seattle gets Lee – or things may work out.
As much as it sucks to realize the 02 roster is down to a gimpy Shields, let’s hold off on the nonsense.
Exactly who of that class is going to be available after all the extensions are signed?
And you’re absolutely kidding yourself if you think, after the Lackey, Teixiera, Halladay, and M. Cabrera debacles that the Angels actually have a chance on Joe Mauer.
his callers are a fail to everything angels baseball. Can someone hear call and put some of these dudes in there place. Jeff Biggs is just to nice of a guy to do that.
I'm feeling this offseason will be a look different in hindsight
I’m upset with renting Matsui and not keeping Vlad (hell i probably would’ve traded a playoff berth this year to keep him) or Figgins. I’m upset Lackey is not only not sticking around but signing with the sox. And I’m upset that we missed out on Halladay and the Mariners signed Lee.
But we wind up with a shload of high draft picks, keep our prospects, have four young pitchers (all of whom still have upside, with perhaps the exception of Saunders) and a great set-up for the next off-season.
I was pretty much about to write next season off but we have youth in a lot of the right places. Our F O could come out looking geniuses in a few years for trusting in our guys. That being said, pretty emotional day.
except Street, Rollins, and Werth. It would be awesome to be able to get Cain. Pujols won’t happen. Not a chance, short of StL falling into the Mighty Mississippi.
pay $1000, a lifetime supply of corn nuts, 10 slurpees, 20 orders of garlic parmesean fries from the Ruby’s in left field, the left giant Angels hat at Angel Stadium, a John Lackey bobblehead, a copy of MVP Baseball 2004 for PS2 with him on the cover, my PS2, a 32" LCD TV from Howard’s, my right shoelace, a piece of Doublemint gum, my used spare tire, a copy of Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut with my writing all over it, a wireless desktop set, my argyle Angels hat (and whoever wanted to get rid of theirs as well can contribute), a box of assorted Krispy Cremes, and a guarantee for just under 50,000 screaming fans every game for Albert Pujols.
the offer is there, Albert. all you gotta do is sign on the dotted line.
I am fine with Lackey and Figgins taking more money than the Angels decided they were worth.
BUT, they had better not go cheapo with all those picks. Take the best player you can get regardless of bonus. I know sometimes teams skimp on bonuses when they have so many picks, but 2010 is not the time for the Angels to do THAT.
A guy who played a year and a half with your franchise compared to a guy who came up through the system and spent eight years on the major league roster. They’re like apples and apples!
"hypocrasy" [sic] is not a word taught out west or anywhere else in the civilized world – must only be found in some retarded Boston vernacular. Maybe I should introduce you to the word "absurd" – as in "It is absurd to compare the fan reaction of losing a home grown World Series hero to the loss of some guy who was little more than a one year rental."
Business as usual. Trade our best to our arch enemy. Remember the World Series in which we won? The TEAM, won that year because it was a TEAM. TEAMS win World Series, not corporations. I know, I’m just not being logical. Ball clubs play the season, TEAMS play in the play-offs. I use to know who was on whose team, but now its like musical chairs. You have to learn the players and teams all over again each season.
When you talk about outstanding players and winners, they are usually associated with 1 TEAM. I wonder why? DON’T YOU? Oh well, baseball, like the stimulous package, is a bait and switch program.
And as I always say, (lately). “TGFN” ( THANK GOD FOR NASCAR )
Is this your pitch for Adam Kennedy and Scott Spiezio?
We didn’t trade John Lackey.
Since you’re a nascar fan, and probably coming down from meth fumes, it might be a little hard to understand… But i find it funny that you have to take a shot at business in baseball, while nascar whores itself out on the daily to corporate sponsors.
he was my favorite Angel too, loved to watch him pitch, and for the Angel fans bad talking him, he has a lot to do with the ANgels only World Series in game 7. He is an Angel hall of famer, I wish Arte would of done anything to keep him a life long Angle, our rotation scares me now.
Even if Halladay was traded, which wont happen we would give up another starter, this would be three starters gone in a year. I do not count Escobar being a factor for the Halos.
Glad we did not pay that kind of money for Lackey. M’s can have Lee he sucked last year in the AL where the better hitters are. Us not getting Halliday sucks big time. Us potentially signing Matsui? Please no!!!! I don’t want no Yankee reject.
This is Scioscia’s doing. Its been simmering since Scios yanked him in the playoff game in favor of Darren Oliver. No surprise, just revenge whether or not logical. At least the Angels’ playoff choking will be behind him and he’ll get another chance to go to the WS. Too bad it had to happen this way, but when its money its inevitable.
Losing lots of respect for the Angels front office
Lackey was complaining since the last off season saying that the Angels are not even trying. I don’t blame Lackey. It is starting to be clear that we are only about signing some veteran free agents and hope for Morales 2.0’s.
I think Arte has seen that the Doyers don’t spend much in a big market city and still bring in the fans. I’m not going to be used like that. I aint going to another Angel game until I see them put our money to good use..
I know I’m going to get lit up for this comment but I aint nobodys biatch!!!
But, not upset at Lackey and calling him a trader I do not agree. He took the most money offered and his problems with Scioscia I just think was huge. He did not want to sign a contract and play for someonehe has had run ins with. Most of this Angel fans here, thought that was the last time we would see him in an Angel uniform.
Now the sad news, no Halladay with the three way trade and now Seattle will get Lee. Then Reagins wants to sign a 35 year old Matsui for one year? Where is this team headed? My goodness, What direction in our GM going? Or lets say owner? Very very sad, our pitching will hurt. Id rather Sign Vlad then Matsui.
I have no hard feelings for Lackey, he was a favorite of mine, a bull dog. I wish we had Bill stoneman back, the one thing he did was build our minor leagues and our pitching.
SO we lose Adenhart and now Lackey, no depth in our rotation and our two signings this offseason is 35 and older.
If this is a one year fix, crap sign Washburn,
Finally, Harverys Mustache, you do not need to say anything, but would be nice for you to mature and grow up. Having a feeling your under 23 and you are nothing but disrespectful to some on here, with your foul mouth.
it has to be taken into account – in addition to the tragedy, Nick wasn’t just a pitcher, he was a top prospect that the organization had spent years cultivating.
Look, it will ever be part of our history, like Bostock. We are all hurt by Nicks death. He was a great kid, and had such a bright future. But as Len Bias it hurt the Celtics for years, so it has to be brought up.
(not cool mentioning adenhart here, dude.) I never spoke in a negative tone, his loss is devastating.
and who the hell are you to question age difference
oh automatically because we are below the age of 23 we are immature and need to grow up. Its an emotional reaction and to say we are not allowed to feel this way after losing a franchise player is bs. The Angels have not made any moves to really improve the team. Sorry I’m upset but saying we need to grow up because we are upset is bs.
age isnt a difference, but Harverys mustache with his foul language gets old. I am \ upset with the Halos and management. Looks like the only signings are DH’s over 35 who cannot play the outfield, Aberu and Mats.
I don’t think Lackey had any hard feelings toward Sosh, he just didn’t like getting pulled from games. Lackey did this because of money. Plain and simple.
You seriously want Stoneman back? The guy was an alright GM, but I believe Reagins has done a MUCH better job. Outside of the trade for Rivera/Izturis and the signing of Vlad (which in my opinion was more about Arte than Stoneman) What did Stoneman do that was so great? Think of all the BAD signings. HGH, Finley, Hillenbrand, & bunch of crappy bullpen guys. Not to mention he was never able to get a needed trade done midseason (see Tex & Kaz).
You really want Washburn back? He really isn’t that good. I think SOS could duplicate Washburn for a fraction of the cost.
And finally, just by BHM screen name, I bet he’s way over 23.
I for one, would complain, for his lack of making big trades. But, as time passes I appreciate more and more what he did for the franchise. We were so rich in pitching from the minors to the majors with Stoneman,
Anyone agree? I feel we now are very thin with our pitching. I think the Halos should trade for Washburn and in June maybe make a trade for a big pitcher whose team is not going anywhere. But, what do we have to trade?
Also here the sox is offering 15.5 for the Left handed Cuban pitcher who can hit 100. Maybe, Arte can get him and ease black Monday.
Here Rex Sox looking at Adrian Gonzalez. It is all about the Yanks and the Sox, but Lee going the the Mariners hurts too. Plus we still have Juan Rivera :(
Awful contract, most of his success has been in the NL other than a few years in Boston, and more worrisome is he’s starting to show regression. I would only consider this if we could somehow throw GMJ into the deal or if Atlanta is willing to pick up a substantial portion of Lowe’s contract.
If they want to pay him that much, then so be it. Good for him, better for the Angels.
He was good for the Angels, but I see DL time and 4.50 era’s in the future.
In a Rudolph floating away on the ice berg after leaving Yukon and Hermie sort of way:
Goodbye Figgins. I hope you become a great dentist.
Goodbye Lackey. I hope you find lots of silver.
Goodbye Rex. I hope you don’t have to go through anymore KC airports.
What in the hell is happening to our team here? What a crappy Monday.
It is promising to look at our team leaders from 2009 and realize that they are all coming back. Wins? Saundo and Weaver: 16. I don’t see any any Lackey there. RBI’s? Morales and Abreu and Hunter. All back. Ok so I skipped the Runs and Walks categories. Sue me.
Seriously, why am I sick AGAIN?!!! I can’t afford to be sick right now: finals week in my art classes, Thursday is mr opiejeanne’s Last Day at Work, EVAH!, and I’m rescuing him from the office Christmas party at 2 in order to pick up our older daughter and son-in-law at LAX.
I’m too busy to be sick. When I’m dead I’ll have time to be sick.
I still fail to see why people are so high on getting rid of Rivera.
He’s cheap, still relatively young, has a lot of upside, and was very valuable to the club last year with an above average OPS+. The other time he was given consistent playing time he made a 126 OPS+. Why on Earth we would get rid of him is beyond me. If we sign Bay, he’s not automatically crowded out. Signing Matsui creates crowdage, but remember Rivera can play first (if Morales goes down), and second!, too.
I guess the traditional stats folks see people like Bay and his numbers as being way sexier than Rivera even though Rivera is the more valuable player than Bay at a fraction of the cost.
Although I now hate John, I will always love game 7. Memories are just that… memories… Kennedy gave us a great on too, and the Angels let him go at the right time. We have young guys that have the chance to step it up this year.
Weaver, Saunders, Kazmir and Santana will eat a lot of innings, but there’s not a #1 there. These guys will eat a lot of innings, but not much more.
We better hope to hell that Santana’s elbow is fully healed…..Reckling is at least a year away, and Matt Palmer should never be confused with JIM Palmer.
in one post, most people say, “you’d do the same thing”. In another post, most people are congratulating Chone Figgins for doing what John Lackey did. As I see it, this is the Boston Red Sox saying we will never win our own division and in case we get the wild card, let’s hope we have a motivated Lackey to face his old team.
Assuming Vlad is not coming back too, I really want to know what the Angels organization is trying to say by allowing 3 out of the 4 identifying “face players” of the franchise go elsewhere.
Assuming no major names that are worth signing end up Halos I say Arte is making a financial decision based on our floundering economy. And with the way the Angels hold on to their prospects I say now is the perfect time for the Angels to nut up and show us Halo fans why we never traded them.
Fast! The FO blew it with the Halladey thing. But the Lackey thing I blame on Lackey- hell the Angels offered him an extension $72 for 4 years and he turned it down- that works out at $18 M per year- Boston repotedly gave him $85 M for 5 years- That works out at $17 M per year. He just wanted out, the ungrateful, hateful dickhead fishface.
players usually take years instead of money. Job security and guaranteed money is always nice. I will never lose faith in the angels even if we have one bad year. We might not win the division next year or we might win the world series. Who knows? But don’t lose faith in the FO for not overpaying Lackey.
We will all wake up tomorrow morning, return to Halos Heaven, and be ready to take in the days FA news. We will all be giddy like a 4 year old on XMas the day the first pitch is thrown at the Big A and will suffer through another season of ups and downs. Trust the FO to do their jobs, they have done a pretty damn good job so far and if my math is correct we are going to have a TON of money to spend coming up and have a young talented core to build around. Believe in what we have and be glad we aren’t drowning 15+ a year a player we simply don’t know will be healthy enough. Keep plugging away and peace be the journey!
John Lackey is a great Angel and everyone should remember him fondly. This is part of the game and Lackey is doing what is best for him financially. Artie could have matched but chose not to.
Rev isn’t a very smart baseball observer but there are a lot of other smart/savy Angel fans here. The problem with this place is Rev makes some terrible posts that are tough to avoid.
This post is almost as bad as when he blamed the Umps in the ALCS after the Halos got crushed in game 4.
If I find a better group of Angel fans, I won’t be back.
What do I have to gain? Are there Halo Bucks on the line that I'm not aware of?
I just respect the work of a person who helps make all of this possible. Coming up with material daily isn’t easy, and the unmerited criticism is unnecessary.
Rev, you are to blame. I read on your site that all this happened, so it must be your fault. We lost Lackey, Figgy, Halladay in exchange for Matsui and a can of tuna to play 3B.
You are ripping a guy for taking 17 million dollars. I don’t know anyone who would turn down that money. Everyone talks about loyalty but people change jobs for more money in the real world all the time.
John Lackey pitched his ass off for this organization for many years. He gave everything he had and was a fierce competitor. He was a free agent and took the best offer. There is no shame in that.
If you are upset about John Lackey leaving, blast the organization. They are the ones who came up short. Show some balls. Don’t blast the guy who has a short career and must maximize his income because after his career will have almost no tangible skills to earn a living.
You won’t blast the organization because you like whatever air time they will give you on 830.
As for me, I understand the decision both ways. I know that Lackey had no choice but to take the Sox offer. I also understand the Angels choosing not to sign a 31 year old pitcher with declining swinging strike rates and injury concerns to a 5 year contract. The Angels, while a big market club, are not in the same league financially as the Yanks and Sox. That is reality.
You should wish John Lackey good luck and good health in Boston, except when he faces the Halos. He was a huge piece to the organization winning their only championship and should be celebrated, not criticized in such a classless manner.
I guess you couldn’t stand up to my well response. The guy was a great Angels. He is in the top 15 on your list of the top Angels. Yet, because he accepts a better offer he is suddenly Benedict Arnold.
I’m not telling you how you should feel, I’m telling you how someone who objectively looks at the situation should see it. You have proven time and again to not be objective.
Why did you issue a warning? I have not cursed or personally attacked you. I’ve stated exactly why your opinion is wrong and the reason (in my opinion of course) why you won’t blast the organization for not matching the offer by the Sox.
Are you going to ban all people who disagree with you now?
For what it is worth, if Lackey had left for Boston and the Halos offer was in the same area financially as the Sox, your “traitor” stance may have had some merit. Under the current set of facts, it doesn’t.
The guy hasn’t gone to college and hasn’t done anything but play baseball for the last 12 years. Lackey is going to finish his career and not know what to do. None of us would. I am friends with a pretty prominent former player (not an Angel) who has retired and doesn’t do much. He spends time with his family and travels but you get the sense he is board. He doesn’t have a job like the rest us and he has said a few times he isn’t sure what to do with the rest of his life.
…but he always seemed to think he was playing for a small-town club. He got mad when others made mistakes but no one freaked out when he did. I’ll never forget his performance in Game 7 and he was a stud for years, but this is the ONE team I was not okay with. I get the Yankees; players want to be part of that ludicrously successful history. But the Red Sox? That’s a big middle finger to Angels fans everywhere.
I take solace in that the “biggest free agent pitcher on the market” got one-upped by the Halladay trade. No front page for your betrayal, John.
Instead of another pointless "well this sucks thread"
answer me this – how many of you have already jumped ship for 2010?
For me, I am worried – mainly because there no leader in the clubhouse now. Hunter yes, but not like Vladdy (to the Spanish player, guess Big Cuban is the new guy), Lackey, or Chone. But you need to have faith people. Everyone starts out 0-0.
I would be fine with this if it wasn't our arch enemy
but John of all people knows what the Red Sox are to Angel fans. This is a big “FUCK YOU” to all of us.
Fuck you John, you goofy looking, snaggle-toothed hick!
Go fuck yourself
On another note, we as a team are completely screwed. We lost Lackey, Halliday, and Lee. We don’t have the depth to make it deep. We just don’t. And there’s nobody left to go get. We absolutely HAD to get one of them, and Tony failed miserably. Inexcusable. Why is Arte being to fucking tight with his purse this offseason?? Does he like losing in the playoffs??
Obviously there is no one left of Halladay or Lackey’s caliber, but I’m not entirely sure we need someone on that level. There are plenty of low risk, high reward players who could prove to be solid #3s or so in the rotation,there are a really good pitchers we might be able to land in a trade and we still have Weaver, Saunders, Santana, and Kazmir.
Did today end well? No, but there are still quite a few moves that can be made this offseason.
Everything is gonna be alright. A lot of my fellow Halo fans are angry right now. But do you know who’s even more angry? Mets fans. They wanted Lackey real bad. They don’t get him and to top things off the Phils get Halladay. The Mets fans are ready to burn Citi Field down to the ground.
That was a close one. For a few days, I thought WE were going to pony up $85MM for a Bill Gullickson-type pitcher.
So: we lost a good, but not great pitcher, and a Bip Roberts lookalike, leaving money to REALLY improve the team in the future (yes, the big splash may be next winter boys).
I think this proves that our front office is really……smart.
Since we're going with a Revolutionary War-type theme here
Let’s have this conversation against Big John come playoff time next year:
Scene: Fenway. ALDS Game 5. Score 1-0, Boston. Weaver has just pitched the game of his life. Big John is about to finish it off against the Halos. Hunter gets on base to lead things off. Izturis pops out to deep right and Hunter advances to second. Matsui strikes out. Wood comes to the plate.
The count is 0-2. Wood fouls a few off, suddenly looks weak when he seems to twist his ankle. He stays in. Lackey takes a menacing look at Wood, then at the dugout and Scioscia.
Lackey: You said one us would go down before this was over. It looks like you were not the better man after all, Mike.
Lackey throws a curve, the very strike that has haunted Wood all year. Suddenly Wood reacts just so, swings with a heave—and sends the ball FLYING over the Green Monster. Farther than even Manny Ramirez hit it in Game 2, 2007.
Rich Thompson and Sean O’Sullivan, filling in for an injured Fuentes, close it out.
In the ensuing celebration, Scioscia looks over to Big John.
Scioscia (stoically): You’re right. My prospects were better men.
Ok, that makes more sense but it was funnier the other way.
No love for Palmer? I have to admit that I do remember SOS having some success at first, and he looked like Jack Black. I think the batters he faced figured him out, though, so he needs Butcher to show him a new pitch or two.
i dont see Lackey as a traitor, the dude took the money & got his paid day.
This is a business. Lackey and Figgy were looking out for their famileis. Can you blame them?
I am an Angel fan, not a Lackey or Figgens fan(not now anyway). All of a sudden by favorite DH is Matisu. i only remember one guy who showed some loyalty. SALMON!!!
I for one want to buy a ticket for the game where Lackey pitches at Angel Stadium. I want to give him what he deserves a massive booing. He turned his back on the Angels and the fans that supported him. He went to enemy he spent 6 years fighting they finally won a battle and he jumps ship. He is a traitor. The Angels brought him up and helped become the pitcher he is today. I hope he sucks this year.
With the Angels wiffing of roy halladay and Lackey they have a weak rotation. A rotation of Santana, Saundo, Weaver, Kazmir, and Sean O Sullivan/Trevor Bell. Not very scary and we don’t have an ace in that group. That pitching will not win in the playoffs and if one of those guys goes down we are in big trouble.
Weaver is good for 13-16 wins. Santana (I hope his arm stays intact, and he keeps his good “even” year stat-line going) is good for 11-14. Kazmir could get somewhere between 12-15 assuming his arm stays attached. Saunders is a winner, and has 16 and 17 wins in 09 and 08. If the #5 spot can get between 8-10 wins, I don’t see any reason why this rotation couldn’t be in the top third of the AL, at worst.
Weaver should start this season on a mission to be an All-Star after his snub this past season. And I think that our 4 starters will have a very healthy and very wide open competition to be the ace of the staff.
I, for one, am excited. Today is the beginning of a new chapter in Angels baseball. All that’s left from the 2002 team is Scot Shields, so I’m intrigued to see what this core of Angels can do. I was extremely pissed when I found out about Lackey to the Red Sox, but then I thought about the rest of the team and I still like our chances. Even if we face Boston again in the playoffs, our players know Lackey’s stuff, what he likes to throw in certain situations and whatnot.
where they are going to make Lackey stand, ala Chuck Conners, in full uni in front of the team, and Sosh walks up to him and rips the #34 patch off of his jersey?
We simply don’t have another guy that wants it, that wants to be a champion, as passionately as Lackey does.
True, he obviously does not have his emotions in check when he’s out there. But he is an absolute gamer, he has a fire that burns deep and bright, and he is the only Angel pitcher I’ve seen this decade when at times he simply decides that he’s not going to give up a run and that’s the end of it. I remember that game at Oakland where he threw that perfect game after the first batter. That playoff gem against the Sox this fall reminded me of that game. He simply was not going be beaten that night and that was that.
He does have his flaws.
I think John wanted to leave though. I believe it’s a fact that he doesn’t have complete games that he would’ve had on other clubs, because he always seems to get the early hook, even when he’s pitching superbly. I keep thinking of that Yankee game and him not wanting to come out of there and Mike hooking him anyway. Mike always seemed to be pulling John out for the slimmest of reasons it seemed to me.
We are going to need all of our starters to perform impeccably now, unless there’s some kind of move looming that reveals itself soon.
Anyway, I’m sure there’s gonna be times here soon when I’m hating Big John once the new season gets rolling. But right now it’s a pretty bitter pill.
I never thought he would sign elsewhere but I was wrong.....
That is a big loss for you guys no matter how its spun. The good thing for this organization that stands out from the rest of the West, is you guys still have a good pitching rotation. Plus you have owners who will spend money. I am sure they will do something to offset this big loss. I would hate to lose a good with his competitve spirit and his abilities on the mound. Rare combination.
I’m a fan. I don’t care, and shouldn’t have to care, about the market and how the business of baseball works. He went to a rival team and bailed on me. If the Angels didn’t offer him anything reasonable, then that’s different. But they did offer him a decent contract and he bailed anyway. He’s dead to me.
He wants to go somewhere where not all the pressure is on him, and he has a legitimate chance of winning the world series…Whats wrong with that? The Angels can’t get over the hump, especially without Figgins, I’m sure that didn’t help. Maybe if Artie took ESL classes on the side he could sign some solid free agents. LOL
Jeff Miller opens up his trap on the matter with some more of his token garbage journalism. If anyone should refrain from using the word “idiot” in response to other people’s opinions it should be this waste of time (followed closely by Bill Plaschke). I wanted to go back and count the number of times he used “idiot” and “stupidy” but I decided I didn’t want to count that high.
How has no other sports columnist put this 12 year old out of a job?
Oh, I remember now, it’s the OC Register
he’ll be the most hated and booed player when he come to town, replacing Texeira and Pierzinsky in that category. And yes, he not only sounds but even looks like Gomer Pyle- Way to go, Benedict Lackey Fishface!
He's a traitor because we didn't offer him what he thought he was worth?
Fred Fredrix - December 14, 2009
exactly right
every halo fan should remember Lackey fondly for what he did in game 7 2002 and the last 7 years on the whole.
NewportHalo - December 14, 2009
I guarantee the Angels had a chance to match...
no sour grapes here. Good for him, bad for us. Every single one of us would have done the same thing.
Wytelitning - December 14, 2009
For how much he is getting...
You know the Angels offered the same, or maybe not. We will all find out the truth in good time.
pendletonmike - December 14, 2009
lacking to roidsox, halladay to the phils , lee to the mariners.
… what a fucking DAY…. locking myself up in my room and crying for the rest of the night.
jbern - December 14, 2009
I'm going to get re-acquainted with Jack tonight.
Jack Daniels, that is.
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
I can second that emotion.
Vodka AND JD tonight for me. F-ckin sellout.
halofolife - December 14, 2009
So you WANT a hangover then?
Higz - December 14, 2009
Like Tom Petty said
Don’t do me like that!
LazorkoRules - December 14, 2009
He'll be a #3 in Boston..
and he never was an ace over here. A quality starter yes. But he’s not worth what the Sox paid.
Good riddance.
Nashdiesel - December 14, 2009
O V E R P A I D
sox got hosed, BIG TIME.
While I don’t like the idea of big john’s ugly face being with the sox, there’s NO WAY in hell he is worth 5 / 85. Trying to keep pace with the yanks payroll can lead to stupid signings like this.
clover_black - December 14, 2009
Definitely a Traitor
Sox paid wayyyy too much and I don’t blame the Angels for not matching it, but holy shit has Lackey just lost his luster in my book.
His antics that were regarded as bulldog ish here in Anaheim will be frowned upon in Boston.
The moment he publicly rips a player on his new team for a missed play, and publicly whines when he gets pulled after getting lit up – - and it will happen – - the fans will turn on him, and so will the Media.
In Anaheim, John had to just be the Ace, just show up, do his best, and gut it out. We were all delirious and 2002-Game 7 drunk. He proved it early here, and won’t have to live up to a contract.
In Boston, the moment he waivers and falters on the mound OR in the clubhouse, he’ll be eaten alive. He has no idea what scrutiny is. Welcome to hell, John. 85M can buy anything, but you just cashed the check, and now people will expect you to earn it.
The OC Sports Geek - December 14, 2009
agree 100%
I wrote on OTM…“wait til he throws his first temper tantrum, beans a batter, gets ejected and then the game goes to the crapper”
Lackey became the Kanye West divalicious dude of the mound….
farewell and don’t let the door hit ya
ladybug - December 14, 2009
yeah right
A) it is market. Burnett. Lowe etc.
B) He lead the league in ERA 3 years ago and has been top noptch for awhile.
hauldog - December 14, 2009
Yeah definitely not a traitor.....
Go get your money Big John…….always gonna have much love for you!
Thanks for service to the Halos………Good luck in the future…….just not against us!
:-)
norcaliangelsfan - December 14, 2009
Lackey doesn't owe the Angels anything
The Sox wanted him more than the Angels did. Was it overpaying? Only time will tell.
10 27 02 - December 14, 2009
Have fun with the shitty offense Lackey.
SenorChuckles - December 14, 2009
I cannot WAIT
For Torii Hunter to hit one of his curveballs to the fucking MOON!
Commander_Nate - December 14, 2009
Amen to that.
ryanfea - December 14, 2009
Don't forget the part where it's the walkoff home run in the ALDS with us already having won
2 games.
~MMP~ - December 14, 2009
It's days like this...
that I reeeeeeeally miss Nick.
It's A Trap! - December 14, 2009
Oh yes, please.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
good for big john for getting paid, good for us for not...
having to watch him labor through years 3, 4 & 5 of that deal. he’ll spend just as much time of the dl in years 3-5 than he will on the field.
thejd - December 14, 2009
Depends
What did Reagins do to woo him? A lot depends on that. At least for me
hauldog - December 14, 2009
$85m is a lot for someone who averaged 25.5 starts and 169 IP over the last two years.
snowhor - December 14, 2009
say it aint so
john! what the frack!
ugh…. i hope you choke.
BigWill90802 - December 14, 2009
If the front office panics and starts throwing money at old outfielders, I'm gonna lose it
Bay, Matsui, Guerrero…none of these players make a substantial enough difference to break payroll flexibility come next offseason.
Carl Johnson - December 14, 2009
me thinks
FO is being patient until 2011, where there will be a large crop of FAs.
clover_black - December 14, 2009
i hope this is it.
i better not see any “angels sign matsui” crap. that would be the sucks.
retrohalo - December 14, 2009
Too late.
red floyd - December 14, 2009
me thinks
The Angels always make “serious runs” at top free agents every year but really they are being used to drive up the prices of players for the competing teams. Then the Angels settle for a few useful veterans to fill out the line-up just enough to get them a few games into the post season and that is it.
44FAN - December 14, 2009
so true and also just enough for us fans to sell out the games
RedAces - December 14, 2009
If true, I hope that beceoms Arte's testimony during the collusion hearings.
Stirrups - December 14, 2009
How is Bay lumped together with Matsui and Guerrero
Bay is a significant hitter.
Not only does he get on base a very high clip, he hits for power and drives in a lot of runs.
PhiSlamma - December 14, 2009
He also can't field, and fell asleep for half a season last year
He’s not young. He’s not Matt Holliday.
He’s not what we need.
Carl Johnson - December 14, 2009
Agreed.
But I have a sinking feeling where he’ll end up.
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
Well with the Matsui signing it seems like there is no room for Bay
Unless we trade Rivera for a pitcher. In any case, I don’t want Bay. Let the Mets overpay for him.
stolenbases - December 15, 2009
Isn't that the modus operandi, though?
Miss out on big FA or trade-market acquisitions and subsequently overspend on OF’s?
Clutch - December 14, 2009
Yep
If I’m Lackey, my stance is- you gave GMJ 50 mil over 5 years and he rides the pine. I want my cash.
Sadly, I still think we will be competitive in the west and possibly make the playoffs, maybe- MAYBE- fight into the second round before looking completely overwhelmed and later hearing Arte vow to do whatever it takes, again. Then watching every major FA sign with the big 3.
Balls and Strikes - December 14, 2009
Yankees, Red Sox, and who's the 3rd?
Phillies? Mets?
stolenbases - December 15, 2009
wow.
lightupthehalo - December 14, 2009
that really sucks.
Really, really loved Lackey.
Really, really wished he went anywhere but the Red Sox.
lightupthehalo - December 14, 2009
Since we're apparently in Cheapass Mode
Might as well sign Sheets for a few million and a box of Cheerios.
“Not only do they help against heart disease, but they ward off Tommy John Surgery too!”
How’s that for a marketing scheme?
Commander_Nate - December 14, 2009
We should sign Sheets and get a shitload of Wheaties.
God know we are going to need them.
SenorChuckles - December 14, 2009
Definitely a traitor
It would have been ok to sign with another team, but not the Freakin’ Redsucks! This is worse than Figgins going to the Mariners
xavier c - December 14, 2009
It's a free market economy
And yes, Big John has the right to go to whomever is willing to overpay a guy who never won a Cy Young, never won 20 games, only 15+ games 1 time, like to yell at his teammates when they screw up and sleeps with everything that moves under the iconic structure in the stadium … wait, that last part isn’t so bad.
Anyway — yes, he’s a traitor. And I hope that the Yankees score 15 off him every time they see him.
Grichfan - December 14, 2009
Heck, even Barry Zito had one Cy Young award before signing for WAY too much money
for way too many years, giving the Giants way too much time to kick themselves for being STUPID
Hoppity Hooper - December 14, 2009
This is bullshit...
I have never used any f-bombs on this site, and now I realize it was all waiting for today.
This is fucking bullshit. Not only do we lose John Lackey to of all people the fucking Red Sox, but we also are not fucking getting Roy Halladay, and to top it off in part of that deal Cliff Lee goes to the fucking Mariners. This day fucking sucks. But don’t worry we are going to sign Hideki Matsui. News flash: Hideki Matsui fucking sucks. On what fucking planet, even in Vlad’s shittier years, is Hideki Matsui better than Vlad? So we are not signing Vlad because we are getting Matsui. Fucking great. We are going to lose the AL West to the fucking Mariners, and even if by some miracle we don’t, we are going to get pounded in the ass in the first round of the playoffs. Don’t say good for John. Fuck this, fuck the Red Sox. We are fucked.
ponusbaum43 - December 14, 2009
Agree completely ponus....
Even with all his faults I’d rather have Vlad than Matsui.
Who does Arte think we are that he can piss all over us like this? Does he expect to keep drawing 3 million fans plus per season when we’re coming in third place.?
Jack Frost - December 14, 2009
Seriously
Be honest with me… Did Arte bang your wife? Or was it your mom? Why the Arte hate?
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
agreed, this is BS
RedAces - December 14, 2009
Because Arte is a businessman, plain and simple.
He doesn’t care about you or me. That would be fine, except for the fact that he has painted himself as some kind of “man of the people.” I am not saying that he doesn’t care about winning — I just think it takes a backseat to the bottom line with him.
Jack Frost - December 14, 2009
Which is probably why he has more money in his checking account than I do
I care too much. I’m just so damn sensitive.
WiHaloFan - December 14, 2009
3rd Place?
We are still miles ahead of the Rangers and A’s. Seattle has improved no doubt but I still think we are the favorites to take the division.
ryanfea - December 14, 2009
I agree 100% with everything you have written.
Let me say what I said a few days ago when a few didnt like my comment, here it is again…"I dont like where this is going’. Maybe now the few that didnt get what I said and what I meant, will get it now.
Welcome to last place in the AL West, Folks.
TSamn15 - December 14, 2009
But Matsui Sells RF seats and Billboards in Japan
Doesnt that make you feel better?
Balls and Strikes - December 14, 2009
Being blind from rage makes it harder to type
Honestly, I’m really surprised with some of these choices players and owners make. It seems that this stuff happens without putting virtually any weight into how crappy this kind of stuff makes some fans feel.
Thanks Gomer, hope you enjoy bean town, and I hope they hate you when you get there
Versolt - December 14, 2009
Beckett #1, Lackey #3
John, you are now THE BITCH
I loved you Lackey. Thanks for all the awesomeness. Thanks for Game 7.
You are now the enemy, bitch.
Higz - December 14, 2009
85 MILLION DOLLAR BITCH....
sounds good to me….
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - December 14, 2009
…and the Red Sox are Hilliard’s bitch for ponying up that much money. Not a Boras-level butt-ramming, but still…
Higz - December 14, 2009
Figgins will get cheered.
LAckey will never get any love here. Period. Fuck you very much Lackey.
The OC Sports Geek - December 14, 2009
Agreed
I’m trying to decide where to burn my John Lackey Jersey
ryanfea - December 14, 2009
You two are children.
opiejeanne - December 14, 2009
FIGGINS IS THE TRAITOR....
NOT LACKEY.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - December 14, 2009
they both are.
retrohalo - December 14, 2009
Eh?
The M’s offered Figgins $20M more, and two more years, per the last media reports. There’s not a player in baseball that wouldn’t have taken that. And it’s hardly like the Ms are our arch-rivals or something.
Players take the big money, and the most years offered. Halos clearly didn’t make the high offers for either player.
Turks Teeth - December 14, 2009
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS
this is a great lesson with lackey and figgy that when it comes down to it the fans are the most loyal people to an organization. lackey and figgy are prime examples that these guys we get attached to and pine over are: 1) family guys 2) ballplayers and 3) identified by their team. as don draper says," change, it’s not good, it’s not bad, it simply is."
thejd - December 14, 2009
It's not just business for the fans
you should know I had angry eyebrows when I wrote this
Versolt - December 14, 2009
Rec'd
For Mad Men reference. I love that show.
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
Loyalty goes both ways
the team has to show loyalty as much as the player. As an organization we obviously did not want Big John or Figgy as much as some other teams and that’s ok. I think people are overreacting here. Figgins was one of my favorite players to ever wear the Angels uni. He busted his ass every single day and he always showed up (even when he struggled, he was always battling.) If there is someone we will miss, it will be Chone. Lackey was very good in the “pond” in which he developed. He’ll be average anywhere else. He’ll be picked up by Texas in a year or two and we’ll get to see him struggle. Bummer, but I think it is actually the smart move for us. People need to chill with all of the doomsday talk. There are plenty of guys under the radar that would fill gaps in our line up. Bar none, Abreu was the biggest difference for us last year, a cast off, who was “at the end of his career”. A collection of the game’s best players is an Allstar game roster and it rarely makes for a Series champ like it did this year. More often it is about cohesion and role players bridging the gap between the stars. We still have stars, both emerging and in bloom. We’ll be fine. Bay would be a great addition, Matsui is not the albatross that others want to make him out to be. We have plenty of trade bait and there are some arms to be had. The end is not nigh.
JustS - December 14, 2009
does this mean that sheilds is the last one left from 2002?
i don’t think i missed anyone but may have
vongveng - December 14, 2009
Correct.
~MMP~ - December 14, 2009
Wow
Thanks for the reminder. It feels weird.
Higz - December 14, 2009
That's been on my mind a lot since last season.
AlanFalcon - December 14, 2009
Damn.
May cry now.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
El Último Hombre
If I had been asked back in 2002 which Halo would eventually be the last remaining player of that team, I would have said John Lackey. I really thought he was going to retire as a Halo, which makes this all the harder to accept.
Quad Fin Rider - December 14, 2009
Fuck this.
I’d like to re-enact a scene from Predator that captures my rage… I will play the part of Dutch, and John will be Dillon.
Me: What happened to you, John? You used to be someone I could trust.
John: I woke up. Why don’t you? You’re an asset. An expendable asset. And I used you to get the job done, got it?
End scene.
We all know what happens to big john by the end of this movie…. TRY PITCHING WITH ONE ARM, BITCH
clover_black - December 14, 2009
Well Jim Abbott managed it with one hand.
~MMP~ - December 14, 2009
Well, it's going to take him a lot longer than 5 years with the sox to figure out how to throw left
clover_black - December 14, 2009
In all fairness...
Dillon’s M16 kept firing after his arm got severed.
Not sure the point I’m trying to make here, but talking about Predator is a nice distraction. Cheerio.
Higz - December 14, 2009
firing randomly, in a circular motion.
obviously those would be balls / wild pitches.
clover_black - December 14, 2009
Oh totally
Here’s to hoping Kaz and Ervin are the Jesse-Ventura-portable-gatling-guns that we all know they can be next year
Higz - December 14, 2009
ol' painless!
clover_black - December 14, 2009
I don't get the Jesse Ventura reference
But I want to see Kaz, Ervin, and Saunders all look like their 2008 selves.
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
Jay, my friend
You really need to bone up on your Arnie movies. Please rent and watch Predator tonight and report back.
To get you in the proper frame, please enjoy the uncut tool shed scene from Commando!
Poll question: Who had a worse day today – Angels fans or the guy who took a circular saw blade to the gulliver?
Higz - December 14, 2009
I ain't got time to bleed
Missed it the first time.
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
Oh yeah...
…you got time to duck?
misterjonez - December 16, 2009
My favorite Jackie Robinson story...
….had nothing to do with the race.
It had to do with loyalty.
Late in his career he got traded to the hated nemesis San Francisco Giants. Instead of playing with a team he had always hated, he decided to retire.
John Lackey is no Jackie Robinson. What a sellout.
bc56274 - December 14, 2009
Great story.
But what does it also say about the organization who traded him (or in this case, let him go)>
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
Exactly
Loyalty goes both ways. It was time to part ways.
JustS - December 14, 2009
The Giants did not offer Jackie $17 million a year to play baseball.
Stirrups - December 14, 2009
John Lackey sucks
John Lackey does not have dominant stuff and was an alright pitcher. thanks to the Angels system Bud Black and Mike Butcher Lackey turned into a pretty good pitcher. What this team has done for him and he will turn his back on them for money. A team that the fans and him have been fighting for the last 5 years. thanks Big John I can’t wait to see the fans boo you when you come back. Way to be the most hated man in Anaheim.
Angelsrthebest101 - December 14, 2009
I would have been fine with him signing with the mets but the red sox
Angelsrthebest101 - December 14, 2009
I think we get better compensation from the Sox.
I just hope they don’t make a move for Holliday.
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
the mets were horrible last year
we would get better compensation from a worse team
Angelsrthebest101 - December 14, 2009
But aren't the horrible teams first round picks
protected.
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
i think the top 15 - which would be the worst 15 - are.
retrohalo - December 14, 2009
Yeah, so we wouldn't have gotten the Mets' first-round pick.
Boston pick is better.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
People stop whining and overreacting
Free agency is a part of baseball, we just deal with it. We’ve been afforded the opportunity to sign players away like hunter, vlad, etc. Yet when it hit homes and Figgins/Lackey suddenly leave, people act like its the end of the world and feel betrayed. Everyone was aware of this situtation for awhile, so dont act all surprised and cheated. In lackey’s reasoning if he cant beat them, why not join them. Let him enjoy that much tougher media market and see him crumble under the pressure. We’ll move on and sign sheets, bedard, etc to short term deals and outproduce him. Pennant fly forever and long live the rally monkey! We will be playoff bound again 2010, believe that…ya dig!!!
MagicMike23 - December 14, 2009
Get over yourselves folks...
He thinks he made the right move for him personally. We all hope that players do that to play FOR the Halos and we must live with the times when players make decisions that we dislike, or despise.
The Sox are a great team and Lackey won a WS once and has had no luck trying to return with the team that brought him up. He probably thinks that this gives him the best chance to win another series or three in his career.
He spent his best seasons in LAAoA, he was the winning pitcher in game 7 of the WS with the Halos. If this team wanted him badly enough they could have matched that offer – they made a business decision to not pay that much for Lackey. I agree with that decision and I, for one, am happy my team isn’t pissing away another $15 million for sentimental reasons. Years 3, 4 and 5 of this deal could be ugly.
I think it’s a good move by Reagins. Save up for next off-season when some amazing players are available.
jimmuscomp - December 14, 2009
+1
panther
yeswecan - December 14, 2009
I'll politely disagree
I say fuck him. I hope he gets lit up.
LA Seitz - December 14, 2009
+1.
i hope he always has a tantrum when we face him.
retrohalo - December 14, 2009
+1
panther for this, as well. the two posts are not mutually exclusive.
yeswecan - December 14, 2009
I agree too, Seitz.
I don’t wish him personal ill-will, but certainly hope he gets rocked big-time every time he toes the rubber.
jimmuscomp - December 14, 2009
I can't bring myself to publicly rip Big John just yet
But you wrote exactly what I’m feeling…
Quad Fin Rider - December 14, 2009
I hope Pedroia and Scutaro make alot of errors behind him
ryanfea - December 14, 2009
Rec'd
Totally agree.
We weren’t paying $85 mil for Lackey. God bless him for getting it.
He brought us a title and nearly brought a couple more. Our teams failures weren’t his fault. Would have preferred he gone to the National League – Dodgers could have used him – but Boston still has a big bank account.
We may be in a world of hurt next year if Seattle gets Lee – or things may work out.
As much as it sucks to realize the 02 roster is down to a gimpy Shields, let’s hold off on the nonsense.
Lee Stevens' Potential - December 14, 2009
That username alone gets you 1000 recommendations!
PieceOfAase - December 14, 2009
Agree
Great username!
stolenbases - December 15, 2009
Such as who?
Exactly who of that class is going to be available after all the extensions are signed?
And you’re absolutely kidding yourself if you think, after the Lackey, Teixiera, Halladay, and M. Cabrera debacles that the Angels actually have a chance on Joe Mauer.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
No way.
Mauer is either staying in Minnesota, or going to the Skanks.
red floyd - December 14, 2009
Exactly.
Arte will bid for him but won’t put up the money it takes to get him. He’ll get outbid, again.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
he will be outbid for sure
sucks not to have the confidence in your owner.
RedAces - December 14, 2009
Maybe Boston too
If they don’t resign Beckett and VMart
stolenbases - December 15, 2009
Good for Lackey !
Funke5ive - December 14, 2009
it's fine...
Jeff Biggs will be on in 15 minutes to comfort us all.
BigSnyan - December 14, 2009
Jeff Biggs
And his callers do nothing to make me feel better.
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
I agree...
just being morbid on a morbid day.
BigSnyan - December 14, 2009
+1
his callers are a fail to everything angels baseball. Can someone hear call and put some of these dudes in there place. Jeff Biggs is just to nice of a guy to do that.
SenorChuckles - December 14, 2009
i believe i heard jay cal on Biggs show...
clover_black - December 14, 2009
I had to defend myself
Biggs asked me to call in, I won’t be calling in today.
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
wow I used the wrong here.
What did you say on there.
SenorChuckles - December 14, 2009
Just told him that I preferred Dave Smith
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
who doesn't??
I’d probably rather have Biggs as an uincle, but geez it makes for bad radio.
BigSnyan - December 14, 2009
Where can I listen to him online?
bc56274 - December 14, 2009
AM830 site
www.am830.net
BigKahunaMan - December 14, 2009
But what does Mel from Fullerton think about this?
red floyd - December 14, 2009
We should trade Mel, or at least offer arbitration.
opiejeanne - December 14, 2009
I can't wait to hear Lackey say God led him to the Red Sox.
bc56274 - December 14, 2009
Just as long
as he doesn’t say “It wasn’t about the money”
Grichfan - December 14, 2009
AM 830 stream
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
http://azulweb.streamguys.com/am830klaa.asx
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
thanks Jay.
bc56274 - December 14, 2009
I'm feeling this offseason will be a look different in hindsight
I’m upset with renting Matsui and not keeping Vlad (hell i probably would’ve traded a playoff berth this year to keep him) or Figgins. I’m upset Lackey is not only not sticking around but signing with the sox. And I’m upset that we missed out on Halladay and the Mariners signed Lee.
But we wind up with a shload of high draft picks, keep our prospects, have four young pitchers (all of whom still have upside, with perhaps the exception of Saunders) and a great set-up for the next off-season.
I was pretty much about to write next season off but we have youth in a lot of the right places. Our F O could come out looking geniuses in a few years for trusting in our guys. That being said, pretty emotional day.
vongveng - December 14, 2009
i'm studying for an organic chem final
please excuse the fact that i can’t write a sentence. my hearts in the right place
vongveng - December 14, 2009
rent Matsui for a year...
so next year we are players for Mauer, Cain, Street, Crawford, and hopefully Pujols, Rollins, Reyes, Werth.
SenorChuckles - December 14, 2009
completely agree
vongveng - December 14, 2009
I'm buying on all
except Street, Rollins, and Werth. It would be awesome to be able to get Cain. Pujols won’t happen. Not a chance, short of StL falling into the Mighty Mississippi.
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
Most of that list
still won’t be in Anaheim in 2011. Matt Cain is the only one I see coming into Anaheim.
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
i would be happy with cain
agree with slasher on street, rollins and werth though. Pujols wont happen and I doubt Mauer would either (but it would be .awesome)
vongveng - December 14, 2009
i would...
pay $1000, a lifetime supply of corn nuts, 10 slurpees, 20 orders of garlic parmesean fries from the Ruby’s in left field, the left giant Angels hat at Angel Stadium, a John Lackey bobblehead, a copy of MVP Baseball 2004 for PS2 with him on the cover, my PS2, a 32" LCD TV from Howard’s, my right shoelace, a piece of Doublemint gum, my used spare tire, a copy of Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut with my writing all over it, a wireless desktop set, my argyle Angels hat (and whoever wanted to get rid of theirs as well can contribute), a box of assorted Krispy Cremes, and a guarantee for just under 50,000 screaming fans every game for Albert Pujols.
the offer is there, Albert. all you gotta do is sign on the dotted line.
x___________________
ghsu - December 14, 2009
You forgot...
your left nut
Angel Hawker - December 14, 2009
i prefer...
giving my right nut, if it came down to it. that one gets in the way a little more.
ghsu - December 14, 2009
dont forget curtis granderson !
BigBangRobbDawgg - December 14, 2009
but does the FO
have the intestinal fortitude to go for any of those guys?
rmhalofan - December 14, 2009
I wish I could agree
It’s rational thinking if we actually signed FA’s. I have just lost all faith in our ability to sign top names.
RedAces - December 14, 2009
yuppers
That is the thing.
I am fine with Lackey and Figgins taking more money than the Angels decided they were worth.
BUT, they had better not go cheapo with all those picks. Take the best player you can get regardless of bonus. I know sometimes teams skimp on bonuses when they have so many picks, but 2010 is not the time for the Angels to do THAT.
elricsi - December 14, 2009
Agree
Stock up the system with the best talent available.
stolenbases - December 15, 2009
$10 says we Redsox fans won't be acting like this when Bay signs wherever.
So the continued rivalry with LAAAAAA Angels just got a bit more interesting……
sox-inda-south - December 14, 2009
Yep, it sure did.
I love the rivalry. Just not happy with the way things are shaking out today.
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
I must admit you have some work cut out for you guys.
I still root for the Angels over Texas and Oakland so I want you guys to win the wildcard, while the Sox win the East and etc…..
sox-inda-south - December 14, 2009
Wildcard? Wildcard my ass!!!
opiejeanne - December 14, 2009
"and etc."
What, you mean sweep the Red Sox in the ALDS again?
WiHaloFan - December 14, 2009
High-five, my friend.
opiejeanne - December 15, 2009
or, Terrorist fist-bump, if you prefer.
opiejeanne - December 15, 2009
Good comparison
A guy who played a year and a half with your franchise compared to a guy who came up through the system and spent eight years on the major league roster. They’re like apples and apples!
LA Seitz - December 14, 2009
And was the Game 7 WP in the only franchise WS win*
Ajax - December 14, 2009
Yeah, you guys sure were gracious to Johnny Damon when he signed "wherever"
Quad Fin Rider - December 14, 2009
Its a little different when a player says he'll never do something and then does just that.
That’s called hypocrasy. I don’t know if they teach that word out west.
I support of LAAAAAA, I do want you guys to be competitive next year. Our rivalry won’t be the same if otherwise.
sox-inda-south - December 14, 2009
maybe you've heard of "naïveté" out east
yeswecan - December 14, 2009
You’re correct
"hypocrasy" [sic] is not a word taught out west or anywhere else in the civilized world – must only be found in some retarded Boston vernacular. Maybe I should introduce you to the word "absurd" – as in "It is absurd to compare the fan reaction of losing a home grown World Series hero to the loss of some guy who was little more than a one year rental."
Quad Fin Rider - December 14, 2009
To be fair, that was one of the funniest things I've seen in baseball.
Looks like Jesus, acts like Judas, throws like Mary.
TheKingfish - December 14, 2009
If I were a Sox fan, I would be thrilled that my GM isn't shelling out for Bay
I would be crying if the Angels signed him to 4/60 million.
stolenbases - December 15, 2009
Fuck him
There i used my f bomb for the month, hope the sox enjoy overpaying
mynosebleeds - December 14, 2009
it's okay...
Lackey sucks at Fenway, remember?
ghsu - December 14, 2009
for some reason that doesn't console me
vongveng - December 14, 2009
Who said?
We fly flags?
Was that Lackey?
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
yes
linkbruin - December 14, 2009
We'll keep the motto.
The Sox can have the speaker.
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
I think it was
TheKingfish - December 14, 2009
I'm glad he's gone
But I wanted Halladay……..
DAMNIT!!!!
TheAntiSox - December 14, 2009
there is no TEAM in Angels
Business as usual. Trade our best to our arch enemy. Remember the World Series in which we won? The TEAM, won that year because it was a TEAM. TEAMS win World Series, not corporations. I know, I’m just not being logical. Ball clubs play the season, TEAMS play in the play-offs. I use to know who was on whose team, but now its like musical chairs. You have to learn the players and teams all over again each season.
When you talk about outstanding players and winners, they are usually associated with 1 TEAM. I wonder why? DON’T YOU? Oh well, baseball, like the stimulous package, is a bait and switch program.
And as I always say, (lately). “TGFN” ( THANK GOD FOR NASCAR )
betrguy - December 14, 2009
Is this your pitch for Adam Kennedy and Scott Spiezio?
We didn’t trade John Lackey.
Since you’re a nascar fan, and probably coming down from meth fumes, it might be a little hard to understand… But i find it funny that you have to take a shot at business in baseball, while nascar whores itself out on the daily to corporate sponsors.
clover_black - December 14, 2009
Pardon Me...
Which
teamcorporation just won the World Series?RER - December 14, 2009
Dear John Lackey,
I HATE YOU
imyhero - December 14, 2009
John Lackey was my favorite Angel
I don’t really have any words right now. The Lee/Halladay fiasco is just another kick to the groin on this kick-in-the-balls kind of day
linkbruin - December 14, 2009
he was my favorite Angel too, loved to watch him pitch, and for the Angel fans bad talking him, he has a lot to do with the ANgels only World Series in game 7. He is an Angel hall of famer, I wish Arte would of done anything to keep him a life long Angle, our rotation scares me now.
Even if Halladay was traded, which wont happen we would give up another starter, this would be three starters gone in a year. I do not count Escobar being a factor for the Halos.
Ca1IFORNIA ANGELS - December 14, 2009
omg!
if this happens halo fans are gonna boo lackey, not figgins
now the angels have to go all out on getting halladay.
OMG!! - December 14, 2009
You didn't get the memo?
Halladay is in Philly.
Jay Cal - December 14, 2009
I didn't know it went through
OMG!! - December 14, 2009
Yeah this went through quite some time ago.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
Welcome to the Weaver, Morales, Wood Era
The torch has officially been passed to a new generation.
Scot Shields is now the respected elder.
Commander_Nate - December 14, 2009
Am I dreaming?
Glad we did not pay that kind of money for Lackey. M’s can have Lee he sucked last year in the AL where the better hitters are. Us not getting Halliday sucks big time. Us potentially signing Matsui? Please no!!!! I don’t want no Yankee reject.
monkeys54 - December 14, 2009
Yankee reject..
like Abreu?
pescado555 - December 14, 2009
Hey atleast we get another draft pick!
That’s three in the first round or Matsui offered Arb.??
angelskid2210 - December 14, 2009
pretty sure
no on the matsui arb
vongveng - December 14, 2009
Well, at least now Lackey will get the recognition he deserves from the media.
They’re already starting to blow all over him over at ESPN.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
I can almost guarantee that if he had re-signed with the Angels, or even with the M's, it would have been noted in a small footnote somewhere.
Instead of the big headline in their MLB section.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
Well, he did get his props from MLBN...
I remember a “Hot Stove” before the winter meetings where they discussed “Free Agent Pitchers NOT named John Lackey”.
red floyd - December 14, 2009
Well I suppose this is true.
Meh.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
That is how it works.
Stirrups - December 14, 2009
Nope, not a traitor
This is Scioscia’s doing. Its been simmering since Scios yanked him in the playoff game in favor of Darren Oliver. No surprise, just revenge whether or not logical. At least the Angels’ playoff choking will be behind him and he’ll get another chance to go to the WS. Too bad it had to happen this way, but when its money its inevitable.
Manic - December 14, 2009
+1
Ca1IFORNIA ANGELS - December 14, 2009
ROFL
This is probably the only “+1” comment that I’ll ever laugh at…
Spird - December 14, 2009
Losing lots of respect for the Angels front office
Lackey was complaining since the last off season saying that the Angels are not even trying. I don’t blame Lackey. It is starting to be clear that we are only about signing some veteran free agents and hope for Morales 2.0’s.
I think Arte has seen that the Doyers don’t spend much in a big market city and still bring in the fans. I’m not going to be used like that. I aint going to another Angel game until I see them put our money to good use..
I know I’m going to get lit up for this comment but I aint nobodys biatch!!!
RedAces - December 14, 2009
+1
Ca1IFORNIA ANGELS - December 14, 2009
hurt and disgusted
But, not upset at Lackey and calling him a trader I do not agree. He took the most money offered and his problems with Scioscia I just think was huge. He did not want to sign a contract and play for someonehe has had run ins with. Most of this Angel fans here, thought that was the last time we would see him in an Angel uniform.
Now the sad news, no Halladay with the three way trade and now Seattle will get Lee. Then Reagins wants to sign a 35 year old Matsui for one year? Where is this team headed? My goodness, What direction in our GM going? Or lets say owner? Very very sad, our pitching will hurt. Id rather Sign Vlad then Matsui.
I have no hard feelings for Lackey, he was a favorite of mine, a bull dog. I wish we had Bill stoneman back, the one thing he did was build our minor leagues and our pitching.
SO we lose Adenhart and now Lackey, no depth in our rotation and our two signings this offseason is 35 and older.
If this is a one year fix, crap sign Washburn,
Finally, Harverys Mustache, you do not need to say anything, but would be nice for you to mature and grow up. Having a feeling your under 23 and you are nothing but disrespectful to some on here, with your foul mouth.
Ca1IFORNIA ANGELS - December 14, 2009
not cool mentioning adenhart here, dude.
retrohalo - December 14, 2009
it is a fact
it has to be taken into account – in addition to the tragedy, Nick wasn’t just a pitcher, he was a top prospect that the organization had spent years cultivating.
Rev Halofan - December 14, 2009
still, adenhart's loss didn't have anything to do with our fo or owner
and their so called “ineptitude,” so i don’t see the point of bringing it up here.
retrohalo - December 14, 2009
Look, it will ever be part of our history, like Bostock. We are all hurt by Nicks death. He was a great kid, and had such a bright future. But as Len Bias it hurt the Celtics for years, so it has to be brought up.
(not cool mentioning adenhart here, dude.) I never spoke in a negative tone, his loss is devastating.
Ca1IFORNIA ANGELS - December 14, 2009
not saying you were, just saying
given the context of your post, it was unnecessary.
retrohalo - December 14, 2009
and who the hell are you to question age difference
oh automatically because we are below the age of 23 we are immature and need to grow up. Its an emotional reaction and to say we are not allowed to feel this way after losing a franchise player is bs. The Angels have not made any moves to really improve the team. Sorry I’m upset but saying we need to grow up because we are upset is bs.
princeton11loveshalos - December 14, 2009
Well, I'm 24
So yeah, if you’re younger than me you’re immature.
;)
Commander_Nate - December 14, 2009
age isnt a difference, but Harverys mustache with his foul language gets old. I am \ upset with the Halos and management. Looks like the only signings are DH’s over 35 who cannot play the outfield, Aberu and Mats.
Ca1IFORNIA ANGELS - December 14, 2009
Dude chill out...
I don’t think Lackey had any hard feelings toward Sosh, he just didn’t like getting pulled from games. Lackey did this because of money. Plain and simple.
You seriously want Stoneman back? The guy was an alright GM, but I believe Reagins has done a MUCH better job. Outside of the trade for Rivera/Izturis and the signing of Vlad (which in my opinion was more about Arte than Stoneman) What did Stoneman do that was so great? Think of all the BAD signings. HGH, Finley, Hillenbrand, & bunch of crappy bullpen guys. Not to mention he was never able to get a needed trade done midseason (see Tex & Kaz).
You really want Washburn back? He really isn’t that good. I think SOS could duplicate Washburn for a fraction of the cost.
And finally, just by BHM screen name, I bet he’s way over 23.
Angel Hawker - December 14, 2009
Not a traitor
Just a free agent. :)
vr, Xei
Xeifrank - December 14, 2009
stoneman
I for one, would complain, for his lack of making big trades. But, as time passes I appreciate more and more what he did for the franchise. We were so rich in pitching from the minors to the majors with Stoneman,
Anyone agree? I feel we now are very thin with our pitching. I think the Halos should trade for Washburn and in June maybe make a trade for a big pitcher whose team is not going anywhere. But, what do we have to trade?
Also here the sox is offering 15.5 for the Left handed Cuban pitcher who can hit 100. Maybe, Arte can get him and ease black Monday.
Ca1IFORNIA ANGELS - December 14, 2009
I agree
while I wouldn’t say we are thin at pitching we certainly are not as solid as the stoneman era.
RedAces - December 14, 2009
The Aroldis Chapman Sweepstakes begins tomorrow
In Houston.
Moreno should attend and bring Kendry with him.
Commander_Nate - December 14, 2009
Sox have already made him an offer, apparently.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
Roid Sox already made Chapman an offer today
And if today’s multiple fiascos are at all prophetical, it’s not hard to see Theo and the other GMs drinking Reagins milkshake again tomorrow.
Quad Fin Rider - December 14, 2009
Sadly, yep.
Come ON Reagins! Where’s your Ninja plan?
Clutch - December 14, 2009
No longer Ninja -- He is now known as "The Turtle"
Jack Frost - December 14, 2009
Compared to Theo, Reagins still sits at the kids table
mustard_man - December 14, 2009
I'm thinking we may get in on that
TheAntiSox - December 14, 2009
also
Here Rex Sox looking at Adrian Gonzalez. It is all about the Yanks and the Sox, but Lee going the the Mariners hurts too. Plus we still have Juan Rivera :(
Ca1IFORNIA ANGELS - December 14, 2009
MLBTR is now quoting Rivera for Lowe as a possibility
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/10523430/Source:-Halladay-to-Phils,-Lee-to-M%27s-in-blockbuster
Oh hell no!
I’m fine witth digging down Lowe in the barrel, but we should at least trade contract for contract cough GMJ cough.
Commander_Nate - December 14, 2009
Rivera is a better player than Lowe is.
That would be an awful move.
ryanfea - December 14, 2009
If Arte and Reagins are all about saving $$
Then why trade Rivera’s friendly contract for the albatross of a contract Lowe has?
Rivera: 2010 – $3.25m, 2011 – $3.25m
Lowe: 2010 – $15m, 2011 – $15m, 2012 – $15m
mustard_man - December 14, 2009
Precisely this is why I am hoping for a GMJ-Matthews trade
Possibly with some money being moved around.
At least Lowe we would have a spot for and he could prove useful.
Commander_Nate - December 14, 2009
GMJ-Lowe
This place needs an “edit” function.
Commander_Nate - December 14, 2009
I kind of like the GMJ for Matthews trade
Maybe we’d get the “other” Gary Matthews Jr in return. You know, the one actually WORTH 10 mil a year?
Hoppity Hooper - December 14, 2009
Just say no to Lowe
Awful contract, most of his success has been in the NL other than a few years in Boston, and more worrisome is he’s starting to show regression. I would only consider this if we could somehow throw GMJ into the deal or if Atlanta is willing to pick up a substantial portion of Lowe’s contract.
stolenbases - December 15, 2009
More of an ass
than an ace
If they want to pay him that much, then so be it. Good for him, better for the Angels.
He was good for the Angels, but I see DL time and 4.50 era’s in the future.
f his mole
Quinlan's Goofy Swing - December 14, 2009
Say it with me
In a Rudolph floating away on the ice berg after leaving Yukon and Hermie sort of way:
Goodbye Figgins. I hope you become a great dentist.
Goodbye Lackey. I hope you find lots of silver.
Goodbye Rex. I hope you don’t have to go through anymore KC airports.
What in the hell is happening to our team here? What a crappy Monday.
Lompoc Angel Fan - December 14, 2009
Goodbye Quinlan. I hope.
clover_black - December 14, 2009
hahaha
stuck in Romania - December 14, 2009
We've got a case of the Mondays!
Clutch - December 14, 2009
so much for the thought that the Sox spend their money wisely.
RedAces - December 14, 2009
Although I have to admit
It is promising to look at our team leaders from 2009 and realize that they are all coming back. Wins? Saundo and Weaver: 16. I don’t see any any Lackey there. RBI’s? Morales and Abreu and Hunter. All back. Ok so I skipped the Runs and Walks categories. Sue me.
Lompoc Angel Fan - December 14, 2009
Runs 114, second in the league. GONE.
Wally's World - December 14, 2009
So whoever replaces Figgins
is going to score ZERO runs?
johnnyangel101 - December 14, 2009
YES!! BECAUSE NO ONE CAN REPLACE FIGGY AND THEY WILL JUST HAVE TO PUT A CAN OF TUNA AT 3RD!!!!1!
damned cough syrup.
opiejeanne - December 14, 2009
Can of tuna?
Wow, pass the cough syrup.
WiHaloFan - December 14, 2009
It has codeine!!! Wooot!
Seriously, why am I sick AGAIN?!!! I can’t afford to be sick right now: finals week in my art classes, Thursday is mr opiejeanne’s Last Day at Work, EVAH!, and I’m rescuing him from the office Christmas party at 2 in order to pick up our older daughter and son-in-law at LAX.
I’m too busy to be sick. When I’m dead I’ll have time to be sick.
opiejeanne - December 15, 2009
not happy about any of this
cmon Angels
princeton11loveshalos - December 14, 2009
In MLBTR
it says that the angels and matsui have reached an agreement
OMG!! - December 14, 2009
GAHZIRRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quinlan's Goofy Swing - December 14, 2009
Only thing I would call good news that's come out of today.
Fingers crossed the rest of the offseason is less like today.
~MMP~ - December 14, 2009
Fargh.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
He may turn out ok
Remember last year when not many were excited about Abreu after Tex left?
Maybe this will be similar, but still very rough day.
TheAntiSox - December 14, 2009
Rivera to the Braves for Lowe
Angels sign Bay to a 5 year 80 Million dollar contract.
Angels sign Matt Capps
Everything is fine.
PhiSlamma - December 14, 2009
Rivera and GMJ
OMG!! - December 14, 2009
I still fail to see why people are so high on getting rid of Rivera.
He’s cheap, still relatively young, has a lot of upside, and was very valuable to the club last year with an above average OPS+. The other time he was given consistent playing time he made a 126 OPS+. Why on Earth we would get rid of him is beyond me. If we sign Bay, he’s not automatically crowded out. Signing Matsui creates crowdage, but remember Rivera can play first (if Morales goes down), and second!, too.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
Ya, the only way I can see trading Rivera
is if someone who really wants him makes us an incredible offer.
But not seeing him getting traded for Lowe.
~MMP~ - December 14, 2009
Rivera had one productive month
as is his MO.
The fact he is so cheap is attractive to other clubs, and trading him creates room.
All the money Arte was setting aside to sign Figgins, Lackey, or Halladay now can be used on getting an elite hitting LF.
PhiSlamma - December 14, 2009
Me too
I guess the traditional stats folks see people like Bay and his numbers as being way sexier than Rivera even though Rivera is the more valuable player than Bay at a fraction of the cost.
stolenbases - December 15, 2009
Fuck that.
I want Zach Duke, im sure a trade can be made.
SenorChuckles - December 14, 2009
Fuck that.
I want Zack Grienke, im sure a trade can be made.
PhiSlamma - December 14, 2009
why cant we bring them both?
SenorChuckles - December 14, 2009
Fuck that.
I want Tim Lincecum, Zack Grienke, Nolan Ryan, and Babe Ruth, im sure a trade can be made and a time machine can be built.
PhiSlamma - December 14, 2009
Im sure I can build a flux capacitor.
give me a week.
SenorChuckles - December 14, 2009
You have THREE HOURS
PhiSlamma - December 14, 2009
dude if you can give me a week.
I can make sure we have Halladay, Grienke, Lincecum, Cain, and Duke in the Angels rotation, trust.
SenorChuckles - December 14, 2009
Not Cain. Bad blood between him and his brother.
opiejeanne - December 14, 2009
To trade for Granderson right?
~MMP~ - December 14, 2009
Knowing Reagins, we'll probably just end up getting Ted Williams frozen head
Quad Fin Rider - December 14, 2009
Caps is a POS
hauldog - December 14, 2009
STOP WITH THE "TRADE RIVERA" BULL ISHT!!!
We already have an outfielder to move: Gary Matthews Jr.
Swap him and his contract for that of Derek Lowe or something.
Commander_Nate - December 14, 2009
Somewhere out there a young girl cries...
…the tears of love lost. Forever. She now ponders her future…what could have been. What he promised. What now can never be.
Big Thunder has taken his last ride.
She hangs her head in shame…and weeps some more. He…he…betrayed me!
sothball - December 14, 2009
If she was messin' with Lackey she wasn't all that young or innocent.
opiejeanne - December 14, 2009
Did Boston forget to sign Lackey's fav strike-force girl?
norcaliangelsfan - December 15, 2009
Heyman on 570
1. Angels would not go 5 on Lackey
2. Halladay a long shot because of the spring training . We were way down the list.
He says it was a very damaging day for the Angels chances also. He broke both of these stories FYI.
hauldog - December 14, 2009
570? whos on right now.
I usually tune to the Tony Bruno show, its good shit.
SenorChuckles - December 14, 2009
Petros and Money
hauldog - December 14, 2009
we have seen this time and time again
(in no particular order):
glaus, spiezio, kennedy, erstad, garret anderson…
Halos in DE - December 14, 2009
Very good point...
And can you name any one of those players that had an above average year after leaving?
pendletonmike - December 14, 2009
Kennedy this year?
I dunno?
Clutch - December 14, 2009
Eye roll?
Clutch - December 14, 2009
i mean when he left he was still a fan favorite (sort of)
hitting 3 hr in the clinching alcs will do that to ya.
mike, good point
Halos in DE - December 14, 2009
Yeah, this is true.
!
Clutch - December 14, 2009
Don't get me wrong...
Although I now hate John, I will always love game 7. Memories are just that… memories… Kennedy gave us a great on too, and the Angels let him go at the right time. We have young guys that have the chance to step it up this year.
pendletonmike - December 15, 2009
When's the last time we lost our #1 starter?
Weaver, Saunders, Kazmir and Santana will eat a lot of innings, but there’s not a #1 there. These guys will eat a lot of innings, but not much more.
We better hope to hell that Santana’s elbow is fully healed…..Reckling is at least a year away, and Matt Palmer should never be confused with JIM Palmer.
mustard_man - December 15, 2009
ITS A TRAP!
they are saving money for king albert next year
(rolling eyes)
Halos in DE - December 14, 2009
No no, that's for when Aybar goes and becomes the next Bronx Jeter.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
SHUT UP WHINEY BITCHES
in one post, most people say, “you’d do the same thing”. In another post, most people are congratulating Chone Figgins for doing what John Lackey did. As I see it, this is the Boston Red Sox saying we will never win our own division and in case we get the wild card, let’s hope we have a motivated Lackey to face his old team.
Assuming Vlad is not coming back too, I really want to know what the Angels organization is trying to say by allowing 3 out of the 4 identifying “face players” of the franchise go elsewhere.
Assuming no major names that are worth signing end up Halos I say Arte is making a financial decision based on our floundering economy. And with the way the Angels hold on to their prospects I say now is the perfect time for the Angels to nut up and show us Halo fans why we never traded them.
My faith is in Arte.
Dono Romantico - December 14, 2009
Well I'm losing my faith...
Fast! The FO blew it with the Halladey thing. But the Lackey thing I blame on Lackey- hell the Angels offered him an extension $72 for 4 years and he turned it down- that works out at $18 M per year- Boston repotedly gave him $85 M for 5 years- That works out at $17 M per year. He just wanted out, the ungrateful, hateful dickhead fishface.
xavier c - December 14, 2009
you know
players usually take years instead of money. Job security and guaranteed money is always nice. I will never lose faith in the angels even if we have one bad year. We might not win the division next year or we might win the world series. Who knows? But don’t lose faith in the FO for not overpaying Lackey.
princeton11loveshalos - December 14, 2009
The World Is Not Ending
We will all wake up tomorrow morning, return to Halos Heaven, and be ready to take in the days FA news. We will all be giddy like a 4 year old on XMas the day the first pitch is thrown at the Big A and will suffer through another season of ups and downs. Trust the FO to do their jobs, they have done a pretty damn good job so far and if my math is correct we are going to have a TON of money to spend coming up and have a young talented core to build around. Believe in what we have and be glad we aren’t drowning 15+ a year a player we simply don’t know will be healthy enough. Keep plugging away and peace be the journey!
trojanangelfan - December 14, 2009
Thanks Lackey for the memories...
Good luck and break a leg!!!
stuck in Romania - December 14, 2009
Or two.
Stirrups - December 14, 2009
Ridiculous take per usual from Rev Halofan
John Lackey is a great Angel and everyone should remember him fondly. This is part of the game and Lackey is doing what is best for him financially. Artie could have matched but chose not to.
NewportHalo - December 14, 2009
Click that little X at the top of this window
If you don’t like to read what the site administrator posts!
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
didn't know that thanks
Rev isn’t a very smart baseball observer but there are a lot of other smart/savy Angel fans here. The problem with this place is Rev makes some terrible posts that are tough to avoid.
This post is almost as bad as when he blamed the Umps in the ALCS after the Halos got crushed in game 4.
If I find a better group of Angel fans, I won’t be back.
NewportHalo - December 14, 2009
Hey, maybe you can lead your own site!
That way you can create entertaining posts on a daily basis.
Did Rev drop a deuce in your cheerios or something?
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
Why don't you go over to Rev's house and blow him?
You seem to love him so God damned much. I’m not saying I agree with this guy, but you’re just kissing waaaaay too much ass here
KingF15h - December 14, 2009
What do I have to gain? Are there Halo Bucks on the line that I'm not aware of?
I just respect the work of a person who helps make all of this possible. Coming up with material daily isn’t easy, and the unmerited criticism is unnecessary.
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
I work for money
I watch sports for entertainment. I’m not a sports writer and neither is Rev (obviously).
NewportHalo - December 14, 2009
Looks like Newport doesn't know the proper meaning of the word
RIDICULOUS.
But I dish it out, so I can take it, too bad nobody with half a brain will bring it on…
Rev Halofan - December 14, 2009
I have half a brain, but I'm content so I ain't bringin it on.
opiejeanne - December 14, 2009
I have two halves
But because of my lacking math skills, they only add up to 3/4.
WiHaloFan - December 14, 2009
Half a brain? I'll take that challenge.
Rev, you are to blame. I read on your site that all this happened, so it must be your fault. We lost Lackey, Figgy, Halladay in exchange for Matsui and a can of tuna to play 3B.
You owe Angel fans everywhere an apology.
snowhor - December 14, 2009
Don't knock that can of tuna; at the very least, it's lunch.
opiejeanne - December 15, 2009
Rev, "see the light"
You are ripping a guy for taking 17 million dollars. I don’t know anyone who would turn down that money. Everyone talks about loyalty but people change jobs for more money in the real world all the time.
John Lackey pitched his ass off for this organization for many years. He gave everything he had and was a fierce competitor. He was a free agent and took the best offer. There is no shame in that.
If you are upset about John Lackey leaving, blast the organization. They are the ones who came up short. Show some balls. Don’t blast the guy who has a short career and must maximize his income because after his career will have almost no tangible skills to earn a living.
You won’t blast the organization because you like whatever air time they will give you on 830.
As for me, I understand the decision both ways. I know that Lackey had no choice but to take the Sox offer. I also understand the Angels choosing not to sign a 31 year old pitcher with declining swinging strike rates and injury concerns to a 5 year contract. The Angels, while a big market club, are not in the same league financially as the Yanks and Sox. That is reality.
You should wish John Lackey good luck and good health in Boston, except when he faces the Halos. He was a huge piece to the organization winning their only championship and should be celebrated, not criticized in such a classless manner.
NewportHalo - December 14, 2009
ZZzzzzz....
Why are you spending your time telling me how I should feel and what I should do?
Don’t tell me how to feel about this or what I should do about this.
SHOULD SHOULD SHOULD… man, you are a real drag.
Rev Halofan - December 15, 2009
haha
I guess you couldn’t stand up to my well response. The guy was a great Angels. He is in the top 15 on your list of the top Angels. Yet, because he accepts a better offer he is suddenly Benedict Arnold.
I’m not telling you how you should feel, I’m telling you how someone who objectively looks at the situation should see it. You have proven time and again to not be objective.
Why did you issue a warning? I have not cursed or personally attacked you. I’ve stated exactly why your opinion is wrong and the reason (in my opinion of course) why you won’t blast the organization for not matching the offer by the Sox.
Are you going to ban all people who disagree with you now?
For what it is worth, if Lackey had left for Boston and the Halos offer was in the same area financially as the Sox, your “traitor” stance may have had some merit. Under the current set of facts, it doesn’t.
NewportHalo - December 15, 2009
exactly
if you come to my team you are not a traitor, if you leave my team for a rival, you are a traitor.
I am not unbiased and I make no pretense to being biased. There … in your words “PROVEN”…
If I made the Top Ten List today, John Lackey might be as high as #8 in fact.
Making him all the more … A TRAITOR.
Rev Halofan - December 16, 2009
Speaking of "Not blasting a guy"
Way to go chump……..
norcaliangelsfan - December 15, 2009
That is reality
The guy hasn’t gone to college and hasn’t done anything but play baseball for the last 12 years. Lackey is going to finish his career and not know what to do. None of us would. I am friends with a pretty prominent former player (not an Angel) who has retired and doesn’t do much. He spends time with his family and travels but you get the sense he is board. He doesn’t have a job like the rest us and he has said a few times he isn’t sure what to do with the rest of his life.
NewportHalo - December 15, 2009
well one suggestion on what he should do from a few thousand years ago:
sell all you have, give your money to the poor and follow Jesus Christ.
Rev Halofan - December 16, 2009
I always liked Big John...
…but he always seemed to think he was playing for a small-town club. He got mad when others made mistakes but no one freaked out when he did. I’ll never forget his performance in Game 7 and he was a stud for years, but this is the ONE team I was not okay with. I get the Yankees; players want to be part of that ludicrously successful history. But the Red Sox? That’s a big middle finger to Angels fans everywhere.
I take solace in that the “biggest free agent pitcher on the market” got one-upped by the Halladay trade. No front page for your betrayal, John.
Kernel - December 14, 2009
Instead of another pointless "well this sucks thread"
answer me this – how many of you have already jumped ship for 2010?
For me, I am worried – mainly because there no leader in the clubhouse now. Hunter yes, but not like Vladdy (to the Spanish player, guess Big Cuban is the new guy), Lackey, or Chone. But you need to have faith people. Everyone starts out 0-0.
Halos in DE - December 14, 2009
We have this guy named Abreu
Perhaps you’ve heard of him?
Commander_Nate - December 14, 2009
Bobby= Leader for Latin American players
mastermind565 - December 14, 2009
I would be fine with this if it wasn't our arch enemy
but John of all people knows what the Red Sox are to Angel fans. This is a big “FUCK YOU” to all of us.
Fuck you John, you goofy looking, snaggle-toothed hick!
Go fuck yourself
On another note, we as a team are completely screwed. We lost Lackey, Halliday, and Lee. We don’t have the depth to make it deep. We just don’t. And there’s nobody left to go get. We absolutely HAD to get one of them, and Tony failed miserably. Inexcusable. Why is Arte being to fucking tight with his purse this offseason?? Does he like losing in the playoffs??
KingF15h - December 14, 2009
being *so* tight , not to. We really need an edit button
KingF15h - December 14, 2009
Saying there is nobody left to get is silly.
Obviously there is no one left of Halladay or Lackey’s caliber, but I’m not entirely sure we need someone on that level. There are plenty of low risk, high reward players who could prove to be solid #3s or so in the rotation,there are a really good pitchers we might be able to land in a trade and we still have Weaver, Saunders, Santana, and Kazmir.
Did today end well? No, but there are still quite a few moves that can be made this offseason.
~MMP~ - December 14, 2009
Exactly.
Everything is gonna be alright. A lot of my fellow Halo fans are angry right now. But do you know who’s even more angry? Mets fans. They wanted Lackey real bad. They don’t get him and to top things off the Phils get Halladay. The Mets fans are ready to burn Citi Field down to the ground.
njhalofan - December 14, 2009
Ben Sheets
we gotta get him. he could be this yr’s bobby abreu.
The Blake Griffin Era - December 14, 2009
Some people are so emo...
I love how Reagins is a failure and Moreno is tight because this team “failed” to give up too much for Halladay or Lee, or overpay for Lackey.
“Failing” to sign Teixera ruined last season, if you recall. There is a reason they play the game on grass, not paper.
RichA - December 14, 2009
Whew!
That was a close one. For a few days, I thought WE were going to pony up $85MM for a Bill Gullickson-type pitcher.
So: we lost a good, but not great pitcher, and a Bip Roberts lookalike, leaving money to REALLY improve the team in the future (yes, the big splash may be next winter boys).
I think this proves that our front office is really……smart.
johnnyangel101 - December 14, 2009
We'll see!
Clutch - December 14, 2009
Since we're going with a Revolutionary War-type theme here
Let’s have this conversation against Big John come playoff time next year:
Scene: Fenway. ALDS Game 5. Score 1-0, Boston. Weaver has just pitched the game of his life. Big John is about to finish it off against the Halos. Hunter gets on base to lead things off. Izturis pops out to deep right and Hunter advances to second. Matsui strikes out. Wood comes to the plate.
The count is 0-2. Wood fouls a few off, suddenly looks weak when he seems to twist his ankle. He stays in. Lackey takes a menacing look at Wood, then at the dugout and Scioscia.
Lackey: You said one us would go down before this was over. It looks like you were not the better man after all, Mike.
Lackey throws a curve, the very strike that has haunted Wood all year. Suddenly Wood reacts just so, swings with a heave—and sends the ball FLYING over the Green Monster. Farther than even Manny Ramirez hit it in Game 2, 2007.
Rich Thompson and Sean O’Sullivan, filling in for an injured Fuentes, close it out.
In the ensuing celebration, Scioscia looks over to Big John.
Scioscia (stoically): You’re right. My prospects were better men.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
Hahaha! You have Lackey closing for the Sox?
And better yet, Rich Thompson and SOS closing for us.
opiejeanne - December 14, 2009
No no, I meant to add that he was pitching a complete-game shutout.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
And the Thompson/SOS thing was because I couldn't think of other prospects.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
Ok, that makes more sense but it was funnier the other way.
No love for Palmer? I have to admit that I do remember SOS having some success at first, and he looked like Jack Black. I think the batters he faced figured him out, though, so he needs Butcher to show him a new pitch or two.
opiejeanne - December 15, 2009
Like George Lopez would say....
F*&# That Puto!!!!
Adios Juan Lackey.
dougd11 - December 14, 2009
I'm John Lackey!
Check this out
WiHaloFan - December 14, 2009
LMAO!
That made me feel better!
Angel Hawker - December 14, 2009
Me too!
Clutch - December 14, 2009
That was pretty good.
They shouldn’t have done his voice like how he looks, instead of how he really sounds. Like a redneck with a head cold.
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
ROFL
just what the doctor ordered..
RedAces - December 14, 2009
The FO is the traitor.
Wally's World - December 14, 2009
i dont see Lackey as a traitor, the dude took the money & got his paid day.
This is a business. Lackey and Figgy were looking out for their famileis. Can you blame them?
I am an Angel fan, not a Lackey or Figgens fan(not now anyway). All of a sudden by favorite DH is Matisu. i only remember one guy who showed some loyalty. SALMON!!!
salmonforever - December 14, 2009
I just had a thought
The Red Sox are paying Lackey 17 million a season to be their #3 guy.
Won’t this very likely end up with their #1 and #2 arguing that they deserve more than Lackey?
It seems like it might backfire on the Red Sox from that perspective.
~MMP~ - December 14, 2009
They'll probably pay it.
Clutch - December 14, 2009
Lackey
I for one want to buy a ticket for the game where Lackey pitches at Angel Stadium. I want to give him what he deserves a massive booing. He turned his back on the Angels and the fans that supported him. He went to enemy he spent 6 years fighting they finally won a battle and he jumps ship. He is a traitor. The Angels brought him up and helped become the pitcher he is today. I hope he sucks this year.
Angelsrthebest101 - December 14, 2009
Also....
With the Angels wiffing of roy halladay and Lackey they have a weak rotation. A rotation of Santana, Saundo, Weaver, Kazmir, and Sean O Sullivan/Trevor Bell. Not very scary and we don’t have an ace in that group. That pitching will not win in the playoffs and if one of those guys goes down we are in big trouble.
Angelsrthebest101 - December 14, 2009
Dependable but not overpowering hopefully they can all pitch well
Angelsrthebest101 - December 14, 2009
Why cant Weaver win 18 & step into that role?
salmonforever - December 14, 2009
He could but I don't see his stuff can sustain the longevity of a season maybe but I don't see it.
Angelsrthebest101 - December 14, 2009
As it stands now...
Weaver is good for 13-16 wins. Santana (I hope his arm stays intact, and he keeps his good “even” year stat-line going) is good for 11-14. Kazmir could get somewhere between 12-15 assuming his arm stays attached. Saunders is a winner, and has 16 and 17 wins in 09 and 08. If the #5 spot can get between 8-10 wins, I don’t see any reason why this rotation couldn’t be in the top third of the AL, at worst.
Slasher52 - December 14, 2009
Good point, we ,may not have an ace, but 1-4 we are are pretty good.
Sign a mid level free agent pitcher until one of the kids is ready. If we get to July we make a deal if we need to for an Ace
salmonforever - December 14, 2009
pretty damn good
Weaver should start this season on a mission to be an All-Star after his snub this past season. And I think that our 4 starters will have a very healthy and very wide open competition to be the ace of the staff.
I, for one, am excited. Today is the beginning of a new chapter in Angels baseball. All that’s left from the 2002 team is Scot Shields, so I’m intrigued to see what this core of Angels can do. I was extremely pissed when I found out about Lackey to the Red Sox, but then I thought about the rest of the team and I still like our chances. Even if we face Boston again in the playoffs, our players know Lackey’s stuff, what he likes to throw in certain situations and whatnot.
ryanb517 - December 14, 2009
Do the Halos have some sort of ceremony
where they are going to make Lackey stand, ala Chuck Conners, in full uni in front of the team, and Sosh walks up to him and rips the #34 patch off of his jersey?
Stirrups - December 14, 2009
I will miss Lackey's competitive spirit the most.
We simply don’t have another guy that wants it, that wants to be a champion, as passionately as Lackey does.
True, he obviously does not have his emotions in check when he’s out there. But he is an absolute gamer, he has a fire that burns deep and bright, and he is the only Angel pitcher I’ve seen this decade when at times he simply decides that he’s not going to give up a run and that’s the end of it. I remember that game at Oakland where he threw that perfect game after the first batter. That playoff gem against the Sox this fall reminded me of that game. He simply was not going be beaten that night and that was that.
He does have his flaws.
I think John wanted to leave though. I believe it’s a fact that he doesn’t have complete games that he would’ve had on other clubs, because he always seems to get the early hook, even when he’s pitching superbly. I keep thinking of that Yankee game and him not wanting to come out of there and Mike hooking him anyway. Mike always seemed to be pulling John out for the slimmest of reasons it seemed to me.
We are going to need all of our starters to perform impeccably now, unless there’s some kind of move looming that reveals itself soon.
Anyway, I’m sure there’s gonna be times here soon when I’m hating Big John once the new season gets rolling. But right now it’s a pretty bitter pill.
goodvibe61 - December 14, 2009
fuckin' douche!!
clippersnomatterwhat - December 14, 2009
Can we now start to ignore
that Lackey sounds like Gomer Pyle
without the singing ability?
hittheg - December 15, 2009
I never thought he would sign elsewhere but I was wrong.....
That is a big loss for you guys no matter how its spun. The good thing for this organization that stands out from the rest of the West, is you guys still have a good pitching rotation. Plus you have owners who will spend money. I am sure they will do something to offset this big loss. I would hate to lose a good with his competitve spirit and his abilities on the mound. Rare combination.
dubious - December 15, 2009
Lackey is a traitor.
I’m a fan. I don’t care, and shouldn’t have to care, about the market and how the business of baseball works. He went to a rival team and bailed on me. If the Angels didn’t offer him anything reasonable, then that’s different. But they did offer him a decent contract and he bailed anyway. He’s dead to me.
thetooth - December 15, 2009
Absolutely correct.
In a free market, Lackey is free to do this and we’re free to hate him for it.
snowhor - December 15, 2009
Red Sox?!
THE RED SOX?! Benedict Lackey sure does fit you now!
NJinHB - December 15, 2009
How do you blame Lackey
He wants to go somewhere where not all the pressure is on him, and he has a legitimate chance of winning the world series…Whats wrong with that? The Angels can’t get over the hump, especially without Figgins, I’m sure that didn’t help. Maybe if Artie took ESL classes on the side he could sign some solid free agents. LOL
David Harnden - December 15, 2009
STFU David.
You are a dolt.
jimmuscomp - December 15, 2009
banned
Rev Halofan - December 16, 2009
And now the d-bag speaks...
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/angels-224364-lackey-team.html
Jeff Miller opens up his trap on the matter with some more of his token garbage journalism. If anyone should refrain from using the word “idiot” in response to other people’s opinions it should be this waste of time (followed closely by Bill Plaschke). I wanted to go back and count the number of times he used “idiot” and “stupidy” but I decided I didn’t want to count that high.
How has no other sports columnist put this 12 year old out of a job?
Oh, I remember now, it’s the OC Register
hobbit_86 - December 15, 2009
The new Boo King
he’ll be the most hated and booed player when he come to town, replacing Texeira and Pierzinsky in that category. And yes, he not only sounds but even looks like Gomer Pyle- Way to go, Benedict Lackey Fishface!
xavier c - December 17, 2009
Whoa, let's not get too excited.
Nobody… I mean NOBODY should ever be more hated in Angel Stadium than Pure-shit-ski. With the possible exception of Doug Eddings.
red floyd - December 17, 2009
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