The Final Roster for the Angels has been set for Opening Day and who is NOT on it is bigger news (although no surprise) than who IS on it...
Reggie Willits, Brandon Wood, Matt Brown, Sean Rodriguez, Bobby Wilson and Byan Budde are all headed to join the AAA Salt Lake Bees.
The biggest surprise, as reported by Sam Miller at the OC Register, is that Jason Bulger will be the 7th Man in the bullpen to open the season. And it is hardly a surprise.
The Five Man Rotation to begin the season: S - M - A - W - L ...
Saunders, Moseley, Adenhart, Weaver, Loux
Ready or not, here it comes...
0 recs | 19 comments
Warning: Bad Pun alert
Does this mean we play S – M – A – W – L ball?
anaheimisnotla - April 4, 2009
thats what we've been playing since 05
vlad IS my man - April 4, 2009
'82
mauch invented it
hittheg - April 5, 2009
Willits off the roster = me being stoked.
Caseys Kiss of Death - April 4, 2009
true....
but I still kinda feel bad for the guy, having to go back to the minors at this stage of his career, having already spent whole seasons in the majors…gotta be a blow to the ol’ ego.
HaloDutch - April 5, 2009
Willits
did irritate me last year, but when he scored last night I wanted to keep him. If any of our other outfielders tried to run like that they would fall apart. But hey let’s play ball.
angelskid2210 - April 5, 2009
Are team is set
Play Ball!
vladtheimpaler - April 5, 2009
Our, sheesh
getting too excited here.
vladtheimpaler - April 5, 2009
Quite happy
We have sent down several players (Willits, Wood, Matt Brown?) who would have made most clubs 25-man roster. That is because we have players on our bench that would be starting in a lot of other places as well (Matthews, Izzy).
I am also happy enough with our rotation, which isn’t vastly different (at the moment) from places like Oakland or Texas, with the vital difference being that our top three pitchers are on the DL and this is their rotation.
Go Angels!!!!
matthiasstephan - April 5, 2009
NNOOOOOOOOOOOOO
S-Rod, we hardly knew ye!
HaloDutch - April 5, 2009
12 pitchers?
The ONLY positive thing this does is allow us to not have to give up Jason Bulger without receiving anything in return. A four-man bench gives us a maximum two pinch-runners (GMJ & Izzy), two worthwhile pinch-hitters (Q & Izzy, though GMJ could be brought in for power purposes), and effectively only one backup outfielder, though I suppose you could stick Q in left, or shift Figgins out there.
I guarantee there are gonna be some guys who’ll pitch no more than once a week in this setup, while EVERY DAMNED GAME there will be some situation where you’d rather have Willits either running, fielding, or bunting.
I’m actually psyched for Bulger — his K/9 numbers have been off the charts for years, yet the organization normally gives him no love. But a four-man bench is not a smart game set-up, and what we are doing to Brandon Wood right now just really sucks.
mattwelch - April 5, 2009
Yeah, but
where do you play him?
No room at third, short, second, DH or the outfield.
You can’t send down either Aybar or Izturis without them passing through waivers, and that sure as shit isnt going to happen.
You cant magically make a trade happen, this isnt playstation.
Figgins is a staple and WILL play SOMEWHERE whether we like it or not.
Someone will eventually go down, and Wood will step in (and most likely horribly disappoint us all) to one of the spots he can fit in.
PhiSlamma - April 5, 2009
You make a trade to open space for a guy that has a chance
to be a difference maker. Chone Figgins, as much as I like him, should not be retained next year. This team needs to get Wood some seasoning right now for 2010.
jimmuscomp - April 5, 2009
time for a staple-remover.
Downing Rules - April 5, 2009
I agree 100% with you matt
I think Elvis will be sorely missed on the running/bunting situations.
I am starting out this season feeling like there is just SOMETHING missing from this current roster. Like it’s the trial run to see how things go and they can’t really be serious about some of the choices. I’m excited for the start of the season but the warm fuzzies just aren’t there. for now
ladybug - April 5, 2009
There weren’t any warm fuzzies on opening day in 2002 and only heartburn after 20 games that same year.
Downing Rules - April 6, 2009
It just sucks
because Wood finally produces and does as he is told and gets rewarded with AAA. I just feel bad for the guy. But hey its a business and he will be back soon. Opening day lets go!
angelskid2210 - April 5, 2009
Depth is wonderful
It forces all of the Angels to produce. If someone goes on a streak and isn’t producing their playing time will be diminished. If Rivera starts out cold, GMJ will get more playing time, if Aybar starts out cold, Izzy will play.
Also yea I would like to see Wood in the majors but I think if he hits something like .320/.400/.700 in AAA then the Angels WILL find room for him.
MH252525 - April 5, 2009
if wood rakes for the bees, he'll won't be a bee for long
and if Byan Budde is half as promising as Ryan Budde, then we’ve done the impossible….finally replaced Sal Fasano
AHaloInSF - April 5, 2009
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