Cheer up, this could be the Angels left fielder.
Scott Kazmir loses his slider, and Angels lose to Yankees - latimes.com
"His slider looked really good, like I've never seen it before," Napoli said of Kazmir, the Angels left-hander. "Butch and I gave each other a look like, ‘It's going to be a good night.' " A few innings into the game, those grins were gone, as were three of the balls that left New York bats. Kazmir got to the Yankee Stadium mound, and his slider went AWOL.
I blame Napoli.
Angels-Blue Jays Preview - FOX Sports on MSN
Marcum (0-0, 3.46 ERA), however, has been solid in two starts in 2010, flirting with a no-hitter in Toronto's 5-4, season-opening win at Texas on April 5 and yielding two runs and eight hits over six innings in Sunday's 5-2 victory at Baltimore. Marcum, whose last win came Sept. 11, 2008, is 2-1 with a 3.04 ERA in four career starts against the Angels. Making his first start away from Anaheim this season, Weaver looks to get the three-time defending AL West champs back on track after they lost their third straight series. The Angels (3-7) are off to their worst start since opening 3-8 in 2002. Weaver has felt good in six starts against the Blue Jays, going 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA.
The Angels are 3-7 in the United States this season, maybe they figure it out in the great white north (take off!).
The Catch of a Lifetime - The Good Phight
I was at today's game. Putting the loss aside (which is easy to do when the Phils are off to a 7-2 start of the season), the game highlight, and one of my lifetime Phillies-game-attendance highlights, came in the bottom of the sixth inning. With my 4-year-old son by my side, well, you can watch for yourself:
This proves that despite all of us bloggers looking like dorks, we do sometimes have flashes of brilliance (I'm still waiting for mine). The look on his son's face is awesome (around the 0:41 mark).
Authorities reviewing video of Dodgers fan being hit by guard - CBSSports.com Baseball
Authorities are reviewing a video posted on YouTube which appears to show a security guard pushing a fan from Dodger Stadium, then kicking him and tackling him to the ground. The post indicates the video is from the Dodgers' home opener on Tuesday.
Here's a link to the video: YouTube Video. Just your typical Dodger fans having typical Dodger fan fun. What I found interesting in the video is the commentary of the guy recording it. First, he tells security he can film if he wants when one of the security guys tries to make him stop. Next, he offers to sell the video for $50,000. Finally, he decides he's not so pissed off at the way security is handling the situation when he realizes who is getting beat up, "Nevermind, he's white."
Mike Napoli isn’t happy with lack of playing time - latimes.com
Mike Napoli started Thursday night, only the third time in 10 games he got the nod at catcher, and while he was happy to be in the lineup, he has been so frustrated by his lack of playing time he requested a meeting with Manager Mike Scioscia this week. "I don't like coming in here and not seeing my name in the lineup," said Napoli, who had a single in three at-bats in a 6-2 loss to the Yankees."Mike is going to catch enough to contribute," Scioscia said. "Playing time is based on production, and first and foremost, we need that defensive presence behind the plate. Jeff is getting more playing time because he's playing at a very high level on defense."
Scioscia's quote sums up what the problem is with Napoli, "we need that defensive presence behind the plate". I say, "we need that offensive presence in the lineup".
Fake trade: Mike Napoli to Texas for Frank Francisco - HardballTalk - NBC Sports
Rangers acquire C Mike Napoli from the Angels for RHP Frank Francisco and RHP Brandon McCarthy. Why it works for Texas: Napoli would give them another big-time power threat for the bottom third of their order. One of the game's five-best offensive catchers, he's a career .255/.356/.490 hitter in 1,105 at-bats. Why it works for Los Angeles: In Francisco, the Angels would get a third closer-type reliever and one who is more dominant than either Brian Fuentes or Fernando Rodney when he's on. While he's off to a rough start right now, Francisco was 25-for-29 saving games last year and he limited hitters to a .200 average in 2008 and a .214 mark last season. McCarthy could also be of real use to a team that lacks pitching depth. Like the Rangers have done, the Angels could stash him away in Triple-A until they need another starter. Matt Palmer just isn't likely to prove to be an adequate fallback again, and the Angels can't expect Scott Kazmir or Ervin Santana to throw 200 innings.
Is Mike Napoli trade-bait? If so, how about the Dodgers now that they've lost Ausmus for a few months? Something like George Sherrill and Trayvon Robinson?
Joel Pineiro reflects on New York Mets' lackluster and 'weird' offseason pursuit - NY Daily News
At the very least, Pineiro was obviously a much-needed upgrade for the Mets' staff. And baseball people whispered during the winter that he was GM Omar Minaya's No. 1 target among pitchers. So what happened? That's what Pineiro would like to know.
What happened? Omay Minaya happened. The Mets organization happened. The Ninja happened.
Vazquez reunion lacking fastball & faith - NYPOST.com
Yankees officials recognized that finding an above-average starter was paramount in the offseason. So they inquired about Roy Halladay, but felt Toronto really was not interested in trading him within the AL East. They felt they never really got a chance with Cliff Lee. They liked John Lackey, but worried enough about his long-term health to be scared off by the contract length and dollars necessary to secure the best free-agent starter available. In many ways their decision came down to Javier Vazquez in a trade or Joel Pineiro in free agency.
Tight shoulder makes Izturis a late scratch - angelsbaseball.com
Maicer Izturis was in the original lineup Thursday at third base, but Brandon Wood was inserted for his eighth start in 10 games when Izturis turned up with tightness in his right shoulder.
Hunter stays quiet on Jackie Robinson Day - ESPN Los Angeles
"It means a lot to me, you know that. But y'all will write it wrong," Hunter said when approached by reporters. "Then, I'll be a racist."
Come on Torii, don't be like that.
Power Rankings: Yankees in rarefied air - Yahoo! Sports
16. Los Angeles Angels (3-6; Previous: 5) – Matsui returns to Yankee Stadium, gets ring, taunts new teammates with silly Rally Monkey dance.
How can the Cubs get through five more years of Soriano? - Big League Stew - Yahoo! Sports
It's a question the Cubs don't like being asked, mostly because they can't provide an answer. What are they going to do with Alfonso Soriano(notes) for the next five seasons? It has gotten so bad that it's possible the Cubs have resorted threatening Soriano about his playing time — or are at least might be trying to motivate him by leaking threats through the media.
Remember when the Angels were in pursuit of Soriano? They reportedly offered him $80M for 5 years. How dumb do the Cubs look now?
The Post In Which I Use 42% Of My Comedic Abilities - umpbump.com
But here’s what I want to know – how in the hell do you know if you’re working out at 75% or 80%? Who makes up these numbers and how is this verifiable?
What's sad is I use 100% of my comedic abilities. And this is all you get (sorry, no refunds). At least I give it the ole 110%.
| Per Game | AL Rank | MLB Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 3.78 | 11th | 24th |
| Runs Allowed | 6 | 14th | 28th |
| Season | AL Rank | MLB Rank | |
| BA | .267 | 7th | 12th |
| HR | 10 | 1st | 1st |
| SB | 3 | 12th | 21st |
| ERA | 5.51 | 14th | 26th |
| K | 61 | 6th | 15th |
| BB | 37 | 12th | 25th |
| OPS | .731 | 9th | 18th |
| SLG | .412 | 9th | 16th |
| OBP | .319 | 10th | 23rd |
April 16 - BR Bullpen
2000 - Chuck Finley of the Cleveland Indians, who was already the only pitcher in MLB to strike out four batters in one inning twice, does it for the third time as he strikes out Tom Evans, Royce Clayton, Chad Curtis (who takes first base on a passed ball) and Rafael Palmeiro in the third inning; Finley beats the Texas Rangers, 2 - 1, with the help of back-to-back ninth-inning home runs from Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome.
One night in Kazmir:
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| Game Information |
| Attendance - 44722 |
| Game Time - 3:33 |
| Temperature - 71 |
| Umpires - Home - Jerry Layne, First Base - Mike Winters, Second Base - Hunter Wendelstedt, Third Base - Dan Bellino |
0 recs | 61 comments
Torii is right
He doesn’t deserve to picked apart by the media again so he should keep quiet.
ryanfea - April 16, 2010
Oh grand...
Let the Napoli bashing commence…just what we need.
K3YEROUT - April 16, 2010 via mobile
Bashing?
Downing Rules - April 16, 2010
The Angels offered Soriano $118 million over seven years
Sources:
Los Angeles Times as reported by Mike DiGiovanna in April 2007.
The Angels offer for Soriano was also noted in the Press Enterprise
Now what I want to know is, why couldn’t the Giants have added a sixth year and beat the Angels offer for GMJ?
Fan Since 1981 - April 16, 2010
Why do people think it's smart to give Napoli away for relief pitching?
snowhor - April 16, 2010 via mobile
Because right or not Sciocia thinks he's a poor defender...
If he’s a poor defender then he’s going to get used 1-2 days at most as a backup catcher. Obviously DH is log-jammed for the for-seeable future as well with Matsui this year and then our aging outfield later.
If we’re not going to use him he’s an overpaid bench player. That value should be turned into something of value to this team.
Nashdiesel - April 16, 2010
Right, turned into something valuable to the team, not a relief pitcher.
A power hitter like Napoli has significantly more value than any relief pitcher who a team would trade. And Naps is only blocked by Matsui this year. He should become the primary DH next year if Soth is going to stick to his moronic idea that Mathis is superior to Naps.
I remember loving that Tommy Lasorda traded Paul Konerko for Jeff Shaw. This is because I hate the dodgers, not because it was a good trade. Konerko went on to be one of the better jitters in the game for the next few years, while Shaw did what relief pitchers do, fell off the face of the earth not too long after the trade.
snowhor - April 16, 2010 via mobile
You have to trade based on need...
Naps likely won’t be the primary DH on this team ever because even if we don’t re-sign Matsui it’s likely Abreu becomes the DH. If he indeed is a poor catcher and therefore cannot play the position everyday then there is nowhere for Napoli to play.
If the value isn’t right for trading a power hitting DH for a reliever then you demand two relievers. Or a reliever and a prospect of something. The point is you should trade him for something instead of letting him rot on the bench.
Nashdiesel - April 16, 2010
Abreu and Napoli could split DH next season.
With Napoli still getting 60 games at catcher. The point is to have Napoli’s bat in the lineup at least 140 games a season.
He’s a streaky hitter, and more impacted by irregular play than other batters. But his hot streaks can carry this team, just like Vlad’s and Glaus’ hot streaks could.
Turks Teeth - April 16, 2010
I completely agree with this.
snowhor - April 16, 2010 via mobile
would not like to see Abreu still roaming in RF next year.
SenorChuckles - April 16, 2010
He would "roam" a little better with regular rest.
Turks Teeth - April 16, 2010
maybe he switches DH to RF 80-20? That way Rivera goes to RF and Bourjos gets to start in LF
SenorChuckles - April 16, 2010
I guess I would take a more long term approach in looking at what we need.
I don’t think you should trade a bat as productive as Naps’ for relief pitching, one, two or ten relievers who are going to flame out in a couple years, not to mention only contribute 60-70 innings per year when good.
If you’re going to trade him, it should be for someone who have more value to the team over a longer period of time (starting pitcher or position player or prospects who project as starters or position players)
snowhor - April 16, 2010 via mobile
Prospects is probably the most realistic possibility
Totally agree with you. We could also get the most value in the form of prospects. Yes, it is much more speculative, but generally speaking it will be hard to get anything of value otherwise. Players who would be available who are “major league” ready usually have issues (ie. they are going to be free agents this Fall), or they were never really good enough in their own organization, or they are carrying baggage of their own (they are a head case or have an injury history).
righteous halo - April 16, 2010
But if mathis keeps hitting .300
You get back into the debate of what’s more beneficial/ productive- a .255 hitter with 25 homers or a .300 hitter with 15?
Even then, catcher is the most important position to have a strong defender- to the point that catchers are generally the least productive hitters on the team. Not because guys who can hit don’t play catcher but because guys who can hit but can’t defend are moved from catcher to OF or 1B. If mathis makes the case he’s not hurting the team with his hitting, his defense will keep naps out.
Its gotta be tough to be napoli but as long as mathis is hitting .280+ and isn’t hurting the team when he gets up to bat, he’s going to get the majority of the starts.
Balls and Strikes - April 16, 2010 via mobile
Further...
why would the Halos trade him to acquire a THIRD shoddy closer. If you count Jepsen as potential closer material, we are nearly defecating closers.
Downing Rules - April 16, 2010
Napoli should not be traded, especially for Francisco
When Hunter inevitably crashes into a wall and hurts himself, we are going to need another power bat in the lineup to replace him. Same thing if Matsui’s knees explode. He has one more year of this split duty and then I virtually guarantee he will be the primary DH and backup catcher for 2011. If we were to ever trade him, we should at least wait until Hank Conger is up with the big club.
Frank Francisco is not a dominant reliever. He just lost his closing job to Neftali Feliz. I don’t want our pen to become the Island of Misfit Closers.
Commander_Nate - April 16, 2010
Angels are currently in FIRST place in the AL West!
Yes it’s true, it’s true. The Angels are in first place in the AL West (as per third-order wins).
Once again the mainstream media gets it wrong. Bad start for the Angels? Ha! I think not. They’re in first.
But be quick and check the link to the Baseball Prospectus standings. The standings aren’t static and are updated on a daily basis.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/standings.php
So sit back, relax, and bask in the wonderous glory.
First place Angels!
Fan Since 1981 - April 16, 2010
WTF is a "Third order win"?
red floyd - April 16, 2010
Quick Definitions
First Order Wins: W-L record based only on run differential (aka Pythagorean expectation)
Second Order Wins: W-L record based on expected runs scored and expected runs allowed. Expected runs filters out distortions.
Third Order Wins: Are second-order wins that have been adjusted for strength of schedule (the quality of the opponent’s pitching and hitting).
Fan Since 1981 - April 16, 2010
I think "strength of schedule" adjustments at this point in the season...
…just result in exaggerated skew. Third order wins ten games in are pretty meaningless.
But I assume you’re just funning.
Turks Teeth - April 16, 2010
My post about being in 'first place' should be read with the same voice and gusto of Stephen Colbert for the full effect.
Fan Since 1981 - April 16, 2010
i m SOOOOOO
relieved about your gusto being present at the composition of that comment
Rev Halofan - April 17, 2010
Does that mean we would qualify for a BCS Bowl?
righteous halo - April 16, 2010
"Strength of Schedule"?
righteous halo - April 16, 2010
Hey, the Brewers are in first place too!
Brew Angel - April 16, 2010
Let me also add how glad I am that the Angels were outbid by the Cubs for Soriano's services.
Brew Angel - April 16, 2010
Trade mathis
keep Naps
DAD OF VLAD - April 16, 2010
Why?
Its obvious that Soth doesn’t think too highly of Naps. If Jeffrey leaves than he’d probably just split the playing time between Naps and Wilson 50-50. If anything trade Napoli so the dynamic catching duo can start in 2011: Mathis/Conger.
SenorChuckles - April 16, 2010
What's "dynamic" about Mathis?
His defense was middle-of-the-road last season, and his bat was among the worst in all of the Majors.
Turks Teeth - April 16, 2010
Team Mathis!
I’m more of a Mathis fan and blind faith has lead me to believe he will continue to grow as a hitter. I jumped on the first chance I got to use that term-dynamic duo-that pertains to the Angels :p
SenorChuckles - April 16, 2010
Your an Idiot
Naps suck in defense but he bats
Mathis suck all around
trade shit so we could get a AA player
Mathis is a waste of a plane ticket, locker, towels, food meals, and angels uni’s.
Naps hit it out of the park, he is the best
(no offense of the idiot remark, it was the first thing that came to my mind)
DAD OF VLAD - April 16, 2010
Not quite luminous.
Damn babies, always getting in the way of good grammar.
b0rd3rline - April 16, 2010
your comments are tiring...
dont call be idiots, man. And add at least a bit of substance to you comments besides “this guy sucks, this guy doesnt.”
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - April 16, 2010
Then fucking delete the idiot remark before hitting post.
Jesus Christ man, you somehow suck at everything all at the same time.
PhiSlamma - April 16, 2010
Sounds like a good dad though
so it’s not all bad
Plus I like his attitude—we need more passion like this on this team
Raaddad - April 16, 2010
Mathis...
is arguably the main reason why the NY playoff series was extended to six games. Last year, Napoli-with +300 AB-got a .272 avg, 20 HRs, 56 RBI, 40 walks. Is this the offense that is so superior to Mathis’ bat? Good ol’ Jeffrey would probably reproduce those same number; give or a take a few HRs. Now, maybe if Napoli was given his +500 AB; he’d probably have the numbers you fantasize about, but I like to think Soth knows a thing or two about “whats best for the team”-given that he was a pretty damn good catcher and all.
SenorChuckles - April 16, 2010
+1
I was thinking the same ting about the LCS
Wally's World - April 16, 2010
Scioscia's quote sums up what the problem is with Scioscia.
He keeps profiling Napoli as a catcher. Napoli has the offensive profile of Troy Glaus, and we’ve made him a bench player out of a reluctance to play him at DH and as a backup at 1B and C.
If the result of signing Matsui for one year is trading Napoli at the nadir of his value, then Reagins is a damn easy mark among sharks.
The Trade Napoli fetish among the Halosphere represents the same collective lunacy that embraced more than half of the fanbase after the GMJ signing. Just like the 50+% of people indicating Naps should be traded, 50+% of folks though GMJ was a good signing early on, and that his hot start in his first season with us was proof positive of that.
There are definitely people that have convinced themselves that Mathis has turned a corner, and the way he’s batting now is the way he’ll be batting three months from now. You can hear these people on Angels Talk. Definitely not a “wisdom of crowds” moment here.
Turks Teeth - April 16, 2010
You're missing the point...
the point isn’t: “Napoli sucks so we should trade him.” The point is: “Sosh won’t play Napoli so we should trade him.”
If there was a third option called: “Make Sosh play Napoli at catcher 130 games a year” then I would choose that.
Nashdiesel - April 16, 2010
How is that the point?
We’re 10 games into the season. Historically Scioscia has played Napoli more than Mathis. In 2009 Napoli played more than Mathis.
Now, 10 games into the season, they’re 3/7 and we’re suddenly sure that Scioscia won’t play Napoli?
That’s one of the most poorly supported bets I’ve heard someone making in a long time.
Turks Teeth - April 16, 2010
Sosh has gone on record as saying...
that the reason Naps isn’t getting more playing time is because of his defense.
Whether it’s true or not that Mathis is a better defender, that’s what the manager believes and Naps playing time is reflecting that.
Nashdiesel - April 16, 2010
Ummm...did anybody actually READ the Napoli/Francisco story?
The author, who is merely speculating (and not reporting on any actual trade talks), finishes the article by explaining (A) why it won’t happen and (B) why it is a fantastically stupid idea.
Nothing to see here, folks. Keep moving.
George Kaplan - April 16, 2010
I don't think the comments are so much about that story as they are about the chatter that's been going on here the past few days.
Who gives a shit about what’s written on other websites?
snowhor - April 16, 2010 via mobile
I think we need to trade for Zambrano
so we have have an offensive presence on the mound.
Then, lets hire McGwire to be the manager so we can have an offensive presence in the dugout.
After that lets replace all the beat writers with a collection of roiders like Luis Gonzalez, Mike Williams, Juan Gonzalez, and anyone else who put a needle in their ass to hit a ball and let them write up articles so we can have a offensive presence on our papers.
All these options are about as important as playing Napoli because he hits better than Mathis.
PhiSlamma - April 16, 2010
Let's play Napoli at Third
just kidding
righteous halo - April 16, 2010
Center Field.
Imagine his range out there. :O
Downing Rules - April 16, 2010
Doubt it would much worse than our gold glover.
snowhor - April 16, 2010 via mobile
short-term memory?
wait for it: LINKIE
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - April 16, 2010
Gary Matthews JR had one like that too.
He must still be the best centerfielder in the universe.
Turks Teeth - April 16, 2010
GMJ doesnt have NINE gold gloves...
I guess people who vote on that shit are idiots like me, correct?
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - April 16, 2010
Correct. Welcome to planet Earth.
snowhor - April 16, 2010 via mobile
Actually, yes. They are idiots.
That’s why Derek Jeter has won multiple Gold Gloves.
And better yet, that’s why Rafael Palmeiro won a Gold Glove in 1999 when he appeared in only 28 games TOTAL in the field during the whole season.
Gold Gloves have always been, and always will be, a farce. Is it really possible that a single person is the BEST FIELDER at his position for 15+ years in a row? Of course not. That’s why you never see anyone win an MVP 15+ years in a row. Players have down-years, and other players have up-years. That’s sports.
The Gold Glove voters ARE idiots. They only look at who won the award the previous year, and if that person is still in the league, they give it to them again.
That being said, I do believe Torii has earned the fair share of his accolades, however it is clear that he has lost a step (or two) in the outfield recently.
angels4adam - April 20, 2010
Not third, but seriously, why not have him learn 1B, so he can back up KMo?
red floyd - April 16, 2010
Naps should DH against LHP
and Maicer should at least start every game against RHP. And I don’t mean at 3b. If they try to play Maicer at 3rd he’ll ruin his back, since he is already unavailable for several games every year because of back stiffness. And now he’s got a sore shoulder causing him to be scratched from last night’s game. Maicer at 3rd = the next Eric Chavez or Joe Crede.
Fred Fredrix - April 16, 2010
What do you do with a Napoli with three balls?
RexTookMyStash - April 16, 2010
It appears to me that Napoli's defense has been in decline over the last couple of years.
In ST this year, it didn’t seem like he was exactly focused on improving (no, I’m not going to cite a lot of statistics…yes, I may be wrong in these observations).
Scioscia seems to agree with these observations. He has responded with 1) saying, “…we need that defensive presence behind the plate…” which is about as tough a criticism as Scioscia makes to reporters of any player, and 2) Sitting him on the bench.
My take? We have here a bit of a stubborn Italian stand-off. Scioscia apparently wants Napoli to work harder on his defense and Napoli’s response suggests he’s happy with his defense.
Scioscia takes the long view of the teams needs. Napoli isn’t going to win this head-butting contest if that’s what it is. Napoli better start working on his throwing and game-calling abilities, if he wants to increase his play time.
sothball - April 16, 2010
"this catching thing..."
Naps disregard for being a catcher was surely evident in that comment during spring training.
Downing Rules - April 16, 2010
Its not going to matter next year anyway . . . when KING CONG! arrives!
Wally's World - April 16, 2010
Can he bat DH?
RexTookMyStash - April 16, 2010
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