Remember last season when Vernon Wells tweeted, "Too blessed to be stressed" while having the worst season of his career? And then this off-season, Wells admitted to feeling a little pressure while trying to prove himself to his new team? Here's hoping Albert Pujols is "too rad to be bad": Rangers, Albert Pujols, playoffs, replay part of 2012's season of change - Tom Verducci - SI.com. "3. Albert Pujols will face enormous pressure. The guy who turns 32 this month and is in a slight three-year decline now faces the burden of trying to live up to a $254 million contract immediately." Let's add, carry his new team to their first post season in 3 years.
Here's an interesting idea: Harden a reliever? Idea is intriguing - Yardbarker. Ken Rosenthal writes, "Harden, a free-agent right-hander, is drawing interest from clubs that would use him either as a starter or reliever, according to major-league sources." Could this be the type of player the Angels could use in the bullpen...a sort of "swingman" in the event Jerome Williams falters a bit? If Harden is able to stay healthy (yeah, right!) and return to his somewhat dominating former self, a hundred innings from him and another from Williams might add up to one tough #5 starter.
I missed this yesterday, but Sam Miller points out this season could make the Angels a winning franchise: Why 2012 could be a very cool year for the Angels - The Orange County Register. "This year, though, the Angels have a chance to pass .500 for the second time. In the past decade, they have erased nearly 200 wins off their deficit, and they’re now just 26 games behind .500. A 94-win season gets them there. "
Really cool interactive graph, well worth the click through: Hall of wWAR vs. Hall of Fame vs. Hall of Merit - Beyond the Box Score. "Between my own Hall of wWAR, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and Baseball Think Factory's Hall of Merit, there are now three "Halls" that honor the game's best players. So, how do they compare?"
Foul Territory: Yu Darvish visiting Metroplex - Star-Telegram.com. "Right-hander Yu Darvish, the Japanese star who is in negotiations for a multiyear contract with Rangers, is in the Metroplex with his father to gain a better understanding of the area and get a first-hand look at the operations of the reigning American League champions."
A couple 2011 Angels bullpen mates sign with new teams: Twins Sign Jason Bulger, Casey Fien, Aaron Bates - MLBTradeRumors.com. "Bulger, 33, appeared in five games with the Angels in 2011. He spent most of the season in the bullpen of Los Angeles' top affiliate, where he posted a 4.03 ERA with 11.6 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9." And the guy who can't figure out how to wear his cap: Rays Sign Fernando Rodney - MLB Daily Dish. "According to a report from the Associated Press, the Tampa Bay Rays have signed free-agent reliever Fernando Rodney to a one-year deal worth just over $2 million."
I thought this was interesting because of two things; 1) Who thinks up job titles like this one, and 2) HH resident rocket scientist, redfloyd, may have a future in baseball: Ultimate Astros " Astros go data-heavy with addition of director of decision sciences. "The Astros boosted their commitment to a data-driven existence under new general manager Jeff Luhnow and CEO George Postolos with the hiring of Sig Mejdal as the club’s director of decision sciences." Mejdal at one time worked in the aerospace industry.
Cool article: Conjugating Wally Pipp - The Hardball Times. "A much harder date to pin down is when Pipp’s name became a figure of speech, as in "poor old so-and-so got wallypipped by that young whippersnapper." Did that term enter the lexicon during Gehrig’s tenure as the Yankees’ first baseman or afterwards? Did Gehrig ever hear the term, or was he long gone from this mortal coil before sportswriters and fans started to bandy it about? Surely, before Pipp passed away in 1965, he must have heard his name used as a verb in some form or fashion."
The competing rhetoric out there is maddening. I’m surprised people are still arguing that it’s a bad signing, because 1) it’s not a bad deal financially, for myriad reasons, and 2) Albert is still one of the greatest players to ever set foot on a diamond.
has two of his best career years in ’08 and ’09, one that is dead on with his career averages in ’10, and then plays injured for most of ’11, and all of a sudden he is in a decline.
I thought the reference to red’s career in aerospace was going to lead to a headline “Astros to scrap baseball operations; go into private space flight”
This is the darkest hour of the off-season. I’m DYING. It’s pretty sad that I’m trying to get my baseball fix by doing stuff like searching every morning to see if Fielder signed with the Rangers and watching dumb shows on MLBN,
Hey, Verducci!
When has Albert ever played without pressure?
5thStarter - January 4, 2012
One of these weekends I'm going to bust with my Albert's Great Decline (not) post....
One-sentence version — barring him getting hit by a truck, expect a lot of fun for the next 5 years at least, possibly 7.
mattwelch - January 4, 2012
Please do.
The competing rhetoric out there is maddening. I’m surprised people are still arguing that it’s a bad signing, because 1) it’s not a bad deal financially, for myriad reasons, and 2) Albert is still one of the greatest players to ever set foot on a diamond.
5thStarter - January 4, 2012
I had a moment of doubt
I looked up Edgar Martinez on BBREF. After your “Truck” scenario above, Edgar is the worst case scenario for an aging Albert.
Rev Halofan - January 4, 2012
except
Edgar’s career was good compared to Pujols’ legendary. :)
joberooni - January 4, 2012
I like how Albert
has two of his best career years in ’08 and ’09, one that is dead on with his career averages in ’10, and then plays injured for most of ’11, and all of a sudden he is in a decline.
Caseys Kiss of Death - January 4, 2012
It's a lot like China.
Their birth rate has declined a little. So there is a risk they are no longer super populous.
gitchogritchoffmypetis - January 4, 2012
I just heard the lamest Dodger radio promo by AM570
“Pujols and Wilson? Please. Try Kershaw and Kemp. Bring on that Freeway Series.”
Poor poor Doyer fan. It is not a 2 man sport.
hauldog - January 4, 2012
tell the 570:
trade them and we’ll try them
Rev Halofan - January 4, 2012
Awesome.
/sarcasm
NathanielS - January 4, 2012
They should just go back to having that little man girl that roots for the Braves on their billboards.
“THIS IS OUR TOWN!”
gitchogritchoffmypetis - January 4, 2012
What is the park factor for Milwaukee?
From the Verducci article, Braun and Hamilton have almost identical OPS, yet Hamilton’s OPS+ is over 20 points higher.
You’d think that Arlington would have a worse park factor than almost anything else.
red floyd - January 4, 2012
Ignore this. I misread 140 as 110.
red floyd - January 4, 2012
I thought the reference to red’s career in aerospace was going to lead to a headline “Astros to scrap baseball operations; go into private space flight”
Halowitz - January 4, 2012
I am not, nor have I ever been affiliated with the Astros. If nominated, I will not run. If chosen by them, I shall not serve.
red floyd - January 4, 2012
These links just aren't doing it for me anymore.
This is the darkest hour of the off-season. I’m DYING. It’s pretty sad that I’m trying to get my baseball fix by doing stuff like searching every morning to see if Fielder signed with the Rangers and watching dumb shows on MLBN,
Rally Manatee - January 4, 2012
Angels.
Any news on Granderson Tim? I hear he may be available if a team is willing to figure out what it will take to get him.
gitchogritchoffmypetis - January 4, 2012
And put him in the bullpen
Rally Manatee - January 4, 2012
How about this news for a chuckle
Red Sox desperate… sign Carlos Silva.
link
First 3 user comments are pretty funny
LosAngel - January 5, 2012
My head almost exploded reading the Verducci article yesterday
REMEMBER THAT TIME THAT CHONE FIGGINS SIGNED FOR SORT OF A LOT OF MONEY A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND TURNED OUT TO BE REALLY BAD AFTERWARD?
WELL, ALBERT PUJOLS JUST SIGNED FOR A LOT OF MONEY, SO UH…WATCH OUT ANGELS. CUZ CHONE FIGGINS WAS BAD.
Caseys Kiss of Death - January 4, 2012
Reasoning at its best?
eyespy - January 5, 2012
Angels
BRING TEH DH TO TEHNL!!!
red floyd - January 5, 2012
Salmon on the HOF Ballot this year. Will the greatest Angel ever get enough votes to make it to the 2nd year?
salmonforever - January 4, 2012
according to your name
he will be on the ballot forever
the king of CERA - January 5, 2012
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