MLBTradeRumors has put together a list of each teams' players who are out of options: Out Of Options 2012 - MLBTradeRumors.com. "The following 40-man roster players have less than five years service time and are out of minor league options. That means they must clear waivers before being sent to the minors. I've excluded players on multiyear deals. This list was compiled through MLBTR's sources. Angels - Alberto Callaspo, Kendrys Morales, Rich Thompson, Jerome Williams, Bobby Wilson". I'm pretty sure Wilson has been out of options for at least a couple of seasons, but with that status, it's almost certain Hank Conger will start the season in Salt Lake City unless he impresses Scioscia and his coaching staff. Also Rich Thompson's inclusion to this list, and the need of arms in the Halo pen, make his chances of being on the opening day roster almost a sure thing.
Here's another list, this time by SBN's Daily Dish site: Remaining MLB Free Agents 2012 - MLB Daily Dish. "With just a few days left until pitchers and catchers report and soon after, spring training officially beginning, let's take a look at the remaining MLB free agent class of 2012". Not a lot of talent left in that pool. There might be a couple of serviceable arms available (Mike Gonzalez, Horacio Ramirez, 39 year-old Jason Isringhausen, oft-injured Brandon Webb, and recovering David Aardsma). A couple of intriguing names remain from the offense side; Miguel Tejada would make an interesting backup at third and short if the need arises. Same with Eric Chavez if the Mark Trumbo to third experiment fails.
Yesterday, the Angels' spring training television schedule was released, and then Fox released their Saturday Baseball schedule: New-look Angels net eight regular-season games on FOX Saturday Baseball - angels.com. "In 2012, the Angels will be making at least eight appearances on FOX Saturday Baseball, one less than the maximum allotted by team, the network announced in unveiling its schedule on Wednesday." Looks like there's some new interest in Angels' baseball by the national market. I wonder why?
Here's some great news: Report: Gwynn's surgery a success - CBSSports.com. "It turned out great. He looks good, he looks normal. His eyelids are a little swollen, but they got all the cancer. They say they got it all. His face looks good. They did an amazing job.''
BREAKING NEWS!: Scout.com: Trumbo's role unclear entering camp. "Logically, it is a very tough transition, especially learning on the fly," Trumbo said of playing third base. "But one thing they have said is they will be patient. I'm going to give it everything I have and I don't think there's any reason I can't make the transition." I wonder how Alberto Callaspo feels about all of this?
Position previews: Manager and coaches - ESPN Los Angeles. "Under the previous general manager, Tony Reagins, Scioscia enjoyed far-reaching power few managers can boast -- over trades, free-agent signings, even minor league personnel -- but his purview figures to shrink under Jerry Dipoto, who was given more authority by owner Arte Moreno. That could be a good thing, allowing Scioscia to focus his skills more narrowly on relationships in his clubhouse and in-game maneuvers." We've covered this a little bit before, but it's still an interesting topic -- How much is Mike Scioscia to blame for the trade acquiring Vernon Wells, and indirectly, for Tony Reagins losing his job?
Building Through the Draft: Worst of the Worst - FanGraphs Baseball. "Several people commented that they wished to see the entire list of teams, ranked by total accumulated WAR and also including average WAR per homegrown player. Here is the entire league". Spoiler-alert: The Angels rank #12.
Nine ways to improve Major League Baseball - CBSSports.com. "Remember, not all change is bad. At one point in time, it was a home run when the ball bounced over the fence. I wonder what the "purists" thought when they changed it to a ground-rule double?" And why is this change needed? The post cites this poll and baseball's increasing gap behind football: Football is America’s Favorite Sport as Lead Over Baseball Continues to Grow - Harris Interactive. "Over one-third of adults who follow at least one sport (36%) say professional football is their favorite sport while just 13% say baseball is their favorite. The gap between the two sports has widened in the past year - last year 31% said pro football was their favorite while 17% said baseball was their favorite sport."
Some historical stuff:Put Them in the Hall of Fame: Part 1, 19th Century - Beyond the Box Score. "What about other 19th century players who generate a ton of their WAR value from their defense? The top 19th century position players outside of the Hall of Fame by wWAR are Bill Dahlen (113.2), Jack Glasscock (104.3), Deacon White (92.2), George Gore (82.9), Charlie Bennett (82.5), and Ross Barnes (80.1)." Jack Glasscock! (sorry).
Conger does not necessarily have to start the season in AAA
We have carried three catchers several times before, including last season, and we could do it again. A possible 25-man roster could be the following: 5 starting pitchers (Weaver, Haren, Wilson, Santana, Williams); 6 relief pitchers (Walden, Downs, Hawkins, Cassevah, Thompson, Takahashi), and 14 position players (Iannetta, Pujols, Kendrick, Aybar, Callaspo, Wells, Bourjos, Hunter, Morales, Abreu, Trumbo, Izturis, Wilson, Conger).
Iannetta could start 100-120 games; Wilson could start the remaining games against left-handers; and Conger could start the remaining games against right-handers.
Those Fox games aren’t national games. Of those 8 games, I’d be surprised if I got more than one of them in Chicago. I’d rather they had no games on Fox, because MLB blacks out ALL games played during that window. So when the Angels are on Fox, you don’t get that game on Extra Innings or MLBTV, even if they’re showing a different game in your market. It’s ridiculous. Basically, it just ensures that I’ll be doing something other than watching baseball on those days.
I know at least 3+ times per season I can plan on sitting down to watch the Angels only to find that San Diego has been selected for the Pirates v. Marlins broadcast. #geographyfail
I hate the Fox weekly broadcasts specifically for the blackout reason, leading to more Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox, and Mets games for me. The only silver lining (if I can call it that) is that the missus will be happy to spend Saturdays doing other things like dragging me to the farmers market or taking long walks in the park. BOOOO!!!
The Fox weekly game screws people, the ESPN Sunday night game means no other games on Sunday night, and the blackout rules for MLB TV are ridiculous. Anyone who lives in Iowa or Vegas, I feel for you.
For Iowa, multiple teams claim it as "home" territory, so it's subject to blackouts
Cardinals, Twins, Cubs, Brewers, White Sox — you can’t watch their games live on MLB.tv, because you “should” be watching them on cable. Even if your local cable system doesn’t carry the games.
Angels, Dodgers, Padres, both Bay Area teams, D-backs, maybe the Rockies (not sure) are all considered “local” teams for Las Vegas. Which means that if you live in Vegas and subscribe to MLBTV, you are blacked out from all of those teams. I’m not sure which channels the cable/dish companies carry, but chances are you’re missing out on at least a few teams.
I have overlap of the Braves as well. When the Angels aren’t playing the Yankees or Red Sox, I wind up getting the NL game in the FOX game of the week schedule, because, son, being part of the Braves territory means I naturally prefer NL ball. Or so FOX would think.
Plus, due to the continuing pissing match between MASN and TimeWarner cable, I don’t get to see any games involving the Orioles or Nationals, plus those games are blacked out on MLB.tv (which presumes I am watching them on MASN).
Speaking of which, the territory allowed the franchises in DC and Ballmer is pretty large, when one considers the population base within that square mileage. Sure, West Texas is vast but it is pretty empty, and ditto the Mariners’ claim to Montana and Northern Idaho. Adding the Yuma Metroplex to the Padres’ territory doesn’t really boost their captive fan base. But VA, MD, DE, DC and eastern NC holds a lot of folks.
WiHaloFan’s link to “9 ways to improve MLB”
Number 2 on the list was rework the ridiculous blackout rules. Not sure it shouldn’t be # 1.
…the study showed most baseball fans are older than 50. Now, obviously that gives a solid 20-year window before doomsday really hits, but baseball still needs to be cognizant that growing the younger audience is key for long-term growth
Yet MLB makes accessing their product an exercise in futility.
More than likely those games will be on in the Bay Area (thank goodness!) unless the Giants or the A’s (ha!) have a “national” broadcast that day as well.
Don't the A's have a pretty crappy TV deal, though, that fails to air many games?
Back when I subscribed to Extra Innings, I remember many times having no option when we played the A’s because our broadcast was blacked out and the A’s weren’t televising it.
(Not that I would mind if the Angels gave Tejada, or anyone really, a minor league deal. I would just be crossing my fingers that he doesn’t ever get an AB with the Angels.)
I hope anyone who the Angels sign is signed to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. Chavez and Tejada could be a useful bench player (Branyan’s replacement) if used in the right situations. There’s no need for another backup 1B, but a player who can fill in on the left side of the infield could have some uses.
I was close to the utterly pathetic experiment known as Tejada.
I thought it was a decent idea when the Giants picked him up.
No. He was Wellsian in his ability to pop up a baseball – if he made contact at all.
He can’t field anymore either.
Just a spectator’s perspective, I can’t back any of it up with stats.
I’d rather throw any other youngster from AAA out there.
It’s so funny watching the little guys. He’s 7 now, so the quality of play is improving ever so slightly, but once they get their at-bat, they just mentally check out for the rest of the game.
Maybe I’m jaded, as a huge boxing fan I see Tyson regularly, but he seemed fine. A happy, laughing Tyson is a good thing. Considering what he’s been through recently, I am happy for him.
I was actually going to add that I would give you a pass if this was in your teenage years, preferably 16 or younger.
Being a freshman in high school, in the city of Orange, when Homegrown’s first album came out, meant I heard about them more than I ever wanted to. Mostly from chicks.
If Scioscia is to blame for the Wells acquisition that is a plus for him in my book. Bye Tony
I doubt anyone person is at fault for the Wells acquisition. It pains me that no one in the organization said “this is a sucky idea.” Everyone except BigTizzle knew this was a bad idea.
is FSW still going to sell off some games to KCOP? That’s what really sucks for us in Santa Barbara County. Our KCOP isn’t the same as the LA station, so we get reruns of the Jeffersons instead of Angels games. I really hope with the new t.v. deal, KCOP is cut out of the loop.
those of us with no cable wait for the weirdly scheduled kcop days when angels baseball is shown. don’t cut kcop outta the loop, bring them deeper into it.
How many is that, like 3? But seriously, I know times is tough for many folk. Hope you can afford to hook that cable up soon and watch all season. The invention of the DVR revolutionized sports watching. I don’t think I could live without it now. *I would literally die.
*Spoken in my best Rob Lowe from Parks & Rec impersonation.
Conger does not necessarily have to start the season in AAA
We have carried three catchers several times before, including last season, and we could do it again. A possible 25-man roster could be the following: 5 starting pitchers (Weaver, Haren, Wilson, Santana, Williams); 6 relief pitchers (Walden, Downs, Hawkins, Cassevah, Thompson, Takahashi), and 14 position players (Iannetta, Pujols, Kendrick, Aybar, Callaspo, Wells, Bourjos, Hunter, Morales, Abreu, Trumbo, Izturis, Wilson, Conger).
Iannetta could start 100-120 games; Wilson could start the remaining games against left-handers; and Conger could start the remaining games against right-handers.
Brody - February 16, 2012
I would prefer if he played every day rather than every fifth day.
Let him start in AAA.
Halowitz - February 16, 2012 via mobile
Not National. Regional.
Those Fox games aren’t national games. Of those 8 games, I’d be surprised if I got more than one of them in Chicago. I’d rather they had no games on Fox, because MLB blacks out ALL games played during that window. So when the Angels are on Fox, you don’t get that game on Extra Innings or MLBTV, even if they’re showing a different game in your market. It’s ridiculous. Basically, it just ensures that I’ll be doing something other than watching baseball on those days.
LA Seitz - February 16, 2012
^This^
I know at least 3+ times per season I can plan on sitting down to watch the Angels only to find that San Diego has been selected for the Pirates v. Marlins broadcast. #geographyfail
Commander_Nate - February 16, 2012
Not good news for me either
I hate the Fox weekly broadcasts specifically for the blackout reason, leading to more Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox, and Mets games for me. The only silver lining (if I can call it that) is that the missus will be happy to spend Saturdays doing other things like dragging me to the farmers market or taking long walks in the park. BOOOO!!!
Big Easy Halofan - February 16, 2012
The MLB blackout rules are such a joke
The Fox weekly game screws people, the ESPN Sunday night game means no other games on Sunday night, and the blackout rules for MLB TV are ridiculous. Anyone who lives in Iowa or Vegas, I feel for you.
Gorbachav5 - February 16, 2012
What happens in Iowa and Vegas?
hauldog - February 16, 2012
Not sure about Iowa,
but what happens in Vegas, stays there. (:
LanaBanana - February 16, 2012
For Iowa, multiple teams claim it as "home" territory, so it's subject to blackouts
Cardinals, Twins, Cubs, Brewers, White Sox — you can’t watch their games live on MLB.tv, because you “should” be watching them on cable. Even if your local cable system doesn’t carry the games.
Brew Angel - February 16, 2012
That sucks
hauldog - February 16, 2012
Vegas is the same way
Angels, Dodgers, Padres, both Bay Area teams, D-backs, maybe the Rockies (not sure) are all considered “local” teams for Las Vegas. Which means that if you live in Vegas and subscribe to MLBTV, you are blacked out from all of those teams. I’m not sure which channels the cable/dish companies carry, but chances are you’re missing out on at least a few teams.
Gorbachav5 - February 16, 2012
I've got an idea!!
Let’s try to expand demand for our product by making it really difficult to access our product!
Brilliant!
The genius here is diabolical!
WTF?!!?!!
Halo Hurricane - February 16, 2012
This shows how baseball screws fans
Midwest (esp Iowa), Vegas, & others get screwed.
Halo Hurricane - February 16, 2012
That map is ALMOST accurate
I have overlap of the Braves as well. When the Angels aren’t playing the Yankees or Red Sox, I wind up getting the NL game in the FOX game of the week schedule, because, son, being part of the Braves territory means I naturally prefer NL ball. Or so FOX would think.
Plus, due to the continuing pissing match between MASN and TimeWarner cable, I don’t get to see any games involving the Orioles or Nationals, plus those games are blacked out on MLB.tv (which presumes I am watching them on MASN).
Speaking of which, the territory allowed the franchises in DC and Ballmer is pretty large, when one considers the population base within that square mileage. Sure, West Texas is vast but it is pretty empty, and ditto the Mariners’ claim to Montana and Northern Idaho. Adding the Yuma Metroplex to the Padres’ territory doesn’t really boost their captive fan base. But VA, MD, DE, DC and eastern NC holds a lot of folks.
George Kaplan - February 16, 2012
A complete and utter joke
WiHaloFan’s link to “9 ways to improve MLB”
Number 2 on the list was rework the ridiculous blackout rules. Not sure it shouldn’t be # 1.
Yet MLB makes accessing their product an exercise in futility.
Halo Hurricane - February 16, 2012
Yep, this.
What I really need is a friend in the stands streaming video.
cath619 - February 16, 2012
And then they cry to Congress when people switch to pirate feeds...
Suboptimal - February 16, 2012
More than likely those games will be on in the Bay Area (thank goodness!) unless the Giants
or the A’s(ha!) have a “national” broadcast that day as well.AndyHogan14 - February 16, 2012
Don't the A's have a pretty crappy TV deal, though, that fails to air many games?
Back when I subscribed to Extra Innings, I remember many times having no option when we played the A’s because our broadcast was blacked out and the A’s weren’t televising it.
snowhor - February 16, 2012
Yep
For those of us living out of market, the FOX Saturday Regional games of the week are insult to injury.
George Kaplan - February 16, 2012
The Tyson interview was pretty standard.
5thStarter - February 16, 2012
I think Fox is now going to be doing the games at 5pm
not 1pm becasue they hate americas most wanted
DAD OF VLAD - February 16, 2012
I hope this is true.
Those 1pm day games are defiantly not as fun as later afternoon games. Then you end up having 2 back to back day games (Sat & Sun). I don’t like that.
The Mikay - February 16, 2012
Eric Chavez????
You want to sign a guy who would play ONE GAME and then go on the 60-day?
red floyd - February 16, 2012
You're being generous to Chavez's durability.
Although at least he’s not Miguel Tejada.
(Not that I would mind if the Angels gave Tejada, or anyone really, a minor league deal. I would just be crossing my fingers that he doesn’t ever get an AB with the Angels.)
~MMP~ - February 16, 2012
Might as well sign Rich Harden also.
hauldog - February 16, 2012
At this point...
I hope anyone who the Angels sign is signed to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. Chavez and Tejada could be a useful bench player (Branyan’s replacement) if used in the right situations. There’s no need for another backup 1B, but a player who can fill in on the left side of the infield could have some uses.
WiHaloFan - February 16, 2012
*Chavez OR Tejada
WiHaloFan - February 16, 2012
As a Bay Area resident
I was close to the utterly pathetic experiment known as Tejada.
I thought it was a decent idea when the Giants picked him up.
No. He was Wellsian in his ability to pop up a baseball – if he made contact at all.
He can’t field anymore either.
Just a spectator’s perspective, I can’t back any of it up with stats.
I’d rather throw any other youngster from AAA out there.
Halo Hurricane - February 16, 2012
I have a nephew who plays baseball
It’s so funny watching the little guys. He’s 7 now, so the quality of play is improving ever so slightly, but once they get their at-bat, they just mentally check out for the rest of the game.
Maybe I’m jaded, as a huge boxing fan I see Tyson regularly, but he seemed fine. A happy, laughing Tyson is a good thing. Considering what he’s been through recently, I am happy for him.
JeffJoiner - February 16, 2012
Ya, I don't think there's any reliever left that it makes sense for the Angels to give more than a minor league deal
I would love to see the Angels throw out some minor league deals to some of the remaining relievers to at least add some competition/depth.
~MMP~ - February 16, 2012
Little League
Attending these games makes me think of Good Will Hunting when they are brown bagging it in the stands.
hauldog - February 16, 2012
All this love for "Homegrown" is such a crock of shit.
Even cavemen understood the requirement for exchange as a function of survival.
Stirrups - February 16, 2012 via iPhone app
Saber-toothed Panther
yeswecan - February 16, 2012
Not being homegrown will really taint the Pujols era.
hauldog - February 16, 2012
taint pujols.......
hauldog - February 16, 2012
Taint=Pujols area?
Mayheminthehood - February 16, 2012
That was my initial reaction.
hauldog - February 16, 2012
I think Trumbo is really the taint of the Angels
Taint the first baseman, taint the third baseman, taint the DH…
Rally Manatee - February 16, 2012
Taint nuttin.
Mayheminthehood - February 16, 2012
I think Trumbo's got his nickname!
Rally Manatee - February 17, 2012
Yes, but...
they were exchanging CAVEWOMEN – wherein “Homegrown” was NOT good!
LAASurfin - February 16, 2012
I dunno,
I saw them a few times at Soma and on Warped Tour and they were OK.
cath619 - February 16, 2012
Remember when I said you were badass because you saw Slayer?
I may have to take that back.
Mayheminthehood - February 16, 2012
I was a teenage girl.
That is what we did back in the olden days. Slayer came when I was a much more mature 22.
cath619 - February 16, 2012
Have I mentioned that your sig is one of my favorite quotes?
Because it is. I can’t wait to meet Missus Moondoggy (Gidget?).
cath619 - February 16, 2012
I was actually going to add that I would give you a pass if this was in your teenage years, preferably 16 or younger.
Being a freshman in high school, in the city of Orange, when Homegrown’s first album came out, meant I heard about them more than I ever wanted to. Mostly from chicks.
Mayheminthehood - February 16, 2012
Oh, phew! ;)
As I was indeed a Surfer Girl, that song was something of an anthem. Sorry you were so inundated!
(I just re-checked the lyrics — yep, still an anthem.)
cath619 - February 16, 2012
If Scioscia is to blame for the Wells acquisition that is a plus for him in my book. Bye Tony
I doubt anyone person is at fault for the Wells acquisition. It pains me that no one in the organization said “this is a sucky idea.” Everyone except BigTizzle knew this was a bad idea.
hauldog - February 16, 2012
What I really want to know is
is FSW still going to sell off some games to KCOP? That’s what really sucks for us in Santa Barbara County. Our KCOP isn’t the same as the LA station, so we get reruns of the Jeffersons instead of Angels games. I really hope with the new t.v. deal, KCOP is cut out of the loop.
Rally Manatee - February 16, 2012
Racist.
WiHaloFan - February 16, 2012
Imposter.
snowhor - February 16, 2012
I also hate kcop
Don’t get it here in Vegas. Which is why they should suck it! FSW FTW
maze88 - February 16, 2012 via mobile
You don't want to be movin' on up?
red floyd - February 16, 2012
awww, man.
those of us with no cable wait for the weirdly scheduled kcop days when angels baseball is shown. don’t cut kcop outta the loop, bring them deeper into it.
contagious_arc - February 17, 2012
"Those of us with no cable"
How many is that, like 3? But seriously, I know times is tough for many folk. Hope you can afford to hook that cable up soon and watch all season. The invention of the DVR revolutionized sports watching. I don’t think I could live without it now. *I would literally die.
*Spoken in my best Rob Lowe from Parks & Rec impersonation.
Rally Manatee - February 17, 2012
College baseball starts tomorrow!!
Wooooooooooooo!
AndyHogan14 - February 16, 2012
PING!
hauldog - February 16, 2012
...........and I'm damn glad it does!!
I’ll be sportin’ a lot of Halo red when I see Ersty’s ’Huskers in action!
OMAHALO FAN - February 16, 2012
Did anyone else sigh a HUGE sigh of relief that we didn't get AJ Burnett?
nselbe7 - February 16, 2012
you bet
I am going to send AJ a painting for shooting down that trade
the king of CERA - February 16, 2012
Yes.
I’m also glad we didn’t get rid of Chupa.
What if Kendry and/or Trumbo are still on the DL when the season starts?
red floyd - February 16, 2012
shift wells to dl and start trout?
contagious_arc - February 17, 2012
So, Burnett's veto saves the gloss on Dipoto's reputation?
Stirrups - February 17, 2012
It might actually be worse
I heard he almost traded Abreu for Joe Blanton
hauldog - February 20, 2012
Why oh why didn't The Dub have a no-trade to the Angels?
Was too blessed to have a quality agent I guess
hammer444 - February 19, 2012
based on his contract
i would guess his agent is alright
ItCouldHappen - February 19, 2012
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