If you watched the game on TV or listened to it on the radio, all you heard about was the chance for the Angels to clinch if they won and the Ranger lost. Sometimes, when that's all you talk about, you enter Jinx City, USA. That's where we were last night, when Ervin "El Rosario" Santana walked off the field with a rough 6.3 innings of 6 run ball (5 earned) with two jacks allowed despite getting 6 punch outs. It was a sixth inning three run bomb by Alex Rodriguez that really changed things in the game, and the Angels offense just couldn't touch first time starter Alferdo Aceves (1-0, 1.29). After a game like that, I want to point out why we won't clinch today either, question Vlad's season and the need to keep him, and explore why the Angels clinch will be the greatest in AL West history (whenever it happens).
The 87-57 Angels (16.5 game lead) are heading back out on the field this afternoon to try and get their clinch on yet again. However, there a couple of clear reasons that it just won't happen. I'd like it to happen, but I think it's more exciting when I just take a stand and run with it, right? The first reason is the obvious fact that the day game after a night game, the Angels aren't going to have guys coming back to play at 12:35 pm. That's their usual stance on things if you've been paying attention. That, most likely, means that GA will sit after a 3 for 4 DH evening, Vlad will sit after a 1 for 4 (1 RBI) night in right field, and even MT will probably sit after a 2 for 4 evening at the one bag. So the outfield should be Willits, Hunter, and Matthews, with JR at DH, Quinny at first, and Figgins hopefully back at third. The other, and even bigger reason (because the weaker Angels offense could surprise us with a win) is that the pitching matchup squares off Baton Rouge native Andy Pettitte (13-12, 4.49) against perpetual Angels' sixth starter and Texarkana, AR native Dustin Moseley (1-4, 7.90). Don't get me wrong, I used to be one of Dusty's biggest supporters (when he was winning; like the fair weather fan that I am), but when he consistently comes out here in 2008 and underperforms, and there are other SLC Bee hurlers who deserve just as much a shot, I can't stand behind him. Moseley is getting the start over again injured Jered Weaver ("Bad Fingah!!"), but how about giving a shot to Nick Adenhart (why not have him back?), Nick Green, or even moving Shane Loux ("Lukes") a shot as a starter rather than a reliever (however, I just read that he is on the DL with oral surgery). I mean, these guys are looking to prove something after bombing out in the AAA playoffs. Am I wrong? When it comes to clinching, I am just chomping at the bit to get to Seattle in our next series (still at home), which would be way more than my predicted Sept 16-18 clinch against Oakland. Good luck, anyway, boys.
Well, a question that we have been putting off in our minds for some time is finally here on the horizon. Vladimir "VAG" Guerrero's 5 year $70 million contract ends here in 2008 with an option for 2009 at $15 million (a $3 million buyout is also an option). So, as we try and make an unbiased choice, let's look at his numbers and their progression over the last few years. We'll go 2004-currently: BA: '04 (.337), '05 (.317), '06 (.329), '07 (.324), '08 (.298); HR: '04 (39), '05 (32), '06 (33), '07 (27), '08 (24); RBI: '04 (126), '05 (108), '06 (116), '07 (125), '08 (83); SB: '04 (15), '05 (13), '06 (15), '07 (2), '08 (5). So, we're not done in 2008 yet, but this year is shaping up to be his worst season as an Angel. Despite that, VAG is leading the Angels in the triple crown categories (BA, HR, and RBI), so it would be tough to make any kind of argument against the Angels needing Vlad. They need him, and Angels fans would trip out if there was any kind of move to ship the aging slugger out of Anaheim (er, Los Angeles). However, just to play the Angels' advocate (I don't like the whole devil thing), can you imagine what kind of return we would get on a Vlad trade during the offseason if we pick up his option? I thought I was going to be able to use his stats to point out a steady decline in numbers for Guerrero, but even that would be somewhat of a stretch. Still, with the surplus of outfielders wearing red hats, and the expectation that Vlad will start to show less and less in each category during the '09 and beyond, should the Angels part ways with him after this season? It sure would free up the money to sign Frankie (who the media has as a forgone conclusion to play for the Mets in '09) and maybe even Teixeira, which could make his departure easier to swallow. An outfield of GA, Hunter, and JR (with GMJ and Willits on the bench) would be solid, and then GMJ could come in after GA decides to step down. I don't know which direction I'm leading toward. I love Vlad, but I'm trying to be a little more realistic here. What do you think?
When (not if) the Angels finally clinch the American League West, it could be one of the greatest regular seasons (in terms of clinching early) in the history of baseball. Here's why: since 1969 (when the MLB adopted divisional play) only six teams have ever clinched their division on or before September 12. The teams are the 1975 Reds (9/7) who won the World Series, the 1995 Indians (9/8) who lost the World Series, the 1999 Indians (also 9/8) who lost in the ALDS, the 1998 Yanks (9/9) who won the World Series, the 2002 Braves (also 9/9) who lost in the ALDS, and the 1998 Padres (9/12) who lost in the World Series. Therefore, if the Angels can clinch today or tomorrow, they will not only be the sixth fastest team to clinch their division in MLB history (fastest since 2002), but they will also be the quickest team to clinch the American League West in history. So, there you have it; an early clinch doesn't guarantee success in the postseason, but it sure as hell would be fun, eh? I can't wait for Thursday against the M's.
Enjoy the day game, folks.
0 comments:
Post a Comment