The February 14th, 2013 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including the Angels are not interested in Lohse, Madson’s MRI comes back clean and much more…
The Monkey Says: First, I really enjoyed getting to use the word “rebuffed.” I don’t know why, it is just fun. Second, I wrote yesterday that the Angels should pursue Lohse, so we know what I think about this. Finally, a rumor that the Angels are denying interest in Lohse pretty much guarantees they will sign him, right?
The Story: Ryan Madson’s MRI came back clean, but he’ll still not throw for at least a week.
The Monkey Says: Even Madson is saying that it seems inevitable that he’ll have to start the season on the DL. Hopefully it won’t last long and getting a clean MRI is encouraging in that regard.
The Story: A multi-article season preview of the 2013 LA Angels.
The Monkey Says: This is over at The Outside Corner, where I also work and I assure you there is a wonderful array of content that you absolutely should read. No, I mean like NOW. Read it now. Come back later. The links aren’t going anywhere.
The Story: Chris Iannetta believes that Jason Vargas is “beyond crafty.”
The Monkey Says: Does anyone else have the Beastie Boys song stuck in their head? Well, you do now!
The Story: Vegas has set the Angels’ over/under for regular season wins at 89.5
The Monkey Says: From a gambling perspective, you should probably take the under. From a respect perspective, only the Tigers, Dodgers and Nationals had a higher over/under with all at 90.
The Monkey Says: Cordero had a good three-year stretch from 2004 thru 2006, but started having arm problems in 2008 and has pretty much been out of baseball since with the exception of a brief, unsuccessful cameo with the Mariners in 2010. This probably won’t pay off, but it essentially costs the Halos nothing.
The Story: The SweetSpot report card for the Angels’ off-season.
The Monkey Says: SPOILER ALERT: They failed AP Calculus. Sorry, that was hacky. Anyway, they got a B+, which is a bit high to me but not by that much.
The Story: Ernesto Frieri’s new change-up drew rave reviews in a bullpen session yesterday.
The Monkey Says: I poo-pooed this idea yesterday. Apparently I am the one who is full of poo poo.
The Story: Historical comparison suggests that Mike Trout will suffer a “sophomore slump.”
The Monkey Says: I still choose tor reserve judgment here because I think a talent like Trout is just so special that drawing player comparisons out is nearly impossible. I fully agree that the smart money is on him to regress at least a little, but I’m not going to take it as a given.
The Monkey Says: I don’t think he needs to play shortstop. If he can hold down the fort at second and third, he should have a a great chance at winning the final bench spot.
The Story: Bobby Cassevah is hoping to win a bullpen spot.
The Monkey Says: It dawns on me that the Angels actually could use a groundball specialist in the pen, so he has a shot. I actually think he might be out of options too, in which case he might have a better chance than he normally would.
The Story: A look at the ridiculousness of PECOTA player comps.
The Monkey Says: Having a Brandon Wood comp strikes me as cruel and unusual punishment.
The Story: Pessimism over the Angels starting rotation.
The Monkey Says: I question how one can do a three-part series on pessimism and the Angels and not get to the rotation until part three.
The Story: Brian Downing ranks as the third-best Angels acquisition of all time.
The Monkey Says: It is amazing to think that a guy who was 5’10”, 170 lbs. could ever earn the nickname “Incredible Hulk” once you compare how he looks to today’s player.
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