The July 1st, 2014 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels including Trout undecided on Home Run Derby, Angels sign their 3rd round pick Chris Ellis and much more…
The Story: Mike Trout is undecided on whether or not he would participate in the Home Run Derby.
The Monkey Says: He hasn’t been asked, but that 489-foot bomb he hit last week is only going to make it that much more tempting. It sounds like he is leaning towards not doing it, but you never know.
The Story: The Angels signed their third round pick Chris Ellis to a slightly below slot deal.
The Monkey Says: Ellis could be a fast track reliever for the Halos. They have now signed 32 of their 40 picks with first rounder Sean Newcomb the lone high draft pick yet to sign, though he is expected to do so.
The Story: The Angels and White Sox will play a doubleheader today after yesterday’s rainout.
The Monkey Says: Rain is dumb.
The Story: Fernando Salas has “strong to very strong” chance of being activated during the Angels’ series in Chicago.
The Monkey Says: He figures to displace either Michael Kohn or David Carpenter. Salas is hardly a guy the Angels trust, but he isn’t a gas can either, so his return would definitely be welcomed.
The Story: The final All-Star voting update remains the same for the Angels.
The Monkey Says: Trout will finish as the second-highest vote-getter and start in the outfield. No other Angels player has even a remote chance of claiming a starting spot. They’ll have to hope they get selected as reserves, though Erick Aybar and Garrett Richards are probably the only two who deserve such an honor.
The Story: The Angels released Joel Pineiro from Triple-A Salt Lake after he tested positive for a banned stimulant.
The Monkey Says: I think they released him because the stimulant didn’t work as Pineiro had been getting shelled with the Bees. This probably spells the end of his career.
The Story: Raul Ibanez has signed a major league contract with the Royals.
The Monkey Says: Speaking of careers ending, we all assumed Ibanez was done, but the Royals are going to give him one last shot. Good luck to him.
The Story: Baseball Prospectus previews the trade deadline and predicts Huston Street to end up with the Angels.
The Monkey Says: However, that is just one of the predictions and they generally don’t view the Halos to be major players at the deadline.
The Story: Some mid-season award picks with Mike Trout as the AL MVP.
The Monkey Says: Just wait until Victor Martinez starts getting close to the Triple Crown. Then everyone in the world will freak out. Again.
The Story: A look at Albert Pujols as he hits the 25% mark of his contract.
The Monkey Says: Pujols-bashing has become the new favorite pastime of certain segment of the Angels fanbase. If you are part of that faction, this story is for you.
The Story: A look at Angels prospect Kurt Spomer.
The Monkey Says: I’ve got a soft spot for sidewinder and submariner relievers, so Spomer is right up my alley. I can’t wait to start championing him for a call-up instead of Jeremy Berg whose time in the sun appears to have passed.
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