The October 24th, 2014 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels including Pujols and Calhoun nominated for Gold Gloves, Kershaw edges out Trout for Sporting News Player of the Year and much more…
The Story: Albert Pujols and Kole Calhoun are nominees for Gold Glove awards.
The Monkey Says: Pujols has a shot, Calhoun probably doesn’t since he’s a West Coast guy. Keirmaier has been a highlight reel machine and Markakis might just get it as a lifetime achievement award. The bigger news here is that Erick Aybar got snubbed. His defensive metrics aren’t great, but they weren’t bad either, so it is weird to see him get left off, especially since he has won before. J.J. Hardy is still probably the clear favorite, so it doesn’t matter all that much. In fact, the Gold Gloves generally don’t matter because the voting is still quite backwards.
The Story: Clayton Kershaw edged out Mike Trout for the Sporting News Player of the Year.
The Monkey Says: This is voted on by other MLB players, so we can’t even be all that mad. They are clearly wrong, but it just isn’t the same to be upset at underinformed players as it is the BBWAA.
The Story: The most disappointing failed dynasties of the divisional era.
The Monkey Says: The Angels are a weird case because the 2002 team never looked like a burgeoning dynasty. It wasn’t until they added Vlad Guerrero and the proceeded to wash out of the postseason early several years in a row where they seemed dynastic. Considering all the other quality teams of that era, I can’t say that it is all that disappointing. They probably should’ve won at least one additional championship, but multiple titles was never going to happen.
The Story: Chad Hinshaw is off to a fast start as a leadoff man in the AFL.
The Monkey Says: Like Towey yesterday, he’s a bit on the old side, but he has some legit skills. Hinshaw has very good speed and has flashed good on-base skills. His power has also played up thus far, though that might not be real. He is another guy worth watching, but he is still probably has the ceiling of a bench player.
The Story: Jairo Diaz is following in the footsteps of Troy Percival.
The Monkey Says: Converted catchers unite! Diaz actually is a legit prospect and figures to be in the mix for a bullpen spot next season.
The Story: Round Two of the Angels Fan Favorites Voting.
The Monkey Says: How was Tony Campana and his bizarre face left out of the Best Smile category? I declare shenanigans!
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