Halo Headlines: The Weaver-Guillen Debate Rages On, Trout Returns to the Minors, Santana Named Player of the Week

The August 2nd, 2011 edition of daily news for the LA Angels including Posnanski settles the Weaver-Guillen “unwritten rules” debate, Trout sent back to Double-A, Santana named AL Co-Player of the Week and much more…

The Story: Joe Posnanski declares Carlos Guillen the biggest offender in the Angels-Tigers dust up from Sunday.

The Monkey Says: If Poz deems it so, then so it shall be written.  I had assumed my team allegiances had clouded my judgment, but Posnanski is totally impartial and even he can’t understand how anyone could justify Carlos Guillen’s actions.


The Story: The Angels sent Mike Trout back to Double-A Arkansas and called up Andrew Romine to take his place.

The Monkey Says: Trout going to Double-A instead of Triple-A is a bit of a surprise, but I understand the logic, which I will delve into alter today now that the Trout Tracker will be returning later today.


The Story: Ervin Santana was named AL Co-Player of the Week along with Billy Butler of the Royals.

The Monkey Says: Butler had a great week, but Ervin threw a no-hitter, how did they end up sharing this?


The Story: Did Justin Verlander intentionally commit an error on Aybar’s bunt in order to preserve his no-hitter?

The Monkey Says: Yes, people seriously are suggesting that even though it is completely and totally preposterous.


The Story: Erick Aybar’s bunt during a no-hitter was not “bush league.”

The Monkey Says: It is official, everyone but Justin Verlander is OK with Aybar bunting.  I’ve listened to podcasts and read articles from all over and I have yet to see/hear anyone seriously chastise Aybar for bunting when he did.


The Story: There can be an opportunity cost to the Angels’ inaction at the trade deadline.

The Monkey Says: I don’t know if I believe that line of logic, but I still think the Angels could have solved a lot of potential problems by making even a minor acquisition.


The Story: It isn’t a big deal that the Angels made no trades since they have no true needs.

The Monkey Says: This I tend to agree more with, but I do think the Angels have a true need in the bullpen, but not one that is necessarily a fatal flaw since their starting rotation can cover up the flaw by going deep into games like they have so often this year.


The Story: The Rangers have “won the division” by acquiring Uehara and Adams.

The Monkey Says: This one pissed me off beyond belief.  I’ll save the impending tirade for a lengthier discussion today, but suffice it to say, I fail to see how two middle relievers can make such a massive difference over the course of two months.


The Story: The Angels have assembled a top-notch defensive unit.

The Monkey Says: I don’t know that I agree with all of the hyperbole about each and every Angel player’s defensive prowess, but according to UZR, the Angels are a top five defensive club, which is a big step up after their terrible defensive season last year and a big reason why the Angels remain in contention.


The Story: 50 years of Angels baseball in 60 sentences.

The Monkey Says: Might I add a 51st sentence for the 51st season: The year that the Angels shocked the Rangers to win the AL West on their way to a World Series.

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