The August 3rd, 2015 edition of Los Angeles Angels news including Angels teammates skeptical of Wilson’s injury, grading the deadline trades and much more…
The Story: Several Angels players are skeptical of the severity of C.J. Wilson’s injury.
The Monkey Says: Oh boy. This was a weird situation and it only gets weirder. It was a surprise to see the Angels place Wilson on the DL Friday, but it kind of explained his struggles. Then on Friday night there was reports that Wilson would be announcing the results of his own MRI the next day, which was unorthodox, to say the least. That didn’t end up happening, likely because of the stir it caused. After is likely surgery was announced, rumbling started that Angels players didn’t think the injury was that bad and that C.J. should try pitching through it. It turns out C.J. had been seeking outside medical opinions, so that probably rubbed guys the wrong way even though his on-field production was clearly suffering. We probably haven’t heard the last of this particular drama.
The Story: Grading all of the deadline deals.
The Monkey Says: Apparently not all because he missed the Victorino deal, but he does knock the Angels a bit for the DeJesus deal since he looks a little washed up and because Eduar Lopez at least still has some untapped potential, though he may never tap into it.
The Story: Grading all 30 GMs deadline performance.
The Monkey Says: In which Jim Bowden condemns the Angels for not giving up more for a bigger bat the immediately congratulates them on not giving up any significant prospects. Jim Bowden, everyone!
The Story: Evaluating each team’s deadline moves.
The Monkey Says: The “Angels outfielders are old” jokes are already starting. Yay.
The Story: The most imbalanced teams after the trade deadline.
The Monkey Says: The Angels are imbalanced in favor of the hitters, which is surprising given that the offense has been so inconsistent, but not at all surprising considering the existence of Michael Nelson Trout.
The Story: What we learned at the trade deadline.
The Monkey Says: What we really learned is that there is just no pleasing everyone.
The Story: Jered Weaver will make another rehab start on Tuesday.
The Monkey Says: He’s now gone from possibly not needing a rehab assignment to needing two simulated games and two rehab starts, at least. Clearly he is still working some stuff out. The loss of C.J. Wilson doesn’t even seem to be expediting his return. Then again, if reports are true that Jered was sitting at 82 MPH in his rehab start, that’s pretty understandable. In the meantime, the Angels will most likely turn to Nick Tropeano to make another spot start now that they have time to plan.
The Story: The Angels optioned Drew Rucinski to Triple-A.
The Monkey Says: They will call up a fresh arm to help in the bullpen. One could argue that since Rucinski didn’t even throw a full inning, he’s probably still pretty fresh.
The Story: Matt Joyce is close to a return, but Collin Cowgill isn’t.
The Monkey Says: Joyce can come off the concussion DL soon. At that point, he’ll probably be designated for assignment. Cowgill is making progress, but the team is taking it slow. In fact, they will probably continue to take it slow so that he can be stashed on the DL or in the minors on rehab until September when the rosters expand.
The Story: Jeremy McBryde cleared waivers and was outrighted to Salt Lake.
The Monkey Says: Nobody wanted to claim him, so he gets to stay in the organization without cluttering up the 40-man roster anymore.
The Story: How Chris Iannetta beat the slump of all slumps.
The Monkey Says: Iannetta has been great for two months now, but because he dug himself into such a deep hole, his average is still below the Mendoza Line and average fans think he’s terrible.
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