The February 8, 2016 edition of Los Angeles Angels news includes the team claiming a reliever on waivers, Jered Weaver making a big donation to Long Beach State, and more…
The Story: Angels claim LHP Christian Friedrich from Rockies, designate Taylor Featherston for assignment
MWAH Says: This happened way back on Friday, but our news posts are only weekday things so it gets the headline today. Friedrich more or less takes the place on the roster of LHP Bobby LaFromboise, who was claimed by the Phillies a little over a week ago. Friedrich’s overall numbers are uninspiring but he fared well against left-handed batters in 2015, his first full season as not only an MLBer but also as a reliever. There’s still room to grow there, especially outside of Coors Field. Taylor Featherston loses his spot on the 40-man to Friedrich, and now will have to clear waivers to make his whole Rule 5 experiment not a complete failure.
The Story: Jered Weaver donates $500,000 to Long Beach State’s baseball program
MWAH Says: No idea how far $500k goes when it comes to funding a NCAA D-I baseball program, but one imagines it goes pretty dang far. Heck of a generous move from Weaver. Hope a lot of it goes to bringing on players who would otherwise not be able to afford it.
The Story: Angels’ Bobby Scales hopes minorities reach new heights
MWAH Says: One of the club’s several special assistants to GM Billy Eppler briefly reflects on Black History Month and speaks to what he thinks MLB can do to increase opportunities for minorities in the game.
The Story: Anaheim Ducks hosted ‘Angels Night’ on Friday
MWAH Says: A kinda weird cross-promotion between the NHL and MLB, as baseball is way more popular than hockey. Have to wonder if this is a quid pro quo thing where the Angels eventually hold a Ducks Night. Tyler Skaggs, Rod Carew, and Kole Calhoun were on hand for Friday night’s festivities. Good to see Carew up and about just a few months after his major heart surgery.
The Story: Study shows ‘grit’ isn’t always a great attribute
MWAH Says: Eh, I’m not convinced it actually shows that. The study used three pretty standard behavioral/psychological tests to determine which participants were more perseverant. That they framed it as “gritty” and “not gritty” is just semantics. Is grittiness just a synonym for stick-to-itiveness? I feel like there’s more to it than that.
The Story: Giants sign Conor Gillaspie to a minor-league deal
MWAH Says: Did not expect Gillaspie to get a gig before David Freese this winter. You think teams are just under the assumption the Angels gave Freese a qualifying offer? How else to explain his complete lack of market?
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