The June 3rd, 2013 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels including Scioscia defends moving Trout back to LF, Hamilton gets testy with reporters and much more…
The Story: Mike Scioscia defends his decision to move Trout back to left field once Peter Bourjos returns.
The Monkey Says: I agree with the move but disagree with some of his comments. Scioscia was clearly responding to the ill-informed Rosenthal piece last week when he suggested that playing center isn't what got Trout's bat going but rather hitting right in front of Pujols. Not only has lineup protection proved to be something of a myth, but Pujols is hitting so poorly now, it is highly doubtful that he is providing any kind of protection at all.
The Story: Josh Hamilton got a little snippy with reporters when discussing his struggles.
The Monkey Says: The money quote was, "I can't predict the freaking future. Do you want me to go say I suck and sit in my locker?" He also says he is confident that he will come out of it once he gets his timing down. One would have to think that if the timing isn't there come early June than it isn't coming. What he needs to do is work on his pitch selection, but I guess that has never hindered him in the past so he just assumes it will start working again sooner or later.
The Story: Ryan Madson resumed light throwing last week.
The Monkey Says: It very much sounds like they are going back to square one with his throwing program as they have no stripped him of any decision making power in his rehab. It would not surprise me at all if Madson doesn't make his season debut until after the All-Star break. It would only surprise me slightly more if he never throws a pitch for the Angels.
The Monkey Says: Williams hasn't really faced a good lineup yet, but he has been pretty excellent as a starter. There is no reason for him to shift back to the bullpen where his effectiveness is limited, but my guess is that Scioscia will defer to Blanton who is a more established name that has been showing progress of late.
The Story: A look at the Angels' outlook in a potential Cliff Lee trade market.
The Monkey Says: Yeah, that isn't happening. They have the money to take on his whole contract, but their farm system is devoid of talent. Their name will surely be bandied about, but there is an almost zero percent chance they can pull it off.
The Story: Mike Scioscia never considered pinch-hitting Albert Pujols for Josh Hamilton late in Friday's game.
The Monkey Says: Well, he should have. That was just a foolish decision made out of some misplaced sense of encouraging Hamilton by showing faith in him. Pujols may not have done anything, but Hamilton has been getting murdered by southpaws this season and that decision had not basis in reality and may have cost the Halos the game.
The Story: The Angel Stadium crowd set a record for most people wearing rally wigs.
The Monkey Says: Well, at least they have that going for them. This whole almost getting swept by the Astros thing is totally worth it then.
The Story: Stop comparing Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.
The Monkey Says: Finally, someone is on my side. Unfortunately it is Bob Nightengale. I think I might have to reconsider my position on this topic now.
The Story: Mark Trumbo is the rare utility player that is also a middle of the order fixture.
The Monkey Says: He is also not all that special because he doesn't field any of the positions well. He really should never be in the outfield, but he has been forced by circumstance. He deserves some credit for being a good soldier though as many guys would be upset about not having an established position.
The Story: C.J. Wilson shares his story of staying in the haunted hotel in Milwaukee.
The Monkey Says: My guess is that the ghost was attracted to his Positive Mental Attitude.
The Story: The Angels are amongst a long list of teams that has not produce a 4-win catcher in a long time.
The Monkey Says: The criteria here should probably be adjusted to account for catchers and the lack of defensive data that goes into the WAR calculation for them. Also, a lot of catchers just don't hit.
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