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Archive for the 'Ervin Santana' Category

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One reporter’s take on the Angels and free agency

November 21st, 2009, 11:32 am by Earl Bloom, staff writer

Baseball free agency is upon us, and since it’s a weekend, it’s not surprising it’s off to a slow start.

The Angels’ stated stance seems to be making a choice between John Lackey or Chone Figgins; hoping to bring back Vladimir Guerrero for a good price; and looking for, in Arte Moreno’s words to the Los Angeles Times, “a power bat, a starter and another bullpen guy.”Angels White Sox Spring Baseball

Here’s my take on that, point-by-point:

– Lackey has been a solid No. 1 for the Angels, and should command a huge contract simply via the timing of his free agency. If all reports are somewhat accurate, he is way too pricey to come back to Anaheim.

In my opinion, the Angels have a viable No. 1 on the premises, but are reluctant to even address that because they have three more seasons worth of Jered Weaver contracts to negotiate with Scott Boras (more on this later).

– Figgins, right, has to be a Top Five attraction on the overall board, because he can help a club in so many ways (everything except power). If the five-year, $50 million tag is accurate, it is not too much for his value somewhere, but it is here.

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Posted in: Angels • Arte Moreno • Bobby Abreu • Brandon Wood • Brian Fuentes • Chone Figgins • Darren Oliver • Erick Aybar • Ervin Santana • Howie Kendrick • Jason Bulger • Jered Weaver • Joe Saunders • John Lackey • Jose Arredondo • Juan Rivera • Kendry Morales • Kevin Jepsen • Maicer Izturis • Mark Teixeira • Nick Adenhart • Scot Shields • Scott Boras • Scott Kazmir • Torii Hunter • Vladimir Guerrero • | 4 Comments »

Angels’ focus should be on Morales and Weaver

November 17th, 2009, 3:45 pm by Earl Bloom, staff writer

Interesting to hear the Angels aren’t entering the Matt Holliday race — not that, given the claiming price, it made any sense for them in the first place.

Holliday and Jason Bay might be the two best hitters out there, but they are left fielders, not likely Hall of Famers, and make much more sense in the current economy to the teams that play in Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park.Angels Red Sox Baseball

And neither one is Mark Teixeira, although surely that is how they will be portrayed on the market.

It is also interesting to learn the Anaheim club’s priority is to retain John Lackey and/or Chone Figgins, especially given the dollar amounts floated so far in the free agency “anything but money discussed” period that ends Friday.

If it’s true that $72 million was not enough for Lackey in the first place, and that Figgins is looking for a five-year, $50 million package, the Angels would be better served to look elsewhere. 

In the organization, for a start.

It would probably serve the franchise’s interests (and the fans’) better if multiyear yet cost-effective deals could be done with right-hander Jered Weaver and first baseman Kendry Morales, similar to the one that was struck before last season with right-hander Ervin Santana.

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Posted in: Angels • Bobby Abreu • Brandon Wood • Chone Figgins • Ervin Santana • Howie Kendrick • Jeff Mathis • Jered Weaver • Joe Saunders • John Lackey • Kendry Morales • Maicer Izturis • Mark Teixeira • Mike Napoli • Scott Kazmir • Sean O'Sullivan • • • | 9 Comments »

This winter will be a season of change for the Angels

November 2nd, 2009, 11:37 am by Earl Bloom, staff writer

Some observations, and questions that I hope will be answered during this baseball winter ….

– The Angels outfield/designated hitter spots will look different in 2010. Torii Hunter will be in center, and Juan Rivera will play left — and likely, DH more.91788303NM090_New_York_Yank

But Vladimir Guerrero and Bobby Abreu will be free agents, and Gary Matthews Jr. has asked out. Unfortunately, at this point the most likely one of the three to be on the Angels in 2010 is Matthews.

– Chone Figgins’ free agency likely opens up third base for Brandon Wood. Here’s hoping that means a full spring training, and then several months’ commitment to let Wood settle in. He won’t get a season-plus like Mike Schmidt did, but that was a long time ago.

– Scot Shields’ return to health should be an enormous boost for the bullpen. So would a decision to not retire by Darren Oliver. And Brian Fuentes, the most-maligned 50-save reliever in major-league history, will know the American League hitters better this time around.

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Posted in: Angels • Bobby Abreu • Brandon Wood • Brian Fuentes • Chone Figgins • Darren Oliver • Erick Aybar • Ervin Santana • Gary Matthews • Howie Kendrick • Jered Weaver • Joe Saunders • Juan Rivera • Mike Scioscia • Reggie Willits • Scot Shields • Scott Boras • Scott Kazmir • Tony Reagins • Torii Hunter • Vladimir Guerrero • • • • • | 7 Comments »

Game 4 summary: Simply too much Sabathia for Angels

October 20th, 2009, 8:40 pm by Earl Bloom, staff writer

Joe Buck’s constant fawning over Joe Girardi decisions would have been fine Tuesday night — if only the Fox play-by-play man was talking about Game 3, and the Yankees manager’s bullpen strategy.

Not even this helped (Getty Images)

Not even this helped (Getty Images)

It’s Girardi’s bullpen, and he knows best how to use it. If he doesn’t think David Robertson is a good matchup for Howie Kendrick, he has much more insight into it than I do. Plus, Robertson is only 24 and coming off a September injury.

But Buck lauded Girardi more than once during Game 4 for starting CC Sabathia and, apparently, having Alex Rodriguez batting fourth.

Sheer genius, that.

Buck and partner Tim McCarver later applauded Sabathia for appearing like he was ready to pitch before the game. If the lefty had looked otherwise, it would have been a big story.

The Angels for the most part did not look good against baseball’s highest-paid pitcher.

Santana Sabathia was particularly dynamic against the top of the Angels batting order. As Buck noted, Sabathia was still clocking 94 mph in the eighth. It was too much for Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu, and Torii Hunter.

They were a combind 0 for 10 in the 10-1 loss that puts the Angels’ season on the brink.

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Posted in: Angels • Brandon Wood • Chone Figgins • Ervin Santana • Jeff Mathis • John Lackey • New York Yankees • Scott Kazmir • Torii Hunter • • • • • • | 21 Comments »

Angels finally make Sabathia sweat a little

October 20th, 2009, 7:30 pm by Earl Bloom, staff writer

Fifth/sixth-inning update: The Angels finally made CC Sabathia sweat a little in the fifth inning, when Kendry Morales’  homer was followed by hits by Mike Napoli and Erick Aybar.

The rally fizzled when the top of the order couldn’t come through.

It might seem obvious, but making Sabathia work hard finally on three days of rest might force the Yankees into their bullpen earlier than they want.

It also might seem obvious, but Fox reporter Chris Myers was spot on when he noted the umpire’s call at third base turned the Angel Stadium crowd, and the Angels dugout, around, bringing both back to life.

Ervin Santana’s strikeout of Alex Rodriguez to end the top of the sixth might also provide a momentum boost in the bottom of the inning.

Posted in: Angels • Erick Aybar • Ervin Santana • Mike Napoli • • | 1 Comment »

Torre needs to be reintroduced to Billingsley, once an All-Star

October 16th, 2009, 7:27 am by Earl Bloom, staff writer

new-bloom-mug-for-ocrcom6Is Chad Billingsley still on the Dodgers?

That is the one question I can’t get out of my mind, while waiting for the ALCS to start, after watching the Dodgers’ 8-6 loss to the Phillies in the NLCS opener.

Oh there are others — like why Joe Torre didn’t take Clayton Kershaw out earlier in the fifth inning, and who the heck was lefty Scott Elbert warming up to pitch to — but I guess I will get over those.

But why is Billingsley, an NL All-Star in 83373220MH113_80th_MLB_All_July, not only not one of the Dodgers’ first four NLCS starters, and not the first man out of the bullpen in a long role in the fifth?

This photo, of Albert Pujols with Billingsley after the Dodger pitched the fifth in the ASG, is proof that it actually happened.

I realize the Dodgers went 1-8 in Billingsley’s last nine starts, but the Dodgers are starting Vicente Padilla (today) and Hiroki Kuroda in Game 3. Randy Wolf, who opened the NLDS, is almost an afterthought in Game 4.

OK, so Billingsley is in the bullpen. Unlike some of the younger viewers, I am not uncomfortable with starters coming out of the bullpen in the playoffs.

It’s still hard to believe Billingsley, despite his poor September (0-3, 5.16 ERA ) has been relegated to the Ervin Santana role in the playoffs. Or that Elbert would get up to warm up before Billingsley, when it seems the lefty is only on the NLCS roster to face Matt Stairs. If Billingsley in the bullpen, use him.

Or that I have to agonize over another Dodgers game today, before the real wonder begins: Will the Angels and Yankees open the ALCS on Friday, Saturday or Sunday?

Posted in: Angels • Dodgers • Ervin Santana • • • • • | Post a Comment »

Bulger, Santana bullpen options for Scioscia

October 8th, 2009, 8:26 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

ANAHEIM

The Angels were satisfied enough by Jason Bulger’s light bullpen session Wednesday to include him on the playoff roster. Thanks to a change in the roster rules for post-season play adopted in recent seasons, teams can replace injured players in mid-series (something that wasn’t always allowed).

That made the Angels’ decision on Bulger easier. But Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the team was satisfied Bulger’s sore shoulder wouldn’t unduly limit him in the series against the Red Sox.

“His arm speed was good during his workout. He had no symptoms,” Scioscia said of Bulger who received a cortisone injection in his pitching shoulder on Sunday. “We weighed everything. … We’re very confident he’s healthy.”

Bulger also received an injection in his shoulder in late August. After he returned, Scioscia kept his workload light – less than an inning at a time for awhile. The fact that the Angels have two potential long men (Matt Palmer and Ervin Santana) in the bullpen makes it likely a middle-man like Bulger would have to be extended beyond an inning in the post-season.

As for how Santana will be used – and whether he could pitch in back-to-back games – Scioscia said only time will tell.

“I think it depends on how much he would throw in one game,” Scioscia said. “I think he has the ability to throw one inning and come back and maybe be available the next day.

“We’ll see. Obviously with Ervin, we’re in a little bit of uncharted waters. … He’s been bouncing back well from his starts so it’s something we would consider. I don’t think we can give an answer right now.”

Posted in: Angels • Boston Red Sox • Ervin Santana • Jason Bulger • Mike Scioscia | Post a Comment »

Santana odd man out for playoffs (lineups)

October 1st, 2009, 2:25 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

ANAHEIM

Angels manager Mike Scioscia finally confirmed today that the Angels’ post-season rotation is set and Ervin Santana will “most likely” go to the bullpen for the first-round series against the Red Sox.

After John Lackey makes his final tuneup start today, it will be Jered Weaver’s turn tomorrow, Scott Kazmir Saturday and Joe Saunders on Sunday. Santana will pitch out of the bullpen once during the weekend series in Oakland.

Scioscia said he reserves the right to “tinker” with that setup if necessary — but that’s not likely at this point. Look for Lackey and Weaver in Games 1 and 2 next week, Kazmir and Saunders in Games 3 and 4 (in Boston).

This is what Santana had to say about pitching out of the bullpen in the post-season (look for more at www.ocregister.com later).

“If we win the World Series it’s not going to say who was in the bullpen and who was starting, is it?”

Today’s lineups (with a post-game rally set for approximately 6 p.m.)

ANGELS

SS Maicer Izturis

CF Reggie Willits

1B Kendry Morales

DH Vladimir Guerrero

LF Juan Rivera

3B Brandon Wood

C  Jeff Mathis

2B Freddy Sandoval

RF Terry Evans

RHP John Lackey

RANGERS

LF Julio Borbon

SS Elvis Andrus

RF David Murphy

1B Andruw Jones

2B Ian Kinsler

DH Chris Davis

3B Omar Vizquel

C   Taylor Teagarden

CF Craig Gentry

RHP Kevin Millwood

Posted in: Angels • Brandon Wood • Ervin Santana • Freddy Sandoval • Jeff Mathis • Jered Weaver • Joe Saunders • John Lackey • Juan Rivera • Kendry Morales • Maicer Izturis • Scott Kazmir • Texas Rangers • Vladimir Guerrero | Post a Comment »

Everybody loves … clinching

September 28th, 2009, 5:39 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

ANAHEIM

The stress of being one game away from clinching the division title clearly has the Angels on edge. Several of them spent the hour before batting practice today sprawled out on the couch in the home clubhouse watching first “America’s Funniest Home Videos” then “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

Name the Raymond episode and you win brownie points (not redeemable for actual brownies).

By the way, those flu-like symptoms that forced catcher Mike Napoli to stay behind in Texas last week have now hit Jeff Mathis, limiting his availability.

The Rangers could be eliminated from both the  AL West and wild-card races tonight.

Tonight’s lineups:

ANGELS

3B Chone Figgins

RF Bobby Abreu

CF Torii Hunter

DH Vladimir Guerrero

1B Kendry Morales

LF Juan Rivera

2B Maicer Izturis

C  Mike Napoli

SS Erick Aybar

RHP Ervin Santana

RANGERS

LF Julio Borbon

3B Michael Young

RF David Murphy

CF Marlon Byrd

DH Hank Blalock

2B Ian Kinsler

1B Chris Davis

C  Ivan Rodriguez

SS Elvis Andrus

RHP Tommy Hunter

Posted in: Angels • Bobby Abreu • Chone Figgins • Erick Aybar • Ervin Santana • Jeff Mathis • Juan Rivera • Kendry Morales • Maicer Izturis • Mike Napoli • Texas Rangers • Torii Hunter • Vladimir Guerrero | 10 Comments »

Angels v. Rangers: When will it end?

September 28th, 2009, 5:09 am by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM
Backstroke or butterfly for Torii Hunter this year?

Backstroke or butterfly for Torii Hunter this year?

ANAHEIM

When the Angels left Texas a week ago, there was reason to believe the division title would be wrapped up before the Rangers made their final visit to Anaheim this week.

It hasn’t worked out that way  — but it’s closer. The Rangers arrive tonight needing to sweep the series from the Angels to keep the race alive.

Here are the pitching matchups for the four-game series:

Tonight – Ervin Santana (7-8, 5.46) vs. Tommy Hunter (9-4, 3.67)

Santana has a 6.67 ERA in 16 career starts against the Rangers.

Tuesday — Scott Kazmir (9-9, 5.06) vs. Scott Feldman (17-6, 3.90)

Kazmir has a 2.01 ERA in his first five starts with the Angels but only one win. They have scored a total of eight runs while he has been on the mound in those games.

Feldman has a club-record 12 wins on the road this season for the Rangers.

Wednesday — Jered Weaver (15-8, 3.84) vs. Derek Holland (8-12, 6.14)

Weaver has lost his past three starts, allowing 10 runs in 19 1/3 innings.

Holland threw a four-hit shutout in Anaheim back in August.

Thursday — John Lackey (11-8, 3.77) vs. Kevin Millwood (12-10, 3.75).

Lackey has turned in two poor outings in his past two starts (11 runs on 17 hits in 11 innings), one against the Rangers. But things will be decided by the time he takes the mound Thursday — right?

So ... which pitcher will be on the mound when the Angels clinch the division title?
View Results

Posted in: Angels • Ervin Santana • Jered Weaver • Joe Saunders • John Lackey • Scott Kazmir • Texas Rangers | Post a Comment »

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