Latest Headlines on OCRegister.com
[x] Close
Angels blog ~ The latest on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, by the Orange County Register Sports staff

Archive for the 'Juan Rivera' Category

« Previous Entries

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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 »

Juan Rivera’s base instincts

November 13th, 2009, 10:11 am by Sam Miller, The Orange County Register

I mentioned earlier than the new Bill James Handbook* rates Juan Rivera the worst baserunner in baseball 2009, at about 40 total bases lost compared to the average player. Here’s how it breaks down, compared to an excellent baserunner, Chone Figgins (+35) and a slow, but more effective, baserunner, Mike Napoli (+7). (Overall, the Angels were second-best in baseball.)

Going first-to-third:

  • Figgins, 23 out of 43 chances (53 percent)
  • Napoli, 10 out of 24 chances (42 percent)
  • Rivera, 8 out of 29 (28 percent)

Scoring from second on a single:

  • Figgins, 26 of 31 (84 percent)
  • Napoli, 13 of 16, (81 percent)
  • Rivera, 6 of 14 (43 percent)

Scoring from first on XBH:

  • Figgins, 9 of 14 (64 percent)
  • Napoli, 2 of 7 (29 percent)
  • Rivera, 1 of 8 (13 percent)

Bases taken (on WP, PB, balks, Sac. flies and defensive indifference)

  • Figgins, 29
  • Napoli, 6
  • Rivera, 10

Baserunning outs:

  • Figgins, 8
  • Napoli, 1
  • Rivera, 10

Grounded into double plays:

  • Figgins, 8 out of 117 (7 percent)
  • Napoli, 6 out of 84 (7 percent)
  • Rivera, 19 of 107 (18 percent)

James notes that Rivera’s damage isn’t due to his poor speed, but because is aggressive in spite of it. Raul Ibanez is slow, too, but he made just one out on the bases this year. Same with Adam Dunn, Garret Anderson, Casey Kotchman. Jeff Mathis (+3) made none. James writes,

“Almost 100 years ago, Ping Bodie was caught stealing and Bugs Baer wrote that ‘he had larceny in his heart, but his feet were honest.’ Rivera tried to play the game the way his teammates played it, stealing a run here and there, but he has honest feet.”

*Book was provided to the Register free-of-charge by ACTA Publishing

Posted in: Juan Rivera | 2 Comments »

Report: Angels discussed Granderson trade

November 13th, 2009, 8:10 am by Sam Miller, The Orange County Register

Newsday reports (h/t MLB Trade Rumors) that the Angels and Tigers have discussed a trade involving Curtis Granderson.

“ The Angels are interested in playing Granderson in leftfield and either tradingJuan Rivera or moving him to designated hitter.”

If anyone should be moved to designated hitter, it’s Bobby Abreu, but that would be a small issue easily worked out in spring training. Granderson might look enticing as a leadoff man to replace Chone Figgins, but beyond his speedy reputation he’s not a great replacement — a .344 career OBP and a game that is increasingly centered around power as he ages through his peak years. He’s been a pretty good defensive centerfielder for most of his career, and might turn out to be a dominant defensive left-fielder.

Granderson and Rivera were worth about the same amount in 2009, by Wins Above Replacement, but Granderson is younger, has a better health and performance record, and fits the Angels’ style a bit better. (Juan Rivera was the worst baserunner in the league in 2009, according to the new Bill James Handbook.) He’s signed for the next three years for a total of $26 million, while Juan Rivera has two years and about $9.5 million left on his contract.

Adding Granderson would make the Angels better. Adding him and trading Juan Rivera would probably make them better, too, enough to justify the difference in their contracts. The question, then, will involve how much the Angels have to give up.

Posted in: Angels • Juan Rivera | 32 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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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 »

Where does Wood fit in 2010 plans?

October 28th, 2009, 10:58 am by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

ANAHEIM

The coming of Brandon Wood has been foretold in story and blog for years now (but not song yet, I don’t think). Earlier this season, Angels manager Mike Scioscia and GM Tony Reagins each had the same thing to say — that Wood’s “time” would come … but it wasn’t here quite yet.

Wood (still only 24 after a third season split between Triple-A and the majors) reaches a crossroads this winter. While the potential for change in the Angels’ roster this off-season is great, Wood is out of minor-league options — which means he cannot be sent to the minors next season without clearing waivers first (highly unlikely).

So where does Wood fit in the Angels’ plans for next season?

“We’ve internally talked about this for a long time. I’m sure there’s a decision that has to be made with a lot of guys,” Scioscia said Tuesday. “He’s absolutely ready for the opportunity much like Kendry Morales was.

“Now I’m not saying he’s going to put up Kendry’s numbers. But as far as where he is and what he’s going to accomplish playing at a level outside the major leagues is not going to move his career forward. … Just because you’re ready for the challenge doesn’t mean you’re going to jump in and hit 34 bombs and drive in 105 runs or whatever (as Morales did in his first full major-league season). That’s not what we’re saying. What we’re saying is right now he’s ready for that challenge.

“The next growth stage is going to be major-league experience for this guy and eventually he might be like Howie (Kendrick) — struggle, figure it out and take off. He might be like (Erick) Aybar — play okay, figure it out and get to your level. Maybe he’s like Kendry Morales and, boom, it clicks and he does what Kendry did. We don’t know. We don’t have a crystal ball. But right now he’s not going to get any better outside of seeing major-league pitching and starting to adjust from that. So, yeah, he’s ready for that challenge. But there’s a lot of things obviously moving forward this winter that are out of his control.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Angels • Bobby Abreu • Brandon Wood • Chone Figgins • Juan Rivera • Kendry Morales • Mike Scioscia • Uncategorized | 26 Comments »

Game 6 lineups look familiar

October 25th, 2009, 3:55 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

NEW YORK

Given a night to sleep on their lineup decisions, neither manager veered from the plan he had yesterday before the rains came.

For Angels manager Mike Scioscia, that meant another vote of confidence for slumping leadoff man Chone Figgins.

“There’s as much negative that can happen when you try to rework a lineup as positive things that can happen,” Scioscia said. “At times when you go through a rough spell and a guy is comfortable in a spot and knows what his role is — I think more times than not, you’re better off playing it out and seeing if a guy can’t get into his game and start to contribute.

“Putting some guys who maybe the comfort level is not there and maybe they try to get out of their game and (you) end up having lessened yourself in a couple of spots as opposed to the one guy you’re trying to fix.”

Elimination-game lineups:

ANGELS

3B Chone Figgins (2 for 30 in the post-season)

RF Bobby Abreu (3 for 21 in the ALCS)

CF Torii Hunter

DH Vladimir Guerrero (team-high 11 hits in post-season)

1B Kendry Morales (team-high seven RBI in post-season)

2B Howie Kendrick

LF Juan Rivera

C   Jeff Mathis (6 for 10 in ALCS)

SS Erick Aybar (check out the haircut)

LHP Joe Saunders

YANKEES

SS Derek Jeter

LF Johnny Damon

1B Mark Teixeira (6 for 35 in post-season)

3B Alex Rodriguez (slugging .967 in post-season)

C  Jorge Posada

DH Hideki Matsui

2B Robinson Cano

RF Nick Swisher (3 for 29 in post-season)

CF Melky Cabrera

LHP Andy Pettitte

Posted in: Angels • Bobby Abreu • Chone Figgins • Erick Aybar • Howie Kendrick • Jeff Mathis • Joe Saunders • Juan Rivera • Kendry Morales • Mark Teixeira • Mike Scioscia • New York Yankees • Torii Hunter • Vladimir Guerrero | Post a Comment »

Game 5 to-stay-alive lineups

October 22nd, 2009, 3:22 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

ANAHEIM

Through the first four games of the ALCS, the Angels’ offense has been held in check by the Yankees — a .201 team batting average and 10 runs scored.

Needing a victory to extend the series and their season, though, Angels manager Mike Scioscia only made a slight change to his lineup. Maicer Izturis (starting against the right-handed A.J. Burnett) will bat sixth with Juan Rivera (2 for 17 in the series) dropping to seventh.

“Juan’s been struggling just a little bit,” Scioscia said of the move. “This way, we get a left-handed bat behind (Kendry) Morales. It might give us a little depth.”

Scioscia said he and the staff “talked about a lot of things” including starting Gary Matthews Jr. in Rivera’s place or making more significant changes to the batting order (like batting Izturis second and dropping Bobby Abreu lower).

In the end, though, they decided there weren’t enough hitters swinging the bat well to move around.

“Big changes, if they’re presented and they’re going to make sense, you’re certainly going to look at them,” Scioscia said. “I don’t know if there are enough guys doing what we need them to do to line things up any differently.”

Today’s lineups:

ANGELS

3B Chone Figgins

RF Bobby Abreu

CF Torii Hunter

DH Vladimir Guerrero

1B Kendry Morales

2B Maicer Izturis

LF Juan Rivera

C  Jeff Mathis

SS Erick Aybar

RHP John Lackey

YANKEES

SS Derek Jeter

LF Johnny Damon

1B Mark Teixeira

3B Alex Rodriguez

DH Hideki Matsui

2B Robinson Cano

RF Nick Swisher

CF Melky Cabrera

C  Jose Molina

RHP A.J. Burnett

Posted in: Angels • Bobby Abreu • Chone Figgins • Erick Aybar • Gary Matthews • Jeff Mathis • John Lackey • Juan Rivera • Kendry Morales • Maicer Izturis • Mike Scioscia • New York Yankees • Torii Hunter • Vladimir Guerrero | 5 Comments »

Howie moving up in the lineup — then out

October 20th, 2009, 3:16 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

ANAHEIM

Responding to Howie Kendrick’s near-cycle three-hit Game 3, Angels manager Mike Scioscia has him batting sixth today with Kendry Morales moving down a spot against Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia.

Kendrick’s 9-for-15 career numbers against Sabathia (including one of the Angels’ four hits off the hefty lefty in Game 1 of this series) had something to do with it, too.

But Scioscia indicated Kendrick will be back on the bench in Game 5 Thursday when the Yankees are scheduled to start right-hander A.J. Burnett. Maicer Izturis has started at second base against right-handers, Kendrick against left-handers since Kendrick’s return from Triple-A in July and Scioscia doesn’t plan to change that now — even if Kendrick is 4 for 8 in the series.

“You never say never,” Scioscia said. “If it was a righty today, Izturis would be in there and he’ll probably be in there Thursday. Don’t forget, Izzy has had some big hits for us too.”

Yesterday’s hero, Jeff Mathis, is on the bench to start the game. Mike Napoli has caught all but one start by Scott Kazmir since the left-hander was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays. Mathis will get the start in Game 5 with John Lackey scheduled to start.

The Game 4 lineups:

ANGELS

3B Chone Figgins

RF Bobby Abreu

CF Torii Hunter

DH Vladimir Guerrero

LF Juan Rivera

2B Howie Kendrick

1B Kendry Morales

C  Mike Napoli

SS Erick Aybar

LHP Scott Kazmir

YANKEES

SS Derek Jeter

LF Johnny Damon

1B Mark Teixeira

3B Alex Rodriguez

C  Jorge Posada

DH Hideki Matsui

2B Robinson Cano

RF Nick Swisher

CF Melky Cabrera

LHP CC Sabathia

Posted in: Angels • Bobby Abreu • Chone Figgins • Erick Aybar • Howie Kendrick • Jeff Mathis • John Lackey • Juan Rivera • Kendry Morales • Maicer Izturis • Mark Teixeira • Mike Napoli • Mike Scioscia • New York Yankees • Scott Kazmir • Torii Hunter • Vladimir Guerrero | 4 Comments »

Step back from the ledge …

October 18th, 2009, 5:03 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

ANAHEIM

You might be panicking about the Angels’ poor play in losing the first two games of the ALCS in New York. But Angels manager Mike Scioscia isn’t.

There will be no sudden lineup renovation despite the lack of offensive life in the first two games.  Bobby Abreu and Vladimir Guerrero are a combined 2 for 20 in the first two games but neither will be going anywhere. Scioscia said the Game 3 lineup tomorrow afternoon will be the same as Game 1 (also started by a Yankees left-hander) with the exception of Mike Napoli starting at catcher in place of Jeff Mathis.

That means:

3B Chone Figgins (1 for 19 in the playoffs)

RF Bobby Abreu (hitless in the ALCS)

CF Torii Hunter

DH Vladimir Guerrero (2 for 11 in the ALCS)

LF Juan Rivera (up one spot against Andy Pettitte)

1B Kendry Morales

2B Howie Kendrick (back in against the lefty)

C  Mike Napoli

SS Erick Aybar

RHP Jered Weaver

Posted in: Angels • Bobby Abreu • Chone Figgins • Erick Aybar • Howie Kendrick • Jered Weaver • Juan Rivera • Kendry Morales • Mike Napoli • Mike Scioscia • New York Yankees • Torii Hunter • Vladimir Guerrero | 7 Comments »

Here comes the rain (with Angels lineup)

October 17th, 2009, 3:23 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

NEW YORK

Big, fat — cold — raindrops started falling just as the Angels started taking batting practice.

If the game gets started and has to be suspended due to rain, it would be picked up at that point tomorrow. If the teams can’t start playing at all due to rain, then Game 2 would be moved to Sunday — when there is a 90-percent chance of rain with temperatures in the mid 40s (sounds familiar).

“There area  lot of contingencies that are in place,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “We’ll have to be flexible.”

If the game starts, here’s the Angels lineup:

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

LHP Joe Saunders

Here is the Yankees’ lineup.

Posted in: Angels • Bobby Abreu • Chone Figgins • Erick Aybar • Joe Saunders • Juan Rivera • Kendry Morales • Maicer Izturis • Mark Teixeira • Mike Napoli • Mike Scioscia • New York Yankees • Torii Hunter • Vladimir Guerrero | 6 Comments »

« Previous Entries