Prediction: Halos in the WS again!

[PurplePride84]

I could watch Joba Chamberlain get rocked all night long.

[Nastradamus]

That middle relief crew was supposed to be their anchor, they have been disappointing. The Yanks are living and dying by the long ball, hitting .200 with runners in scoring position. The Angels could still get this done if they don't let up too many homers. They are better in just about every other aspect of the game. CC is the wildcard though. They need to pitch around A-Rod. They need another strong start from Saunders, who should be ok vs. those lefties.

[The Q]

Originally Posted by Nastradamus

That middle relief crew was supposed to be their anchor, they have been disappointing. The Yanks are living and dying by the long ball, hitting .200 with runners in scoring position. The Angels could still get this done if they don't let up too many homers. They are better in just about every other aspect of the game. CC is the wildcard though. They need to pitch around A-Rod. They need another strong start from Saunders, who should be ok vs. those lefties.

If you ignore SP and power, on base skills and the entire bullpen (as opposed to just middle relief), then yes that might be true.

[9ERS4EVA]

Originally Posted by Nastradamus

That middle relief crew was supposed to be their anchor, they have been disappointing. The Yanks are living and dying by the long ball, hitting .200 with runners in scoring position. The Angels could still get this done if they don't let up too many homers. They are better in just about every other aspect of the game. CC is the wildcard though. They need to pitch around A-Rod. They need another strong start from Saunders, who should be ok vs. those lefties.

Yah clearly the Angels have a superior back end to their bullpen. That Brian Fuentes is lock down.

It comes down to whether the Yank hitters will let Joe Saunders get away with pitching mediocre again like he did in game 2. They didn't let Kazmir get away with it so hopefully it won't continue.

[Nastradamus]

I'd be surprised if they don't hit Saunders too.

[The Q]

Halos may not make the playoffs depending on how their off season goes.

[Nastradamus]

I think they are due for a little spending, but you are right in some regards. They are still probably ahead of that division, but it depends if Oakland adds offense. Texas needs to add pitching too. They had a great staff last yaer, but they need another big arm. The pen is strong. I think Feliz might be a reliever long term, but I'd like to see them try to make him a starter. Its worth it with a talent like him.

LAA has it tough though Figgins and Lackey are both key to what they do. Lackey is their horse and Figgins sets it all up. The OF is full of their power hitters too, so they are going to struggle to find another leadoff hitter like him if they let him walk. Wood would probably take over at 3B and he isn't the same type of player. They like that running game too, so they should get this one done. They could let Lackey walk if the bidding gets out of control. Go for a lesser SP in trade or in FA and depend on Kazmir and Saunders imroving and Santana and Weaver being the horses. Maybe they could get Derek Lowe or something, or just a Randy Wolf type.

Abreu could be the toughest decision. They really need his patience, his power and his speed. Vlad is declining, Rivera isn't a middle of the order guy and they can't depend on Wood being a big cog. They need another big bat in the middle of that lineup one way or the other. They might need to replace Vlad and Abreu with one guy, like a Holliday or Bay.

I wonder how much they have to spend. If they can't spend much, they might have to let Lackey and Abreu walk, keep Figgins and sign a few patchwork pieces. A Rick Ankiel here, a middle reliever here, a Jarrod Washburn there and hope a young SP and a few young bats contribute big time.

[Nastradamus]

Abreu signed, 2 years 19, 3rd year club option. I think this is the one year the Angels should bring back everyone. Letting K-Rod and Teixera walk was smart, but they should spend some of that now. They can get Lackey and Figgins for what Teixera cost.

[The Q]

Originally Posted by Nastradamus

Abreu signed, 2 years 19, 3rd year club option. I think this is the one year the Angels should bring back everyone. Letting K-Rod and Teixera walk was smart, but they should spend some of that now. They can get Lackey and Figgins for what Teixera cost.

I wouldn't bring Vlad back THB.

Abreu is a DH as well, that should be his spot in 2010

[Nastradamus]

Oh, didn't know Vlad was a FA. I would just bring back Lackey,Figgins,Abreu(done).

C-Napoli/Mathis(Nap should start 110-120 games)
1B-Morales
2B-Kendrick-Izturis
SS-Aybar-Izturis
3B-Figgins-Wood
LF-Rivera-Willits
CF-Hunter-Willits
RF- Matthew/FA or Wood??
DH-Abreu

That works. Might want to consider a cheap OF like Ankiel.

[The Q]

I'd play abreu another 20-30 games in LF just to let Napoli DH some more.

[Nastradamus]

Originally Posted by The Q

I'd play abreu another 20-30 games in LF just to let Napoli DH some more.

Yeah, that works too. Do you sign another OF bat or just roll with Matthews and Willits and such

[The Q]

Originally Posted by Nastradamus

Yeah, that works too. Do you sign another OF bat or just roll with Matthews and Willits and such

Well I might just move Figgins to LF and let Wood play 3B. Rivera crushes lefties so i might get him in there in a part time role.

[Nastradamus]

Rivera put up good overall numbers though and you could platoon him with Matthews(for d and o). I wouldn't move Figgins out of the IF tbh. Wood can't defend, put him in the OF if anything.