We all know the well-publicized losses of the Los Angeles Angels: Chone Figgins, John "The Traitor" Lackey, Darren Oliver, and Rex Hudler.
They all hurt in one way or another, although for my money, Figgins is a loss worth losing. I want to see what Brandon Wood can do, and there are other players to fill the gap if he flames out.
Losing Lackey is, of course, a huge setback, especially considering where he went. It's further proof that baseball has lost its soul. How could the Angels let him leave? How could Lackey leave for Boston?
Oliver? No excuse, and no good reason not to bring him back. Give him an option on a second year. The Angels bullpen was wretched last year, and Oliver was one of the few bright spots.
Rex Hudler? Miserable to see him go. He had life, passion, and real insight. Yes, he spoke like a ballplayer, and could be annoying at times. But all of the other announcers are just plain BORING, which I guess is what Fox wants. It's the continuation of corporate America turning everything and everyone into a generic brand.
But then the other morning, I read a small blurb in the Los Angeles Times about another loss. One that is being treated like minor news. It is not.
Kelvim Escobar is signing with the New York Mets.
Yes, I know he has been hurt constantly. Yes, I know he pitched all of five innings last year. But the Angels have pitching issues, and when he's healthy, Escobar is as good as anyone. With Lackey gone, no Halladay, and Matt Palmer projected as the No. 5 starter, it was worth paying the few bucks to give Escobar one more shot at redemption.
But no, Tony Reagins is a man who makes a plan and sticks to it, no matter what. The "no matter what" part is killing the team.
The recent Angel squad was not quite good enough to go all the way. Now, it is not quite good enough to make the playoffs. He signs Hideki Matsui, a 35-year-old designated hitter, and acts like he made a major signing. Hey, didn't we just have a 35-year-old designated hitter with a sore knee?
He then signs Fernando Rodney, a reliever with a 4.40 ERA in 2009, and says they now have the pieces to win the World Series. Since when? They were a piece short last year, and they've gone backwards. And by the way, I for one am not holding my breath about Scott Shields.
Does Tony Reagins think Angels fans are fools? Well, we’re not. We're loyal, passionate, and can see that our team is heading in the wrong direction.
Something is going on in Angels Land, and I don't like it. This business of losing a player because of a third, or fourth, or fifth contract year, and saying it wasn't worth the risk is getting annoying. Today's players can play deep into their 30s and be productive.
Reagins better believe in that. He just signed one.
Lackey has more than five good years left. They needed him in the rotation. The present rotation lacks a leader. Everyone can smell it. Weaver is going to have the take the role now. Is he ready? I sure hope so.
Joe Saunders has the talent, but not the fire. Ervin Santana is like a stray dog that you can't get rid of. Scott Kazmir was let go by Tampa for a reason. We could have done without what he "brought" to the playoffs last year. Thanks for nothing. And Matt Palmer? Good kid. Tough. Competitive. But really, Matt Palmer?
For better or worse, Guerrero defined the lineup. Lackey defined the rotation.
Now that they're both gone, who will define the Angels in 2010?
Let's hope it's not Tony Reagins.
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