Kuzul

Mike Napoli struck out in Monday’s 2-1 victory over the Oakland A’s. It was the final game at Angels Stadium in 2010.

And it might have been Napoli‘s final strikeout as an Angel.

Last month, Napoli was among a flock of Angels to be placed on waivers and was one of the few to be claimed. The Boston Red Sox were ultimately unable to win their claim, but the fact remains: Napoli is wanted, just not by the Angels.

As I pointed out in a previous article, the Angels are short on power but not on catchers or first basemen, and while Nap has shown surprising versatility in both positions, he is no sure thing at either.

What that versatility does do is add to his league-wide appeal, which has only increased this season along with his career highs in home runs (26) and RBI (68). Give him 500-600 at-bats and there is no reason he can’t hit 30 homers and 90-100 RBI.

Last winter, Napoli was rumored to be a key piece in a potential deal that would’ve landed Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Jays were in need of a power bat behind the plate, as well as a solid shortstop and a replacement starter in the rotation—allegedly Erick Aybar and Joe Saunders would’ve satisfied their needs.

For whatever reason, the Angels felt hamstrung by the deal and the Jays eventually found their backstop in 2010 All-Star John Buck. But power-hitting catchers are still a rare breed and Napoli should be a hot commodity on this year’s trade market.

The Red Sox were the first team to make their interest public by placing the claim back in August and their tastes likely haven’t changed. Victor Martinez is locked in negotiations for an extension with Boston, but the scuttlebutt around the league seems to be that V-Mart is on his way out, possibly to another AL or NL East team.

If so, the Angels’ worst postseason nemesis could become their newest trade partner.

L.A.’s farm system is somewhat depleted as a result of mid-season acquisitions between this year and last. This year alone, six minor leaguers switched uni’s in return for Alberto Callaspo and Dan Haren. Any deal for Napoli would likely net more Boston farmhands than major leauge-ready starters.

And if you’re going to deal present-day talent for the on-the-horizon variety, Boston is a good partner to have. Perennial all-star Hanley Ramirez began his career with the Sawks before being dealt to Florida for Josh Beckett.

Speaking of Florida, while all the focus will probably surround the Red Sox with regard to a Napoli deal this offseason, the Marlins are my sleeper team to snatch him off the market.

The fish have already made their desire for a new catcher known and several names, including Martinez, are rumored to have passed through the GM’s office more than once. But Napoli might just be a perfect fit in Miami.

A Hollywood, Florida native, Nap played high school ball just a stone’s throw away from both the Marlins’ current and future ballparks. His hometown hero status, along with his power and versatility, could go a long way toward filling those notoriously empty seats by pushing Florida back into NL East contention.

The deal I’d most like to see go down would include another Florida boy—second baseman Howard Kendrick.

The once-shining star of the Angels’ minor league system has yet to find consistency in the majors. He hit .322 in his rookie season before struggling with injuries the next two years. Last year, he started off so poorly he was sent back to Triple-A for a month before returning to hit .357 down the stretch.

This season has been a mixed bag for Kendrick, at times good and at others highly disappointing. The youngster still has plenty of room to grow though, whether in Anaheim or Miami.

Packaging his offensive potential and improved defense with Napoli‘s defensive potential and big bat could net an impressive return for the Angels.

I’m thinking Dan Uggla.

His negotiations with the Marlins aren’t progressing as quickly as some thought, and the teams’ attempts to shop him to contenders this season were no secret.

If Florida is still interested in moving the slugger, a young replacement with all the talent in the world and a power-hitting catcher would be a nice return for them as well. Meanwhile, the Angels still have three catchers on their roster without Nap, and more infielders than they know what to do with at this point.

Giving some of these youngsters like Hank Conger and Bobby Wilson room to grow, while adding a known quantity like Uggla to the middle of that lineup, would do as much to improving this ball club as inserting Carl Crawford in left field.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

A California jury returned a guilty verdict today on three counts of second-degree murder in the death of Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher, Nick Adenhart and two others in April, 2009.

Gallo was charged and convicted of the more serious second-degree murder charges rather than manslaughter because he has a previous DUI conviction and was known to understand the specific dangers of drinking and driving from his own experience.

Prosecutor Susan Price noted to the jurors that Gallo had been repeatedly warned by family, friends and court officials about the dangers of drinking and driving. However, his continued need to party and arrogance apparently took precedence over those warnings.

Gallo was on probation at the time of the accident for drunken driving when he crashed his van into the car that carried Adenhart and his friends. Price also noted that Gallo had signed papers signifying that if he were to be arrested and charged with killing someone while drunk, that he would be charged with murder.

Adenhart, a promising young pitcher for the Angels, had just pitched six scoreless innings in his debut earlier that day, April 9th, 2009. Hours later, while driving in Fullterton, Adenhart and his friends were killed after Gallo had plowed through a red light and hit the car.

Courtney Stewart, 20, who was the driver of the car, and Henry Pearson, 25, were also killed in the crash. Another passenger, Jon Wilhite, was severely injured but survived.

Gallo could face more than 50 years in prison. His sentencing has been set for Dec. 10.

For continuing Angels updates, follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Sunday afternoon’s game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox may have had no bearing on the playoffs, but it was certainly historic in nature.

In the first inning, right fielder Bobby Abreu stepped to the plate and hit his 40th double of the season, marking the fifth time in his career that he has surpassed 20 HR, 20 SB, and 40 doubles. No other player in Major League history has reached this trifecta more than three times.

It’s an extraordinary achievement for Abreu, who continues to provide speed, power, and timely hitting at the age of 36.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the Angels, who eventually lost 4-3 to complete the sweep of the weekend series by the White Sox.

Halos manager Mike Scioscia started four rookies in this game, who combined for five hits, four strikeouts, and two errors. Both errors were committed by rookie shortstop Andrew Romine, playing in just his second big league game.

One of his errors was a pop-up that he lost in the sun, leading to a costly unearned run that denied starter Jered Weaver a chance at his 14th victory of the season.

Rookie catcher Hank Conger collected two hits and an RBI and continues to look more comfortable behind the plate; as Scioscia ponders the future catching prospects, Conger is certainly not hurting his cause during his September evaluation.

Sunday was Family Day at Angels Stadium, and although the team lost, Weaver was impressed with what he saw.

“Things aren’t always going to go your way with things like that,” said Weaver. “But this time of the year, when the playoff chances are done, it’s fun to give those guys a chance. I was one of those young guys at one time, and I was just itching to get out there too.

“It’s fun to see those guys work. But you know they’ve got some pressure on them too.”

With the Angels out of playoff contention and playing out the string, the rookies should get more opportunities to show their worth over the last week of the season, and Scioscia will be watching.

“We had a lot of young guys on that field, and there’s going to be some growing pains. I think we saw them this afternoon,” Scioscia said. “[But] they need to get into a major league game. It’s important for their growth.

“All the stuff that separates the major leagues from triple A, those guys need to experience it. See how their talent plays and move forward.”

For continuing Angels coverage, follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.

You can also follow Doug’s featured articles at Green Celebrity Network.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have gone through a season in which could best be described as abysmal. Missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006, they will be embarking on a sport in October that has been unfamiliar to them: golf.

The Angels will be celebrating their 50th birthday next season, and owner Arte Moreno and general manager Tony Reagins will undoubtedly be looking to put together a team in 2011 that will showcase their year-long celebration.

The 2011 MLB free agent class is certainly an option in which Moreno and Reagins will explore and invest in. Although the class itself may not be one of the better free agent classes in recent history, there are names on that list that will generate much interest among many teams, including the Halos.

As mentioned in a previous article, the Angels will have money to spend in the upcoming offseason. Between trades and expiring contracts of players who most likely will not be returning, the Halos will have approximately $25.5 million with which to play with.

Two of the biggest names in free agency that will generate a great amount of interest are Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cliff Lee and Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth.

While both players clearly have their upsides and have contributed mightily to the success of their current teams, there are other options available in which Reagins and the Angels could, and should, explore.

Here are ten reasons why the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim should pass on the temptation of signing either Cliff Lee or Jayson Werth, and utilize the money for options that will best serve their needs in 2011.

Looking for more great Angels coverage? Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.

You can also follow Doug’s featured articles at Green Celebrity Network.

Begin Slideshow

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that Jered Weaver was very, very quietly having a Cy Young-caliber season.

Well, it just so happens that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have another pitcher who is very, very quietly having a solid season—not a Cy Young-caliber season, but a very solid season.

Angels pitcher Ervin Santana tossed the very rare complete game shutout on Tuesday night against the first place Texas Rangers. Santana gave up just five hits (all singles, by the way), walked just one, and struck out eight over his nine innings of work.

Santana didn’t induce a lot of swings and misses (only eight swings and misses out of 117 pitches thrown), but as you will see from his pitch plot below, Santana kept the ball away from lefties and did a great job of busting the righties in on the plate.

Santana improved to the quietest 17-9 on the season. After an injury-plagued 2008 season in which he only made 23 starts and had an ERA over five, Santana has really had a nice bounce-back season in 2010.

Santana’s stuff isn’t as good as it was in 2008, but he is getting by with one of the best sliders in the American League (12.3 wSL) and an improved BABIP. Hitters have a .291 average on balls in play off Santana, which is in line with what it was back in 2008 (.302). Last year, hitters had a .330 average on balls in play off Santana.

Many may not know it because the Angels have uncharacteristically fallen out of the playoff race, but Santana has quietly had a very good season in 2010.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

In 1960, Gene Autry, already famous as a singing cowboy, decided to travel to the Major League Baseball expansion meetings to see if he could find a baseball team to broadcast on his radio station. He walked away with an actual team instead.

Fifty years later, that same team, the Los Angeles Angels, are planning a year-long bash to commemorate their 50th birthday.

The Angels will unveil their plans this Friday, and they are going all out. The year long celebration salutes loyal Halos fans and remembers former Angels players. During the season, 81 former Angels players will throw out the first pitch before each game, and Angels Stadium will feature retro nights and giveaways as well.

New uniforms will also be introduced. On the front of the club’s home, road and alternate red jerseys, a gold halo is featured on the “A” of the club lettering. The 50th anniversary patch will be featured on the right sleeve.while an “A” patch with gold halo will be featured on the left sleeve.

The caps will also be different. Hats will now feature a gold halo around the primary “A” logo as well as a 50th-anniversary patch affixed to the left side. And on the playing field, the 50th anniversary logo will be displayed in center field, replacing the 2010 All-Star game sign. The 50th anniversary logo will also be prominently featured throughout different areas of the ballpark, including on the windows above the home-plate gate.

Local radio station AM830 and Fox Sports West television will feature special 50th anniversary programming throughout the year, with retrospectives and a program chronicling the 2002 World Champion season.

From 5-7 p.m. PT on Friday, fans can join in on the festivities at the home-plate gate, where current and former Angels will be doing live interviews and prizes will be given away. The Angels will be playing host to the Chicago White Sox, with Joel Pineiro on the mound for his second start since returning from the disabled list with an oblique injury suffered two months ago.

The anniversary logo to be revealed has a gold halo, and the number 50 is featured prominently beneath it with a ribbon that signifies the prosperity of the last half-century.

While the 2010 season overall was a disappointment for the Los Angels Angels and their fans, it certainly won’t dampen the spirit of next season’s celebration. In fact, gold will rule the day, and the year.

For continuing Angels news updates, follow Doug on Twitter, at Sports_A_Holic.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The 2010 season has been a roller-coaster ride for Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar.

After starting slowly in the month of April (.253 AVG., 1 HR, 4 RBI), Aybar never fully hit his stride.

Suffering through another tough month in May, Aybar appeared to pick it up in June and July, raising his average to .278 and displaying more of the peskiness expected of him at the top of the lineup.

But the dog days of August hit, and Aybar once again plummeted. Since Aug. 1, Aybar has hit .187 with just five RBI and nine runs scored during that span.

On Sept. 15, Aybar aggravated a groin injury, apparently originally suffered two weeks earlier, diving for a ground ball in Cleveland. Aybar has not played since, and it was finally announced by the Angels that he will miss the rest of the season with an apparent sports hernia.

Aybar traveled to Texas yesterday to meet with Dr. John Preskitt, the same doctor who performed successful hernia surgery on Angels outfielder Torii Hunter last November. If surgery is recommended for Aybar, he will heal in plenty of time for spring training next season.

Aybar finished his disappointing season almost exactly where he finished the month, with a .254 average. Aybar had just five HR and 27 RBI, with 68 runs scored and 20 stolen bases.

One of the main reasons that Chone Figgins was allowed to walk as a free agent this past offseason was that the Angels were confident in Aybar’s ability to assume the leadoff position and provide a similar type of offense and set up the middle of the Angels’ order.

Aybar never seemed confident in the role and was actually demoted to the bottom part of the order in early August.

Assuming that Aybar returns to complete health by spring training, he will have a lot to prove to Angels’ management in terms of showing once again the gritty style of play that led them to assume he could handle the leadoff role.

For continuing Angels news updates, follow Doug on Twitter at Sports_A_Holic.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

In this audio feature we have audio of Angels first baseman Kendry Morales addressing his season ending ankle break. Angels manager Mike Scioscia also talked with AM830’s Jason Brennan and LA Angels Insider.com’s Eric Denton about the playing time of Mark Trumbo and Hank Conger.

Kendry Morales met with the media this afternoon to talk about his injury and the status of his rehabilitation. Speaking through his translator Morales was in good spirits while going over the injury and his process going forward for next season.

Speaking with Mike Scioscia before the game he said that Mark Trumbo “will get his playing time”, but right now they are still evaluating the players who have been with the club this season.

Scioscia was also very impressed with the defense Hank Conger has shown behind the plate in his appearances. Scioscia’s comments about Conger came into play last night as the rookie caught a complete game shutout on Tuesday night from Ervin Santana.

Click here to listen to LA Angels Insider.com Podcasts

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Angels catching prospect Hank Conger had a tremendous first start on Sept 15th. Not only did the rookie come through with a big two-RBI opposite field single (his first MLB hit) in the first inning, but he caught a gem. Jered Weaver (7 IP) and Matt Palmer combined on the shutout, which was exactly what Mike Scioscia was looking for out of Conger.

Conger worked well again on Friday night with Dan Haren (7 IP, 3 H, 10 K). More behind the plate performances will open some eyes on the management side of the organization. The Angels believe in Conger’s ability, but at age 22 it’s not out of the question that a return to Triple-A next season is in order. It’s up to Conger to force the issue heading into spring training.

Brandon Wood belted a 427-foot home run off Dan Wheeler on Friday night to give the Angels the edge they needed to defeat the first place Rays, 4-3. That had to feel good for Wood. Mired in a 3-for-43 slump with no home runs or RBI since June 27, Wood finally delivered the big hit the Angels were counting on from him all season.

Article continued at LA Angels Insider.com

Eric Denton is the head writer and content editor for LA Angels Insider.com

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Mike Napoli will be traded this offseason. There is no question about it.

As paradoxical as it seems, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, a team severely lacking in power and RBI production this year, are headed down an inevitable and potentially dangerous path toward trading their current team leader in home runs.

Last month, the Angels’ catcher/first baseman was placed on waivers and eventually claimed by the Boston Red Sox. The move in itself is hardly meaningful. Angels General Manager Tony Reagins said nearly every player on the roster was placed on waivers.

The Red Sox claim ultimately proved fruitless as well. The two sides were said to be in negotiations briefly, and the Angels declined Boston’s offer, as predicted.

What’s important to take away from this scenario is the intent behind the Angels’ actions.

Often times, teams will put players they have no intention of trading on waivers as a means to gauge the league’s interest in them. If a player is claimed, both teams must come to some mutual agreement on a swap before the player is offered to another team or is pulled off waivers altogether.

The Angels, however, seemed to have a plan in mind when they dangled Napoli to the rest of the league. Not only did they want to see what teams—particularly contenders—would offer for him, they wanted the league to know he is available to the highest bidder.

Reagins didn’t plan on trading Napoli in August, but you can bet the slugger won’t be donning a halo come April.

The catcher’s troubles started in Spring Training this year, when he lost the starting job to his good buddy Jeff Mathis, despite a terrific month of March in which he lead the majors in home runs.

Napoli griped about his new bench assignment until an injury to Mathis allowed him to reclaim his spot behind the dish. A much more devastating injury to the Angels’ phenomenal first baseman Kendry Morales gave Nap the opportunity to play every day, and overall he’s done well.

His batting average is down this season, almost 30 points from a year ago, but he’s already set new career highs in home runs (24) and RBI (65) with his added playing time.

The Angels are having a season to forget, but it could’ve been much worse had they not been able to pluck Napoli from the depth chart.

The problem is, they don’t need him anymore.

At first base, Morales is expected to make a full recovery and should return to playing form by spring, bringing with him a massive power threat in the middle of the lineup and a morale booster in the clubhouse.

Napoli could be a useful backup at first, but we’ve already seen how well he takes to that role. The last thing the Angels need is another grumpy face in the dugout who whines to the press about his playing time. Gary Matthews, Jr. was enough.

Besides which, the Angels already have a suitable backup at first. In fact, they have two.

The veteran Kevin Frandsen was terrific in his time with the big club, batting well over .300 for much of that time, and filling in nicely at both first and third. Mark Trumbo, the Angels’ powerful minor league first baseman, is also going to get a good look this spring.

Trumbo‘s first major league at-bat didn’t go quite like he probably had hoped (he struck out on three pitches), but if can bring some of that Salt Lake swagger to Anaheim, he’ll get plenty more chances.

Napoli is also in the middle of a logjam at the catching position. Aside from Mathis, who had already beat him out for the starting gig, youngsters Bobby Wilson and Hank Conger are quickly on the rise.

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia still likes Mathis for his defense, but no team can support a sub .200 hitter, no matter his other assets. Wilson, on the other hand, has more home runs, nearly as many RBI, and is hitting for a higher average than Mathis, and is doing it all in almost 100 fewer at-bats.

Conger, like Trumbo, made his major league debut this season and, also like Trumbo, it could’ve gone a little better. But striking out on four pitches won’t be the sum total of his big league career and if he can show some improvement in Spring Training, look for him to at least be an early season call-up.

With all of that in mind, the Angels will have a hard time fitting Napoli into their 2011 plans. As the saying goes, though, “have bat, will travel.” And with his potential to hit 30 home runs a year on the market, teams will be lining up to offer major and minor league compensation for his services.

Napoli‘s days in this league are far from numbered, but his time with the Angels is running out.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com