Angels' John Lackey Shut Down With Elbow Tightness

I have to believe the Angels would be interested in Chad Gaudin. Their rotation is a mess.

Comments

There aren't that many rotations that are projected to have pitchers with a 3+ WAR

I don’t think Lackey elbow tightness is much of a concern, but having Escobar potentially out for the year is. Anyways, isn’t Gaudin a couple degrees better than Moseley/Loux? I doubt there will be a trade concerning the Cubs.

by NittanyCub on Mar 25, 2009 8:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Damn!!

There goes the ace of my starting pitching staff in our fantasy league.

"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry

by EJThunder on Mar 25, 2009 11:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's funny that this happens just days after...

…Lackey spouted off in the LA Times about being unhappy with the pace of contract talks and how the Angels “will not” receive a home town discount. He expects to be paid somewhere between what Burnett and Sabathia got. Does he think he’s better than he is???

"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie"

by calicubfan on Mar 26, 2009 12:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

hold out for ben sheets money

by tim815 on Mar 26, 2009 7:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They still won't want Gaudin

Kelvim Escobar was throwing in the mid 90’s a few days ago. He’s not “out for the year”. He’s far ahead of schedule.

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090323&content_id=4053864&vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana

They’ll still have Saunders and Weaver, and will monitor Santana’s progress (he’s supposed to miss only a month), before doing anything. Prior to Spring, they had Dustin Moseley, Nick Adenhart and Shane Loux going for the 5th spot, and all have pitched well this Spring. Knowing Scioscia, He’d go with Saunders, Weaver, Moseley, Adenhart and Loux before going outside for any kind of help, unless it was a big name, a la Peavy. And by the time that happened, Escobar might be ready.

The Angels are a deep, deep team. Their M.O. is to go inside the organization once the season starts unless a big name becomes available (See Texeira last year). And they didn’t really cry when he left, because Kendry Morales is ready to take over first, a lot like Brnadon Wood is ready to take over third or short.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Mar 26, 2009 7:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Follow up....

….. I read somewhere yesterday where 53 of the 67 players in Angel camp are homegrown. If true,that’s amazing. Getting Gaudin would be a panic move for them, and the Angels don’t ever panic.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Mar 26, 2009 7:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Billy Beane and the Oakland As are smiling right now

A’s are poised to win the American League West. It’s all up to the good young pitching they have in their system to step up.

by BLou on Mar 26, 2009 8:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not so fast.......

….. they have a ways to go before that happens. Outsid eof Matt Holliday, their outfield is huge question mark. They’re also relying on aging veterans/retreads to shore up the infield, with Garciaparra, Giambi and Cabrera. As for pitching, they’re collectively holding their breath. If Nomar sprains a toenail (and I like the guy), Giambi starts missing fastballs and Michael Wuertz can’t hold teams until Brad Ziegler is ready, they could be in a long season.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Mar 26, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Angels are in for big disappointment

Vlad Guerrero isn’t the player he was and they lost the monster Mark Texiera in that lineup. They also badly overpaid for an aging Torii Hunter and have a dubious infield situation at best. The only member of that infield that gets my attention is Howie Kendrick, the rest is a collection of suspects and way overrated prospects (Brandon Wood, Kendry Morales). The pitching is also unraveling before their eyes, plus Brian Fuentes ain’t no K-Rod. Mike Scioscia is an outstanding manager, but he’s got a growing mess on his hands. Angels will struggle to score runs and the pitching isn’t good enough to carry.

The A’s meanwhile have something going. The outfield is better than you think too, with some nice mix and match pieces in Ryan Sweeney, Jack Cust and Travis Best.

by BLou on Mar 26, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That A's pitching staff I saw on Monday...

… doesn’t look that good. Dana Eveland, who got pounded, is their #1 starter.

Jack Cust isn’t really an outfielder, he’s a DH.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 26, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what a coincidence

when i type “Jack Cust” into babelfish and click “english to german” it comes out “Micah Hoffpauir.”

Odd.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Mar 26, 2009 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Babelfish apparently ignores walks, then.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 26, 2009 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you ever see this team?

Because your assessment is way off.

They could have bettered NY’s offer to Texeira but chose not to. They’re actually looking forward to an infield of Morales, Kendrick, Aybar and Wood. Aybar is very good defensively. Guerrero is likely going to get a lot of DH at bats this year, and with Rivera, Hunter and Abreu their outfield is in good shape. None of them need to have monster years for this team to excel. As for Fuentes, they hope he’s NOT Rodriguez, because K-Rod had to be one of the most over-rated closers ever. Not too many people were upset he left. All Fuentes has to do is keep the seat warm for Jose Arredondo, who is a monster in waiting.

As for the pitching unraveling, you must be thinking of another team. They’re in good shape, great shape when Santana, Lackey and Escobar return. And I didn’t even mention Scot Shields.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Mar 26, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disagree

Angels are going to struggle to score runs all year. Guererro is not the player he was, and the rest of the lineup is a dubious cast of complementary ballplayers and overrated youngsters once you get past Howie Kendrick. Kendry Morales and Brandon Wood aren’t going to cut it. Just like Dallas McPherson and Casey Kotchman didn’t cut it before them. Morales and Wood are both way overrated.

by BLou on Mar 26, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course you disagree

Then again, you don’t seem to know much about them.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Mar 26, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so basically everything goes right for angels

what else does your crystal ball say?

lackey/santana both have elbow issues, escobar may return closer to midseason

and A’s have a better and deeper bullpen.

morales, kendrick, aybar, wood are just as unproven as buck, sweeney, barton, etc…but youre ready to say those angels are ready

both these teams have flaws and will come down to health

by Asfan4ever723 on Mar 26, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh-huh

Escobasr’s return is a lot closer than mid-season, BTW.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Mar 26, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Teixeira

through his actions, made it very clear to the Angels that he was going to sign with an East Coast team. They made him an offer, told him to get back to them if necessary and he never called them back.

The Angels simply didn’t need to be told “He’s just not that into you.” Any offer the Angels made would have just been taken to the Yankees and Red Sox with the note “Can you beat this?”

by Josh77 on Mar 27, 2009 2:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just saw this part...

CUST?? Whatever credibility you had went out the window. He’s a DH, nothing more. And on the days he doesn’t homer, he’s not even that.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Mar 26, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's like saying the Red Sox are in good shape....

…. at first because there’s always David Ortiz. Sheeshh….

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Mar 26, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

… I’ll disagree with you on one assessment of Cust. He’s an on-base machine — walked over 100 times each of the last two years, and has a lifetime OBA of .382. Kind of a poor man’s Adam Dunn.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 26, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A really poor man, one on welfare

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Mar 26, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jack Cust will have big year in that lineup

He might be a lousy outfielder, but he comes dirt cheap and should have zero problem driving in 100 runs with an OBP that hovers around .400.

Don’t underestimate the A’s pitching. There is some real good stuff percolating up through their system right now.

by BLou on Mar 26, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

100 RBI?

I don’t see that. His career high is 81.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 26, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he was the only power source in their lineup

with cabrera, holliday, giambi andmaybe others around i dont see why not getting it up to 90rbi…though please keep him out of the outfield

by Asfan4ever723 on Mar 26, 2009 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Al, have you considered...

…posting a Fanpost on this trade idea over at the SBN Angels blog? It would be interesting reading Angels’ fans thoughts.

FWIW, I asked Bruce Miles about a Gaudin-for-Izturis trade over at his blog, and he said:

No dice
Cubs are not interested in Izturis. Second question [regarding whether the Cubs would need to include another player] is moot. They’ll look around but for now, they’ll address things in house with Aaron Miles. We’ll see what plays out over the next week or 10 days.

Pretty disappointing. I don’t see why the Cubs wouldn’t be interested in a guy who would perfectly fill their glaring need for a backup SS/3B. But whatever.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by dat cubfan daver on Mar 26, 2009 12:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well...

This would seem to indicate to me that the Cubs WILL keep Micah Hoffpauir on the roster and go with 12 pitchers to break camp. Keeping Hoffpauir on the roster precludes adding another infielder because Bako/Hill, Miles, Johnson and Gathright are stone cold locks on what would be a 5-man bench.

Hendry will be forced to do something soon. The acquisition of Aaron Miles will also prove to be a dumb and limiting move. There is no chance in hell we ever want to see Miles playing shortstop or 3rd base.

by BLou on Mar 26, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

I think they’re counting on Aaron Miles way too much to do too much. Were I the GM, I’d be sorely tempted to drop Gathright, go with four outfielders and add a 3B/SS backup. But I have a feeling Hendry is keeping Gathright around as insurance against either a continuation of Fukudome’s ’08 collapse or a serious Milton Bradley injury.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by dat cubfan daver on Mar 26, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm intrigued by Joey Gathright

I think if Lou Piniella uses him the right way he is actually going to be a distinct asset. I understand his hitting limitations, but that said I also am very impressed with the job Piniella and Gerald Perry do with some of our hitters.

by BLou on Mar 26, 2009 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs