Scioscia: Abreu situation can be worked out
Simply put, Bobby Abreu wants to continue to be an everyday player. He has expressed that to Mike Scioscia, in a couple of offseason conversations the Angels’ skipper has described as “very candid,” and he indicated it strongly to ESPNdeportes.com on Tuesday.
But in reacting to Abreu’s public comments on Wednesday morning, Scioscia expressed his belief in two things …
1. He can establish some sort of middle ground with Abreu, where maybe he isn’t playing every day but isn’t rotting on the bench, either.
2. Comments aside, Abreu won’t be any sort of a distraction when he arrives to the club’s Spring Training facility on Sunday.
“I don’t think Bobby is going to be anything but a player who wants to come out here and wants to help us win,” Scioscia said. “How much playing time he gets, we don’t have a crystal ball. We certainly have more depth now than we’ve had in a long time. But I don’t think Bobby would be valuable playing once or twice a week. He would have to play more than that. But there’s certainly ways to get a lot of guys in the lineup to where they’re contributing.”
The outfield was already set. Now, the Albert Pujols signing has left the designated-hitter spot cluttered, with Mark Trumbo (also learning third base) and Kendrys Morales (recovering from a broken left ankle) there to fill it.
Speaking in Spanish from Venezuela, Abreu told ESPNdeportes.com: “I’m an everyday player, and can be in the lineup for a big league team. I’m not going to be on the bench knowing I can play. If the Angels don’t have a set position for me, then the best thing they can do is trade me. It’d be the right thing to do. I’m not going to do anything sitting on the bench.”
Abreu’s $9 million contract, and his declining numbers last year – he continued to draw walks frequently, but batted just .253 with eight home runs – has made it very difficult for the Angels and general manager Jerry Dipoto to move him.
“Bobby is aware of the circumstances, he’s aware of the people on the roster,” Dipoto told MLB.com Tuesday. “We do see a fit for Bobby on this club, he’s aware of where that fit is. … Whether it’s an ultimatum that’s been issued, he has no right to do that.”
At worst, Scioscia still sees value in Abreu as an experienced, patient lefty bat off the bench who can get an occasional spot start.
Problem: Abreu believes he can contribute more.
“Bobby and I have always spoken very candidly,” Scioscia said. “I think Bobby, he’s a professional. He’s going to go out there and, you don’t get too many guys any more professional than Bobby, so I don’t anticipate that being an issue. I think if there are some issues, I’m sure that his agent [Peter Greenberg] will work through with Jerry. Bobby’s here, he’s going to help us win games, and that’s what we’re looking forward to.”
More on Angels.com later today.
– Alden
Kendrys progressing; exhibition opener unlikely
Angels manager Mike Scioscia said it’s a stretch to think recovering slugger Kendrys Morales can get himself to the point where he’s playing in the exhibition opener, a split-squad against the Athletics on March 5. But he also said “there’s absolutely nothing in his ankle right now that looks like it’s going to inhibit him from being where he needs to be.”
Morales did some light sprints on the grass yesterday with no pain, and will do so again today. The Angels will be looking at video of Morales running each week to see what kind of progress he makes (hitting isn’t an issue).
“He might end up running better as time goes on,” Scioscia said, “but as soon as he gets to a spot where there’s no restrictions and he’s running whatever 100 percent is at that time where he’s not hurt, he’ll play. So we’re excited about that.”
More on Angels.com later today.
– Alden
Albert Pujols, meet Yu Darvish
One of the most intriguing storylines in the American League West this season revolves around Albert Pujols and Yu Darvish — the two big-name free agents brought in by the two division rivals — meeting on the field for the very first time.
Pujols spent his previous 11 seasons in St. Louis before signing a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Angels. Darvish, meanwhile, spent his career in Japan before the Rangers committed about $110 million to bring insert him into their starting rotation.
But it turns out the two have already met.
“I actually just got an opportunity, believe it or not, to meet him on Thursday,” Pujols said at his press conference from Tempe Diablo Stadium on Monday. “I was working out in L.A. and he walked in and introduced himself. Really nice guy, really humble. Obviously he’s looking forward to it and he’s looking forward to the battle. He knows we’re in the same division. It’s going to be fun.”
Here’s some extra stuff from the 29-minute Pujols presser that didn’t make our coverage today (thanks to Paul Casella for passing a transcript along) …
On the importance of reporting to camp early: That’s nothing new. I always report early to Spring Training. That’s something that I’ve done since the first day I got invited to a big league camp. I think it’s really important for me to get outside and hit and run and pretty much be on your own program and focus on the things that you want. Next week, obviously, when everybody gets here, you’re not on your own program anymore. So just to get used to the weather and to get to know the guys a little better before we start next week.
On not being in St. Louis for the first time: You know what, I had a great time in the city of St. Louis. Obviously, 11 years, you don’t just flip that page and say, “Move on.” There were some great moments. I was able to accomplish two World Series, and that experience is something I want to bring to this city, to Anaheim, to this ballclub, and have hopefully better seasons than I had in St. Louis and hopefully more championships.
On all the newness: You know what, that’s something that everybody’s asking. … The game doesn’t change. When I got into the big leagues in 2001, I didn’t know anyone in the National League, so that’s how I’m going to take it. It’s a different league, but I came in in 2001 and didn’t know any pitchers around the league.With the technology and the scouting right now, you get some good feed and you’ll be able to ask guys questions and go by the scouting reports.
On whether he was able to enjoy his second World Series championship with St. Louis: You have to enjoy it. That’s what you play for. That’s what you dream, to be a champion, and I was able to be win two, so I’m blessed for that. You retire 10 years from now and that’s what you look back, this memory. Not the numbers, it’s how many World Series rings and to be able to raise that trophy at the end.
On being the face of the franchise and doing all the extracurricular stuff: First of all, I need to make sure that I prepare for my job — baseball. It’s something I don’t want to change, but I’ve been doing that in St. Louis, through my foundation and that’s something I’m going to bring to Anaheim and this organization. Just because I’m on a different ballclub, I’m not going to change who I am. God has given me some talent in the field and God blessed me with a great wife, great family, great foundation and I believe that’s part of the responsibility that I have, to give back. So I expect myself to be busy on and off the field whenever I get that time to work in the foundation.
On DH’ing a little bit down the road: I think that’s a great question to ask Mike [Scioscia], I don’t make those decisions. I’m a first baseman, and whenever I see myself in the lineup whether it’s at first, third, wherever he needs me. When he comes and asks me I’ll play whatever he asks me to play. I don’t make those decisions to be a DH. I’m ready to play every day, 162 games if I can, and just go out there and give my best.
On his early season struggles last year: I don’t want to blame any of that on my contract last year, my struggles in April and May, because I bounced back after the break to right where I wanted to be. Stuff like that you have to go through during the season to make you better. If everything looks beautiful and you have a great career without struggle, then you wouldn’t be able to enjoy this game. You have to struggle in this game.
And here’s what did make the coverage today …
* Pujols arrives, embraces new season and team
* Spencer, on the potential Albert-Kendrys combo
* Pujols should be driving force for Angels
* Scioscia has embarrassment of riches at Angels camp
* Walden adding a third pitch
– Alden
Morales, Trumbo progressing
Recovering first baseman Kendrys Morales is feeling good in his recovery and will do some sprints on the field tomorrow. Morales, who has missed the last 1 1/2 seasons with a broken left ankle, says he has had no swelling and feels more confident about Opening Day than last year now that he had the second surgery to clean the area out.
“This year, I’ve felt a lot better compared to last year. I can do any exercises that they give me,” Morales said in Spanish. “Very different from last year. I think for the start [of the season], I should be ready.”
Mark Trumbo has continued hitting and has gotten a lot of work at third base, fielding grounders and making throws across the diamond. He’ll get re-imaged on the 28th in hopes of running full speed and getting to the point he can field slow rollers.
– Alden
60 players, 25 spots — welcome to Spring Training
That’s what the Angels will be looking at when they officially report to Spring Training in Tempe, Ariz., on Sunday, the start of one of the most anticipated seasons in club history.
It’s difficult to pinpoint what spots are available and what competitions are open for one simple reason: Trades probably (likely?) will occur at some point. The signing of Albert Pujols created a logjam at the first base/third base/designated hitter spots, but exactly what kind of logjam they’re looking at can’t be known until they see what they have in Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales.
Here’s how I’ve handicapped where they stand right now, though …
Rotation
Locks: Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, C.J. Wilson (L), Ervin Santana (likely in that order)
Spots open: Fifth spot
Candidates: Trevor Bell, Eric Hurley, Brad Mills (L), Garrett Richards, Matt Shoemaker, Jerome Williams
Favorite: Williams
Situation: Barring an addition, you can call Williams a heavy favorite in this competition. Basically, after an out-of-nowhere year that saw him go 4-0 with a 3.68 ERA in 44 innings down the stretch, he’s earned it. As is the case with most teams, though, the fifth-starter spot could be a revolving door throughout the year, and it’d be unrealistic to think Williams can give you 30 starts and 200 innings. The Angels will just take what they can out of him. Here, as with the bullpen, there will be a lot of arms that won’t have a chance to sniff the roster no matter how well they do. They’re here either so the coaching staff can get a closer look at them before they get busy with other things, or to just fill up innings with the lighter workloads of spring. That’s the reality of this time of year.
Not named: The fairly young and inexperienced Fabio Martinez-Mesa and Ariel Pena.
Bullpen
Locks: Jordan Walden (CL), Scott Downs (L), LaTroy Hawkins, Hisanori Takahashi (L)
Spots open: Three, at most
Candidates: Bell, Ryan Brasier, David Carpenter, Ysmael Carmona, Bobby Cassevah, John Hellweg, Kevin Jepsen, Michael Kohn, Matt Meyer (L), Francisco Rodriguez, Rich Thompson, Daniel Tillman, Loek Van Mil
Favorites: Bell, Cassevah, Thompson
Situation: Barring the Angels picking up a veteran reliever this spring — and that’s definitely a possibility — these are seemingly the three favorites to fill out the ‘pen, considering their impact last year. Bell, also a marginal candidate for the fifth-starter spot, and Thompson are out of options, meaning they’d have to slip through waivers before being sent down to the Minor Leagues. So perhaps you can consider them near-locks. Cassevah, however, has an option year left. So the Angels do have some wiggle room there for competition — or an addition. Of the remaining group, Jepsen, Kohn and Rodriguez have Major League experience. And Van Mil is listed at 7-foot-1 (I just like throwing that out whenever possible).
Catcher
Lock: Chris Iannetta
Spot open: Backup
Candidates: Hank Conger, Robinzon Diaz, Alberto Rosario, Bobby Wilson
Favorite: Wilson
Situation: This is an important spring for Conger, who needs to prove he’s taken significant steps behind the plate to eventually be an everyday catcher in the Majors. Regardless of how well he plays, though, that won’t happen this year now that Iannetta is on board. So the question becomes whether it’s best for Conger to play sparingly as a big league backup or get some much-needed at-bats as an everyday player in the Minors. The latter makes more sense, which is why I have Wilson — who played 57 games for the Angels last year — listed as the favorite. He’s also out of options.
Not named: The fairly young and inexperienced Jett Bandy and Carlos Ramirez.
Infield
Lock: Albert Pujols, Kendrys Morales, Mark Trumbo, Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar, Alberto Callaspo, Maicer Izturis
Spots open: None (for now)
Situation: The infield is the most tricky aspect of the Angels to pinpoint, because so much of what happens here hinges on Trumbo’s ability to adjust to third base and Morales’ ability to bounce back. Trumbo wouldn’t be a full-time third baseman, per se, but it’s tough to not consider the infield overly crowded if the above-mentioned factors play out. If a spot does come open with a trade, then look for Alexi Amarista, Jorge Cantu and Andrew Romine to have a shot.
Others: Amarista, Cantu, Luis Jimenez, Taylor Lindsey, Efren Navarro, Darwin Perez, Romine, Jean Segura
Outfield
Lock: Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells, Peter Bourjos, Bobby Abreu
Spots open: None (again, for now)
Situation: There are two wild cards at play here. One of them, of course, is Mike Trout. So many factors — his age, his lack of Triple-A experience, the Angels’ current outfield situation — point to Trout starting the year in the Minors for more seasoning. But a guy with Trout’s skill set could be tantalizing, especially if he has a killer March. The other wild card is Abreu, who the Angels would like to move but is owed $9 million on his contract. If Morales becomes an option at DH, there’s really no spot for Abreu (unless he’s riding the bench), and if they can find a club willing to take on a reasonable amount of his salary, then Ryan Langerhans and Jeremy Moore could have a shot. Or, um, Trout.
Others: Kole Calhoun, Doug Deeds, Langerhans, Moore, Matt Long, Trout
– Alden
A.J. Burnett was almost an Angel?
That’s what a Wednesday morning report on ESPNNY.com said. The website reported that the Yankees were trying to sell A.J. Burnett — the enigmatic pitcher who has $33 million left on his deal and is basically left without a role on New York’s loaded staff — on waiving his no-trade clause to join the Angels in a deal that would’ve sent Bobby Abreu back to the Bronx.
The problem: Burnett’s wife is afraid of flying, so it doesn’t look like a move to the West coast will happen.
Burnett, owed $16.5 million each of the next two seasons, still has good stuff but hasn’t been able to translate that into consistent success over the last couple of years, posting a 5.20 ERA in 377 regular-season innings over that span. The Angels are on his no-trade list, but the Pirates are not. And at this point, it appears a foregone conclusion that a deal between New York and Pittsburgh will get done, with the hangup seemingly being how much of Burnett’s contract the Yankees are willing to pick up (maybe upwards of $23 million).
It’s a moot point now, but the Angels were actually possible?
My take: I’m not dismissing the validity of the report — FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal also alluded to the same — I’m just struggling to wrap my head around it. The Yankees have said they only have $1-2 million to spend on a DH, which means that in this potential deal, the Angels would basically eat up Abreu’s $9 million salary. Now, let’s say the Yankees pick up $20 million of Burnett’s deal. That means the Angels — a team that passed on signing far cheaper relievers that they actually needed — would be on the hook for $13 million, and losing Abreu altogether, in order to add a fifth starter who would be a luxury. It would make more sense for the Angels if the Yankees picked up $20 million of Burnett’s contract and stomached Abreu’s salary. But why would they do that if they could save much more in a deal with the Pirates, then sign a guy like Raul Ibanez on the cheap?
Not sure it makes much sense, but hey, it’s not my place to decide.
– Alden
Moreno: “We should be a highly competitive team”
The countdown now stands at eight. In eight days, Angels pitchers and catchers are slated to report to the club’s Spring Training complex in Tempe, Ariz., and several important position players — well, at least Albert Pujols and Mark Trumbo — will file in at about the same time.
The Angels have been quiet for a while, with the last big signing being the Howie Kendrick extension of early January, but this was probably already the most successful offseason in franchise history by Dec. 8, when a couple of guys you may have heard of signed on the dotted line.
What that means with regards to what happens in 2012 and beyond? Well, that remains to be seen.
And we’ll start finding out on Feb. 19.
“I really get excited about next week, pitchers and catchers, and players coming in,” Angels owner Arte Moreno said in a phone interview on Saturday. “Everybody’s in first place right now, undefeated.”
I spoke with Arte (he told me to call him that) for a feature on Jerry Dipoto that will run next week, as the last installment of our baseball-operations series, and was able to get into the upcoming season. Here’s what he said about the club …
On not knowing anything until games are played: We won 86 [games] last year; we had a very good team. We didn’t finish some games off, and we didn’t score the runs, so what we tried to do was improve on what we have. But ultimately, we’re going to tell you what’s going on next October. Everybody’s trying to figure it out right now, but I think at the end of the day, we’re all going to see how our decision-making, our investments, etc., turned out by the end of the year. … Right now, everybody’s undefeated. But there should be a lot of optimism from everybody.
On the uber-competitive American League: On paper, I think we should be a highly competitive team. But you look at Detroit, and Detroit won their division comfortably last year, and they improved their team. With [Justin] Verlander on the front end, it’s always great. Prince [Fielder], he’s a hammer, with him and [Miguel] Cabrera. And then you look at the Yankees, maybe odds-on [favorites]. Boston, I know what happened last year, but Boston’s a very good ballclub. And Tampa, with that young pitching, and [Joe] Maddon, they play great. I’m probably missing a couple of teams, but I think it’s very competitive. You’re going to just have to play them. And I didn’t even talk about Texas, which was in the World Series the last two years. They obviously pound the ball, and they picked up the free-agent Japanese pitcher [Yu Darvish], and that’s always fun. And we get to see a lot of them in spring, which is great.
On the budding Rangers-Angels rivalry: Well, believe it or not, there are 28 other teams than the Rangers and ourselves. … But to me, you look and just say, ‘Right now, they have the brass ring, and it’s our job to try to grab it.’
On the makeup of this team: A lot of the players on our team are home grown. I’ve known a lot of them for a lot of years – in May it’ll be nine years for me – and a lot of these guys, [Kendrys] Morales and Howie Kendrick and [Erick] Aybar and [Alberto] Callaspo — even though he went away for a while, but he’s homegrown. You’ve got [Jered] Weaver and [Ervin] Santana and some of the young bullpen guys, and then [Peter] Bourjos, and we’ll see [Mike] Trout in the spring. And then [Dan] Haren and Weaver and C.J. [Wilson] all grew up in Orange County or close to Orange County.
On Kendrys Morales bouncing back: He’s a really nice young man. We signed him out of Cuba, so he’s always been one of our favorites. It’s always tough to see a kid go down on a walk-off grand slam. Holy mackerel. Game-winner. And he worked hard last year and didn’t get it done. He’s worked hard, so obviously we’d love to see him. A couple of years ago, he was vying for MVPs, so there’s a lot of power from both sides and he hits for average. That’s an important part. That was really the missing piece [last year], and Trumbo did a good job last year stepping in.
On what he expects from Kendrys: You don’t know until guys go down for Spring Training and see how he feels. What you try to do is get everybody prepared. … I tell people all the time, the fun of it is getting prepared. Everybody thinks that somebody has some kind of special mind-reading ability or something like that. But the fun of baseball is that every day is a new day and you’ve got a new game and you’ve got a new season. It’s like running three marathons. We had two teams that got in [the playoffs] on the last day of the season last year, and one of them won the World Series. So, you can write it on the paper upside-down, sideways, whatever, it doesn’t matter.
Other stuff:
* The Angels’ Top 20 prospects list was revealed today.
* Angels assistant equipment manager Shane Demmitt will compete in Round 2 of MLB Network’s game show “Baseball IQ” on Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT, against Mariners special assistant to the GM Tony Blengino. More info can be found here.
* Former Angels broadcasters Rex Hudler and Steve Physioc are joining the Royals. According to The Los Angeles Times, former baseball-operations manager Tory Hernandez is joining Scott Boras’ agency.
– Alden
Pujols vs. Prince, & other contract details
Albert Pujols – Prince Fielder. Who got the better deal? Well, it’s probably a matter of how you look at it. And for a really close look, here are some contract details filed to the Major League Baseball Players Association (thanks to colleague Spencer Fordin for passing it along) …
Pujols
* Player contract is $240M through 10 years and includes a full no-trade clause; valued by MLBPA at exactly $246,841,811. Average annual value: $24M.
* Plus, $1M per year for 10 years of personal services with the club upon retirement (can decline at any time).
* Severely backloaded — $12M in ’12, $16M in ’13, $23M in ’14, $24M in ’15, $25M in ’16, $26M in ’17, $27M in ’18, $28M in ’19, $29M in ’20, $30M in ’21.
* Up to $875K in incentives each season — $50K for All-Star team, $75K for Gold Glove; $75K for LCS MVP; $75K for Silver Slugger; $100K for WS MVP; $500K for MVP ($75K for 2nd or 3rd).
* Up to $10M for milestone accomplishments ($3M for 3,000 hits; $7M for breaking the HR record)
* Other stuff: 4 mutually-agreed-upon seats for all home games (may purchase same seats at end of contract); use of suite for 10 home games per year for Pujols Family Foundation; may purchase suite for all home games; will donate $100K per year to club charity; gets a suite on the road.
Prince
* Player contract is $214M through 9 years and includes limited no-trade protection. Average annual value: $23.8M.
* Not backloaded at all — $23M in ’12 and ’13, $24M from 2014-20.
* Plenty of incentives — $500K for MVP ($200K for 2nd through 5th, $100K for 6th through 10th); $1M for each subsequent MVP; $100K for All-Star team, or being named to Baseball America, The Sporting News or Associated Press All-Star team; $100K for Hank Aaron Award; $100K for Gold Glove; $100K for Silver Slugger; $100K for Division Series MVP; $150K for LCS MVP; $200K for WS MVP.
* Other stuff: May purchase luxury suite that includes four premium field-level seats each year; gets a suite on the road.
I think it’s pretty clear the 32-year-old Pujols got a better, bigger deal than the 27-year-old Fielder. But Scott Boras still did an impressive job with Fielder, by selling him to the needy Tigers in the final stages and managing to get a $200M contract in a year when the market wasn’t particularly ideal for high-priced first basemen. Plus, Fielder can get another contract in his mid-30s.
——-
Here’s a look at some of the details for other Angels contracts …
C.J. Wilson (5-year, $77,584,772M)
* $10M in ’12, $11M in ’13, $16M in ’14, $18M in ’15, $20M in ’16
* $2.5M signing bonus, payable between December 2011 and July 2014.
* Limited no-trade protection.
* Incentives: $50K for All-Star, $75K for Gold Glove, $75K for LCS MVP, $100K for WS MVP, $150K for Cy Young ($75K for 2nd through 3rd).
* Other stuff: 8 Diamond Club tickets to all events at Angel Stadium; may purchase suite at ballpark for all games started; gets a suite on the road.
Howie Kendrick (4-year, $33,494,839M)
* $4.5M in ’12, $8.75M in ’13, $9.35M in ’14, $9.5M in ’15.
* Signing bonus of $1.4M, payable between January 2012 and January 2015.
* Limited no-trade protection.
* Incentives: $50K for All-Star, $75K for Gold Glove, $75K for LCS MVP, $75K for Silver Slugger, $100K for WS MVP, $150K for MVP ($75K for 2nd through 3rd, $50K for 4th or 5th).
Erick Aybar (1-year, $5.075M)
* Incentives: $50K for All-Star, $100K for WS MVP, $75K for LCS MVP, $75K for Gold Glove, $75K for Silver Slugger, $150K for MVP ($75K for 2nd through 3rd, $50K for 4th through 5th).
Alberto Callaspo (1-year, $3.15M)
* Incentives: $50K for All-Star, $75K for Gold Glove, $75K for Silver Slugger, $75K for LCS MVP, $100K for WS MVP, $150K for MVP ($75K for 2nd through 3rd, $50K for 4th through 5th).
LaTroy Hawkins (1-year, $3M)
Incentives: $50K for All-Star, $75K for LCS MVP, $100K for WS MVP, $75K for Gold Glove, $150K for Rolaids Relief Man Award ($75K for 2nd through 3rd, $50K for 4th through 5th).
Kendrys Morales (1-year, $2.975M)
* Incentives: $50K for 550 PA; $50K for All-Star, $75K for Silver Slugger, $75K for Gold Glove, $75K for LCS MVP, $100K for WS MVP, $150K for MVP ($75K for 2nd through 3rd, $50K for 4th through 5th).
Jerome Williams (1-year, $820K)
Incentives: $20K for 16 GS, $20K for 19 GS, $20K for 22 GS, $20K for 25 GS, $20K for 28 GS, $20K for 31 GS, $20K for 35 games pitched overall, $20K for 40 G, $20K for 45 G, $20K for 50 G, $20K for 55 G, $20K for 60 G (no more than $120K can be earned in performance bonuses, though).
– Alden
Walden, on Year 2 as closer: “I think I have a way better understanding of what it takes”
The Blue Jays’ signing of Francisco Cordero on Tuesday pretty much made it official. Barring an unforeseen trade, you can be almost sure that Jordan Walden will go into the season as the Angels’ closer, a sentiment general manager Jerry Dipoto continually sounded in favor of throughout the offseason. Dipoto would still like to upgrade the bullpen, and a source said he has at least tendered a formal offer to Luis Ayala, but there aren’t really any closers left in the free-agent market (unless you consider Brad Lidge one at this point, which you probably shouldn’t).
The Angels, for good reason, see a lot of promise in the 24-year-old, hard-throwing right-hander, who showed flashes of dominance but also experienced his share of ups and downs as a rookie in 2011.
Walden joined Angels Talk on AM 830 KLAA on Wednesday and said he has already begun throwing almost on an everyday basis in his native Texas. Here are the highlights of his conversation with host Terry Smith …
On his rookie season …
“It was just a great experience, and I learned a lot from last year. Early on in my career in that role as a closer, I was a rookie, I hadn’t been on the road trips, I was new to all the stadiums, it was all of those things. So now I’m going into a new year, knowing what it takes to be at that level.”
On being more prepared for the role this year …
“Being more comfortable, you know? Being there, saying, ‘I’ve already pitched here.’ I’m going to be a lot more relaxed, and just knowing mentally what I have to do and physically knowing what I have to do to withstand a long season.”
On pitches he’s integrating to his fastball-slider mix …
“Last year I showed bits and pieces of my changeup, but I think going into spring, getting into the games in spring, I’m really going to try to focus on trying to throw my changeup in games and getting a feel for it in game situations, because you can sit in the bullpen and throw a changeup all day, but once you get in a game and have a hitter up there, it’s a lot different.”
On the Angels having confidence in him as their closer …
“Oh it’s huge. [Manager Mike] Scioscia having that confidence in me and everybody, especially with the great team that we’re going to have this year. It’s a big role, and I’m just looking forward to it. I’m excited.”
On the toughest part of being a big league closer …
“Just being able to pitch three days, making sure you have your good stuff every night. If not, you know, sometimes you’re going to be off, but when you’re off, you have to make sure you get people out. You have to find ways. I’ve still got learning to do, but I think I have a way better understanding of what it takes.”
On the Angels bringing in Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson …
“Oh man, I was blown away. I never thought that would happen this season. I’m just excited for Spring Training, to meet some new people and have a new little team.”
On how he found out about the moves …
“I woke up and my phone had like 15 missed calls, 15 text messages, and I was just like, ‘Why is everybody calling me?’ And everybody was texting me and I was just like, ‘No way.’ Then when I turned the TV on and they signed CJ Wilson, so it was just like, ‘Wow.’”
Other stuff …
* MLB.com will unveil their Top 100 Prospects on MLB Network at 7 p.m. PT Hint: Mike Trout made the list.
* MLB Network will feature an interview with Mike Scioscia, Joe Maddon, Ron Roenicke and Bud Black on Friday at 6 p.m.
* And here’s a blog post with an update on the Luis Ayala situation.
– Alden
Angels, Pujols fit for prime time
At the very least, the Angels will make two appearances on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. They’ll probably make more, since the maximum amount of times teams are allowed to be on is five.
But in announcing part of its “Sunday Night Baseball Presented by Taco Bell” schedule on Wednesday, ESPN listed the Angels twice — when they play the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 15, and when they play the Rangers in Arlington on May 13. The Yankees and Rangers — which, in case you hadn’t heard, just added Yu Darvish — were listed three times in the recently released schedule, which covers only partly through July 15.
Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona will debut in the Sunday Night booth this year, ESPN wrote, alongside play-by-play commentator Dan Shulman and analyst Orel Hershiser.
ESPN still has a lot left to finalize its schedule. It’s still missing five Sundays between June 3 and July 1, and 11 Sundays between July 22 and Sept. 23. Talking to MLB.com in December, vice president of programming Mike Ryan said ESPN would look to maximize its Angels coverage because they fit their quota now that Albert Pujols is on board.
“Certainly, Albert takes the Angels to an entirely new level,” Ryan said. “We’re in the business of bringing Major League Baseball to a national audience. In order to do that, we need to have competitive teams – the Angels have been competitive. We generally have success with teams from a large market — and the Angels are from a large market, obviously. And then we look to, if we have those two factors, we then consider the marketable stars, the recogizable stars. And the Angels have been competitive, they’re in a big market and they have recognizable stars.”
Game selections for the remainder of the season will be made three weeks (for all remaining June and July games) or two weeks (for August and September) in advance.
Alden Gonzalez
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