Friday, November 19, 2004
Hello, Newman.
I was just reading about The Trade on the Angels website. Here are some choice quotes from the article by "enterprise editor for MLB.com," Mark Newman.
"Addition by subtraction is a time-honored credo throughout baseball and it certainly applies here above anything else."
There's another time-honored credo about how putting crap in a fancy box doesn't make it chocolate. A "time-honored credo throughout baseball?" I feel like I'm at a sportswriters' open mic night. Besides, addition by subtraction is only half the story as far as the Angels go. All that really says is that they benefit by getting rid of the troubled Jose Guillen. By his definition, any trade of Guillen would have been a positive move for the Angels whether it be for two bench guys, or a six-pack of Heineken. Call me crazy, Mark, but I think the Angels could have done better than Juan Rivera and Maicer "the other" Izturis.
"Rivera provides depth in the outfield."
Chone Figgins, Jeff DaVanon, and the presumed acquisition-yet-to-come weren't enough?
"...he was known to make fundamental mistakes (in the outfield)."
Well why didn't you say so?!
"It is intriguing to imagine (Maicer Izturis) playing short for the Angels while his fast-rising older brother starts for the nearby Dodgers."
Color me intrigued! Maybe we can hire Mrs. Izturis in some administrative capacity! Then we have twice as many Izturis's as the Dodgers! I know the Angels are in the midst of trying to outdo the Dodgers in Southern California popularity, but is signing lesser skilled siblings of Dodger players really the best way to do it? "Hey, come watch the Angels! You love Cezar Izturis, now come see Maicer!" The Angels may very well be the A-Team, but you're reducing them to a damn B-movie.
"Izturis hit .206 with a home run and four RBIs and didn't display the same defensive ability that he showed during Spring Training."
Well, that's okay, defense doesn't really matter during the regular season anyway. Seriously, why do we need this guy? Does he not sound like a perfect clone of Alfredo Amezaga--minus some of the defense?
I don't mean to sound bitter. Is this trade a disaster for the Angels? Not exactly. Is it going to swing their season one way or the other? Probably not, assuming Stoneman follows through on the other moves he's alluded to. I guess I just feel the Angels could have and should have gotten more for a cheap, young, slugging stud like Guillen. Now we'll never know. One thing is for sure though, if you're looking for a saleman or just somebody to tell you how getting killed in a trade was actually a good thing, Mark Newman is your man. I'd love to see his fantasy team.
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"Addition by subtraction is a time-honored credo throughout baseball and it certainly applies here above anything else."
There's another time-honored credo about how putting crap in a fancy box doesn't make it chocolate. A "time-honored credo throughout baseball?" I feel like I'm at a sportswriters' open mic night. Besides, addition by subtraction is only half the story as far as the Angels go. All that really says is that they benefit by getting rid of the troubled Jose Guillen. By his definition, any trade of Guillen would have been a positive move for the Angels whether it be for two bench guys, or a six-pack of Heineken. Call me crazy, Mark, but I think the Angels could have done better than Juan Rivera and Maicer "the other" Izturis.
"Rivera provides depth in the outfield."
Chone Figgins, Jeff DaVanon, and the presumed acquisition-yet-to-come weren't enough?
"...he was known to make fundamental mistakes (in the outfield)."
Well why didn't you say so?!
"It is intriguing to imagine (Maicer Izturis) playing short for the Angels while his fast-rising older brother starts for the nearby Dodgers."
Color me intrigued! Maybe we can hire Mrs. Izturis in some administrative capacity! Then we have twice as many Izturis's as the Dodgers! I know the Angels are in the midst of trying to outdo the Dodgers in Southern California popularity, but is signing lesser skilled siblings of Dodger players really the best way to do it? "Hey, come watch the Angels! You love Cezar Izturis, now come see Maicer!" The Angels may very well be the A-Team, but you're reducing them to a damn B-movie.
"Izturis hit .206 with a home run and four RBIs and didn't display the same defensive ability that he showed during Spring Training."
Well, that's okay, defense doesn't really matter during the regular season anyway. Seriously, why do we need this guy? Does he not sound like a perfect clone of Alfredo Amezaga--minus some of the defense?
I don't mean to sound bitter. Is this trade a disaster for the Angels? Not exactly. Is it going to swing their season one way or the other? Probably not, assuming Stoneman follows through on the other moves he's alluded to. I guess I just feel the Angels could have and should have gotten more for a cheap, young, slugging stud like Guillen. Now we'll never know. One thing is for sure though, if you're looking for a saleman or just somebody to tell you how getting killed in a trade was actually a good thing, Mark Newman is your man. I'd love to see his fantasy team.
# posted by j.h.k. @ 6:23 PM 
