Comments on: The new Angels are smarter than the old Rockies

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:21:19 +0000

Ironically enough, the last time they ripped off an NL West team, it was their current GM getting the short end of the stick. Maybe Moreno promised him a cushy gig if he gift-wrapped Haren for them?

By: sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo

sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:08:16 +0000

Good for Ianetta. He goes from playing behind the inferior Olivo to playing behind the vastly inferior Mathis.

Unless the Angels can discover and cure whatever disease Scioscia has that causes him to value Mathis over far superior players, this move won’t make much difference.

By: clydeserra

clydeserra — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:42:48 +0000

I agree with all of this, although I am not so convinced his 69 innings in AA ND 20 IN AAA define him. He shouldn’t have been in the majors last year.

I just question the piece in general that giving up a fomer top 100 pitcher for one year of a 3 WAR catcher when others were freely available is a way smarter move than trading two years of a catcher for 5 years of a potential back end starter and signing a 2 WAR catcher for less money.

To me, the rockies treaded water at catcher for less money and added a guy with promise. The worst I would call it is a wash.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:37:07 +0000

If that means Japan or Philly….I’ll take Philly….better food….and it won’t take me as long to learn to speak the language.

By: purnellmeagrejr

purnellmeagrejr — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:34:30 +0000

paperlions – you’ve been traded for Halladaysbicepts – you can either accept the trade or try your luck in Japan.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:00:47 +0000

That’s okay, I simultaneously shake my head and roll my eyes at nearly every one of your posts, which could result in a strained neck or eye muscle if I’m not careful, potentially severely affecting my CAR (comments above replacement) for the next season.

By: purnellmeagrejr

purnellmeagrejr — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:50:17 +0000

“The upgrade from Jeff Mathis to Iannetta behind the plate should net them three wins or so next year.” I had to laugh when I got to this line – MattP really, really believes in fancy stats – to me it seemed like – “When I get to Heaven, as a result of the sacrifices I’ve made here on earth, I expect one of the better spots.” I mean it’s possible the upgrade will result in three more wins – but it’s also possible the new pickup will strain an oblique, lose a month to mononucleosis, have vision issues, – etc. These statistics like WAR are not accurate predictors of an individuals performance – they only work over a larger sample. As I’ve always said – out of a hundred people scientists know 2 will be millionaires- one will be a murderer, three will be teachers – but they don’t know which ones!

By: paperlions

paperlions — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:31:08 +0000

Starters that both walk and strike out about 5 per 9 IP aren’t worth much. Now, he may improve on those numbers…but there is nothing in his minor league record to suggest that he will, and he most certainly won’t pitching 1/2 his games in Coors. He looks like a back end starter or long-reliever; no plus pitch, no 3rd pitch. He is still young, but he had no business being in the majors last year, and he hasn’t shown anything above high A.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:21:56 +0000

And this is why I shouldn’t post when I’m tired. I misread your post. My bad.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:20:53 +0000

You’re right, we should really factor in the guy who struck out nearly 5 times as much as he walked in AA, which is painful when he doesn’t hit for average or walk much to begin with. And then on top of that, he showed he wasn’t major league ready by striking out 20 times in 57 PA. Compared to 2 walks over that time.

He would and has been eaten alive by major league pitching. He’s a non-factor.

By: clydeserra

clydeserra — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:36:51 +0000

So you think one guaranteed year of Ianetta is better that a 22 year old pitcher with about a year of service time?

OK.

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:02:40 +0000

I completely agree with that. The only way I see them not actually paying him $100 mil+ is if they continue to be distracted by wanting to overpay for some centerfielder either through trade (BJ Upton) or through free agency (Yoenis Cespedes).

By: mjay424

mjay424 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:04:35 +0000

The Rockies get Hernandez, who they think will be an improvement with his batting average and give Wilin Rosario more time to develop (which Rosario absolutely needs). In Chatwood, the Rockies are likely getting, at worst, a solid middle reliever, and possibly a decent no. 4 or 5 starter. He had 25 starts in 2011 as a rookie, a young one, had showed very good results in 7 starts. That’s a start. He has poor control, is not a strikeout pitcher and he must learn to be a thinking man’s pitcher as well as refine his pitches. The Rockies gave up on Iannetta. They could have done worse with the return they received.

Rockies’ Analyst (google)

By: Curt Anderson

Curt Anderson — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:27:24 +0000

Ianetta was supposed to be the next great thing ever since his stint in the WBC. Never happened, and a change of scenery will be good for him. Rosario will be a fixture sooner rather than later and Chatwood might find a home in the 4 or 5 spot or the bullpen. Hernandez provides insurance and a good bat off the bench.

By: boston25rocketman

boston25rocketman — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:51:06 +0000

Hopefully he finds a spot, seems to have a nice bat. For Coors anyways.

By: mondogarage

mondogarage — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:35:10 +0000

Right now, Pacheco probably profiles more as an eventual super utility guy, getting more work at 2B and 3B than behind the plate.

By: lewp

lewp — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:25:58 +0000

I think the Nationals are the only team foolish enough to pay C.J. 100 M.

By: lyon810

lyon810 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:17:14 +0000

Hey Matt, you’re going to look really dumb when my Angels shell out for CJ Wilson. Jokes on you!

By: jimatkins

jimatkins — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:55:46 +0000

Please, please let this be the beginning of the end for Jeff Mathis, the steaming crater at the end of the Halo batting order. That being said, we still have a steaming crater named Vernon Wells up towards the top, so things still have a long way to go.

By: boston25rocketman

boston25rocketman — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:50:37 +0000

Where do the Rox see Jordan Pacheco? Is he good enough behind the plate to get regular action there or will he be seeing time elsewhere.

By: Matthew Pouliot

Matthew Pouliot — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:38:15 +0000

He’s 22, and for all of his defensive promise, I really doubt he’ll be an asset next year. I know he’s in the Rockies’ plans for the near-term. I just don’t think he should be.

By: jelatin18

jelatin18 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:28:05 +0000

In evaluating the Rockies thinking on trading Ianetta, please feel free to completely ignore Wilin Rosario.

By: lyon810

lyon810 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:11:02 +0000

The Halos rip off yet another NL West team