disarcina

like all players he dropped off a bit in his later years and with Vlad it was probably more noticeable because he never was one for doing things in textbook fashion -- he never 'went by the book' and that includes his bad ball hitting/ poor pitch selection -- he made up for all that with his pure athleticism and skill. So when the bat speed slipped a bit, a lost a step a-foot and this throwing arm was no longer the rocket it once was -- it was perhaps more noticeable than with your traditional player who may be able to adjust better. But the smile never wavered and I remember that base hit up the middle to win that playoff game in his last season with us. And then he signed with Texas -- a ball park and a team that was just made for where his skills were at that point. A division rival he just tortured the Halos at the plate -- all with a smile -- I don't think Vladdy is capable of summoning up ill will towards anyone -- he had that just killer first half of the season before tailing off the second half. His time here marked the era of the greatest sustained success for the Halos -- and - you are right -- Halos fans got spoiled -- it just became assumed we'd win the AL West each year. I'm glad he's the FIRST HALO in the HOF -- I hope they captured his high wattage smile on his plaque. It certainly takes away the sting of seeing Nolan Ryan wearing another uniform..........Vladdy wanted to go in as a Halo. That means a lot.

blood brother reports we sent 1.8 million bucks to Boston all of a sudden - the deal not as good as it was...........oh well. I thought we got two serviceable / club control arms / who might or might not be able to make the roster next year PLUS salary savings on Kinsler ---oh well.

blood brother is reading the Cowart situation correctly - IMO. August/ September may be a show case for him -- part of an off-season package to somewhere.

well Kinsler has a rep for good D -- and we are up among the team leaders in DPs this season - I attribute that to Simmons. Kinsler's been OK -- I expected more I guess -- and -- perhaps - I just happened to see the game(s) where he booted the ball. good pick up for Boston. Late inning defense, can pinch hit (especially in sac bunt situations) pinch run, vet presence. and we get two pen depth guys who will probably get a look in September and then again in March in Tempe.

pen depth -- could make club next season. I'm OK with it. more than I expected we'd get.

we got both guys? that's pretty good. for Kinsler? better than getting ZERO. that's where it was headed if we kept him.

I keep expecting Kole to dealt before 4 PM EST tomorrow. if that's the case - it could be a significant deal -- isn't Kole either signed through 2019 or has an option? we've discussed this before, I forget if this is contract year -- all the more reason he gets dealt -- he getting hot at the plate right now. Am sure the MLB scouts were watching.

don't expect much --- if we get a low level prospect who has even a slight chance of making the team out of ST next season -- that's worth this deal. Kinsler's value will never be higher. good deal for BoSox - get a vet at 2B for the stretch run. not been that impressed with Kinsler's D this season and that was supposed to be his strong point, I think.

'could be as simple as releasing Marte' Unless we made a deal and need a spot on the 25 or 40 man roster -- why would we release anyone right before the trade deadline and one month before rosters expand? I've seen it happen to players -- but does not really make sense. expect any deal made involving Kinsler to be very under-whelming.

why would they release Valbuena (well, he is hitting Oh for June and July) when they are paying him decent money for 2018 and it's only a month until rosters expand? fan_since 79 - apparently you didn't get the memo sent with the Maldonado deal "the season's over' trading Kinsler -- if that's what is happening before the deadline -- just makes a lot of sense. We won't get much -- two months of salary savings and perhaps a low level prospect in return.

But if he's coming up - do they yank him from the game in the first inning to catch a flight to Tampa Bay - tonight? / early tomorrow? I think he may have been dealt. If it's Cowart coming up -- does that mean Kinsler is dealt? Valbuena? We can only hope.

must be a deal -- a call up would not get him yanked out of the game,

Ten Ocho Recon Scout -- well, I don't think any regular posters on AngelsWin.com "hated' Vladdy, I mean, Vladdy was a tough guy for opponents to hate -- that smile was infectious -- everyone in the game loved Vladdy -- he made MLB better. There are not that many players (Ken Griffey Jr.) that you can say that about. This era's guy in that regard is probably Francisco Lindor........tough guy to root against -- even when your team is playing Cleveland !!

Cracker Barrel is finally coming to California -- they've avoided this state for years ---- now they've got three restaurants in California (or at least on the books to be built).

Angel Oracle -- that's great. Thanks for representing there. Hope you get to see Vlad there.

Scioscia -- good call there -- not as a player so we sort of over-looked that possibility. ok - another poll -- of the folks calling for the Halos to replace Scioscia -- how many of you will be attending his HOF induction ceremony? (I pretty sure we know that answer -- ALL of them !! If it's NEXT year post-retirement.............." LOL !! But, yeah, Scioscia deserves consideration from a managerial perspective and then if you add his playing days -- the combo makes it - not necessarily is stats, but Sosh is considered by many one of the best for blocking the plate by catchers -- a skill that has now been made illegal by the Posey Rule. Yeah , baseball is falling in popularity so let's take away one of the most exciting plays -- the OF throw to the plate with the linebacker catcher there to meet the runner with the ball. that, plus the double-play break up slide now outlawed by the Chase Utley Rule. no wonder MLB is losing fans to the NHL.

Frankie Rodriguez - K-ROD -- gotta check were he stands on the all time saves list. As the 'magic' numbers game in terms of total career numbers stats decline (as today's wealthy players play on average far fewer seasons than the HOF numbers they are chasing) -- K-Rod's numbers may look better --- especially his 62 save season (is that still the record or did that get broken already?) I was at the game where K-Rod got his 62nd save that season. It was sort of a surreal Anaheim / Angels Stadium moment. Late in the season, the Angels were pretty much out of the division race -- K-Rod was in his contract year about to become a F/A and was going to test the market and everyone knew it -- so the chance of him remaining a Halo was slim to none. So he breaks the single season saves record -- Halos fans applaud politely (like they do) but very anti-climatic type feeling. Then K-Rod tests the market -- ends up signing that off-season with the NY Mets ? (do I have that right) and switches leagues - my recollection is that he sort of lingered on the market checking offers that were no where near what he was seeking and then finally signed a one year with the NY Mets for not that much more than what the Angels were offering -- I remember thinking the difference was not that much -- he switches leagues - got off to a lousy start before unforgiving NY Mets fans (from very forgiving/ almost nonchalant Anaheim crowds to 'in your face at all times/ every turn" losing team NY Mets -- OUCH !!) He reallty was never the same pitcher since.......had moments of his old brillance but not sustained. Another guy who probably should have stayed in Anaheim -- a place where he was comfortable playing and was effective. He's out of baseball now I take it. Still fairly young. In 2002 (wow - is that really 16 years ago?) I sat near K-Rod's family in the family section in one of the ALDS games vs. Yankees when he first came up as a September call up (and then in the playoffs) when he mowed down the opposition. He was just a kid being lights out against the odds on favorite Yankees -- NY crowd complained that Halos scammed the DL rules to bring K-Rod onto the playoff roster and have a fireballer sneak attack on playoff teams who had never faced him before......and I think they were right. Halos pulled a fast one and it worked for a change.

Wee Willie Keeler - "Hit 'em where they ain't"

1-2 count on Taylor 2-2 count - Machado on deck hitter fouled off next pitch Taylor hits a seeing eye base hit.......TWO OUTS in the NINTH. Manager out to mound to take Sean Newcomb out of the game -- thunderous ovation in Atlanta.

Listening to Atlanta radio feed. Taylor up for Dogs.

it's no no -- Newcomb walked one guy earlier in the game. Bellinger up -- two strikes now -- 3-2 count. flied out - two down.

not sure about perfecto vs. no no. yeah former Halos organization guy -- first round draft pick 2014 Halos. one out. two strikes on next hitter.

LOL !! about Scott T's post re Chipper's HOF plaque -- how could HOF folks do that? How lame brain is that??? GEEZ.

At Atlanta -- heading to top of the ninth - Braves batting bottom 8 right now.

The pitcher we sent to Atlanta in the Andrelton Simmons deal is throwing ZEROs at the Dodgers right now. 8th inning.