Quote:
Originally Posted by Chief Rum
I disagree with the talent how you put it here. There's some thought that Richards is better than Skaggs. If they're both up and coming, that's four-fifths solid pitching, and Santiago isn't bad either, although he didn't look it last night. I agree that the pen continues to be an issue, but I have always felt if there is one area that is always ripe for mismanagement, it is the pen. And the Angels have had some good relief guys go to crap here. It happens far too often, really. I have seen some very strange moves from Scioscia over the years with the pen, going to the wrong guy at the wrong time or pulling a guy too soon or too late.
As for the lineup, if guys consistently under perform, you have to start looking at management. The underperformance of hitters in Anaheim has cost two hitting coaches their jobs the past three seasons. At some point, you have start looking at the manager. And he has made odd lineup decisions and relied too much on old school thinking at times, and with his over-emphasis on defense at some spots, like catcher. Having a defense first guy in the lineup is fine--if he's at least within a whisker of league average hitting. If he's riding the Mendoza line, no defense is worth that. Scioscia also isn't much for plate discipline. Very much a hit to make contact guy, which lowers the OBP and increases strikeouts. None of this helps the offense (which nonetheless manages to get runs in spite of this because of the talent in the lineup).
It sounds like I can't stand Scioscia and that's not true at all. I think he's a terrific players manager, and he definitely brings value to the clubhouse. But at some point, something has to give and if your team is looking at a fourth or fifth straight poor start to the season and the fifth straight year not making the playoffs in the country's #2 media market, you're not doing your job.
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OK, You yourself said the lineup finished 7th in runs scored last year which is a minor miracle when you consider it was Trout and a log of guys sucking badly. Is he sitting a silver slugger catcher that I've missed or is he playing the best catcher on the team? I liked Ianneta as a Rockie, but he's not exactly a bomber. As for the pitching, he's throwing out the best arms he has to work with.
If Pujos and Hamilton were joining Trout in making the team a murderers row and they still weren't winning, I'd throw blame at the manager. The reality is the team isn't very good. If Hamilton and Pujos don't start hitting, that isn't going to change. I don't care who the manager is.