The end of the 2009 Major League Baseball season marked the fifth American League West division title for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the past six years.

The Angels proceeded to surprise baseball fans by easily handling the tough Boston Red Sox in the divisional round of last season’s playoffs, only to be ousted by the mighty New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, as their path to the World Series was cut short by a baseball super power.

Everyone in baseball knew that the Angels would be busy in the off-season as staff ace John Lackey, slugger Vladimir Guerrero, speedster Chone Figgins & bullpen stalwart Darren Oliver were all set to hit the free agent market.

The question floating in the minds of the baseball world was if the Angels would retain these notable players or go another route.

The Angels decided to let all four players walk.

Lackey signed a five year, $82.5 million deal with the Boston Red Sox.

The Angels loss of last season's ace John Lackey to the Boston Red Sox could be immense.

Vladimir Guerrero & Darren Oliver departed to the Texas Rangers on one-year deals with option years for $6.5 million and $3.5 million respectively.

Figgins signed a four-year deal with an option for a fifth year with the Seattle Mariners for $36 million.

The Angels general manager Tony Reagins countered the loss of these four key players with free agent additions.

Reagins signed aging slugger Hideki Matsui to fill the designated hitter void left by the departure of Guerrero; signed starter Joel Pineiro to fill the rotation void left by Lackey and added depth to the bullpen with the addition of former Detroit Tigers closer Fernando Rodney.

Reagins also signed Bobby Abreu to a new two year contract worth $19 million, while extending infielder Maicer Izturis to three-years at $10 million and sent outfielder Gary Matthews Jr., along with $21.5 million to the New York Mets for reliever Brian Stokes.

The Angels were in the running for outfielders Jason Bay & Matt Holliday, but a deal never came to fruition.

The Angels did not acquire a third baseman to replace Chone Figgins via the free agent market, opting to give Brandon Wood a much deserved look as the team’s starter. Wood has been listed as a top prospect in the Angels system for quite some time now, never having played more than 24 games in a season at the Major League level.

Will Brandon Wood finally prove he can succeed at the Major League level?

The Angels spent a total of $52 million on the contracts of Abreu, Pineiro, Matsui & Rodney in what turned out to be a weak off-season for the Angels according to baseball analysts.

The additions all seemed to be above market value for what the Angels got in return.

Abreu was impressive in his first season as an Angel proving his aging body is still durable playing in 152 games for the Halos with a stat line of .293, 15HR, 103RBI, 30SB, .390OBP

Abreu’s style of play fit in well with manager Mike Scioscia’s small ball antics.

Abreu also provided an upbeat, winning personality to the team clubhouse, which makes a big difference although it goes unnoticed most of the time, as the baseball world revolves around statistics.

The fine year by Abreu earned him a two-year deal, but can the aging veteran who turns 36 one day from now continue playing up to the level of a season ago?

The additions of Pineiro, Matsui & Rodney are all big question marks.

Pineiro is coming off a career season with the St.Louis Cardinals, going 15-12 with a 3.49ERA pitching in 214 innings.

Pineiro was transformed into a sinker ball, ground ball out pitcher by pitching guru Dave Duncan in St.Louis.

Pineiro signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Angels as they hope that he can fit in with rotation starters from a year ago Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Scott Kazmir & Ervin Santana.

Pineiro is a risky choice for the Angels as they are banking that he will be able to pitch like he did last season without the tutelage of Dave Duncan, who is known throughout baseball circles for getting more out of pitchers than expected.

The Pineiro signing is a gamble for the Angels.

The Angels also gambled on Hideki Matsui.

Matsui was brought in to fill the designated hitter’s void.

Matsui had a great postseason earning the MVP award in last season’s World Series while having a decent year for the Yankees hitting 28HR with 90RBI and an average of .274

The gamble on Matsui is of the low risk nature as he was only signed to a one-year deal worth $6 million.

If Matsui’s knees can hold up for the entire 162 game season he should produce for the Angels out of the DH spot. His patience at the plate fits in well with the offensive approach of the Angels.

There has been some talk floating around the rumour mill that the Angels may try out Matsui in left field, but with the aging sluggers frequent knee problems that might not be a good idea. The possibility of Matsui playing the outfield may bring tears from heaven in Halo land when one of his surgical repaired knees blows out while attempting to play left.

The largest gamble the Angels took this off-season is on Rodney.

Although Rodney saved 37 games in 38 chances for the Tigers last season, he was a human heart attack in the ninth inning nearly blowing an unprecedented amount of leads.

Rodney gives up a lot of runs (4.40ERA) for a closer, as well as hits (70 in 75.2IP).

Some folks in the baseball world compare the Rodney signing to the Brian Fuentes signing of last season. Both pitchers have high save totals, but struggle more often than not in the late innings.

The Rodney signing is surely not worth $11 million over two years, but the Angels took the risk.

How big of a financial risk is Fernando Rodney?

The late inning combination of Rodney & Fuentes could leave Angels fans with possible cardiac arrests as important late game situations arise.

One good thing the Angels managed to purge themselves of in the off-season was the terrible contract of Gary Matthews Jr, as they shipped the little used outfielder, along with $21.5 million to cover some of his remaining contract, to the Mets.

The Angels are now solidified in the outfield with Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter & Juan Rivera with Reggie Willits projected as the fourth outfielder.

The Angels feature a rock solid pitching rotation headed by Jered Weaver along with Joe Saunders, Scott Kazmir, Ervin Santana & Pineiro.

The Angels have a projected 2010 starting line-up as follows:

1. Erick Aybar, SS
2. Bobby Abreu, RF
3. Kendry Morales, 1B
4. Torii Hunter, CF
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Juan Rivera, LF
7. Howie Kendrick, 2B
8. Mike Napoli, C
9. Brandon Wood, 3B

The Angels will also feature a solid bench with Willits as its fourth outfielder, Maicer Izturis as a super utility player, Jeff Mathis sharing the catching duties with Napoli and possibly the return of first baseman Robb Quinlan who is battling for a spot on the team in Spring Training.

The Angels bullpen is not what it once was, but is still dependable.

The loss of Francisco Rodriguez in the closer’s role was supplemented with the addition of Fuentes last season.

The Angels have Rodney in the set-up role and as a possible closer in waiting if Fuentes struggles.

Kevin Jepsen should be a part of the bullpen as he pitched well for the squad last season in only his second year of pro ball.

Jason Bulger will most certainly make a return, after pitching to a 3.56ERA in 64 appearances last season, allowing only 46 hits in 65.2IP.

Sean O’Sullivan started numerous games for the Angels last season so he may earn a long relief role if he pitches well in spring.

The same could be said for Matt Palmer who was 11-2 as an Angel last season with a 3.93ERA in 40 games, 13 of which were starts.

Finally, the once dominant Scot Shields could round out the Angels bullpen. Shields struggled last season posting a career high 6.62ERA in 20 appearances walking 15 batters in 17.2IP.

I doubt the Angels have given up on Shields just yet, as he has been a formidable late inning man for them for years. If Shields could return to his successful form, he could be a very valuable asset for the Angels out of the pen.

The Angels do not look improved on paper, but still feature a small ball style of play that teams find hard to contend with as well as a solid rotation across the board.

They also have one of the best managers and coaching staffs in the game with manager Mike Scioscia, pitching coach Mike Butcher, hitting coach Mickey Hatcher as well as Alfredo Griffin, Dino Ebel, Ron Roenicke & Orlando Mercado in coaching roles.

The Angels will most likely have a tougher time this season as opposed to years past of retaining their division as division rivals in Seattle, Texas & Oakland have improved, however the Angels should be in close contention throughout the season, with a possible repeat as AL West champions in their sights.

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The Major League Baseball draft will never have the hype that the NFL draft has and never will, but there are a few ways that it can make it slightly more attractive to fans. Also, here are some impressions from the Angels draft

First off, here are a few suggestions for Major League Baseball:

Split the Draft

Have two drafts, one for college players and one for high school players. If MLB did this it would be able to hype up the college players during the College World Series. The first draft, for the high school players, would be around the same time and the second would be after the College World Series is over.

This would help fans know who the player is that a team is drafting and maybe help make the MLB draft slightly more exciting and more draft picks would be at the draft.

Have a combine and televise it

The NFL does this very well, it has a week of straight NFL coverage and this gives fans the opportunity to get to know the players.

The MLB Network is the perfect place to air this and there could be events that showcase the skills of the players. Baseball could have a home run hitting contest, which is the most exciting part of the All-Star game, and finish it up with a few “future star” type of games.

Move the draft back to the off-season

This would give true baseball junkies a fix during the boring baseball off-season. Even with football dominating the airwaves in November there are people that need a little baseball during those times.

While teams usually sign their draft picks and put them right into the system, this change would be beneficial to teams. During the off-season they could sign players without the pressure that comes with getting the dart picks into the system immediately and it would help ease the transition from high school or college into the pros.

These changes are not very likely, however one or combination a couple might help hype the draft up slightly and get fans more involved.

Unlike in the NFL, It takes years for a player to develop and become big league baseball players. In the MLB draft there might be one player that is ready right away for the big team and in the NFL draft most first round picks see significant playing time their first season. So, maybe no matter what the MLB draft will never be as good as the NFL or NBA versions but it could at least give it a shot.

Now to the Angels draft.

They picked up a few good athletes in the first round and added some much needed depth in the outfield along with added a few quality arms in the first round.

Michael Trout, the Angels second pick in the first round, if nothing else looks the part. He is touted as a five-tool athlete, which is what a team is supposed to pick in the first round, and has the potential to be the center fielder of the future. It will probably take 3 to 4 years for him to get to the majors, but the Angels have Torii Hunter and will be able to bring Trout along slowly.

In the supplemental portion of the first round the Angels selected three pitcher and every team could use more pitching depth. Tyler Skaggs, a left-handed pitcher for Santa Monica High School, has the body and pitches to develop into a major league pitcher. Another benefit he has is that he is a lefty and every team needs a good lefty at worst he can fit in a specialist at the major league level.

With the pitching now solidified with the return of Ervin Santana, John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar, the Angeles now need to turn their focus to the offense.

Howie Kendrick has been touted as the next big, but has been very disappointing this season, and in past seasons he has been prone to injuries. There needs to be a change made now.

One possible solution is recalling Brandon Wood and sending down Kendrick.

The Angels could move Chone Figgins to second and insert Wood at third.

Wood is a legitimate home run hitter and could possibly turn into a 30-plus home guy. And with a serious lack of power in the Angels offense he might be able to provide the team with a much needed boost in that department.

If the Angels are to compete in a league with the Texas Rangers they must find some more offensive fire power.

If you send down Kendrick down to minors maybe he could get his confidence back and they could move him to left field. And let‘s face it he will never be a gold glove type of second basemen. Adjusting to a new position is best done in the minors.

This helps the Angels not just for now, but the future of the team as well.

The serious lack of depth in the outfield should be a major concern because the entire outfield is getting older will need to be replaced very soon.

Bobby Abreu will probably be around for only this season and Vladimir Guerrero is aging and will be best served as a DH.

Kendrick can return to the big team next season as the left fielder.

And then there is Figgins. The Angels must find a spot for him and with Wood proving himself in the minors, second is the best fit for Figgins.

They need his bat and speed in the lineup, so they must find a permanent place for him.

This might not be the best solution for a team that has not had any power in the lineup besides Torii Hunter, but why not give it a try? At least until the All Star break.

For a team that is built on pitching and defense this season has, at least so far, been a major let down.

Yes the Los Angeles Angels have had injuries to their starting rotation but the starters are not the ones killing this team; the relievers are. If something is not done soon to help the bullpen the Angels will be out of the picture before the All-Star break.

At the beginning of the season, the team was supposed to have a great bullpen but that has not yet come to fruition.

The loss of Francisco Rodriguez after last season to the New York Mets is killing the Angels bullpen.

While you can make an argument that it was the right call the signing of Brain Fuentes was not.

When you have a guys like Scott Shields and Jose Arredondo, you really don’t need to sign a guy that is starting to get up there in years.

He has had solid seasons in the past but damn, Arredondo might be the next great closer in a long line of great closer the Angels have had. Granted he might not be ready but you still have Shields, guy who has been one the best set-up men in baseball over the past six seasons.

And one more guy the Angels need to drop from their bullpen is Justin Speier. What has he done since he has been in Anaheim? He had one good season, in 2007, but since then he has given up the lead more often than not.

Please Mike Scioscia just stop using him he is horrible.

Once John Lackey and Ervin Santana come back,  the Angels need to just release Speier and go with some young guys who might have a future even if it isn’t right now.

It’s tragic anytime a life is taken early, but for this 22 year old man to have worked so hard to finally fulfill his dream of becoming a major league ballplayer only to have it taken away from him, and by an alleged drunk driver is definitely a shame.

Angels general manager Tony Reagins released this statement in a story posted on the Angels website:

“The Angels family has suffered a tremendous loss today, we are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nick’s family, friends’ loved ones and fans.”

TMZ.com is reporting that tonights Angels game has been cancelled.  I haven’t confirmed this anywhere else, but just a heads up to all the fans with tickets for tonights game.  Check out TMZ.com for more information on the story as it develops.

It’s been kept quiet and under wraps, but word is slowly seeping out of Angels camp the Rally Monkey and Angels are at an impasse.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity a source from the monkey’s representation said, “Hey, he loves being with the Angels and wants nothing more than the situation to be resolved, but it’s time for the Angels to give him fair market value.” “The monkey started his career with and would like to finish his career with the Angels, but if the Angels don’t step up to the plate and make a long-term commitment, it might be time to move on.” Apparently the the Angels are offering a 2 year deal with incentives based on comeback wins. The Rally Monkey camp thoughts are he’s paid his dues, he’s in his prime, he’s been great with the community and a consummate team player. He’s looking for a long-term deal at $7 million a year.

The fact that word is hitting the street has angered Angel management, because negotiations should be handled behind closed doors and not in the media. Rumors are spreading that negotiations have become so contentious that the Angels have been exploring possibly trading the monkey for a mascot. Some potential name being tossed around are Homer from the Atlanta Braves, Firebird from the St. Louis Cardinals, Gapper from the Cincinnati Reds, but the name with the most interest is Phillie Phanatic.

Tweaking the name would be a slight issue, but with the large Hispanic community supporting the Angels everyone is leaning towards is Feugo Phanatic. It might make sense if the impasse can’t be resolved, he’s coming off a championship season and his popularity is at an all time high. With Coles’ elbow under question, the Phillies just might need to Rally Monkey’s wins this year if they plan to repeat.

Fans will complain when there is too much change because they’re favorites might be gone.  They will also complain when there is too little change.  What they want is balance, meaning the players they’re screaming at every game to do something and never do are removed, and their favorites that make them follow the team are kept.  The problem is that the list is different for every fan, so you’ll never make everyone happy. I look at the offseason with an open mind.  I trust that the owners and the managers are just as much fans of their team as I, and that their ultimate goal for the team is the same: win the World Series.

So back to my original question, is change for the sake of change and nothing else bad?  I’m under the opinion that a little bit of change in a team’s roster each year is healthy, regardless of how well or not well the team performed the prior year.

By the end of a season you know exactly what your team’s weaknesses and strengths are and thus each game begins to be a little predictable.  If no changes were made during the offseason and your favorite team stayed exactly the same, would you be as excited for the new year?  Take that question a step further. Your team made it all the way to the World Series and won, would you still be excited for the same team next year?

So far, offseason trade excitement hasn’t been very exciting, in fact I would go as far as to say it’s been disappointing.  From what I can tell the Angels were completely satisfied with their 2008 team, so much so they seem to be interested in keeping it together for 2009, with few exceptions.  Two big exceptions are Garret Anderson and Francisco Rodriguez.  For Anderson they chose not to renew his contract and for Rodriguez.. well they got outbid by the Mets.

This week the Angels announced that they offerred Mark Teixeira an eight year contract, terms haven’t been disclosed.  I’ll admit, getting rid of Teixeira isn’t a change I want to see happen, but eight years is a long time to commit to any player.  I’m excited knowing that the Angels have realized they need to build this team around a new superstar, but I’m nervous for such a long contract.  Their last big superstar was Vladimir Guerrero, and the contract they offered him was only four years.  Since signing Guerrero back in 2004, long term contracts seem to be the norm with players expecting them.  In my opinion they’re bad business, they put teams at too much risk financially.  What do you think?

Chris: We should put up a post on k-rod for the Angels site, check out this article
That’s gotta be pretty big news in Angels land.

Brian: That sucks for the Angels

Chris: I don’t know, I think he is over rated

Brian: 60 saves in a season?
how do you overrate that?

Chris:Against shitty AL West teams

Brian: ok, but that number is still huge
listen, I hate the guy
prancing around up on the mound like he just stormed Normandy

Chris: It’s big but that’s what I mean, put someone like Trevor Hoffman on that team last year same thing if not more saves.

Brian: maybe. . . well the article says they might pursue Manny now if they can’t get Tex

Chris: What I hate is that the Angels made him offers, but he thinks his shit don’t stink and he wants more.
Yeah I read that.

Brian: Boras represent him?

Chris: More competition for the Dodgers.
Not sure.

Brian: well, definitely seems like the Angels are gonna start a downward slide

Chris: Anyways probably a good article to write.

Brian: maybe we just did

Chris: HAHA yep

Talk to any former college athlete, skiing instructor, or pseudo-Olympic contender working corporate in a marketing department, and the story is always the same: “I would have been a monster. . . OH. . . but my knee.”

“Oh. . . but my herniated disc.”

“Oh. . . but my torn ACL after Bernard Pollard ended my season.”

And tonight, the Angels do it as a team. “Oh, but my squeeze play.” The only 100 win team in baseball goes home to play golf, and the Red Sox move on to play the extremely lethal Rays.

K-Rod can work on a new celebration dance, yelling at the sky and shaking his fist with a huge sense of empowerment.

And now that I’ve talked all the smack I’m allowed on here, I’d like to offer my congratulations to the Angels for an amazing season. Texeira and Guerrero made me pace in the bar every time they came to bat during this series. . . Figgins induced sweaty palms, and K-Rod, crazy dance or not, was just damn intimidating.

I’m glad the Sox don’t have to play the Angels any more this season. . . they made me mental.

The game in my opinion should not have even been close, nor should the Angels have let it go twelve innings. The Angels are again having problems scoring runs, with sixteen hits last night they stranded sixteen runners on base and failed to really break the game wide open. Playing a team like Boston, the Angels need to be able to capitalize and score runs when they’re given the opportunity.

Onto the good news, the player of the game for this one has to be Mike Napoli, hands down.  He was directly responsible for three of the five runs scored last night and they came off of two big blasts over the green monster.  The first one tied the game at three in the third inning, and the last one a solo shot in the fifth inning gave the Angels the lead.  Those two home runs were just what the doctor ordered for the Angels.