- The Story: The Angels called up Robert Mosebach, sending down Terry Evans and moving Kelvim Escobar to the 60-day disabled list. The Monkey Says: This is just a basic depth move for the Halos, but it does indicate that they feel Juan Rivera is close to ready since they demoted Evans.
- The Story: One source believes the Angels are hot on the trail of Oakland reliever Mike Wuertz. The Monkey Says: Wuertz would be a big addition, but he is having a career year and might fall off any moment so giving up a guy like Sean Rodriguez (as the article suggests) seems like too steep a price.
- The Story: Apparently Gary Matthews Jr. is “finding his groove.” The Monkey Says: Really? You could’ve fooled me. I’m actually pretty sure Matthews still blows.
- The Story: The Angels are denying rumors that they are looking to trade for Scott Kazmir. The Monkey Says: Of course they denied interest, that is what you do this time of year. It is called leverage. Let’s not forget the Mike Butcher was once the pitching coach for Kazmir in Tampa, so if he thinks he can fix him, it could be a great gamble.
- The Story: The Blue Jays are now saying that they don’t believe they will end up trading Roy Halladay. The Monkey Says: This seems like posturing to scare teams into paying the steep price tag for Doc. The article also mentions that the Jays have asked the Halos for the astronomical price of Joe Saundes, Brandon Wood, Erick Aybar and Peter Bourjos. No way do the Angels pay up that much.
- The Story: The Angels recent stellar play has Mike Scioscia drawing parallels to a certain 2002 team. The Monkey Says: I am all for confidence but let’s not start comparing this team to a World Series winner until they win a playoff series first.
- The Story: The Angels are still scouting George Sherrill. The Monkey Says: No big surprise here. I still say the Angels pass on him in favor of a right-hander.
- The Story: INJURY UPDATE: Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero’s respective recoveries are coming along slowly, but Torii is expected back before Vlad. The Monkey Says: Ugh. It sounds like we are a good two weeks away from getting either player back in the line-up.
- The Story: Chone Figgins is inspired by Rickey Henderson and considers him a role model as a leadoff man. The Monkey Says: That is great and all, just so long as Chone doesn’t start referring to himself in the third-person.
- The Story: Thinking about the playoffs starting today, Steve Bisheff realizes the Angels need at least one more reliable starting pitcher (enter Roy Halladay). The Monkey Says: I agree with his assertation but not with his willingness to toss Erick Aybar into a prospective deal for Halladay. Personally, the Angels might be better served pursuing a cheaper option than Doc (i.e. Jarrod Washburn).
- The Story: Halos Heaven takes a look at the idea that the Angels are just lucky to be getting so many career years out of their roster. The Monkey Says: Luck or not, it shouldn’t really matter now because that will all wash out in the post-season.
- The Story: Should the Angels skip Joe Saunders’s next turn in the rotation? The Monkey Says: An interesting idea, but I don’t know that it will help since it isn’t a health issue for Saunders, but maybe a mental break is what he needs.