- The Story: Jered Weaver was officially placed on the All-Star team and then replaced by Andrew Bailey. The Monkey Says: This is all just part of the All-Star Game shuffling and Weaver still gets credit for being on the team even though he is being replaced since he won’t be allowed to pitch by rule since he started on Sunday.
- The Story: Jason Bulger received and MRI and cortisone shot for his shoulder. The Monkey Says: He is supposed to start throwing again next week, but this really doesn’t sound good. His shoulder has long been a problem and it wouldn’t be a shock if he was out for a long time.
- The Story: In light of the Cliff Lee trade, Tony Reagins thinks the Angels just need to play better. The Monkey Says: Brilliant insight, Tony. How about you just swing a trade or two just in case all the guys who are underachieving don’t magically turn into Albert Pujols overnight?
- The Story: Hank Conger won the Futures Game MVP. The Monkey Says: In the long run, this means nothing, but it is cool for an Angel prospect who grew up in the area to get the award in Anaheim.
- The Story: Tim Salmon is a hit in the All-Star Legend Game. The Monkey Says: Congrats to Salmon, but it he did hit a homer off a girl and that probably wasn’t the way he wanted to finally get career homer #300.
- The Story: Is Napoli more valuable as a trade chip? The Monkey Says: The “trade Napoli” rumors just won’t die, but I don’t see how removing a capable bat from the roster to get a somewhat more capable bat helps as much as keeping him and adding the same other guy, at least not at the deadline. After the season, moving Napoli might be the best strategy for the front office.
- The Story: Torii Hunter aspires to be a GM when he retires. The Monkey Says: And I have little doubt that he could do it.
- The Story: Mike Trout is being promoted to the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The Monkey Says: This was inevitable as Trout has been annihilating Low-A pitching in Cedar Rapids. If he lays waste to the California League as well, the Angels might have no choice but to fast track him and start him in Double-A next year.
- The Story: Bud Selig says Arte Moreno has “the right touch.” The Monkey Says: Moreno is good, but compared to the divorcing Dodger owners, bankrupt Texas owner, cheap ass Florida owner and totally inept owners in Baltimore and Pittsburgh, it really isn’t very hard to look like genius.