Daily Links for the LA Angels including baseball could still be an option for Jake Locker, Mathis hoping to find a groove, Trumbo will have to beat out Wood for a roster spot and much more…
The Story: Baseball is still an option for Jake Locker.
The Monkey Says: This keeps getting brought up, but I don’t think it is going to happen. The latest rumors actually show that the NFL labor negotiations are actually going well, meaning any real chance at Locker playing in the minors this year are dwindling everyday
The Story: Jeff Mathis is looking to regain his batting groove.
The Monkey Says: Regain? I’m sorry, I could have sworn that “regain” meant that he possessed it in the first place. Suggesting that Mathis ever was a good hitter simply because he had one good post-season series and then a few good weeks to start last season is just preposterous.
The Story: Mark Trumbo will have to beat out Brandon Wood to earn a roster spot.
The Monkey Says: I am not a Trumbo fan, but I think he deserves a shot at breaking camp with the Angels. However, I don’t think the Angels are going to dump Wood via trade or waivers just to make that happen.
The Story: Rich Thompson’s last best chance.
The Monkey Says: Thompson was lights out in Triple-A last season, but still took awhile to earn Mike Scioscia’s trust after he finally got called up. Scioscia does sound more positive about Thompson in his comments, but I’m not entirely sold that the Halos will keep him around simply because he is out of options.
The Story: Francisco Rodriguez (the other one) has his eyes set on the closer job.
The Monkey Says: A guy can dream, right? Rodriguez should be more worried about just making the Opening Day roster than trying to become the closer since there is so many better options for the end of games already on the roster. In other words, the only place Rodriguez stands a chance at closing this season, it is at Salt Lake, and that might even be a longshot.
The Story: The Angels hired Ken Ravizza to serve as a sports psychologist.
The Monkey Says: Ravizza worked for the Angels before, but has been working with Joe Madon and the Rays the last few years. I hope the Angels are paying him well, because Ravizza will have his work cut out for him this year.
The Story: Hank Conger faces stiff competition to make the roster.
The Monkey Says: Yeah, I ranted about this yesterday and I really don’t see how Conger would make the roster. Nothing personal against Conger, I just don’t think Scioscia can be convinced to keep Hank on board and give him enough at-bats to make it worthwhile. He just loves him some Mathis way too much.
The Story: Rethinking the idea of an Angels Sports Channel.
The Monkey Says: This idea has been rumored for some time, but there is added emphasis now that the Lakers are launching their own channel. The Halos have an opportunity to strike out on their own, especially if the Sacramento Kings or some other NBA team moves to Anaheim. I’m not too worried about that Dodgers beating them to the punch though since their financial situation kind of has them under the thumb of Fox Sports Network right now.
The Story: Fangraphs unveils their top 10 Angel prospects.
The Monkey Says: There is nothing all that special in this list as it matches up similarly with other such lists, but it is the first time I’ve seen any serious mention given to Trevor Reckling possibly having to convert to relief if he doesn’t get back on track this year.