Daily Links for the LA Angels including Heyman doubts the Angels can keep Weaver, Locker goes high in the NFL draft, Scioscia tries to temper expectations for the youngsters and much more…
The Story: Jon Heyman basically thinks the Angels are too inept to keep Jered Weaver.
The Monkey Says: This is just the stupid national media not knowing much about the Angels. Heyman says the Halos have a history of letting their own top free agents “get away.” More like walk away, Jon. Seriously, who have they lost that they wished the had kept? Figgins? Nope. Lackey? Nope. K-Rod? Probably not because of his attitude. Glaus? Maybe, but hardly a big regret. The Angels are smart and they will have the money to keep Weaver if they really want to. The only real obstacle I see is their tumultous relationship with Scott Boras.
The Story: Angel prospect Jake Locker was drafter #8 overall by Tennessee in the NFL draft.
The Monkey Says: So much for him possibly sliding and reconsidering a baseball career. Now the Halos will have to hope he flames out quickly in the NFL instead.
The Story: Mike Scioscia warns against inflated expectations for the youngsters.
The Monkey Says: I hope the Halos listen to their own advice too. Let’s not forget how much they overrated Erick Aybar after one good season and how they maintained high expectations for Brandon Wood even after the evidence started mounting against him.
The Story: Jered Weaver is concerned with a World Series and not the Cy Young.
The Monkey Says: Weaver can’t even lose in interviews. Such a great attitude to have, especially since it is kind of dumb to even be thinking about the Cy Young award in April.
The Story: Mike Scioscia prefers to keep Peter Bourjos in the bottom part of the lineup.
The Monkey Says: I went into this in depth earlier this week too and I obviously agree, though I still prefer to see him at seventh or eighth rather than ninth, but that is just nit-picking at that point.
The Story: Vernon Wells still is confident in the wake of his horrific start.
The Monkey Says: Well, you have to give him point for perseverance.
The Story: Bobby Grich should’ve been a no-brainer Hall of Famer.
The Monkey Says: hard to argue against the evidence put forth there, but I think that ship has long since sailed.
The Story: Dan Haren is a rarity in the big leagues due to his split-finger pitch.
The Monkey Says: The splitter might get trendy again in lieu of Haren’s hot start. We know that Ervin Santana is tinkering with one of his own, so who knows who else might pick it up.
The Story: The Angels are holding “yard sale” at the stadium this Saturday.
The Monkey Says: A yard sale? No wonder they couldn’t afford any good free agents this winter.