As you all know, Roy Halladay is on the market. Roy Halladay! The best pitcher in baseball! It is no secret that the Angels have had their share of problems in the playoffs the last few years. In addition, this year our pitching staff can not seem to stay healthy. With Roy Halladay we would have a rotation that consists of him, John Lackey, Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, and Ervin Santana. You tell me who is going to beat that in the playoffs.

You may be thinking that I’m crazy right about now, but I believe this is possible. The Blue Jays are said to be looking for a couple of major league ready players including pitchers, infielders, and some high level prospects. In the Sabathia deal Cleveland got five minor leaguers. I believe we can do better and keep our team intact. The Angels would give up Matt Palmer, Sean O’Sullivan, Brandon Wood, and two decent minor league prospects and in return we get the best pitcher in baseball. Yes we would be losing our best prospect, but there is no room for him on the major league roster anyway. Plus we still have Sean Rodriguez.

I’m tired of having a regular season team. We are ready for another world championship, and I believe Roy Halladay can give that to us.

-Tony C

Overcoming adversity

For the Angels, the beginning of the season was a roller coaster to say the least. It began with a plague of injuries to some of our key stars, especially, the pitching staff. This included John Lackey, Ervin Santana, and Kelvim Escobar (who is still out). The problem, however, was alleviated due to the depth of the Angels pitching. This was topped by outstanding performances from Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders, and completed by a solid back end lead by top prospect Nick Adenhart.

Our heart was then broken by the passing of this outstanding young pitching prospect. The death of Nick Adenhart is something the team, and Angels fans will always remember. Most of us didn’t even know who he was, but it didn’t matter because he was one of our Angels. The young men that all of us at this end of the 5 freeway cheer for year after year. But, as many tragedies do, it made this team stronger both on and off the field. Lead by Torii Hunter, the Angels became a new team. One to be reckoned with.

Highlights

With all of the issues the Angels have had, some leaders have emerged. This begins with our Gold Glove and All-Star center fielder Torii Hunter. Most of us were pretty upset with the problems that arose with Gary Matthews Jr., but Torii has made us forget. His 17 home runs, 65 RBI’s, and amazing defensive play have been the Angels rock during the first half of the season.

Also, both Juan Rivera (.312 avg., 14HR, 50RBI) and Kendry Morales (.285avg., 14HR, 45RBI) have emerged as elite players in this league. With Mark Teixeira turning his back on us, most of us thought we would have a huge hole offensively. This has proven not to be the case, especially with the addition of Bobby Abreu.

With all the injuries to our rotation who can forget the 30-year-old rookie. With a 7-0 start, Matt Palmer locked down a much needed rotation spot and gave consistent starts when we needed them the most.

Finally, Chone Figgins has been has returned to the Figgins we all know and love, and plants a solid bat at the beginning of the lineup.

Outlook

With everything the Angels have gone through, and with the exception of Kelvim Escobar and Scott Shields, our team is healthy and performing. Mike Scioscia should win coach of the year and the Angels should win the division. Hopefully, the adversity the Angels have overcome has given them a toughness they have lacked in the past. And maybe, just maybe, they can take down the Red Sox this year.

-Tony C

Bobby Abreu gave us a sign of things to come this weekend, knocking two out of the park for his first multi-homerun game as an Angel, and contributing 4 of the 5 totals runs scored by the Halos. He’s now second in RBIs for LA with 48, only trailing Torii Hunter who has 59.

With the 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles, the Angels stop a two game skid after a visit to Texas , which almost resulted in giving first place back to the Rangers. This was not because of run support, as the Angels tallied 17 runs in the three game series. Rather, it was shaky pitching from Joe Saunders (3.2in, 8ER 5BB 2K) and Jered Weaver (5.1in, 7ER 3K). Juan Rivera tried to salvage Weaver’s outing by tying the game at 7-7 in the top of the 9th inning with a 3-run homerun, but Hank Blalock would hit a 2-run shot in the bottom of the 9th to win the game.

This was a great game for the Halos. Fans saw a flash of Bobby Abreu’s power and John Lackey had a very solid outing, throwing 8 innings, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits, fanning 7 with 114 pitches. Brian Fuentes also earned his 23rd save of the year.

Look for the Angels to continue their hot play during the holiday weekend. Everyone have a happy and safe 4th!

Noteables: Ervin Santana (1-3, 7.47ERA) will pitch for the first time since June 11th after a brief stint on the DL with right tricep inflammation. Against the Orioles, he is 2-2 in 7 starts with a 4.60 earned run average, and nearly has a 1:4 BB/K ratio.

Torii Hunter has a 7-game hit streak, scoring 3 times and knocking in 7 during the span.

Kenry Morales also has a 7-game hit streak, scoring 4 times, earning two doubles, a triple, and a homerun. He is 10-26 during the span with a .385 batting average.

Matt Palmer came out of the bullpen two days ago and did not allow a hit. Although he walked 1, he struck out 2 in 2 innings.

By: Kevin H

With the brutal string of injuries that has plagued Angel pitching throughout most of the current season, it seems surprising that there is such little talk of acquiring a proven arm via trade. The days of turning to “in-house solutions” seem to have passed. With many of their young arms already in the majors and a rash of injuries besetting the club – not to mention the tragic death of promising right-hander Nick Adenhart – the Angels are lucky to have had 30-year-old rookie Matt Palmer step in and do the job that he has (6-1, 4.70 ERA). Beyond Palmer, there seems to not be much left within the organization to turn to.

The current starting rotation is a far cry from the consistency Angel fans have been accustom to in recent years. Ervin Santana (16-7, 3.49 ERA in 2008) hasn’t been right the entire season (1-3, 7.47 ERA in 6 starts in 2009). He is currently on the DL with elbow issues, and while the Angels hope he will regain his 2008 All-Star form, the reality of that happening is growing dimmer with each day on the disabled list and each trip to the doctor’s office. Kelvim Escobar has barely thrown in the big leagues over the past year and a half and with yet another setback in his current attempt at a rejoining the active roster, it looks as though he cannot be counted on this season – either as a starter or in relief. Jose Arredondo, the latest hopeful to recapture his 2008 lightning in a bottle success and help stabilize a reeling bullpen, also recently joined the long list of the Walking-Wounded. Besides Santana and Escobar, that list also includes Scot Shields (out for season) and Dustin Moseley (DL – hip). John Lackey, the long-acknowledged horse of the rotation in Anaheim, is just recently appearing to regain his dominant form after contending with a six-week DL stint to open the season. Jered Weaver has been just short of exceptional, anchoring the staff until at least some of the troops arrive.

With the heat of July and the baseball’s dog days quickly approaching, let the clamoring for a trade begin. Let’s focus in on a name most Halo fans are familiar with: Jarrod Washburn of the Seattle Mariners. Washburn seems to be a perfect fit to bolster the Angels rotation. While his 4-5 record won’t invoke tremendous applause, his 3.22 ERA accompanied with a 1.19 WHIP in the hard-hitting American League definitely should. He has been the unfortunate recipient of some of the worst run support in baseball and still looks to have plenty left in the tank. Washburn is very familiar with manager Mike Scioscia and the Angels’ organization, as well as being extremely familiar with the division, having pitched exclusively in the AL West for the past decade.

One of the most appealing features of a possible Washburn trade would be that the Angels could likely get him at a relatively low cost. With an expiring contract, it would seem Washburn could possibly be had for a low-level prospect and agreeing to take on his salary. That is of course, if Seattle begins to slip a little further out of contention and doesn’t balk at trading within their division.

Alternatives to strengthening the rotation are the much shakier prospects of signing Pedro Martinez or half-season mercenary Paul Byrd (whom the Angels had no qualms releasing a couple seasons ago). The Angels have already said they have no interest in signing Martinez and Byrd would appear to be a severe long shot. More names and possibilities should begin springing up shortly as we enter July and hopefully, the Halos will be looking into them diligently. General Manager Tony Reagins did pull the trigger on the Mark Teixeira deal last year, making the major acquisition that former GM Bill Stoneman appeared reluctant to act on.

Rumblings up the I-5 in Dodgertown have already included Washburn as a possible addition to the Dodgers’ depthless starting rotation. Perhaps it’s time similar rumblings begin to grow louder in Orange County. Acquiring Washburn may seem to be minor in comparison to last summer’s Teixeira blockbuster, but bringing him in at this juncture of need could have a major impact on the Angels’ 2009 season.

By: Blake Warren

Matt Palmer has officially become the first 30-year-old rookie to start 6-0. He was called up this year after the Angels started the season off with injuries to Kelvim Escobar, John Lackey, and Ervin Santana. He was originally picked up by the San Francisco Giants in the 31st round of the 2002 draft. He stayed with the Giants minor league program, chalking up an impressive 3.55 era after 8 seasons. He was called up to pitch three games at the end of the 2008 season, but he did not fair well in his brief stint in the majors with the Giants, walking 13 in 12 innings. He was sent back down with his 8.53 era, becoming a free agent at the end of the season. His wikipedia page shows him having an 0-2 record with 3 strikeouts (someone in the Matt Palmer camp needs to get on that and update it with his 2009 stats).

The Angels signed him to a minor league contract in December 2008, and before his first start on April 23, he was able to muster up 7.2 innings in 2 starts, giving up 10 runs collectively. He headed out to Anaheim, leaving the Salt Lake Bees with a 1-1 record and an 11.74 era. The 6′2 righty would get a chance to redeem himself in the big leagues against the Detroit Tigers. He would last 6 innings, throwing 55 strikes in 100 pitches, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) in six hits. His walk woes continued, giving free passes to 3, while striking out 1. Thanks to the big bats on the Halos, he would get a win in a 10-5 final.

After his start against the Tigers, Palmer would go on to win 4 straight games, gaining confidence and control, even throwing a complete game at home against the Boston Red Sox (9 in, 4ER 8K). He hit a speed bump, getting his first no decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers (4.2 in, 4ER 1K) before getting some relief work against the Chicago White Sox (1in 1ER, 2BB). He got back on track against the Seattle Mariners (7in, 4H 5K), but didn’t factor into the final. Escobar came back and took a start from Jonathan (that’s Matt’s real first name), but after Manager Mike Scioscia made the decision to move Kelvim to the bullpen, Palmer would get the start yesterday, earning a win against the San Diego Padres (6in, 10H 3ER 3K).

He currently is tied for the most wins on the Angels, along with starters Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver, and looks like he has cemented himself as a solid option in LA’s pitching staff. Angel fans can rely on this young 30-year-old rookie to keep up his strong play for the rest of the 2009 season.

By: Kevin H