BP Unfiltered

The mainstream media does a lot of stuff like this. The offense sucks, get bat. I think you have to consider who you're replacing. It is going to help just as much to upgrade a near-replacement level pitcher, like Saunders, as it is going to help to improve on a near-replacement level hitter (like Callaspo). Yes, there is a point at which the offense is so bad that they can't score any runs and then no pitching can help, but for a team that is 11th in runs and 24th in ERA, I don't think that is even an issue.

If your point is that the Angels need to get a first baseman and reinstall Napoli as the primary catcher, I can see your point, but the Angels are hellbent on not doing that and then you have a whole other article on your hands, where your persuation has a lot more to do with the idea of moving Nap than who they get after that.

It's not really fair to criticize a trade for Haren on the grounds that they need a hitter more. No matter whether you need a hitter or not, you make that trade any day of the week because it was such a steal. A marginal run saved is still the same as a marginal run scored, and Haren saves a bundle of runs. Make the steal of a trade, worry about getting a bat at less of a bargain tomorrow.

Also it's a little confusing why one would criticize the team for getting a starter, and then make the only players you suggest for trades starters.

not only i meant first.

I'll echo these criticisms: A run prevented = a run scored, right?

One of the biggest problems even if they get a first baseman is that it will likely mean that Napoli goes to the bench with Scioscia's infatuation with Jeff Mathis. Adam LaRoche and Lyle Overbay are upgrades on Jeff Mathis, but they're not (at least by much) over Napoli.

If either of those happen and it moves Napoli to the bench or into some job sharing arrangement, there's not much of an improvement. In fact, the Callaspo move would be a much bigger upgrade (with Wood going to the bench).

I'm not against getting a bat, but the Halos really only shot at the west is a return to form of Rivera, Matsui, and Abreu. On top of that they need some consistency out of the rotation (which Haren should help with). With the exception of Weaver, there aren't any players on the roster having better seasons than they did last year and in most cases are considerably worse. Obviously, losing Morales was a huge blow, but the underperformance of the rest of the roster is equally damaging.

Hey guys. I believe the Angels could've competed with the rotation they had, vying that they made some moves to shore up the bottom portion of it (a 4th or 5th starter). I'm not here to say the Haren move was bad - clearly they acquired an amazing pitcher. Every team could use a couple of extra pieces if they're seriously considering a postseason spot, and acquiring Haren was no exception. I was not criticizing Reagins for making the deal, but rather to say now that he's made it, he can't just give up on the 2010 season. You can't acquire an ace in July, no matter the circumstances, and say a club has given up on for the rest of the year. Imagine if Reagins got his hands on Brett Myers, D.J. Carrasco to patch up the 'pen, and a LaRoche or a Cantu. In my eyes, that 8.5 gap would seem like an easier challenge to overcome.

Jesse, please respond to your original quote: "they went in the wrong direction" and ScottyB's summation of some of the comments: "A run prevented = a run scored, right?"

I still don't understand why they went in the wrong direction.

In my opinion, Brain, the right direction would've been to acquire someone like a Westbrook/Myers and acquire a Cantu/LaRoche. Reagins still has a chance to do both, with the main focus being on a big bat. Imagine having a run prevented = a run scored plus an extra bat for support?