rmjon23
08-30-2008, 11:52 PM
Inside Pitch
The Angels’ need for infield help in the present has sent them into
their past.
Angels GM Tony Reagins has spoken with the Toronto Blue Jays about a
possible trade to re-acquire shortstop David Eckstein, fan favorite
and member of the Angels’ 2002 championship team. Eckstein was allowed
to leave as a free agent following the 2004 season (his fourth with
the Angels). He was World Series MVP with the Cardinals in 2006 and
joined the Blue Jays on a one-year contract for 2008.
“There’s nothing at this time,” Reagins said before Friday’s game.
“But things change and they can change quickly.”
They changed this week. Reagins had been “surveying the landscape” for
infield help since infielder Maicer Izturis was lost for the season
following surgery to re-attach a ligament in his left thumb two weeks
ago. The need for depth in the infield became more pressing when
second baseman Howie Kendrick and shortstop Erick Aybar each suffered
hamstring injuries this week. Kendrick had to go on the disabled list.
The Angels are also believed to have discussed acquiring either
infielders John McDonald or Marco Scutaro from the Blue Jays as well.
Eckstein is more attractive to the Angels because he is not under
contract beyond this season—and his return would be welcomed by Angels
fans.
“There’s a lot of things to look at,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia
said. “Sometimes the solution’s in-house. Sometimes the solution is
going to be another player coming in that can have an immediate impact
on that depth chart.”
Eckstein has played just 24 of the Blue Jays’ past 58 games, splitting
time at second base and shortstop with Scutaro and McDonald. He went
into Friday’s game batting .274 for the season.
All three Blue Jays infielders are believed to have cleared waivers.
Any player acquired would have to be on the Angels’ roster by midnight
Sunday in order to be eligible for the playoff roster.
Angels 3, Rangers 1: Rangers spot starter Dustin Nippert shut out
the Angels on two hits through five innings Friday. But the Angels
broke through for all three of their runs in the sixth. Batting second
for the first time in nine years, DH Garret Anderson followed a one-
out single by leadoff man Chone Figgins with a two-run home run.
Nippert allowed another single and walked two before leaving the game.
The Angels added their final run on a sacrifice fly by Juan Rivera
with the bases loaded. The win increased the Angels’ lead over the
Rangers in the AL West to 17 games.
Notes, Quotes
• With injuries robbing him of three infielders, manager Mike Scioscia
turned to DH Garret Anderson as his No. 2 hitter for Friday’s game. It
was Anderson’s first game that high in the order since he batted
second on Sept. 14, 1999, against the Royals. Anderson has started as
the No. 2 hitter just 37 times in his career. Anderson is the eighth
different player to bat second in the Angels’ order.
• OF Torii Hunter robbed Rangers OF Marlon Byrd of a two-run home run
in the seventh inning, racing back to the center-field fence and
reaching over to make the catch.
• After holding the Rangers to one run on five hits in eight innings
Friday, RHP Ervin Santana has a 2.49 ERA in August. But he had three
no-decisions before Friday’s victory ,with the Angels’ bullpen blowing
leads in two of those three games.
• RHP Francisco Rodriguez recorded his 52nd save of the season Friday,
moving within five of matching Bobby Thigpen’s single-season saves
record set in 1990. The 52 saves tie Eric Gagne for the seventh most
in a season. Only Thigpen and Mariano Rivera (53) have saved more in a
season in the American League.
• 1B Mark Teixeira was 1-for-3 in Friday’s victory. Teixeira has
batted .422 (27 for 64) with seven home runs, 15 RBIs and 18 runs
scored in 17 home games since being traded to the Angels.
By The Numbers: 2—Major league teams that have never had a 100-win
or 100-loss season (the Angels and Rockies). The Angels could reach
100 wins this season.
Quote To Note: “Don’t be complacent. Play the way we’re capable of
playing every night. … Don’t take anything for granted—15-game lead or
whatever. He said this team is scary good. For this to happen to us,
it’s almost a fluke.” —LHP Joe Saunders on manager Mike Scioscia’s
message during a closed-door meeting after losing seven of nine.
Roster Report
Medical Watch:
3B Chone Figgins (irritated left big toe) was out of the lineup Aug.
27. He returned Aug. 28.
SS Erick Aybar (sore left hamstring) left the Aug. 27 game. He didn’t
play Aug. 28, and he will be out at least a few more days.
2B Howie Kendrick (sore left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled
list Aug. 28.
OF Reggie Willits (mild concussion) went on the 15-day disabled list
Aug. 9. He completed a minor league rehab assignment Aug. 23 and was
activated Aug. 27.
SS Maicer Izturis (torn ligament in left thumb) went on the 15-day
disabled list retroactive to Aug. 14. He had season-ending surgery
Aug. 19.
RHP Kelvim Escobar (torn labrum in right shoulder) opened the season
on the 15-day disabled list, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL
on May 1. He had season-ending surgery July 29. Recovery time is
expected to be 10 to 12 months.
The Angels’ need for infield help in the present has sent them into
their past.
Angels GM Tony Reagins has spoken with the Toronto Blue Jays about a
possible trade to re-acquire shortstop David Eckstein, fan favorite
and member of the Angels’ 2002 championship team. Eckstein was allowed
to leave as a free agent following the 2004 season (his fourth with
the Angels). He was World Series MVP with the Cardinals in 2006 and
joined the Blue Jays on a one-year contract for 2008.
“There’s nothing at this time,” Reagins said before Friday’s game.
“But things change and they can change quickly.”
They changed this week. Reagins had been “surveying the landscape” for
infield help since infielder Maicer Izturis was lost for the season
following surgery to re-attach a ligament in his left thumb two weeks
ago. The need for depth in the infield became more pressing when
second baseman Howie Kendrick and shortstop Erick Aybar each suffered
hamstring injuries this week. Kendrick had to go on the disabled list.
The Angels are also believed to have discussed acquiring either
infielders John McDonald or Marco Scutaro from the Blue Jays as well.
Eckstein is more attractive to the Angels because he is not under
contract beyond this season—and his return would be welcomed by Angels
fans.
“There’s a lot of things to look at,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia
said. “Sometimes the solution’s in-house. Sometimes the solution is
going to be another player coming in that can have an immediate impact
on that depth chart.”
Eckstein has played just 24 of the Blue Jays’ past 58 games, splitting
time at second base and shortstop with Scutaro and McDonald. He went
into Friday’s game batting .274 for the season.
All three Blue Jays infielders are believed to have cleared waivers.
Any player acquired would have to be on the Angels’ roster by midnight
Sunday in order to be eligible for the playoff roster.
Angels 3, Rangers 1: Rangers spot starter Dustin Nippert shut out
the Angels on two hits through five innings Friday. But the Angels
broke through for all three of their runs in the sixth. Batting second
for the first time in nine years, DH Garret Anderson followed a one-
out single by leadoff man Chone Figgins with a two-run home run.
Nippert allowed another single and walked two before leaving the game.
The Angels added their final run on a sacrifice fly by Juan Rivera
with the bases loaded. The win increased the Angels’ lead over the
Rangers in the AL West to 17 games.
Notes, Quotes
• With injuries robbing him of three infielders, manager Mike Scioscia
turned to DH Garret Anderson as his No. 2 hitter for Friday’s game. It
was Anderson’s first game that high in the order since he batted
second on Sept. 14, 1999, against the Royals. Anderson has started as
the No. 2 hitter just 37 times in his career. Anderson is the eighth
different player to bat second in the Angels’ order.
• OF Torii Hunter robbed Rangers OF Marlon Byrd of a two-run home run
in the seventh inning, racing back to the center-field fence and
reaching over to make the catch.
• After holding the Rangers to one run on five hits in eight innings
Friday, RHP Ervin Santana has a 2.49 ERA in August. But he had three
no-decisions before Friday’s victory ,with the Angels’ bullpen blowing
leads in two of those three games.
• RHP Francisco Rodriguez recorded his 52nd save of the season Friday,
moving within five of matching Bobby Thigpen’s single-season saves
record set in 1990. The 52 saves tie Eric Gagne for the seventh most
in a season. Only Thigpen and Mariano Rivera (53) have saved more in a
season in the American League.
• 1B Mark Teixeira was 1-for-3 in Friday’s victory. Teixeira has
batted .422 (27 for 64) with seven home runs, 15 RBIs and 18 runs
scored in 17 home games since being traded to the Angels.
By The Numbers: 2—Major league teams that have never had a 100-win
or 100-loss season (the Angels and Rockies). The Angels could reach
100 wins this season.
Quote To Note: “Don’t be complacent. Play the way we’re capable of
playing every night. … Don’t take anything for granted—15-game lead or
whatever. He said this team is scary good. For this to happen to us,
it’s almost a fluke.” —LHP Joe Saunders on manager Mike Scioscia’s
message during a closed-door meeting after losing seven of nine.
Roster Report
Medical Watch:
3B Chone Figgins (irritated left big toe) was out of the lineup Aug.
27. He returned Aug. 28.
SS Erick Aybar (sore left hamstring) left the Aug. 27 game. He didn’t
play Aug. 28, and he will be out at least a few more days.
2B Howie Kendrick (sore left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled
list Aug. 28.
OF Reggie Willits (mild concussion) went on the 15-day disabled list
Aug. 9. He completed a minor league rehab assignment Aug. 23 and was
activated Aug. 27.
SS Maicer Izturis (torn ligament in left thumb) went on the 15-day
disabled list retroactive to Aug. 14. He had season-ending surgery
Aug. 19.
RHP Kelvim Escobar (torn labrum in right shoulder) opened the season
on the 15-day disabled list, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL
on May 1. He had season-ending surgery July 29. Recovery time is
expected to be 10 to 12 months.