Honoring Adenhart

I picked up this article by Jeff Miller of the Orange County Register through Buster Olney's blog on ESPN.com. Mr. Miller suggests that the Angels honor Nick Adenhart by banning the sale of beer for one game this season.

I could not agree more with this proposal to honor the recently lost young pitcher. I think it's a wonderful tribute to Adenhart, something that has more substance than just having his picture on the center field wall or stitching his number on all the players jerseys. I'd even take this one step further if i were Angel owner Arte Moreno and push for Commissioner Bud Selig to try and pass one beer less game at all 30 stadiums over the course of the season.

The downside is obviously loss of revenue to the clubs. With the extremely high mark up on all concessions cutting beer sales at even one game would definitely hurt revenue and as we saw at the Rogers Centre earlier this season a 'Dry Game" also negatively impacts attendance. Even so i think the owners need to look past their bottom line and use this proposal to pay the ultimate tribute to a pitcher and promising young man who was tragically lost.
-Robb Lennahan

Nick Adenhart 1986-2009

Some sad news to comment on today as Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed by a drunk driver in a hit and run car accident early Thursday. Two others travelling in the same car were also killed. Adenhart was a promising young prospect who pitched the night before against Oakland going six shutout innings. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Adenhart family and the Angels organization as they cope with this devastating loss. It's nothing short of horrific when a drunk driver with a suspended license can take the lives of three promising young individuals. The Yankees trying to get their first win of the year doesn’t seem very important right about now.

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Bobby Abreu, California Dreamin'

Reports surfaced Tuesday that the Los Angeles Angels have come to an agreement with free agent Outfielder, Bobby Abreu. The deal is believed to be a 1 year contract for 5 million dollars, with incentives the deal could reach up to 8 million dollars. Obviously, with the loss of Mark Teixeira and Garret Anderson, the team needed to add another impact bat to slide in between Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter. The Angels are a team built to win now. With an extremely strong pitching staff, the signing of Abreu should provide them with just enough offense to stay on top of the AL West.

While Abreu has never been the biggest star, or the most well known name, he has been one of the most consistent players in the Majors over the course of his 13 year career. He has put together 8 seasons of over 100 runs and walks and 7 seasons of over 100 RBIs. Also he is one of three players in the history of the game to have 200 Home Runs, 300 stolen bases with a .400 on-base percentage. The other two, 2008 1st Ballot Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson and All-time Home Run King Barry Bonds.

At 35 years of age and entering the latter part of his career, Abreu has still been one of the most productive players in baseball. His statistical averages over the last 3 seasons have ranked in the top 25 in baseball in several key categories. He’s ranked 8th in BB (94), 12th in Runs (107), 14th in 2Bs (40), 15th in Stolen Bases (26), 17th in OBP (.387), 20th in RBIs (103), and 25th in Hits (171). Not only that he has also averaged 157 games played over the last 3 seasons. This is a great signing for the Angels, that should greatly increase their chances of playing some important games come October.

-Robb Lennahan

BOLD Predictions for the 2009 Season:

(Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez)

• The Reds will eek past the Cardinals to finish 2nd in the NL Central and they will contend for the Wild Card. Youngsters Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto will become a solid 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. Combined with their power bullpen, they and the Reds will finish with their first +.500 season since 2000.
  

• The A’s make it interesting the AL West for a change. After winning the division by 7.5 games in ‘07 and 21 games in ‘08, the Angels, minus Mark Teixeira, Garrett Anderson, and Francisco Rodriguez will feel the heat from Oakland. I don't expect Oakland to win out, but they will sure make it a tight race.
  

• The Rays have only improved and will stay on top of the AL East. Plus, they are still the most athletic team in the Bigs. The addition of Pat Burrell and a full year from David Price won't hurt either. I wouldn't consider this as that bold of a prediction but I know most others do.
  

• Joe Girardi becomes the first manager fired. Entering a brand new stadium after spending $400+ million on the free agent market, he will fill the role of scapegoat when the Yankees are not leading the division come June.
  
  Of course this is as of right now, February 10th and with so many free agents still left unsigned I may want to retract these statements come April 5th.

-Robb Lennahan