|
 |   |
EVENTS AD PARTNERS
|  |
Angels taking positive approach
Posted: Friday March 10, 2000 01:50 PM
In the latest installment of our continuing series of Spring Training updates from SI's baseball writers, CNNSI.com caught up with Jeff Pearlman in Tempe, Ariz., where he is covering the Anaheim Angels. CNNSI.com : Will Jim Edmonds still be a member of the Angels come Opening Day? And how has the club dealt with all the trade rumors surrounding him? Jeff Pearlman : They don't seem to be too distracted by all the rumors. In fact, the team doesn't really talk about anything remotely distracting or negative. So Edmonds -- such a negative focal point last year -- has not been much of a topic for the players. The Angels keep saying over and over again: "Don't ask us about last year." Edmonds had his surgery very late year and missed most of the season. He could have had the operation after the season; instead, he waited -- and a lot of the guys got mad at him. I still think he'll be there on Opening Day. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if he's traded during the season to a team looking for someone. Right now, it's tough. Since no one knows if he's going to sign, he's a risky guy to trade for. I think it would take at least one or two elite prospects to get him.
CNNSI.com : Darin Erstad emerged as one of the game's best young hitters in '98. Last season he had a mediocre year. Which Erstad will we see this season? Pearlman : You would think that we would see the '98 version. He was the only guy who stayed healthy, but he didn't have much protection in the lineup. Tim Salmon and Edmonds combined to play only 153 games, and Mo Vaughn also missed 23 games. No one behind him in the lineup was healthy. It's hard to be a good hitter when you are not getting any good looks. Erstad should see a lot of pitches to hit this season. He is a great player, there's no question about it. Last year was just a bad season for everyone involved with the Angels. For someone who's still a young player and in his prime, Erstad just missed not having those guys around him in the lineup. CNNSI.com : The Angels basically have every position accounted for except second base. Scott Spiezio and Pat Kelly have been mentioned as possible candidates for the job. Has anyone jumped ahead in the competition? Pearlman : I don't think Kelly is going to be a factor. I'd say Spiezio is the front-runner right now. He and Justin Baughman are the two guys with a chance. Second base is a pretty ugly situation for Anaheim. At one time Andy Sheets was considered a possibility, but he was cut loose in the off-season. The truth is, it's not only the Angels' weakest position, it may be the weakest second-base situation the American League. With that said, I think Spiezio is the guy with the inside track on the position. CNNSI.com : We've been hearing about righthander Ramon Ortiz for a while now. Is this the year we finally see him break into the majors? Pearlman : He's only 23 years old and they love him. Ortiz started eight games last year, so its not like he could be considered a bust or disappointment. The organization thinks his development is right on target. Ortiz will probably enter the season as the Angels' No. 2 starter. You hear the same comparisons between Pedro Martinez that they make with Octavio Dotel -- great fastball, great changeup, pretty good command. Ortiz a little guy, just like Pedro. They will give him every chance possible to succeed. The only question: Is if Ortiz is mature enough to be a big league pitcher? CNNSI.com : Mo Vaughn 's first season in Anaheim was disappointing. How has helooked so far this spring? Pearlman : He's healthy and in his normal good shape. Last year, Vaughn broke his foot on Opening Day -- the first injury of his career -- and that got him off to a slow start. But there is no question that he is one of the premier players in the league. Vaughn had a pretty bad year last season -- and he still hit 33 homers and finished the year with a respectable .281 average. The Angels are a bad team because their pitching staff isn't especially good, but they have some great hitters. Vaughn is one of them. The main reason they weren't competitive last year was that so many players were hurt CNNSI.com : How have the players reacted to new manager Mike Scioscia ? Pearlman : They are very positive about him. Last year there was a mini-revolt against manager Terry Collins . Players went to management and complained about Collins. A few days later, Collins was given an extension. The players didn't feel Collins was a good communicator or a very good leader. Vaughn was saying the other day how Scioscia was a guy they all grew up watching and they know. The team sees him as a tough a guy, a take-no-prisoners, old-school catcher. So, automatically that leads to them respecting him a little more. The truth is, we don't know if he's a good manager yet. I mean, he's only managed one season in the minors. After last year, I think any change was going to be a positive one. He's a very upbeat guy and he really believes this team has chance to compete in the division. If you have a question for Jeff, click here, and check back each Thursday during spring training for his responses.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
