MLB Update: Astros, Angels, Off-season

I should be writing about my favorite team, the New York Mets, but as expected, they are having a quiet off-season after picking up the options on David Wright and R.A. Dickey (a 5 year old would have realized this was a 'must').  But a couple of other teams are putting the off-season hot stove on the front burner (not sure the metaphor makes sense).

Look at those handsome devils

First of all, the Houston Astros new uniforms. This is just the Miami Marlins all over again, and with the same orange uniform color. The only difference is the Astros are absolutely terrible and will be buried alive in the AL West with the juggernaut Rangers, holy Angels and spunky Athletics.  That's all the teams in the West, right?

But seriously, look at the facts.  The Astros had the 3rd lowest team salary in the big leagues last year at $60,652,000 and the worst record at 55-107.  What really freaks me out is that the Athletics had the lowest team salary at $49,137,500 AND THEY WENT ALL THE WAY TO GAME 5 IN THE ALDS.

Yeah, Bartolo Colon is back. Now there's no way the A's won't win the World Series

And let's look at the team itself from 2012....there's not much to see.  However, there are a few bright spots worth noting.  Justin Maxwell (18/59/.229), Lucas Harrell (11-11/3.76/140 Ks) and Jed Lowry (16/44/.244).  That's about it.   There is potential in Bret Wallace, J.D. Martinez and Brandon Lyles, among others, but they have yet to show there is any substantial hope for the club.

Enough about losers, how about......losers! The 'Anaheim Angels of Anaheim of Disney in California' just witnessed the Giants win the World Series on absolutely superb pitching for the second year in three.  So they allowed two, and possibly 3, starting pitchers to walk away. That makes sense, right?

Bye bye Danny!  You pitched great but we don't believe in starting pitching anymore

I can understand the need to lower payroll after investing A LOT of money in Albert Pujols.  But to trade Ervin Santana for Bradon Sisk of the Royals (who?) and letting Dan Harn walk by declining his $15.5 million option AND letting Zack Greinke also test the free agent waters, the Angels are hoping for a miracle.  Yes, they have Jered Weaver, who showed the world that inept pitching is not hereditary, and C.J. Wilson.  But that's about it right now.  

The Angels will argue firstly, that Santana had become incredibly inconsistent and injury prone for his price tag and secondly, that Haren was getting old and beginning the downside of his career in 2012.  That would some valid points.  

Elsewhere, if they are unable to secure Greinke's services, it will be (partially, at least) because of Vernon Wells.  His salary was $24,642,857 in 2012. That is completely ridiculous.  Albert Pujols only made $12,000,000 this year.  I will never understand a) how the Blue Jays managed to create this obscene 'crime against humanity' contract and b)  how the Angels could take it!  Why would you trade Mike Napoli (when power hitting catchers are worth more than all the gold in Fort Knox) and Juan Rivera for this guy!  He has had some good years in the recent past, but he is not $24 million 'good.'  And this past year was a disaster.  

Anyway, the Angels are also letting Torii Hunter test free agency, which makes sense considering he was the second highest paid Angel last year at $18,500,000.  The Angels need that money to go to re-acquiring Greinke.  I know Hunter is a great presence in the clubhouse, a clutch hitter and a superb defender, but that didn't stop the Angels from utterly failing at life this year.  

Invest in pitching. That's how you win Championships. You already have Pujols, Trumbo and Trout.  Now it's time to shed your bad contracts and dominate AL teams, like you new neighbors, the Houston Astros!!!!