Howard, Kendrys, Jorge and Lots and Lots of Angels News…Well…for a January

So, I’m back. I took the weekend off for fun and frivolity but I’m  back now. What’d I miss? Regale me with wondrous baseball happenings. Catch me up on all the news. *crickets chirping* Oh. Yeah. Never mind. It’s still January. *sigh*

At least there is a little bit of news coming out of the Angels front office of varying degrees of happy. First, the truly happy making news. The Angels and Howard Kendrick reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension one year before Howard becomes a free agent. I am thrilled. I adore Howard Kendrick, Mr. HK-47 himself or, as I am prone to cheer at appropriate moments (of which there are many!): HK-47. When you absolutely, positively have to regain the lead, accept no substitutes.

Now batting for the Angels - well, now and for the next four years, yay! - Howard Kendrick. Angels vs. Twins, August 2, 2011. Photo by This is a very simple game...

Back in 2009, the Angels had to send Howard back to AAA for a little while to work on his swing. And work he did, returning to the majors with the beginnings of what has become a clutch, consistent bat with more than a bit of pop. Howard has also turned into a darned good second baseman, with the glove, arm and brains to be a full partner in all of the Angels daring double play do. He even has the willingness and ability to sub in at first and in the outfield when the Angels occasionally Franken-infield  has the need. Not to mention he’s a class act and seems like an all around nice guy. In short, my kind of ballplayer and an excellent asset for the Angels, hopefully, for years to come.

As for the cautiously good news, Keandrys Morales has been cleared to begin running again. Now, this is roughly the point at which all of the wheels fell off of this particular wagon last season…along with the axels and, well, quite frankly several of floor boards too…and extended pain and lack of mobility from scar tissue forced him into a second surgery. So who knows if this really means he’s coming back. But, well, it’s still more positive to hear that he has been cleared to begin running than that he hasn’t, yes?

Looking for a photo of Howard Kendrick smiling among my unused "B photos" I found this one, which seems to tell the story of an entire dugout caught up in individual jokes. From left to right, Mickey Hatcher looks weirded out by something. Mark Trumbo is cracking up. Torii Hunter is busy looking all "Who? Me?" Butch seems caught u in the game, but Jered Weaver is laughing over something with one of the staff and Dan Haren is clearly cracking Howard up. Very funny! I loved it instantly and had to share. Angels vs. Twins, August 2, 2011. Photo by This is a very simple game...

And how about the not so happy news? The Angels signed Jorge Cantu to a minor league contract, he of the third base experience and the sometime power, sometime Mendoza bat. No, it’s not that have anything against the signing itself, I am just concerned about what it might mean, namely that the Angels are more concerned than they are letting on about Mark Trumbo’s stress fractured foot. It sounds like the foot should be healed enough to being baseball workouts just in time for Spring Training, which is closer to the five months it sounds like the doctors had been quoting as typical for such an injury…but is nowhere near the two to three months Trumbo and the Angels had been hoping for. Personally, even with a bevy of personal trainers involved I thought that two to three months was wishful thinking, but I am a little worried that we’ve gone from that to apparently signing insurance in case he doesn’t heal in five. Tough break, indeed, kid. Suffice to say, if this fan’s best wishes had actual healing properties, you’d have been back on your feet and sprinting already.

10 comments

  1. Red State Blue State

    What a difference a few years makes, eh? Jorge Cantu was once a surprise fantasy league waiver wire gem and now he’s… in AAA. Trumbo better get healthy soon so he can be traded! (I’m only half kidding 😉
    –Jeff

    Reply
  2. Michael David

    Good job by the Angels locking up Kendrick for four years. Keeping good young players is a must these days for sure. Trumbo should be fine, too…even if he misses a bit of the season, the Angels have enough pitching and hitting to keep them right in the thick of things until he gets back into the groove of last season.
    –Mike

    Reply
    • This is a very simple game...

      Yeah, Ron, but I’m like the kid with so many bright and shiny toys, they can’t possibly play with them all but don’t want to give any of them away either when it comes to the ballplayers I like…this is why I don’t craft intriguing fantasy trade scenarios. I know I suck at it. For David Wright, I could live with a trade, even a reasonably expensive one. As you say, we have a lot of chips. But most of the scenarios I hear bantered about involve trading a cheap, young bat/glove/arm of the future for a one or two season rent-a-player and that is the kind of scenario that has me Lalala-ing because it doesn’t make any sense to me.

      — Kristen

      Reply
      • strictlycubsbaseball

        Good point Kristen. If they were to make a trade I would do it for someone like Wright with the hopes of a longterm extension, but I also realize that is an unlikely scenario. Still, I like what the Angels have to offer this year and beyond. If I were an Angels fan I would be excited!

        Ron

      • This is a very simple game...

        Ron – I think if Wright was willing that’s less of a traditional rental player scenario than it is a “here’s our chance finally” Teixeira trade like scenario where you consider going for it and trying to lock him up permanently the next season. Either way I am excited for the season. Bouncing off the walls, can’t hardly wait, excited for it to begin. 🙂

        — Kristen

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