Brandon Wood was called up on April 21. Since then the Angels have played 13 games with Wood starting in 2 and pinch hitting in another. Instead of playing their best offensive prospect they ran out Macier Izturis as a DH in 3 different games and played Gary Matthews Jr's sub-center field quality bat in a corner outfield spot while DHing Juan Rivera in another 4. Wood was unable to get regular playing time despite the fact that Erik Aybar took a throw off the jaw and has missed the last 5 games. Despite the lack of playing time, Wood was all right, going three for nine with a walk and two strikeouts, including 2/3 against CC Sabathia. Considering his spring training stats (.322/.375/644 with 5 HR) and how well he's hit AAA, Wood has to be frustrated right now. Why even bother calling him up if he's going to get 10 at bats in two weeks? To top it all off Wood has been in and out of the majors for the last three years, but has never received regular playing time. This was a golden opportunity to see what he could do with a month's worth of at bats, and it was completely squandered.
On the other hand, the Indians have handled Matt LaPorta much differently. They didn't call him up right when Hafner hit the DL, instead waiting until May 2nd when they had more details about Hafner's injury, ostensibly to make sure LaPorta wouldn't just be shuttled betweek Cleveland and Columbus (which is not good news for you, Spencer). While there were concerns that Delucci would take away playing time, LaPorta has been up for 4 days and has appeared in 3 of the 4 Indians games since then, playing both LF and RF.
Both teams lost a major offensive contributor and called up an offensive prospect to take his roster spot. The Angels let their most polished offensive prospect sit on the bench for two weeks while playing preposterously substandard players at either DH or RF. The Indians actually have decided to see if LaPorta is major league ready. If the Angels miss the playoffs the obvious scape goat would be their pitching injuries, but roster mismanagement could be just as big of a factor.
4 comments:
It is puzzling for sure. I would not be surprised however if the pitching matchups are coming into play here. Both of Wood's starts were against lefties.
Also, the Angles have won 6 out of their last 8 games. If I were the GM and wanted to see Wood play more, now would not be the time to step on Scioscia's toes. I would wager that if the Angels hit a skid, Wood will get more at bats.
Scoscia is a veteran manager who favors his veteran players. That's just how he runs a team for better or worse. It's hard to argue against his methods considering the success he has had over his managerial career.
For what it is worth, Wood just was sent down today for Reggie Willits. I think as a good manager you need to look beyond the short term. Good teams go on losing streaks - look at the Sox to start the season. Bad teams go on winning streaks - look at the Orioles start last season.
And if you know that Scioscia isn't going to play Wood, why even bother calling him up? Even Rob Quinlan (OPS <.660 the last 3 years) got time at DH over Wood. You have to get the manager and the GM on the same page - either you play him or you don't call him up in the first place.
Well I think that is probably the problem. The GM (Reggins?) calls Wood up - probably against Scoscia's wishes - but has to considering how obviously good he is and amidst pressure from the organization and media. Scoscia continues doing what he wants to do, which is playing his vets - Quinlan, Matthews, Rivera, Izturis.
It will be interesting how this plays out throughout the year. The fact that they are winning right now probably means that the GM isn't going to put any pressure on Scoscia to use Wood.
My impression of the Angels is that Scoscia runs the team. I could be wrong about that, but it was him and the former GM that brought the Angles from shit to a successful franchise. Maybe he doesn't respect the new GM as much.
Tony Reagins was the director of player development under Stoneman, so he knows the system and developed the prospects and is part of the rebuilding effort. He's also been the GM since the 2007 offseason, so at this point the two should really be on the same page.
In general I think managers far too often go with the devil they know. They are comfortable with the mediocrity (or worse) of players that have played with them for a couple years. Look a the leash Tito gave Timlin.
As a whole, I think Scioscia gets too much credit as a manager. He has some major blind spots, such as trusting young players, and his vaunted bullpen from scrap heap players appears to have been a PED fueled mirage. I definitely ascribe to the idea that a manager can't do that much good, but he sure can do a lot of harm, and playing Izturis or Quinlan at DH or Matthews Jr at a corner outfield spot is costing the team runs.
It would be very interesting to know the ins and outs of the front office though. I can't imagine that Reagins called up Wood so he could be a bench warmer.
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