- I have to admit that I was sour over the trade that shipped Casey Kotchman out and brought Texeira in. As an Angel fan, the last 3 years or so we have developed a fondness for Casey. He was one of us and part of the family. It was only a matter of time before he developed into a superstar and we hung in there with him despite his struggles with mono-nucleosis and concussions. His play in 2008 was a sign of more to come but it wasn't to be as the Angels' Management sought to put the team in position to win this year bringing in Mark Texeira.
- Just last year, the Angels almost mortgaged their future in acquiring Big Tex at the expense of several pieces of the future from the young and talented group of Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and Howie Kendrick. I can't be the only one happy that did not go down. Mercy, that would have been costly! I just could not see dealing with the evil empire's Scott Boras as his agent. God love Boras but man are his contracts signed without regard for the financial health of the team and the dedicate balance of financing enough talent around a superstar to put a winner on the diamond. I felt like we would surely lose Mark after the season win or lose to some team that would over pay right into the welcoming jaws of the largest shark in the pool of players agents. So, why would we want him?
- What he does on the field speaks volumes and I admire his talent more and more as each game passes. I was surprised to see that defensively the trade was a wash with two Gold Glove Caliber players switching teams. I was of the opinion it would be hard to replace Casey's defense. Man was I wrong! Simply put, the Angels can win the World Series with Tex at first base. Mark is one of the most patient hitters I have ever seen. Aside from Manny Ramirez, I can't think of any hitter in the league more patient and impactful than Texeira. He is successful because he has a firm grip and vision as to where the ball needs to be for him to drive the pitch. Unlike some of his teammates currently who roll over weak ground balls and lunge into pop-ups on the pitcher's pitch, Texeira waits on a pitch in his zone, tatoos it and never gets cheated. If Vlad and even Mr. Hunter take cue from Mark and exercise better plate discipline they will roll to the second World Series Title in Angel History.
- Win or lose, I am content with the trade. I don't know what the future holds for Texeira and the Angels but I have to believe with Arte Moreno as owner, Scioscia and coaching staff, the abundance of interchangeable young talent available from the minors, a better than average pitching staff and a strong cast of veteran players, that Mark will like the taste of winning year after year and will opt to stay with the Angels despite a push from Boston and New York to overpay.
- If you ask me Mark is worth every penny. With Vlad breaking down physically and contributing less it is time to stop worrying about offending Vlad with a contract greater than his. Pay what it takes to keep him. Tex will be a bigger reason the Angels win the series this year if it happens than Vlad will and I am reasonably sure that there will be a mountain of statistics to prove it. I will be at Edison International for the Series. See you there!
Keywords: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
