Now is the winter of the Angels’ discontent.

Just days after baseball’s Winter Meetings ended, after which GM Tony Reagins claimed his team had laid “groundwork,” the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim watched their hard work melt away like snow in the coming spring.

For those unfamiliar with the situation, or if you’ve just been living under a baseball-free rock, let’s recap the events of the Angels’ Black Monday:

Lackey Signs with Boston

The ace of the Angels’ staff, and winner of the World Series-clinching Game 7 back in 2002, agreed to a reported five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Red Sox. … [visit site to read more]

The Day the Angels Stood Still: A Look At Back L.A.’s Black Monday and What Lies Ahead - The 110 Report - The 110 Report - A Los Angeles Sports Site - Lakers, Clippers, Kings, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Ducks, Angels, Galaxy

The Angels’ ace had looked good, dominant even, all season long. But that just wasn’t his day.

After surrendering five runs in the first inning, Lackey walked off the back of the mound and muttered to himself, glaring up at the outfield bleachers and shaking his head as he did: “F*** this place.”

That was then. This is now: John Lackey is the newest addition to the Red Sox’ parade of aces.

On Monday, Lackey reportedly agreed to a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $85 million.

My, how things change. … [visit site to read more]

Lackey Takes Red Sox Deal – And a Midnight Train Out of Anaheim - The 110 Report - The 110 Report - A Los Angeles Sports Site - Lakers, Clippers, Kings, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Ducks, Angels, Galaxy

By week’s end, Bay remained unsigned and Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters his team had “more pressing needs” to address.

Scioscia may have meant a new starting pitcher, but he might as well have been talking about his bullpen.

On Friday, the Angels announced reliever Jose Arredondo will undergo Tommy John surgery in January and miss the entire 2010 season.

Arredondo exploded on the Major League scene in 2008, going 10-2 with a 1.62 ERA as a rookie. His blazing fastball hard breaking stuff lead many to label him the second coming of Francisco Rodriguez.

But in 2009, Arredondo was plagued by elbow issues, which may have contributed to his miserable 6.00 ERA and eventual demotion to Triple-A. … [visit site to read more]

Angels’ Arredondo Misses 2010 Season, Bullpen Looks Bleak - The 110 Report - The 110 Report - A Los Angeles Sports Site - Lakers, Clippers, Kings, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Ducks, Angels, Galaxy

So strong, in fact, he’s got practically … [visit site to read more]

Halladay To The Angels Is Just What The ‘Doc’ Ordered - The 110 Report - The 110 Report - A Los Angeles Sports Site - Lakers, Clippers, Kings, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Ducks, Angels, Galaxy

From the Big A, reports are swirling in left field, where the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim may make a significant upgrade with the potential acquisition of Curtis Granderson from the Detroit Tigers.

In return, the Tigers are looking for a package that could include Brandon Wood, Maicer Izturis, Chris Pettit, and Jose Arredondo.

As Jim Rome would say, this deal seems like “the biggest no-brainer in the history of mankind.”

Replaceable infielders, minor league prospects, and a shaky reliever for one of the most electrifying outfielders in the American League? Where does Tony Reagins sign?

Granderson adds speed to the outfield and power to the lineup, and the Angels finally put their log-jammed minor league system to good use.

However, there is a downside.

The deal would be a promising one, and would help fill the void left by Vladimir Guerrero at designated hitter/fourth outfielder. But DH is not the Angels’ most pressing issue, and giving up those prospects might hinder the team’s ability to address greater needs.

John Lackey, the Angels’ ace and No. 1 starter, is testing the free agent market for the first time in his career and will be asking for a sizable chunk of change.

… [visit site to read more]

Granderson Stealing Spotlight from Angels’ Biggest Needs: Pitching, Catching - The 110 Report - The 110 Report - A Los Angeles Sports Site - Lakers, Clippers, Kings, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Ducks, Angels, Galaxy

Los Angeles baseball stars apply for free agency - The 110 Report - The 110 Report - A Los Angeles Sports Site - Lakers, Clippers, Kings, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Ducks, Angels, Galaxy

The Angels had a tough time against the Yankees' offensive power.

After 171 grueling regular and postseason games, after all of the ups and downs, tragedies and triumphs, the Los Angels Angels of Anaheim are getting a preemptive jump on the offseason.

It’s not the Angels’ fault, per say. I cringe to even think it, but though the differences were minor, the New York Yankees were simply the better team, throughout both the regular season and the American League Championship Series.

The starting pitching was fairly evenly matched, but they featured a dominant lefty in CC Sabathia whom the Angels couldn’t touch, while we countered with a sure-fire klutz in Scott Kazmir.

Seriously now, did have one solid inning this postseason?

The Yankees’ bullpen was a bit shaky in the series, but the great Mariano Rivera picked Angels batters apart and helped bolster their creaky relief core.

Meanwhile, the Angels chose to stick with Brian Fuentes, a closer who looked like his mission was actually to blow every save he was handed this year, and just failed 48 times.

More than anything though, the difference between these two teams was the power. Up and down the Yankees’ lineup, guys were belting home runs with ease.

On our side of the dish, it was a struggle just to get the ball out of the infield for everyone who wasn’t named Jeff Mathis.

… [visit site to read more]

Angels Get Yanked From Playoffs, Fans Suffer 5 Stages of Sports Grief - The 110 Report - The 110 Report - A Los Angeles Sports Site - Lakers, Clippers, Kings, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Ducks, Angels, Galaxy

Scioscia, manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, actually dealt not one, but two near-fatal blows in Game Five of the 2009 ALCS against the New York Yankees.

The first came when he removed starter John Lackey with two outs in the seventh inning and the bases loaded.

With the Angels up 4-0, lefty Darren Oliver entered the game, forcing Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira to bat from his typically less-productive right side.

He ripped the first pitch he saw for a bases-clearing double.

The Yankees went on to score three more in the inning and take 6-4 lead. Incredibly, their bullpen refused to hold down the Angels, who regained the lead with a three-run inning of their own.

Jered Weaver was masterful in the top of the eighth, going one-two-three to preserve a slim 7-6 lead for the Angels. Efficient with his pitches and dominant in his execution, Weave was a lock to close out the game in the ninth.

But Scioscia wouldn’t have it.

… [visit site to read more]

ALDS Game 5: Angels Win Thriller Over Yankees Despite Scioscia’s Questionable Calls - The 110 Report - The 110 Report - A Los Angeles Sports Site - Lakers, Clippers, Kings, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Ducks, Angels, Galaxy

No, it’s not a cheesy weather pun (see: headline). The Angels have simply been sidelined for too long, slogging through a five-day break between the first and second rounds of the playoffs.

They were just a little sluggish, that’s all. Or at least, that’s all I’d like to believe.

Because the only other alternative is that their in-game shivers had some deeper and more sinister origin than just the frigid New York temperatures.

From the moment Chone Figgins stepped in the batter’s box to lead off Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, the Angels looked scared.

And the evidence quickly piled up.

… [visit site to read more]

Angels-Yankees: An Icy Start to a Red Hot Series for The Halos - The 110 Report - The 110 Report - A Los Angeles Sports Site - Lakers, Clippers, Kings, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Ducks, Angels, Galaxy

Back on the Horse: Angels down Orioles 5-1 - The 110 Report - The 110 Report - A Los Angeles Sports Site - Lakers, Clippers, Kings, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Ducks, Angels, Galaxy