The Angels have been looking for the bat that adds the kind of power necessary to take the pressure off of Big Daddy Vladdy. Last year they added Gary Matthews but he turned out not to be the guy. Then before the season they added Torii Hunter and he is finally starting to come through after a slow start. Torii has raised his BA to 284 and now has 18 HR's and 60 RBI's. Guerrero after a slow start is now at 19 HR's and 60 RBI's. The other highlights in the batting order include Garrett Anderson who now has 11 HR's and 60 RBI's. But the Angels only have one batter hitting over 300 which is unusal for them with Howie Kendrick batting 331. But the averages are rising after a blistering July and the power numbers are up as well. Then last week, in comes Mark Teixeira. The Angels traded their young first baseman Casey Kotchmen who still had 3 years left on his contract for Teixeira who is in the last year of his contract. Mark has proven power numbers in excess of the already good numbers that Casey was displaying. But now the Angels can put power hitters in front of and behind Vlad Guerrero, making the lineup the scariest to face in all of baseball. Mark comes aboard with the best power numbers on the Angels lineup with 21 HR's and 84 RBI's.
The Angels now have plenty of speed at the top with Figgy, Kendrick and Izturiz able to set the table. Then they have power throughout the lineup. Moreover, they have surrounded Vladdy with power hitters and teams can no longer pitch around him. Which is a good thing because he swings at everything. Now if we can only sign Mark to a long term deal.
SlamFan
