Why is Joe Saunders of the Angels always being promoted to triple A. I have been following this guy for years, he has a solid record last year pitching a very solid game against the Yankees. This year he is 3-0 with like 5 quality starts yet keeps being demoted. I understand the Angels only use 5 SP but if you were him wouldnt you asked to be traded because he could easily be a #2, or #3 starter on many teams
2007-06-05 04:47:09 · 5 answers · asked by M. Heffner 4 in Sports ➔ Baseball
pretty soon he will be out of options and the Angels will not be able to send him down anymore........
2007-06-05 05:23:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I really love Joe Saunders and I think he has a longer future in the Major Leagues than Ervin Santana, possibly even Jared Weaver.
He more closely resembles Dustin Moseley than anyone else in the Angels organization, and it bodes better for Saunders than it does for Moseley. Mike Scioscia has decided to keep Mosely with the Angels where he is using him in the bullpen for spot relief, meaning there may be no starting role for Mosely in the future. On the contrary, Saunders is @ AAA Salt Lake specifically to keep fresh as a starter because the Scioscia knows he'll need him before the season is over and he envisions Joe in the starting rotation.
Saunders will get his chance if:
A. Any of the starting 5 gets hurt this year.
B. Colon is lost to free-agency at the end of this season.
C. Santana consistently folds on the road or in day games.
D. The AL deciphers the delivery of the volatile Jared Weaver.
2007-06-05 14:46:51 · answer #2 · answered by Songsmyth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a numbers game right now, but I wouldn't trade him. The Angels have a quickly-aging ace in Colon, who I don't expect to pitch much longer with great effectiveness. He's now 34, and probably close to the end given his performance over the past year and a half.
Saunders could definitely be a mid-rotation guy on a lot of teams, but I think the Angels would be smarter to keep him around for another year before moving him into a full-time spot. Pitching is the hardest thing to find in baseball, and injuries/free agency can deplete a team quickly. Having a guy like Saunders around is awesome for the Angels, and they should hold onto him. If they were to trade him now as a relatively unproven youngster, they likely wouldn't get much of value in return.
2007-06-05 05:19:02 · answer #3 · answered by Craig S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think its political. Scosia has to keep Colon in the starting rotation because he's paid a lot and used to be good, just like why he has to put Garrett Anderson back at center field.
Both these guys are ineffective but the fans want to see them. Pretty soon ole Bartolo will be back on the DL and at the buffet so Joe will be back in the rotation.
2007-06-05 06:04:47 · answer #4 · answered by Earl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry, he could finally get a permanent spot on the rotation if Ervin Santana doesn't correct his road woes soon.
2007-06-05 05:03:04 · answer #5 · answered by TDK 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋