Anahein Angels Panic in AL West Race

I am very surprised to see such a laid back organization push the panic button in July and make a trade that makes no sense, short term or long term. They are getting Dan Haren, whose past is much better than his present, a guy who has been oft-injured and a guy who is coming back to the AL from the much less talented National League. He is 7-8 this year with a 4.60 earned rin average and hitters are batting .285 vs. him. Remember, every ninth hitter is the pitcher's spot in the NL and there's always a guy in the lineup whose job is to bunt or hit little punch-and-judy dribblers. The AL is a bunch of bangers up and down the lineup for the majority of teams.

In return, the Angels give up Joe Saunders, who is 6-10 this year with an ERA of 4.62 and hitters batting .290 vs. him. This is against AL teams, so the numbers for Haren and Saunders are a wash. They are virtually the same guy.

But that's not the end of the trade. The Angels gave up 25 year old pitcher Rafael Rodriguez, who is 5-3 with an ERA of 3.04 in AAA this year. He has 2-1 strikeouts to walks ratio and has a lot of upside.

They also gave up Patrick Corbin, 21 year old pitcher who in A ball has been 17-5 over the past 2 years. He has 152 strikeouts and 39 walks during that time.

The Angels will also give up a player to be named later.

This is a terrible trade for the Angels. They are banking on a guy whose best days are behind him, who has been out of the AL for years and they gave away an innings-eater in Saunders and 2 really good prospects.

This was a panic move for sure. There is no rhyme or reason to this. This team is just not good enough to stay with the Rangers this year and this trade won't close the gap unless the Rangers stop playing well and that'as not likely.

Tim Wakefield Needs to Go NOW!!!!!

The knuckleball isn't knuckling; the fastball can't reach 75mph; the changeup barely makes it to the plate. Everyone has figured him out. If the pitch starts at the waist, take it because it will be low. If it starts at shoulder level, it will come down right across the plate, so be ready.

He has back problems, especially the last 3 years. Strikeouts are down, hits are up; ERA is approaching 6.00 and he is 3-8 and should be 3-13. The time has come for this Red Sox legend to step away from the game with some dignity. He no longer eats innings for the team. He can't get out of the 3rd inning anymore. His role according to Francona was always that he was an " innings eater ".

Putting him in the bullpen is not an answer. He is taking up a roster spot no matter where he is. He has been a real soldier for this team, but the time comes for everyone to leave the game and his time is now.

He has been a Red Sox pitcher for 16 years and he is 20 games over .500 for them in that time. That means each year he has one more win than loss on average. This is when he was good. Now he is terrible. Terry Francona needs to take a good hard look at the aging veterans on this team and start making some tough decisions.

The team is 8 games out now in the loss column and can't beat Oakland. This road trp could be the last straw. He does not need to pitch again. Put him on the 60-day disabled list and let that be the end of him. That's pretty much what they've done to Lowell. What's the difference?

Stats don't lie!!!!! Wakefield's stats are bad, getting worse every time he pitches and loyal Red Sox people want to dwell on the past. Thanks for the memories Tim.....it's time to go away. Tim, you are a stiff, officially.