December 19, 2005
Josh Jilted
Unlike A.J. Pierzynski, Josh Paul won't be getting a raise from the Angels. He was traded to the Devil Rays today. Paul was the catcher on the strikeout that allowed A.J. to reach first and score the winning run in the ALCS.
The Angels get Travis Schlichting. Given his batting stats so far, it's not much of a trade.
Posted by David Pinto at
09:46 PM
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It was assumed that Paul, who is close to new D-Rays manager Joe Maddon, would wind up in Tampa. Not clear on why Tampa felt they had to give up a player, rather than just wait for him to be unconditionally released, so no surprise that the prospect isn't a world-beater.
Given Scioscia's propensity to carry 3 catchers, it also could signal a move to acquire a DH who can catch a little.... i.e. Mike Piazza or Javy Lopez.
Anyway, it's unfortunate but inevitable for Paul that his final play as an Angel was the phantom strike 3 call vs. the White Sox. At least more people know who he is....and you know what they say....any publicity is good publicity.
mike pizza to the angels. is what they need a real dh. not the junk they threw up last year for the halos. i like the trade why did the angels carry 3 catchers in the postseason last year? assine
Piazza an Angel sounds good
I had thought about Piazza going back to Dodgers and playing 1b for 100 games
and catching 30 or 40 games
but that would make too much sense
its a stange off season to be an over 35 former allstar/mvp Piazza, Sosa, frank thomas are all on the corner with a "will swing the bat for $$$$" signs
On another note, Josh Paul was once a member of the White Sox from 1999-2003.
Wasn't Josh Paul the winner of the "last guy on opening-day 25-man roster to get a hit" award in 2004? That always struck me as weird how Scioscia would keep 3 catchers on his roster. Maybe it gave him more freedom to pinch-run for the Molina brothers in late innings.
Anyone who saw Mike Piazza play with the Mets for the last couple of years knows that he has absolutely no ability to handle first base. He may be capable of a bit of back-up catching, but his remaining career really needs to be spent DHing for an AL team - the Angels sound like a good fit.
You can stick a fork in Sosa - can't imagine anyone picking him up for real money. Thomas is still risky, but he may be a good cheap option for someone (Oakland, perhaps?).
sosa ending up with the kc royals or someother dh needing team. devil rays?
re: josh paul
if josh paul were to die, would the college of cardinals annoint a successor named josh paul II???
--arthur john kyriazis