Josh Hamilton had his worst year as a Major Leaguer in 2013 with a 3 slash of .250/.307/.432 – with 21 HRs and 79 RBI last year. This campaign looked to have been better, with the OF hitting .444/.545/.741 through 27 AB. Injuries just seem to happen for the man. He underwent thumb surgery two days ago after jamming his hand trying to slide into 1st base. His loss will be felt big by Los Angeles, and they may not be in position to contend by the time he comes back. The Angels are at home for 6 games before a killer 9 game road trip at Detroit, Washington and New York.

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The Angels Josh Hamilton is out for 6 – 8 weeks after sliding in head down to first base at Safeco Field on Apr.8.

I would never accuse the guy of being a slacker, but this was not a bright move at all.

Doesn’t he remember suffering a major injury when the Rangers had him barrel down on home plate a few years back.

It came on the heels of the man having a great start.  Nothing seems to go right for Hamilton to play a full healthy season.

The Angels needed this player, with Albert Pujols and Mike Trout hitting on all cylinders to put forth a competitive year.

This curbs the process down badly.

Josh Hamilton’s Injury – 2 Minute Mark

The Angels have started 4 – 5 this year, however they won 3 of those games versus lowly Houston. The schedule becomes tough in this month, and this team has been horrible during the April months of 2012 and 2013. They also have less depth on offense this year. Maybe they should sign Kendrys Morales to replace him.  Raul Ibanez could always play some OF, and you could rotate in Albert Pujols as the DH, while seeing Morales play some infield as well.  They are extremely lucky the A’s, Mariners and Rangers are also battling serious injuries to start this year too.

The Angels have gone 1 – 4 versus the Mariners – while winning 3 out of 4 from the Houston Astros thus far.

In 2012, the club began 8 – 17, before calling up Mike Trout.

In 2013, the team was 9 games out of 1st place by the end of April.

On the good front, Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs and C.J. Wilson have looked decent so far, unfortunately Jered Weaver is looking more like Jeff Weaver right now.

Hector Santiago also may not be able to live on just 2 pitches.

I don’t think the Halo’s will do well without Hamilton.  You factor out 30+ HRs and 100+ RBI out of the lineup with the departure of Mark Trumbo, and this team doesn’t have the firepower needed.

The team must make hay on this 6 game homestand versus the surging A’s, and then the Toronto Blue Jays, before they head on a brutal 9 game road trip.

Matt Moore finished 17 – 4 with a 3.29 ERA in 2013, but was off to an even better start in the 1st half before he had some elbow soreness. Losing this LHP will hurt the club, however the team is deep with Price, Archer and Cobb still manning the 1 – 3 slots in the rotation.

The Rays never traded David Price, and in my opinion, they should just hold onto him even through next year.

Matt Moore has a tear in his pitching elbow, and if he needs Tommy John Surgery, he will miss 12 – 18 months.  The depth of the Rays was enhanced by the LHP being the clubs solid 2nd lefty.

Yes the club still has Chris Archer, Alex Cobb and ace David Price, but the team will scramble at the back end of the rotation.

Jim Hickey, the team’s pitching coach, will see if he can sprinkle some of his magic pixie dust on someone like Erik Bedard to take over the 5th slot.

The squad is also hoping for jake Odorizzi to fare better in his second start – maybe that he will not be amped up to face his former team in KC.

Tampa Bay will find a way to compete because they always do when the chips are down.

Last year, they missed Cobb, Price and Moore all on DL stints, and didn’t even have Archer until June, and they won 92 games.

Joe Maddon will rally his team in the AL East.

Avisail Garcia made his Major League Debut during the 2012 year. The man hit for a 3 Slash Line of (.319/.373/.692) in 47 AB and played a role in the Tigers World Series Berth of 2012 . Garcia had 5 Hits and 3 RBI during 11 AB in the 2012 ALCS versus the New York Yankees. He will be part of the White Sox’s plan for a number of seasons going forward. The 23 Year Old hit .303/.327/.447 with 5 HRs and 21 RBI in 161 AB for the Pale Hose last year. This season he had 2 HRs and 4 RBI through 8 games – before tearing his labrum diving for a baseball in the Outfield.

The White Sox lost Avisail Garcia to a torn labrum, and this is an absolute shame.  It is nice the club will be able to use Dayan Viciedo, Alejandro De Aza and Adam Eaton in the OF, but a talent like Garcia is a tough pill to swallow for injury.

Chicago only was slated to win from 75 – 80 games, however a fast start from Jose Abreu, and a renaissance from SS Alexei Ramirez had to be promising for Robin Ventura‘s ball club.

The team also has to be happy with the performance of C Tyler Flowers (.444 in 27 AB), and for how John Danks and Jose Quintana have looked.

Chris Sale always gives you a chance to win some games too.

Chicago wanted to trade one of their OF halfway through the year, and now that may not be possible.  This might leave Adam Dunn as the only real trade chip, and he is off to another slow start.

Although if Danks can pitch like a quality #3 starter, the teams brass of Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams may look to deal him.

In the grand scheme of things, the White Sox will miss Garcia,  but it shouldn’t be a huge deal for this year’s record.

Jose Abreu is still a huge reason to come to US Cellular Field – and Paul Konerko should be receiving more praise for his last crusades across the league.

It is nice that Derek Jeter is showered with so much love, but it would be nice if more people gave respect to Konerko as well.

Paul Konerko announced that the 2014 season will be his last. Konerko has 434 career HR, 1391 RBI, and 6 All Star appearances in his 18 year career. What will most likely not be a HOF career, will certainly go down as one of the best in White Sox history. Konerko was the direct replacement for Frank Thomas. Konerko is only 21 HRs behind Thomas for the White Sox franchise record. While he may not reach that mark, his role may increase now with some DH AB. If Dunn is traded later in the year, he may see some more Plate Appearances as well.

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A Big thanks goes out to our chief writer Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s feature post

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