Sayonara Hideki Matsui

Though he didn't help the Angels get anywhere close to the playoffs in 2010, the Angels need to keep designated hitter Hideki Matsui for at least one more season - he is still a productive offensive player and at 36, is probably still a gate attraction [for Japanese MLB baseball fans].

The reality however Godzilla will probably not be with the Angels in 2011 - outfielder Bobby Abreu will probably have to see more time at the designated hitter position in 2011.

More importantly, the Angels are probably looking to see what minor league slugger Mark Trumbo is going to be capable of in the Major Leagues - Trumbo is about as ripe as they come at 24 / 25 and 2011 will dictate his future as a Major Leaguer.

A realistic place for Matsui to land for 2011 is back in New York with the Yankees - it really isn't a stretch to assume if Matsui is intent on continuing his MLB career, he'll go back to the organization where he first started, where it maybe assumed there is a comfort zone.

Featured card: 2010 Bowman Throwbacks Kendry Morales #BT 69

I picked up the Los Angeles Angels [Torii Hunter / Hideki Matsui / Kendry Morales] cards from the 2010 Bowman Throwbacks set because I still familiar with the 1992 Bowman set as one from a 'nine or 10 years ago,' though it has actually been 18 years since its release - I like the novelty of the reprinted card designs because there is a 'what-if' quality to them, even the cards themselves are anachronistic and some of the details on the original cards may not actually be mimicked on the insert cards.

When I overheard a couple of Angels fans [I'll assume] telling former Halo Adam Kennedy [during batting practice before the Washington Nationals / San Diego Padres game in San Diego on Saturday] - how Morales got injured after hitting a walk-off grand slam, I was in disbelief. The biggest news for this fan on Saturday wasn't Roy Halladay's perfecto, but the Halos losing their 'bully' in the middle of their lineup with light tower power from both sides of the plate.

Morales is probably close to as done for the regular season - who knows how he will bounce back if somewhat healthy enough to make a return this year.

In 2009, the Angels had to deal with Nick Adenhart's passing - but losing a guy for a chunk of the season because of an apparent walk-off celebration adds insult to injury and is a blow to a team looking for some consistency.

Maybe the real question is how are the Halos going to be able to get production from first base with the possible options they have available - will the Angels trade for a first baseman who can hit with some pop or is the organization content to 'fill in the blank' at first base with someone within the farm system or perhaps someone currently on the Angels.