Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Mike Napoli hit his fourth double of the season on Sunday.

It should have been his second triple.

What does it say when a struggling hitter fails to do everything he can to help his team on offense? Only that it won't be his team much longer.

Down by seven runs late in a game against the Seattle Mariners, Napoli punched a ball down the left field line just out of the third baseman's reach, a universal signal for the hitter to take extra bases.

The bullpen was supposed to be a key strength for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2010.

All the talk about lacking a true No. 1 starter didn't matter, because the relievers would be there to secure any lead.

That bravado hinged, in no small way, on the return of Scot Shields.

Shields has indeed returned, but his pitching form has not.

April baseball rarely provides a clear window into the state of the game by October.

Teams that struggle to find their way early on suddenly become high-powered contenders late in the season, and those who lead their respective divisions in the first month rarely sustain that dominance into the sixth.

However, while 20 or so games may not be enough time to accurately predict a team's path through the season, it is plenty of time to notice trends.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are trending poorly.

With all of the movement in the AL West—big trades, free agent signings, and the los

The Yankees lost in heartbreaking fashion last night as Joba Chamberlain gave up an eighth inning two-run home run that put the Angels ahead for good 6-4. It was, like all games against the Angels, very tough and hard fought. 

As far as some of the Angels are concerned it was a little too hard fought. I’m talking about a third inning collision between Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira and Angels’ backup catcher Bobby Wilson, who was playing in just his second game of the season.

As the 2010 NFL Draft gives way to a young baseball season, it's already clear the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won't have to address at least one position at the MLB's own upcoming draft: catcher.

Rising star prospects Bobby Wilson and Hank Conger currently support the dual threat of Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis at the major league level. 

The problem is, although the Angels have an embarrassment of riches in terms of options behind the plate, each is a poor substitute for a legitimate everyday starter.

Look for New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira to break out his slump (I won't ever stop saying that until he does).

If the last series (won by the Yankees, 2-1, April 13-15) with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is any indication of how the Yankees' latest three-game series this weekend with the Halos will go, then Yankee fans have little to be worried about.

You hate to take joy in someone else’s pain, but in this case, I just might.

The news that Los Angeles Angels catcher Jeff Mathis fractured his wrist means that Mike Napoli might finally get his shot to be the full-time catcher in Anaheim. Fantasy owners, rejoice!

I say "might" because it seems that Angels manager Mike Scioscia would rather put himself behind the plate instead of Napoli. Scioscia must think Napoli is the worst defensive catcher he has ever seen because that is the only excuse he has for not playing Napoli so far this year.

This is why you keep your mouth shut, Napoli.

Just last week, Angels catcher Mike Napoli was the subject of trade rumors after he publicly ridiculed Manager Mike Scioscia for his lack of playing time.

"I don't like coming in here and not seeing my name in the lineup," said Napoli. "I'm a competitor. I want to be on the field. I don't feel like a player who should be in the lineup for only two of nine games. I feel like I should be a starter."

There was no bidding war with New York or Boston.

There was no mob of reporters wrestling for position to photograph him putting on an Angels jersey for the first time at a press conference.

All that greeted Joel Piñeiro upon his arrival in Anaheim was misplaced anger and disappointment by Angels fans who viewed his signing as an inadequate attempt at replacing John Lackey.

The new baseball season has not been kind to Scott Kazmir.

After beginning the season on the DL, his first start of the season came against the defending champion, New York Yankees.

Previously, I wrote that there was a possibility that Kazmir, once so hyped, full of potential, had reached his athletic peak.