Entering the 2010 season, it was not hard to see the value in getting  a guy like Piniero for less than one-fifth the total cost of Lackey, while also collecting two high draft picks because of his departure to Boston.

Joel Piniero (2009): 214 IP, 218 H, 105:27 K:BB, 3.49 ERA, 15-12 W-L

John Lackey (2009): 176.1 IP, 177 H, 139:47 K:BB, 3.83 ERA, 11-8 W-L

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(Photo Credit: Yardbarker.com)

I’d like to take you back a bit, to a simpler time. A better time. A happy time. It was a mere 204 days sooner, and the Angels were getting the monkey that is the Red Sox in the playoffs off their back, finishing up a sweep at Fenway to advance to the ALCS. It happened in dramatic fashion, with the pitching letting us down early, but the offense storming back to win the game by scoring three runs in the 9th, and off closer Jonathan Papelbon no less. It was amazing, and sweet, and nearly as good as winning it all in 2002. It felt like a team that was on a mission, a team that was going somewhere, that could beat anyone. Angel fans everywhere walked just a little bit taller the next day.

Fast forward past those 204 days, and we find ourselves going back to Fenway for the first time since that magical ALDS sweep. This team has had significant changes, obviously – gone is Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins, and Darrin Oliver – but some would say the core of the team is still there. Of course, now that we’ve gotten over the hurdle that is the Red Sox in October, we have their number… right?

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