Losing Ervin

It's tough losing a guy like Ervin. He's been a guy that has really helped us, especially last year. He's been struggling and has been given a lot of opportunities to work things out. They just decided that they wanted to send him down so he can get it back. The talent is definitely there. He really has been struggling for an extended period of time. By sending him down he can work on things without as much pressure. He's got great stuff. He just needs to refine his location and secondary pitches. Once he does that he'll be back doing well. It's a tough deal because you really don't know what to say - good luck, we'll see you again. And he was obviously not happy, so he didn't say much. He's been called into the the office a couple of times. They've been watching him closely for awhile now so it's not a surprise. Ervin works hard and he'll figure it out. It's actually good for both guys because Ervin needs to work things out and Joe Saunders is ready for his chance. I told him when they sent him down earlier that he would be back for good soon. He definitely has that chance. If he pitches well down the stretch he'll be here. This is going to be his tryout. We need more consistency. We're in a close race and need a guy to be a little more consistent.

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• General_Zod said July 19, 2007

  John, that sucks about Ervin but you're right. Pitching consistency wins championships. What are your thoughts on Saunders? He's had some solid starts for you guys, is he a #2 or #3 type guy?

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  • John_Lackey replied August 15, 2007

    The sky really is the limit for Joe. He battles out there on the mound and always seems give us a good chance at winning the ballgame. He deserves to be here, he has been a true pro.
    
• ProspectGuy said July 19, 2007

  You have to send a young pitcher down when struggles for this long. There's no shame in it. Get things straightened out and return to the club down the stretch. Allowing him to get pounded on a regular basis does no one any good. He's got as much talent as anyone on the team, let him figure it out in a lower pressure situation. He'll be back.

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  • General_Zod replied July 19, 2007

    He'll be back, but maybe not w/ the Angels...
• rayj0101 said July 19, 2007

  he has been struggling. When you guys are in the race you are, you need guys to produce now. I am sure he will be back come the playoff run.

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• thumbsdown said July 19, 2007

  you say "refine his location" and not "work on his location." He's not walking guys more than the average starter, but he's giving up lots of hits and runs. His location is off, maybe a matter of inches! He's better off working that out in AAA, then see him getting rocked on Baseball Tonight.

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• chonito said July 19, 2007

  This was really the most intelligent thing to do with Ervin at this point in time. He was hurting the team, as well as himself, and I hope he looks at the demotion not as a slap in the face, but as a step in the right direction. If he is as hard a worker as you say he is, he will be back, being grateful for the chance to improve and I'm sure with alot more confidence. The talent is there, it just got off the track, for some reason. If you get the chance John, please express to him that all of us Angel fans are behind him in this and we wish him nothing but good luck! It will be great to have the Ervin we knew last year come the stretch.

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• ursportspro said July 19, 2007

  Just a matter of contention. If you guys were out of the race already he'd be working on his location with the big club still. Gotta do what's best for the franchise right? Maybe Saunders will be able to show that he's ready for prime time the next couple of weeks.

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• angelsrule said July 19, 2007

  John over the past two years the Angels have needed a bat to protect Vladimir Guererro. Is there a possibility with Santana's struggles that the Angels may use him in a potential deal for a hitter by the July 31st deadline?

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• jonbasefan15 said July 19, 2007

  of course its a bad feeling to lose a friend and teammate like that, but he is in dire need to imporve his mechanics and maybe his demeanor on the mound. Even though im 15 years old i've been following the Angels for many years and i (like many other people) have noticed his stats outside Angel Stadium. Do you know of any way that he could maybe improve his mound demeanor to adjust to the road? maybe that'll help him keep stable with his stuff both at home and on the road.

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  • John_Lackey replied August 15, 2007

    It is the weirdest thing, he can't even understand it. Obviously, it is tough to pitch in the opponents ballpark. For whatever reason Ervin has always done well at home and a totally different pitcher on the road.
• JozoJoe said July 20, 2007

  I really don't think it's mechanics for Ervin. The young man has yet to learn how to handle the ups and downs of being a major league pitcher. Remember when you had a hard time holding your temper Lack?? You learned from listening and Ervin has not learned to listen. I am sure that Butch Mike have talked to him many times, but composure, which leads to confidence is not something that he has learned or...has wanted to learn. Good luck to him, because i don't think that he will be back in the bigs as an Angel. He should be part of a trade to bring us a 3rd baseman.

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• ssk719 said July 21, 2007

  you haven't seen the last of him John
  

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• GoHalos2007 said July 23, 2007

  Ervin pitched really well for Salt Lake last night. Only gave up 1 run, 2 hits in 7 innings. It seems his problems are mainly mental not physical. He is still only 24 I believe. Isn't it too soon to give up on him? I think so!!!

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• AngelsRock said July 24, 2007

  I agree. We have not seen the last of him. Although, I don't think one good start in AAA is not a problem solved. Maybe a few starts.
  
  After Bartolo stuggled last night, I would assume that it is a foregone conclussion that Bart will be moved to the pen, the DL or sent down to AAA. I was wondering what the feeling is in the clubhouse. As a long time Angel and ML starting pitcher, what is your take on the Bartolo Colon situation?

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• halofan252000 said August 10, 2007

  I feel really bad that Ervin was sent down, but it needed to be done. I was at the game when Santana gave up 6 runs in 3 innings against the Yankees and he did not look good at all. His ball was up in the zone and the Yankees were just teeing off on the ball I just could not believe that I guy could go from 16 wins one year to a guy who could not win on the road if he had the stuff of Nolan Ryan or Warren Spahn.

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