Missing the Deadline: When the Worst Trade Is No Trade

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim seem to enter every trade season with all the enthusiasm of a guy on the couch who's trying to reach the remote. There it sits on the coffee table, begging to be snatched from its glass and wood plateau. All it takes is a little effort, just a slight twitch of the stomach muscles to pull that flabby upper body forward and a reach of that clammy palm to swipe at the little device. In much the same way, the Angels had only to show the just a little resolve when trying to improve their ball club.  The team had clear holes to fill leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, both in the starting rotation and in the bullpen. But alas, there sit all of those missed opportunities that could have, but for a lack of will, helped the Halos. Right next to the remote. Somewhere, Bill Stoneman is smiling. For years, it was his job to sit and stare at the remote, or as he put it, “take calls and have conversations.” Boy did he love that phrase. ...