Hillenbrand is sad; Figgy is taking advice from Haynes

The LA Times article says:

Shea Hillenbrand knew this was coming, but the full weight of the news didn't seem to hit him until Manager Mike Scioscia told him in a meeting Sunday that he would no longer be the team's regular designated hitter.

"I've worked hard to be where I am, and this is a pretty big step backward for me personally," said Hillenbrand, who is batting .241 with three home runs and 18 runs batted in. "But the welfare of the team comes first. I told Mike since day one … that whatever role he wants to put me in, I'm here."

The Angels did the right thing, Hillenbrand was not good for the team. They gave him his chance, but his veteran presence won't help him now.

Also, another LA Times article reports that Figgy is taking advice from Nathan Haynes, a minor leaguer for the past decade.

Haynes has only been with the Angels for a week but he's already made an immediate impact in a most unusual way. About five days ago, he went up to his good friend Figgins, who was in the midst of a horrible slump, suggested something, and since then the Angels third baseman has took off.

"It was nothing big," Haynes said. "I just told him about my approach at the plate and what works for me. We're similar players and we try and do similar things at the plate. He's my best friend and I'm glad he's having success and he's starting to gain more confidence at the plate.

I'm glad Figgy is starting to get on base, it was getting sadder each day for a while remembering that we missed Aramis Ramirez and Akinori Iwamura in the offseason.