Hi everybody! It’s Rule 5 day. Here is the date time and format of the draft. This article explains the Rule 5 draft. The Angels are still in contention for James McCann.
Awards Links
Al Michaels won the Ford C. Frick Award. Dick Kaegel, long time writer covering the Cardinals and Royals, won the J.G. Taylor Spink Award for meritorious contributions to baseball writing.
Non-Awards Links
Eleven full season teams did not get invited to be affiliated with a Major League ball club, including the Burlington Bees. Wow! Thom Brennaman got an announcer job in the Roberto Clemente League a five team winter league in Puerto Rico. The Mariners hired Chris Flexen to a two year $4.75 Million dollar contract. He apparently sucked as a Met but pitched well with the Doosan Bears. The Giants just signed a bunch of pitchers I never heard of to minor league deals. Meanwhile, the Mets signed Trevor “Not Bauer” Hildenberger for their bullpen and Jared Robinson got a minor league deal. Unfortunately, we have missed out on catcher Chadwick Tromp. Just think of all the Tromper Stompers we could have sold at the team store.
Brian O’Nora pleaded not guilty to charges in his sex sting case.
I think just maybe Arturo is making for that one desperate push to get into the post season ( especially in lieu of the Doyers having won it all, or risk having to move to Siberia. ). 2014 all over again…….don’t count on Bauer coming here however. His big anti pitching angle still stands! We’ll probably overpay for one at the summer trading deadline instead and let him walk at the end of the season ( expect Reid Detmers to be traded. ) Wundir if Gitcho agreez with mee, or thinks I’m typying with my noze again? 😂
I think the proof is in the pudding re: working for Arte:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/phillies-close-to-hiring-dave-dombrowski.html
so the Nashville thing wasn’t set in stone?
Depends on who’s asking.
Come on….really?! It’s pretty clear, Dumbo wanted an Organization where he was in charge of baseball ops. That is not the case in Anaheim.
We dodged a bullet. If it was due to Arte’s reputation, I thank you Mr. Moreno. How is Carole doing?
Scouting pitchers (we all multitask in the LAA FO), thanks.
Suck up
A signing of McCann would almost certainly mean a trade for a good pitcher. Marsh/Musgrove or Adell/Plescac type deal. Unless Arte is truly blowing up the budget OR Minasian is truly looking 2022, which he might be considering he’s only added one year pieces at this time.
The Iglesias twins have added about $12 million in payroll. McCann would add another $10ish per reports. That leaves about $10 million, max, for 2 starters and bullpen depth and, preferably outfield depth.
Likely McCann has the offers and is mulling it over. NYM will outbid LAA but he may have other considerations. I’m on the Casali bandwagon; it would be similar to the Jose Iglesias trade: a solid, balanced player at a good price. Need to remain focused on pitching, quality and depth. For LAA, the McCann decision is holding up the subsequent moves, budgetwise.
Great minds, ha ha. I’d take Casali and use the rest of the money on pitching.
It’s not like Minasian can’t talk to Caseli’s agent at the same time. In fact, he probably should, you can gauge Caseli’s value against what McCann is asking for.
They could and should be in touch already, agreed. Seems like they prefer McCann, otherwise why not sign Casali now?
Why do you think Caseli wants to sign right now? He’s probably got some good options that may open up in the non-Realmuto/McCann markets. I mean think about it, most GMs are going to him before Yadi Molina. I doubt he’s just jumping at the first solid offers he gets and he may even wait until after McCann signs then try to get a 2 year deal at 1/2 the money, etc. It’s not as though we’ve figured out his value but his agent hasn’t.
Agree with all that. I too would nit expect to see him come off the board before the top three catchers sign.
I don’t mean any disrespect, I see a lot of people mention outfield depth but didn’t we sign schebler for that?
I think so, if he’s healthy (PM would have done his due diligence) at the least there will be a little competition in ST. A no risk minor league deal. In RF, more of that and not Schwarber, even if Maddon likes him.
I’d he our fourth outfielder or starting right fielder? I’d prefer the former and for Adell to get some development time.
There are some solid non-tenders that will make fine 4th OF to mix with Schebler/Ward/Walsh. Probably a defensive guy like ex-number one prospect in baseball Delino DeShields…. or just bring Goody back.
But given that we have 3-4 guys not named Adell who can play the third OF spot my guess is that the new OF will be a last move.
Wilson Contreras is available for the taking. Best stick of all. My guess is, Maddon is not a fan and we will not pursue.
McCann makes me a bit hesitant if it required a 4-yr $40M commitment as it is being reported wrt the Mets offer.
That’s way too much commitment when guys like Casali are still available.
I think if Casali had regular at bats, his offense could be on par with McCann. I know he may not be popular on CTPG due to his age, but Molina on a 2-yr deal would not piss me off. He’s fierce.
I just like Casali as a solid balance of bat and glove. His framing has improved, and he always has a good eye at the plate. Just needs to control the running game better.
The difference between Casali and McCann will likely be $8-$10 million per year. The difference in play won’t be much.
I’d rather take Casali and another piece or two.
Casali can take some reps at 1B as well.
Agree. I’d pass on McCann; just not feeling it.
Love the Rivera pick up.
Today starts out with High Heat’s Chris Mad Dog Russo expounding on New York and the Mets diatribe. “F” the Mets!
In general, I really like MLB radio on SiriusXM, but I can’t listen to Russo. Hate opinionated yellers like Jim Rome and Skip Bayless. Life is too short to waste any of it on Bayless.
Bayless is the absolute worst. I don’t think even he believes the sewage he spews.
Rome was ok back in the day. Haven’t listened to him in years. Did meet him a while back and he was incredibly nice.
I’d also nominate Colin Cowherd. He used to be based in Portland. Up close, when you look in his eyes you do NOT see the look of intelligence.
I had forgotten Colin Cowherd. I had to take a long course of medication and endless therapy sessions. Thanks for reminding me. 😁
Cowherd refuses to discuss baseball. Hard Pass.
Don’t like Cowherd. Guy thinks he’s a sociologist when his job is to talk sports.
I remember Rome when we first started out on XTRA 690 (the mighty 690), lived in south OC. He was pretty fresh and entertaining back then then but as he got more publicity, the harder it was to listen to him. XTRA 690 was pretty good back then. For local sports (live in San Diego), big fan of John Kentera, 97.3FM, The Coach. While he is a diehard Padre fan, loves talking baseball and has good beat writers join the show. Easy voice to listen to for me.
Yep, I rembember those days. I particularly liked Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton.
He was entertaining, had a unique delivery and was never boring. He is also still the most knowledgeable person (all sports combined, including Nascar, hockey, horse racing etc) I have ever heard on sports.
Hacksaw was awesome. I’d sometimes get 690 when I drove tractors outside Bakersfield.
The High Speed Sports Wire……”That’s right knucklehead”
Lol statement to those he disagreed with! 😆
Sports talk radio in the 1990’s rocked!!
Chargers Play by Play as well.
Everyone into the pattern!!
Best 15-min of sports was his intro spiel rattling off story lines. really enjoyed him as well. Broadcasting from the 100,000 watt flamethrower from Baja. to
Totally. And I loved the way he delivered the police blotter stuff. His tone was so dramatic and serious.
Big Nasty Joe McDonnell…….died in March, 2015
McDonnell Douglas was pretty entertaining for awhile too
I never, not 30 years ago, not 20 or even year ago liked Jim Rome, he’s not funny at all and I can stand his delivery, makes for a crappy Quarterback just ask Jim Everett.
I would just keep running into those guys a yelling, and their emulators Can’t listen to sports radio ant more.
Matt Vasgersian said today that the Angels need to sign Bauer as he believes that would put them (Angels) over the top and put the Angels at least into the playoffs. Harold and Costas Jr. agreed.
Imagine getting paid to make obvious observations like that.
Ha. Good one Mia. And very true.
Soriano = Rivera? I do no know, but the Pirates seem to think Soriano is even better. Did we outsmart ourselves?
Pirates take Angels prospect Jose Soriano #1 in rule five draft
Angels take Astros pitching prospect Jose Rivera
Can throw 102 apparently! https://twitter.com/jjcoop36/status/1337082486040432640?s=21
He’s a nice pick-up. Hardest thrower on the board. Needs to clean up his slider, but his FB and change are good tools.
Would have been a solid Rule 5 draft had Soriano not been selected with the first pick.
It’s very surprising that the Pirates were willing to harbor Soriano on their active roster given he’s still recovering from TJ.
Jessica reminds me that I gave the front office a pass on not protecting Soriano for this reason, thinking no one would pick up a prospect who got TJ in 2020 and has never pitched above low-A.
That said, with 6 open spots on the 40-man, and Soriano being probably the third-best pitching prospect in the organization in terms of stuff (he was touching 100mph in 2019 and projects as a mid-rotation starter in 2+ years if it all comes together), Jose Soriano is not the type of prospect that the Angels can afford to just let go for free.
Here’s hoping the Pirates return him by summer.
Pirates gotta be hoping they can stash him away on the IL and a rehab assignment most of the season right?
I think some creative manipulation of the IL is in store, yeah.
According to this: http://m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/rule-5-draft#:~:text=A%20Rule%205%20Draft%20pick,restrictions%20in%20the%20next%20campaign.
They only need him to be off the IL for 90 days. Even if they keep him on the IL all year long the only penalty is they have to put him on the active roster in 2022 instead of 2021.
So you’re saying there’s a possibility of Soriano becoming like a similar scenario version of Clevinger?
Without a Vinnie Pestano in return, apparently. If that’s what MLB rules allow, this is a terrible mistake by the new FO team. 🙁
Ben Charington is obviously a stupid head. There is no way Soriano is any good, he’s from the Angels farm system so it is scientifically impossible for him to be good.
Until he faces us. Are we on Pittsburgh’s schedule in 2022?
Just saw on The Athletic, Eno Sarris is predicting Halos sign Trevor Bauer to a one-year, $36 million contract.
That seems highly unlikely to me unless budgetary constraints are n/a.
Artie is not going to do that, a one year deal at Trouty money is not in the cards is my guess.
36m and we lose a Pick? Pass
Here is an article I stumbled upon regarding Victor Rojas
https://www.yahoo.com/news/voice-angels-sells-dodgers-championship-140045739.html
I am liking this read. Victor is just a good guy and is working close with his children in something successful and that is special and smart.
No Skanks or Sux gear, there is that
A Maris and Mantle tribute is coming out soon.
I was a huge Clemente fan as a kid. Had no idea he was a Rule 5 Selection and that it’s been around that long.
Seriously, the Dodgers for years put out that Roberto would play at all with any discomfort trying to justify such a bonehead decision. I thought about having him in RF for years as my Dad and I went to see the Pirates more than any other team. I saw Stargell hit not one but two balls out of Dodger Stadium. Once was 1968 and the other was in 1973. The one in ’73 never touched the RF Pavilion roof.
I believe Stargell is the only one to hit a ball out of Chavez Latrine during a game. I saw Hank Aaron hit one out during batting practice, although it bounced off the roof in left field.
The only one to do it without steroids. McGwire hit one that bounced off the pavilion roof in 1999. Stargell’s shot cleared the roof and part of the parking lot. Stud.
Stargell was like a folk hero… just a big and strong dude with personality to boot. Just get him a blue ox and let the stories begin.
I thought Dave Kingman did it.
Let’s check in with Tommy Lasorda and listen to what he has to say about Dave Kingman:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIwrYH6Urbs
Before I click on your link, I know it needs a NSFW tag. Fucking (the last for 2020) Tommy.
I listened to that game on the radio. The first two homers were called by Vin Scully. The last was called by Jerry Doggett (the ultimate Doyer homer), and when it when out, he was so depressed you’d swear that someone just shot Doggett’s dog.
Sweet
Thom Brennaman is deserving of a second chance imho, as by now his views on things have changed as well as those views for those he was working with.
Good Morning to all and a Big Congratulations to Al Michaels for his well deserved entrance to the Baseball Hall of Fame. I first recall listening to Al Michaels calling U.C.L.A basketball and replacing another legend in Dick Enberg in I believe 1969 or 1970 and he never missed a beat and superb job for a few years before moving on being replaced by Fred Hessler. Here we are now 50 years later and Al is still going strong calling Sunday Night Football and every three years the Super Bowl!
I was pulling for Dave “Soup” Campbell but happy it was not Buck.
Al Michaels is truly deserving and in watching the MLB network tribute it was great to hear how important baseball has been to his career. Unfortunately it was really rough for me when MLB network showed Al Michael’s greatest highlights and I had to Watch his calls on Game 5 over and over again.
Started he career over here doing AAA games for the PCL Islanders
Does that make him an Angels alumni?
I guess Al believed in miracles! Yes!