LA Angels Thursday News Crash: Bachman Underdrive

The Angels came to terms with their first round pick Sam Bachman for an under slot bonus of $3,847,500.  I guess he is Bachman Underdrive rather than Overdrive.

Mike Trout has been out running around on the bases as he traveled with the club to Oakland

Max Stassi made this list of potential trade deadline busts.  I am not so sure the Angels would even consider trading him in view of what other catchers they have on their depth chart.  Would they call up Matt Thaiss? 

Fanatics is now the exclusive memorabilia partner of Shohei Ohtani.

 Links From Around Baseball

People on the side of Oakland say the city and the Oakland Athletics are getting closer to a deal while people on the side of the Athletics say the parties have grown farther apart.  There is usable land around Las Vegas.  Water, though, might be a different story. 

Twins outfielder and first baseman Alex Kirilloff will have wrist surgery that will probably end his season.  The Twins called up Willians Astudillo to take his place. 

Mets manager Luis Rojas was suspended for two games and fined for arguing excessively with the umpires about a non-reviewable play.  Taijuan Walker tried to make sure a foul ball stayed foul but he blew it.  Three runners scored while all of the Mets apparently were unaware the ball was in play.  Rojas seems unrepentant about the matter. 

The Nationals are proceeding under the assumption that Starlin Castro will not be back with the team this year after he was placed on administrative leave for domestic violence

Drew Robinson retired from playing professional baseball.  He has a new job in the Giants front office in a mental health advocacy role. 

Tigers starter Spencer Turnbull is having Tommy John surgery

Job posting: The White Sox are hiring for a couple of baseball operations positions

Job posting: Sports Info Solutions is hiring a paid intern for Research and Development. 

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

86 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

Another of the 20 signs. This one will add $90,000 to the Mason Albright signing fund.

https://twitter.com/jimcallisMLB/status/1418334399213547525

Guest
2 years ago

https://twitter.com/MiLBAdvocates/status/1418331051806666754?s=20

Say it with me: “Arte 👏 is 👏 CHEAP! 👏 

I can’t understand or accept what these teams are doing to these players who are fighting for a chance at a dream. These conditions are inhumane and should be addressed in the next CBA.

At the very least, you’re shooting yourselves in the foot, by not making sure your players have their very basic necessities covered.

Guest
2 years ago
Reply to 

It’s difficult to develop pitching talent when your players are instead too busy pitching up tents to sleep in every night 😒 

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to 

To me, if I’m an owner, it makes good business sense to have my own apt building / condo building where my players stay, at a greatly reduced rate (less than market rate), so the players can focus on their skill sets rather than looking for side jobs to barely afford to sleep on the floor. My guess is this isn’t just an Angels organization thing.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

It’s not. I follow Ty Buttrey on IG and he recently posted several things about the horrible conditions endemic to the MiLB life. He showed the “postgame meal” which was a picture of an open-faced sandwhich consisting of disgusting wonder bread one piece of bologna, one piece of lettuce and one slice of tomato.

It was truly sad. It is scandalous the way these organizations treat these guys.I am not saying they should be living in the lap of luxury, but providing them with enough money (not $14 dollars a day) to at least have a place to stay and get decent food is not too much to ask for. According to More Than Baseball the average salary for a minor league player for the first 7 years of his career is only $6,884 per YEAR. This is disgraceful.

Minor League Baseball Salary: How Much Do MiLB Players Make? | Fanbuzz

Last edited 2 years ago by JackFrost
Jayman28
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

That’s why when I tried to continue playing baseball at a JC, I decided to call i quits after 18, and now looking back.

I didn’t want to get paid like poop and staying at the prostitute motels.

And they wonder why two sport players would have rather take a rookie contract in the NFL where they may be a practice squad player at best.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Maybe Arte can provide the minor leaguers some space under one of his billboards so they can pitch a tent.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

This is a issue with most MLB teams.
Not a cheap Arte issue……but, he is a cheap ass.

eyespy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to 

Dregs of the Angels

Jim Atkins
Super Member
2 years ago

Just saw on MLB Trade Rumors that Atlanta has outrighted Jonathan Lucroy to AAA Gwinnett. He was pretty well used up when we had him, what, two years ago? Probably this is about the end of the career for him. He got to play ball for a long time, though.

DMAGZ13
Trusted Member
2 years ago

This is probably linked tomorrow, but https://theathletic.com/2720747/2021/07/22/top-50-mlb-prospects-keith-laws-updated-2021-midseason-list/?amp#click=https://t.co/qeHv5Vyvbc

Detmers listed in his updated top 10. Says he has “ace potential.” Interesting. When drafted I imagined a junk balling lefty, but I guess he has a lot more real velocity.

admkir
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  DMAGZ13

He’s the only Angel in the top 50

DMAGZ13
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  admkir

Yes…. a lot of Rays, Jays, Padres and Dodgers.

This list does not include anyone playing in the bigs, so I’m sure Marsh would’ve been there.

I think I mentioned this a few days ago, but our farm rankings will probably be dead last next year, especially if Detmers falters in AAA or comes to the bigs soon.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  admkir

We’d have another one if we had drafted Kumar

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

Not sure how much info in this video is new.

https://twitter.com/Angels/status/1418058842240290820

Last edited 2 years ago by Cowboy26
steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago

J Up batting 3rd tonight.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  steelgolf

Back on IR tomorrow morning.

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago

Ouch. Give him at least a week of games.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  steelgolf

You’re much more optimistic than me. I figure he’ll pull a muscle lacing up the cleats.

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago

 😁 

eyespy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

One healthy, and five damaged

admkir
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Ward sent down to learn how to throw to the cutoff

benjiface
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  admkir

Or how to run the bases

eyespy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  admkir

Good. He really needs to get real practice in. He needs to ask the right questions now that he has some experience in the outfield he should know what to ask.

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  eyespy

Like how to track a ball when going back towards the wall. Doing pirouettes with your glove flailing above your head is not recommended in baseball.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf
Last edited 2 years ago by Cowboy26
steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

all the left handed bat names go in this hat, the right handed bat names go in that hat. Okay pick one from each hat, now repeat.

eyespy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Not even that complicated, just lucky on pulling names from one hat

tommyshalo
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

And Cruz gone is not bad news on the opening day of a four game series against the Twins.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  tommyshalo

What happened Gulf the Roid Boy?

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  red floyd

Now a Tampa Bay Ray.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Anyone know if he did a rehab in SBD?

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  red floyd

Betty Ford? No I think it was just Salt Lake for 2 games.

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago

I was thinking it’s trout but this guy can actually grow a beard.
https://mobile.twitter.com/trashpandas/status/1418270908599439361

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  DowningDude

and less fat……..

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  DowningDude

Jeez I’m slow. Was news 3 hours ago. I’ll go back under my rock now…..

H.T. Ennis
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  DowningDude

😂

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

😂 ……. 😭

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

From Venezuela and Japan to the Czech Republic…
https://twitter.com/angelsreddit/status/1418256918230048770?s=20

H.T. Ennis
Admin
Super Member
GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

Huh x 2.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

This guy must really need attention.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

28 year-old rookies……geesh

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

With writing ability like that, he needs to stay in baseball as long as he possibly can.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

What? Over? Did you say over?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vtWB4owdE

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

One of my finer moments.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

*One of many.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

Like this Sicario Suarez kid…..all things remain the same, no TJS, brain freez, “Suarez attributed the early success to being loose in between innings, talking to teammates to keep his mind free.” We can pencil him in for next year as our 4 or 5.
Still think we need a new pitching guru to get these guys confident and gritty.

https://www.mlb.com/news/jose-suarez-allows-four-runs-in-loss-to-a-s

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Also in that article:

 “Instead, left fielder Taylor Ward fired a weak throw behind Canha to second base, allowing Olson to score easily.”

It is unfathomable to me that any big league scouts ever thought TW was a superior defensive player especially at a grueling position like catcher. Were the Angels completely duped?

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

The draft room was giddy in delight at the prospect of drafting him. As a catcher, he was full of grit and determination. Unfortunately, he lacked talent.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago

[insert GIF here… I’m too GA to look for it]

Christianhanson
Trusted Member
2 years ago

Detmers and Rodriguez to Utah

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

Brief stop I hope.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Detmers has been filthy at Rocket City . He has had a couple bouts with the long ball. He averaged 1.7 HR/9 for the Trash Pandas and I suspect that number will rise in the PCL band boxes. In looking at his game logs it looks like he is more susceptible to the HR in the later pitch counts and innings ( The old 3 time around the line up syndrome ? ) but I’m sure the Angels will temper expectations for the ballparks and altitudes.

CRod is more of a puzzle for me. It just seems like he hasn’t been any where near the same since returning from the I.L. I recognize the stated goal of the demotion was to stretch him out and he did get up to 79 pitches in his last start But it will be interesting to see how he does in the rarified air

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Ah so that’s the trash panda tweet

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago

Tigers are ahead of the Rangers. A Detroit win will lower the magic number to 55. That’s the number to finish out of last place.

But seriously, folks, I hope we can go 3-1 in this Twins series and get back to .500. Still no transactions concerning Trout or Upton.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago

I seriously doubt that we are going to take three. A split is the best we can hope for. But I can easily see the Twins winning three of four. The offense is stagnant. On top of that we have a couple of bad pitching matchups this series including tonight with Heaney vs. Maeda.

Heaney will give up runs; you can be sure of that. And I think Maeda will be stingy. Tonight I think a 7-3 loss is on the menu.

We need Trout and Upton back in the worst way.

Last edited 2 years ago by JackFrost
Jessica DeLine
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago

You know one of the reasons for signing Bachman first round was they felt they could sign him way under slot. It’s how they roll. TBF, lots of teams do it and so long as Rocker doesn’t end up hugely better than him, I guess it’s okay.

H.T. Ennis
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jessica DeLine

even if, process > results. if you disagree with the process, that’s fine. but it shouldn’t be results-based

Jessica DeLine
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

The real question is did they really believe Bachman was “best available” or “best available for the price”? I like him, I just question that strategy. Angels have a history of paying under slot and look how well that has worked out.

H.T. Ennis
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jessica DeLine

For sure, and it’s fun to debate! After I got my initial reaction of “oh no we passed on Rocker, classic Angels” it was really interesting to see the different strategies play out.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

Bachman has great stuff, no question. If he can stay healthy he might turn out to be even better than Rocker. Knowing our bad luck with pitching injuries I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Jessica DeLine

It seems to me it was clearly “best available for the Angels draft strategy” which was to underslot the 1st round pick and use the money to overslot later picks. If it works, it’s brilliant. If it doesn’t, it won’t be any worse than what’s going on today.

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jessica DeLine

Hi Jessica. Any chance you could put the t-shirt link back up. They are so awesome I want to buy more.

Jessica DeLine
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

They are limited runs so perhaps we’ll do another one in September. We try not to do them too often to keep them more limited and also each time we list them they run as a “campaign” with certain totals required before they can ship.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jessica DeLine

Make sure you get some Husky size too…..

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jessica DeLine

Can’t wait. Really a great tshirt

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jessica DeLine

I am bullish on Bachman. I think he could be a real #2 starter and possibly #1. After he was signed his friends and family said he would probably go and train and practice instead of celebrating all night. I think he is driven to exceed expectations.

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Exceeding expectations would get Bachman a lot of money in the future, so if he does indeed train and practice hard, that’s good for both the fans and him.

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago

Any move Oakland makes hurts us. A new stadium or city will mean increased revenue which can be used to improve their roster. I am hoping their current situation continues as long as possible.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  MarineLayer

….or it forces Arte to fix the stalemate with the Anaheim city council on the current stadium improvements.

eyespy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

The A’s will stay better because the try to put a successful team on the field, Arte don’t care.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

I see it differently. Not so black and white. Winning is often mysterious. Perhaps moving will totally f-up their mojo and we will starting beating them like the drums that bald idiot pounds on in the outfield of the Oakland Coliseum.

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Correct – no more “green-collar” sh-t.

DMAGZ13
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Is Vegas considered a “high elevation” area? Does this mean the ball is going to fly out? If so, As will combine that pitching with homers. Yikes

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  DMAGZ13

It’s at half the elevation of Salt Lake City, but I understand the 51s stadium contributes to the hitter-friendly nature of the PCL, so basically, yes.

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago

The Oakland A’s situation is the classic one we see – The team wants to move but would prefer to blame the City for being unreasonable so as not to lose too much of their fan base. The City does not want to shoulder the blame so they agree to a bunch of the demands but not all, knowing the team will not accept anything but full agreement. That way the City can save face and say ‘we tried’ and keep their political careers.

A’s are going to Vegas. There is simply too much money involved. This is a franchise that has drawn terribly in Oakland even with great teams.

All I ask for is no drum section in Vegas so I can watch an Angels-Vegas game without having to hear that.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Agree. This would be added motivation to make that trip to Vegas…

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Already making plans, once maybe twice a year, definitely when we get our shit together and take down the A’ss.

SScott
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

The idiotic drumming gets really close to ruining the game. It drives me bonkers.

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  SScott

Nothing those “green collar” idiot Oakland fans like better than to drive spoiled Orabfe County bonkers.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Politics in a nut shell. Spend time and money doing shit – busy work…..but not accomplishing anything. When they want to get something done that is unpopular, do it behind closed doors in the dark, while we are sleeping.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

He made him go all Buttrey. I’m moving the White Sox up my list of hated teams. Astros retain the top spot, though.

Fleckstein
Trusted Member
2 years ago

Reinsdorf and 2005 already had them high on my list. A colleague has made up a fake award called the Reinsdorf for the person in baseball who was the biggest a-hole of the year.