LA Angels Weekend News Crash: Farm Time

As many of you know, I grew up in a small Central Valley town surrounded by farms and spent much of my younger years working in them. This is the time of year when the harvest is done and you get to settle into only working 40 hours or so a week getting your equipment ready for next year and planting the occasional field.

Angels GM Perry Minasian is in a similar spot right now. 2021 is in the rear view but he needs to gear up and shoot for a better harvest next year. The Angels have not developed enough talent to field a winning team in recent years. Currently the farm system sits in the lower third of the league in most rankings. Things need to change.

Last week Minasian poached Tony Ferreira from St. Louis to oversee the farm. This week scouting director Matt Swanson was relieved of his duties.

If you want to catch up on the Angels prospects lists, check out TBW’s here and MLB Pipeline’s here. And feel free to revisit my my chat with TBW he lists some sleepers as well.

The farm will definitely need to improve as a division rival has the best farm system in baseball per Baseball America.

Of course most of the Angels pipeline is a ways away from contributing at the big league level. So let’s start salivating over the starting pitching free agent class.

I find a lot of those names intriguing, particularly Stroman and I’d like to see Eduardo Rodriguez in the bigger ballparks in the West. And obviously Mad Max. Tell me who you want, who you really, really want.

How much cash will Perry have to play in the free agent market? The Athletic takes a look.

And while we all think about having an ace for a big October game, this postseason follows the trend of the ever decreasing role of starting pitchers in October.

Every trend has outliers and Framber Valdez delivered huge for the Asterisks in Game 5. This kid is going to be a thorn in our side for years.

Skipper Joe Maddon enters the last year of his contract in 2022. However, his picture is on the front page because he hosted a fundraising golf tournament for his charitable foundation which benefits kids. That’s the type of stuff I admire and respect.

Can’t have links without some Shohei Ohtani porn. MLB rated his top 5 home runs of the year. It was an incredible year we witnessed and I’ll always love Justin Upton’s reaction to the upper decker in Seattle.

D-Cell also had a great year. Take a look at all 34 of his saves.

I’ve had this talk with a Dodgers fan at work. Mookie Betts is great but Kike Hernandez and Alex Verdugo are powering the Sox. I know Kike wasn’t part of the trade, but is Betts really a big enough upgrade over Verdugo to justify that trade now?

Dodgers fans watching Kike Hernandez turn into a post season legend are calling it a real bummer.

The Braves are up 3 games to 1 as I type this. I think we’ve seen this before. Hopefully they finish the job this year.

In a sign of how large of an emphasis fans and media put on October vs. the 162 game season, are the current Dodgers in jeopardy of becoming the 90s Braves? It is odd that history is now looking down on one of the most dominant teams in all of sports.

The Asterisks are up on the Roid Sux 3 games to 2 but if they make it to the Series, they will be without some key players.

The amount of cheating between those two franchises could fill a book. Actually, there already is one on Houston. And a flashing light on the center field wall in Game 5 immediately led to a lot of theories.

One reason Boston is still alive is Rule V pick Garret Whitlock’s emergence as an elite reliever. The fact the Sux poached him from the MFY only adds to that rivalry.

While no super longform links, both the 90s Braves and Whitlock pieces should be long enough to get you through morning coffee.

Prefer something to watch with your morning beverage? Check out Don Sutton going for win 300 on NBC’s Game of the Week. Yes, that is the incomparable Vin Scully on the mic.

Have a great weekend. Please link what I listed below.

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Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

Desert Dog pitching news Friday night

Crow 3.0 innings, 0 ER, 4 hits, 3 k, 1 walk, ERA 1.80

Pina 3.0 innings, 0 ER, 1 hits, 2 k, 0 walk, ERA 0.00

Jackson .091 OPS .178

Martinez .250 OPS..613

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

LET’S GO BRAVES! I need someone to root for that doesn’t require me being extra drunk and pilled up to do it!!! Spare me from a week to ten days of being an Astros fan! You can do this for me, I know you can. The power of Freddy Freeman, a bunch of other players neither I nor Matty V know much about, and the ghost of Acuna compels you!

Also, Acuna’s kind of a flashy douche (he’ll probably grow out of it) so it would be kind of funny to watch him watch his team win a belt without him via the power of…. Andrew Duvall?

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

ATL will need to play tough and find their inner Honey Badger to prevail.

Doyers pull it out is my prediction…….Stock up on pills and liquor.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

comment image

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  red floyd

Ha! I’m always wrong with my predictions! And I love it this time!

Twebur
Legend
Cowboy26
Legend
MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

I will always be grateful for 2002, but seriously, I have no idea how that actually happened, given what we know now.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

What do we know now?

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Good thing you added the last part… I mean, grateful for what ?

He wasn’t the reason we won in 2002.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Nice. If Dodgers lose tomorrow, Roberts will get canned. He would become a potential hire with his San Diego connections.

ihearhowie3.0
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I had wondered this a few weeks ago but I still don’t see how he would fit a team built long term around Manny Machado and Tatis. Talented yes but Scioscia has never clicked with guys like that.

Maybe a new environment he’d have a few good years though before he tried to settle back into dictator mode.

InTheKoles
Newbie
2 years ago

Don’t really know what he’ll do with the QO but I’d like one of the top guys then Jon Gray. I think he’d kill it here.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Can he pitch? Only if he can pitch.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Ding. Ding.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

So after watching Marsh last year, The Angels definitely need him win centerfield. No way the GOAT should be going back there. That leaves Adell as the prime trade asset. Do you think that Adell has really improved his trade value with his mini resurgence this year?

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Or…… sign him and plan on him playing ‘almost’ everyday. Keep the twins, more seasoning for both Adell and Marsh into becoming stud MLB’ers. Besides Fat Mike is not getting younger and we all know he spend time on the DL next year. Basically Seiya Suzuki will replace Gold Glove, Ward, the Goose OF experiment, Rengifo, W’r’ong, Rojas, trade/cut Upton…..besides we will need a part time DH next year. Sho probably will be allowed to have more off days with (we hope) a healthy lineup.
Maybe not hit on the days he pitches. Slide one of the 4 OF’ers into the DH slot once a week.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

But but where will J Up play?

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Do you seriously think Upton won’t be on the roster, sucking up valuable playing time, given all the money Arte still owes him?

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

After the PR nightmare generated by the Pujols jettison. I just don’t see this happening until much much later in the season if at all.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

PR nightmare? I did not see any blowback from an Angel perspective.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  FungoAle

Also, the media doesn’t spend nearly as much time with their face buried in the crotch of either J Up or what ever team he likely lands with, unless it’s the YankSuxBlue.

Still, I’m actually all for seeing what he can do for us before we just eat his contract. He always looks “done” when he’s hurt. In the off chance he’s healthy and mashes I’d be happy to let him do it here rather than cut him in March and have him hit for a 130 OPS+ in Cleveland while we pay him.

A team with a healthy Upton and Adell as a 4th OF isn’t something I am going to dislike. Adell can be a defensive replacement and start when J Up or Shohei sits.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Not sure who’s going to blow our back , but you don’t think the St Albert love and admiration tour hasn’t reinforced the perspective that the Angels are still a bunch of feckless incompetent dopes ?

I’m certainly not a marketing expert but this perception cannot be good for P.R.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I remember a lot of ignorant folks said, “how could you do that to a HOF.” But from Angel fans, baseball beat writers, and insiders perspective, dumping AP was long overdue. Killed the cancer by just saying…”well, bye.”

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

We don’t want this guy. Historically, go back and look at position players not name Ichiro and Hideki “Godzilla” Matsui.

Last edited 2 years ago by FungoAle
Fleckstein
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Makes me sad. I’m a huge, suffering Hiroshima Carps fan

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago

Hey, got an email reminding me that 2021 Angels Season Tickets are on sale! (The price has not gone down)

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

I should hope not. Scalpers ‘R’ Us? 2021 tix, I’m out. Funny stuff.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Great, NOW you tell me. Unfortunately my contribution has already cleared the bank.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  steelgolf

Anybody who has been constantly complaining about the Angels…. here it is, your big moment, DON’T BUY TICKTS and TELL THEM WHY. Then just don’t go to games on single game tickets either. This may not actually do much, but it will be 1000 times more effective than making the same 30 people, none of whom work for the Angels, read your same tired as f*** complaint for another year.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago

This is true.

Not buying single game tickets and merchandise are a way to express one’s unhappiness, but cancelling or not renewing season tickets really sends a message. This is especially true if, as you say, you clearly state your reason/s.

Last edited 2 years ago by JackFrost
DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

2021? Sly move by arte – maybe to retro sell 3M tickets. Someone probably took the bait.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  DowningDude

He’ll make money on the interest before he has to refund the cash for games not played etc..

Rev used to talk about this scam; they’d always make season ticket holders pay for playoff tickets well in advance. Arte or whomever would put the money in a T Bill and make a bunch on that before refunding the money when the team didn’t actually make it to the playoffs…

Last edited 2 years ago by JackFrost
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  JackFrost

Man, that sounds….. smart? I mean, I’d be pissed if he kept my money, but if the chance to get post season tickets is a commodity that can make me money I’m gonna do it.

I mean sure, if I’m pathetic and envy drives my world view I’d be like “but he keeps the T-Bill money. What about the people who could have invested that money instead of him?” as if all these people were gonna take that money and what? Buy a share of VLV and hold it for two months, earning six dollars? People pre-pay to get play off tickets because it has value, they got ahead of what can be a hot market, and Arte makes money off it. I’d rather have an owner smart enough to do that than one too stupid to do it. I have to work pretty hard at finding a way this really hurts me, and if it really bothers me, I can not pre pay for tickets and deal with any consequences of that decision.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago

Okay, you are taking the businessman perspective on it, which I guess would be fine. The main problem is his greed causes him to keep our money alot longer than he should.

I remember having done this many years ago and it was over a month that the Angels had been eliminated and I still had not gotten my money back. Maybe for you that is not a problem, but for me at the time cash was tight so yes, it did hurt me.

This is the real problem. He/they don’t refund the money promptly. That is really taking advantage of and using the customer. I don’t see that as being “smart,” rather it is being a selfish jackass who doesn’t give a shit about his customers.

Last edited 2 years ago by JackFrost
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  JackFrost

When did they tell you the money would be refunded? If they said it would be refunded as soon as the team was eliminated, or 5 days after, or what ever, then yeah…. assholes. If, when you bought the ticket, it said they have some longer amount of time like 60 days then that’s what you bought in your situation. If they don’t tell us how long they have to refund the money…. I’m not even sure how they’d get away with that, but that would be an asshole move too.

But it’s not greed if the business does exactly what they say they are going to do when I tell them to do it to me. If I have a problem with that then it would be me being greedy, or envious right? I think. I could be wrong. I had to study a lot of ethics and philosophy back in the day and it drove me nuts.

Now I’m just a heartless robot.

Last edited 2 years ago by gitchogritchoffmypettis
JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago

I don’t remember the exact time frame stated. I think it was vague, but I did ask and it ended up being longer than I was told. So naturally I was angry.

Whatever one thinks about the ethics here I just don’t feel it is good business. These are customers you are trying to keep, right ?

This kind of business philosophy has always seemed short-sighted and stupid to me. I always believed that if you treat your customers right and take care of them they’ll keep coming back. But that is just me I guess.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  JackFrost

I’m bored at work and this made me curious. From what I can find I’m not sure Arte can even do the whole “Buy a one month T Bill.” thing. It’s all really vague, but I think teams sell the tickets, then so does the MLB later, and it looks like the money all goes to the MLB, then refunds go back through the teams who have to doll it back out to non-play off fans via their guidelines. Then the play off team’s money all goes into the post season pool.

But it looks like, maybe?, the team owners don’t hold the money at all…. of course all the stuff I read and team policies etc were convoluted and vague and wide ranging as f***.

But if I could do it, as an owner, I’d totally do the T-Bill thing as long as I get the refunds out when I said I would. It’s not like I’m gonna run out of people who want to jump the line and pay me for more exclusive access to the play offs. But it looks like they can’t…. in fact it looks like it’s hard for owners to make any ticket, game or uni related revenue that is exclusively theirs. Proceeds from interest on held over ticket revenue looks like it would be a point of contention amongst owners.

Jim Atkins
Super Member
2 years ago

Luke Bard, James Hoyt and Franklin Barreto all outrighted to SLC per MLB Trade Rumors. Barreto has enough service time to reject assignment and go free agent.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim Atkins

This now sets our 40 man roster at 38. ( Barreto was on the 60 day IL and needed to moved off) So these roster moves tell us that the Angels have no intentions of putting any of these guys on their 40 man for 2022.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Robbie Ray is coming off a “career year”, not a good time to sign him imho. Kershaw is going to cost a lot of money and he maybe done. Now Max is still lights out.

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago

I would steer clear of Kershaw unless you get him for 2 yrs @ 3 to 5 m per year. His back is wonky as hell now and has possible arm injury issues.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

gotta be careful with Kershaw. That’s quite a drop for him.

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago

Yep, great pitcher, great guy, but I think his body is worn out and it may just be time to hang up the glove.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Totally agree. Actually, I really would not want Kershaw, even if gotten cheap. The reason is that he would be taking a spot from somebody else, and his signing would mean not signing a younger and stronger starter.

With our recent injury history with pitchers the LAST thing we need is to bring in another big fat question mark.

Last edited 2 years ago by JackFrost
Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

a thumbs up for Stroman. Reading the list of top free agents I see Raisel listed. That means he’s gonna be wanted by several teams. I think if we don’t give him the QO he’ll move on. Yikes.

https://www.mlb.com/news/top-mlb-free-agents-2021-2022

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago

Rasiel will move on if we don’t pay the piper, 3-yrs/$45M+. A QO will not keep him here. He’ll decline the QO, that is what is great. Compensatory pick is making good out of something bad

Usually teams have to stress over whether or not to extend a QO. Rasiel is an easy one.

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Great analysis. I totally agree.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

why does The piper always get paid so much? Are you saying the Big A has rats?

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

Well, he does march off and take all our children with him…. cause the kids apparently love pipe?

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

[insert Rally Rat t-shirt picture here]

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Stroman is kind of a tool, bad chemistry ju-ju and I think the AL would not treat him too kind.

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

I agree with this too. I’m not in love with any of the starting pitcher options this year. Given the way baseball is evolving, I would focus on the bullpen and offer short large show me again contracts to the current crop while hoping some of Minisian’s minor league crop pan out. I suspect Arte will continue to be outbid here. We have little margin for error due to Upton and Rendon’s bad contracts and Arte’s unwillingness to extend himself beyond those mistakes. We have will have to pay up for Ohtani soon. I don’t know how Minisian figures it out and don’t believe he’s up to the task.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

3hrs, 33 mins game time.

Chris Taylors jersey number, 3.

Number of Dodgers with exactly 3 hits last night, 3.

Number of wins needed for Dodgers to get to the World Series entering last nights game, 3.

Number of Home Runs Chris Taylor had last night, 3.

Dodgers sure fit into the number 3 last night.

GO DODGERS! GO SOCAL STRONG!

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago

Go Braves!

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

Counting to 3 before I get made at our GPB………..BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! GPB!!!!!!!comment image

Last edited 2 years ago by Twebur
GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Yikes.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

comment image

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Did this guy pay for two tickets?

Cause he is definitely taking up at least two seats!

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

At least two!

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

You are correct.

Because he is leaning back so far he is taking up the seat behind him as well as the two he’s sitting on !

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

I’m so sorry for you.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

The Manliest picture ever on CtPG!!!

Designerguy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Is that Scioscia?

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Thanks Twebur. I don’t think I will ever be able to unsee this. Like, ever!

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago

Rec from “guests” … You logged out and rec’d yourself. Pfffffft

Duck the Fodgers!

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago

Number of times I said “F- the Dodgers” during Thursdays game : 3 !

Last edited 2 years ago by JackFrost
MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago

Watching Gramps accept his limitations and turn into a decent role player for the Doyers sickens me, as that is something he was never willing to do for us in his multiple declining years, while sucking $240,000,000 from our salary cap.

Last edited 2 years ago by MarineLayer
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  MarineLayer

Yes. Fat Ramses was a pretty huge let down. I would have admired him for it if he’d done it here, even though we needed the roster spot so he would have been gone eventually anyway.

Christianhanson
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

I disagree, Albert was our best first basemen til Walsh. He played everyday because there was no one better, I have heard many conflicting reports about what happened when he was cut, but I imagine being with the Dodgers with a new start and no expectations was good for him.

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago

You don’t think they could’ve found someone much better with $$ to spare if he retired and stopped sucking up Arte’s money. If you look at the metrics, he stopped being an above average player many years ago.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

You’ll be even more sick if Gramps gets the winning hit late in the deciding game of the World Series. Just think how you’ll feel then ….

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

That would not be a great moment, I agree.

2002heaven
Trusted Member
2 years ago

comment image
Cost more than Jose Urquidy, Luis Garcia, Framber Valdez combined
 😠  😥  😭  💩 ………Is it against MLB rules for the Angels to have a good farm system and scouting bureau? Maybe only Arte, John, and Dennis know the answer to my question. 2021 MLB minimum is $570.5K. Did the Houston Astros need to bang on trash cans to accomplish this or is this just incompetence, sloth, and obstinate foolishness on our part? Something for this online community to ponder………

Last edited 2 years ago by 2002heaven
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  2002heaven

What do Packy Naughton, the MLB Minimum, Jose Urquidy, Luis Garcia and Framber Valdez have to do with each other?

Packy cost us Brian Goodwin? We traded a one year rental outfielder who went on to suck for a mid-rank pitching prospect… sounds pretty normal to me. He’s been on an MLB roster less than 30 days, so how has he cost us more than the 3 Astros? He’s pitched 22 whole innings so I still have no idea if he’ll ever be useful. But why has Packy suddenly become the focus of your mouth breathing rage? Is it because he looks like a 15th century troubadour?

I’m not even gonna bother listing the pitching prospects in the system that have improved this year, nor am I gonna get into the non-list of people who were declaring that those three Astros were gonna be good this year. Add to that, you’re bitching about something that we’ve actually seen some steps taken to address just this week.

Congratulations Captain Hindsight. You’ve found another cherry to pick and then loudly gnaw on, getting most of it on your face instead of in your mouth. It’s impressive how you can state a basic, valid fact that no one is debating and make it stupid. What would we do without you to tell us what we all already know plus a bunch of bullshit?

Why would I ponder Arte, John and Dennis? It’s not something I can do anything about. Stressing about those guys is about as pointless as most of what you type. What do you want, a cookie? 🍪 

Last edited 2 years ago by gitchogritchoffmypettis
DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago

We need a gitcho weekly vocabulary lesson. Had to head to a web search for a “15th century troubador” and found an image of Packy Naughton. Thanks for this.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

actually it was a 2 month rental outfielder for the pitcher Spicoli

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

So it was Our Time?

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  red floyd

TBH, I think its been pretty bogus so far

Last edited 2 years ago by Cowboy26
Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

“What Jefferson was saying was, Hey! You know, we left this England place ’cause it was bogus; so if we don’t get some cool rules ourselves—pronto—we’ll just be bogus, too! Get it?”– Jeff Spicoli

YOUknowulovetheIE
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  2002heaven

LOL..

Don’t ever stop with these. I just see it as trolling and laugh with ya now. 🤘