LA Angels Thursday News Crash:

World Baseball Classic teams will get spring training showcases. Team USA plays the Angels on March 9, 2023. There will be no Team Japan showcase, apparently. The Dominican Republic will do theirs over in Florida.

News Flash!: The Angels will seek to improve their offense and bullpen this off season.

Sandy Alcantara won the National League Cy Young Award.

Forty year old Justin Verlander is seeking Max Scherzer level money.

Bryce Harper will be having surgery to repair his torn ulnar collateral ligament. They still haven’t decided if he will need the full Tommy John procedure.

The Texas Rangers hired Will Venable as Associate Manager to work alnogside Bruce Bochy.

The Royals released 24 year old catcher Sebastian Rivera. The Rockies and Dinelson Lamet came to an agreement thereby avoiding arbitration.

The Orix Buffaloes are finally posting Masataka Yoshida.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

132 Comments
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Mia
Legend
Mia
2 years ago

Victor Rojas is “all for it” if the Angels would like him back for PxP.

https://twitter.com/VictorRojas/status/1593338360982081540?s=20&t=a_NhInimY1CEn4SduO0cLg

Could you even imagine?

FungoAle
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Mia

Interesting, those earlier rumors seem real. Well, much better than Patty’O and Victor would kill off Matt V.

Mia
Legend
Mia
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Earlier rumors? I guess I missed those.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Mia

Git ‘er done!

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Mia

This is kind of funny in a way… He wanted to be a high level baseball executive, like a GM for some team, and when this falls through he comes crawling back to us…

Mia
Legend
Mia
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

I think he took that job just because it kept him close to home so that he could care for his wife. Now that she seems to be doing much better, maybe he feels it’s time to come back.

Would love to have him, no ill will at all. He burned no bridges on his way out.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Mia

Agree.

He would certainly be better than Matty V.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Unless I’m a Choakland fan, a lot of things would be better than MattyV

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  red floyd

Maybe he can become their part time manager.

ihearhowie3.0
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Mia

Would be great news. Victor was pretty darn good.

FungoAle
Legend
2 years ago

Congratulations to Judge. Great year and a good dude. Clear winner. It will be his last time getting in the top 3, however. Shohei could easily rip of 4-5 MVPs in a row.

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Clearly the second most valuable player in the AL.

Mia
Legend
Mia
2 years ago

Did Shohei deserve it? Yeah

Did Judge deserve it? Yeah

It is what it is. Doesn’t detract from his performance at all.

Congrats to Judge.

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

So you’re saying don’t Judge?

Mia
Legend
Mia
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

In some situations, in others…

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Mia

As I told Bleed-Blue-Sister, I’m disappointed but not upset.

nishiogawakun
Super Member
2 years ago

Wow, the AL MVP vote should not have been that close to unanimous in my opinion. Then again, won’t be the first time nor the last time that the so called sports writers have been a little sketch in their thinking.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  nishiogawakun

I’m more upset that Trout was 8th, behind Julio Rodriguez

FungoAle
Legend
2 years ago

Even though I could care less about who finished 3rd and beyond, that’s pretty bad

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  FungoAle

Eh. It’s just cause he missed so many games. He’ll be back up the board if he’s ever healthy again.

FungoAle
Legend
2 years ago

Trout was pretty frighting last year, 40-hrs in only 438 ABs. Would have been top 3 in OPS and Slugging given enough ABs.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  FungoAle

Exactly…. in 438 AB. Soon as he gets closer to 600 again he’ll be back to MVP wins.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Well does it really matter? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar1McsRmBOk

Trout_is_my_Bestie
Member
2 years ago
Reply to  nishiogawakun

I agree. Trout should’ve gotten way more votes!

Marcotor
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  nishiogawakun

In your opinion.

Which is all the MVP vote is, opinion. And there are many. Who cares about awards, hall of fame caps, et. al? I’d have thought we all would rather be “flying flags”.

Last edited 2 years ago by Marcotor
nishiogawakun
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Marcotor

Would definitely take a WS as consolation prize.

Trout_is_my_Bestie
Member
2 years ago

Breaking news:

Baseball Trade Values has updated Ohtani’s median trade value to 61!

RexFregosi
Super Member
2 years ago

Goldy!

So happy for the dude. Outside the Halo verse, favorite player by far – 110% solid citizen and 100% ball player

RexFregosi
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

another cautionary tale about trading away an MVP CALIBER player for prospects

You can get some good players but there’s no replacing an MVP

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Indeed.

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

Though you can literally replace the gaping hole said MVP leaves when he signs elsewhere with an inflatable tube guy.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago

comment image

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Earlier today I read an article about some Ying-Yang writing about a travesty it is that Pete Rose is not going into the Hall of Fame. SMFH. He is a gambler who gamble on his own team. He is a liar about gambling on the Reds only to win. Baseball does not condone gambling (see Shoeless Joe Jackson’s bio.) It a ban for life.

clover_black
Super Member
2 years ago

Tepid take on pete. Honestly, I think he should be executed on pay-per-view. I dare somebody to hate pete more than me.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  clover_black

If I were the parent of the 14 year old girl he was raping when he was in his 30’s I’d probably volunteer to flip the switch.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  clover_black

Oh yeah!?! I hate Pete Rose so much it makes me hate all the other people named Pete. Peter the Great? Loser. Peter Gabriel? Hack. Hell, I might even avoid heaven cause there’s a Peter waiting for me there.

Didja hear? Pete Rose gambled on baseball games, even on his team! I am enflamed!

RexFregosi
Super Member
2 years ago

Would you rather:

A. Be in the HOF
B. Have more hits than anyone to play MLB

I’m taking B.

Petey should just go away and be satisfied being the Hit King.

*after Ortiz, the HOF means nothing

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

I think the HOF stopped being meaningful by 1994 and was certainly broken when they started inducting people already in there! like Eric Clapton. And Steely Dan? Madonna??!? Forget it!

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago

Wha?

How can you put Clapton in the same sentence with Madonna and Steely Dan???

A sin! That’s what it is!

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Clapton is God.

comment image

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Clapton yeah, not Clapton again, and then one more time

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago

Just because he happened to be in the Yardbirds, the Bluesbreakers and Cream doesn’t mean he should not get in as a solo artist.

He deserves to be in as a solo artist. That’s why.

Besides, the individual is not getting in 3 times! It was the BAND that got in earlier, not him as an individual !! That is why George Harrison got in as a Beatle AND as a solo artist. Think about it.

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

lol calm down

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  2pints

Lol.

Who says I’m not calm?

I am very relaxed and enjoying my Friday morning..

Last edited 2 years ago by JackFrost
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

It’s not really a rock n roll HOF until June of 44, Jesus Lizard, Shellac, Failure and Man or Astroman are in. It’s pretty much just the Hall of Casey Kasem otherwise. I’m very realistically outraged!

Angelz4ever
Super Member
2 years ago

BREAKING NEWS!!!
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<TBA>

Brent
Super Member
2 years ago

Just want to say it’s great to be back in America! Got back home last night… is it baseball season yet?

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Brent

Thanks for all you do.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

Do we have the postmortem test results back from the 2022 season? Complete organ’izational failure? Heart attack? Sepsis after a botched Tommy John? Who was the better manager? Joe or Phil?

Angelz4ever
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

The official ruling was, “Turn the page.”

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Angelz4ever

Did Bob Seger make that diagnosis?

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  red floyd

Yes, it was a night move.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Joe had his short coming, Phil has his.

Minority Report. At least Phil gets fired up with the men in blue. I prefer Phil. There is no question he has the boy’s backs. Who is better with game management, at least Phil allows pitchers to go as far as they can. With the 2022 Angels no one man was going to change the course of events that led up to the W-L record.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago

Rendon…

Angelstan
Trusted Member
2 years ago

I’m unenthused by Perry’s comments. He references outfield but talks about depth and platoons. This team needs a starting left-fielder. He doesn’t need to be a stud, but it must be someone capable. The ideas expressed here before as to a swing player that can handle LF plus some 1B also make sense. But it cannot be for mere depth or the like.

Getting another closer is a waste of money right now. They can make that move midseason if they are playing well. The Phillies didn’t really have a true closer even late in the year.

It would be nice if the team made some moves that make sense.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Angelstan

We absolutely need all of the above whether its LF/1B/SS/6th Starter/ Bullpen.

I totally agree on your comments regarding the closer. If you need a closer then why trade Iggy in the first place?

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I believe Iggy still has alot of saves in that right arm of his.

He only had three blown saves for us last season in 19 attempts ( good for an 84.4 % ), and the ERA was bloated because a couple of those happened to be bad in terms of runs he gave up. Also, at least two of those I blame on Maddon and Wise for putting him in bad situations (letting him pitch to Harper in Philly when Bryce had been hotter than a firecracker in that series and the week prior. He should have been intentionally walked or hit in that spot…) But his stuff is still definitely closer worthy. I mean, he went to Atlanta and guess what he did? Yeah, he had a .34 ERA in 26.1 innings pitched. That would be a small sample for a starter, but for a high leverage reliever it is a decent sample. He was very good for them, and it supports my argument.

I think last year was a little blip on the radar for him and fully expect that he’ll be alot like his 2021 self in the upcoming season. We should not have traded him. It leaves a gaping hole in the 9th for us.

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

Yah. We totally misused Iggy last year so even when he didn’t blow games he just didn’t look GOOD. Then he had a couple really ugly blown saves. But obviously he isn’t “done”. He friggin slaughtered teams once he got to the Braves.

FungoAle
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Sure he has saves left but better to clear the books of his salary. Perry’s best 2022 trade. Halo’s are not close to the ALCS and don’t need to pay a closer that much money when you have a 3rd or 4th place team.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Lol. You know how to not get better? It’s to have a defeatist attitude like yours and relegate the Angels to 3rd place status in perpetuity.

Last edited 2 years ago by JackFrost
AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

The deadline trades were largely money moves directed by Moreno, not improving moves made by Perry.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

Exactly, thats why we traded Brandon Marsh to get away from that league minimum salary.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Thor and Iggy were definitely salary dumps.

The Marsh trade was not dictated by Arte.

My thoughts, anyway.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

Arte also tells Kim Jong-un when to lob missiles into the Sea of Japan.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

No bro. That’s me.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Super Member
2 years ago

then i suggest you wait till Shohei is back over here for the 2023 season before you lob any more missiles

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  RexFregosi

Boring.

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I sincerely hope you understand the difference between “largely” and “entirely,” because your decision to post a sarcastic non sequitur suggests you don’t.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

For those participants from Azusa:

non se·qui·tur
/ˌnän ˈsekwədər/

noun
noun: non sequitur; plural noun: non sequiturs; noun: nonsequitur; plural noun: nonsequiturs

a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement.

“his weird mixed metaphors and non sequiturs”

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Wait, like Tootie? Jump into a thread about the Angels stadium issues with a comment about how we didn’t draft Joc Pederson good gawd? Brilliant zany The Joker keep em off balance non sequitur? Thomas Pynchon level mindset disruption? Good? Yes? Emoji?

Angelz4ever
Super Member
2 years ago

Ooooo big werds are fasin…..fascina……cool!

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

Why yes, I believe I know the difference . As in….

AnAngelsFan’s butt hurt response to my sarcasm has entirely missed the point.

And…

Defining the Angels 2022 Trade Deadline deals as largely salary dumps when the team completed a trade of major MLB prospects that could have a major ramifications for this franchise for years seems pretty ignorant.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Cowboy my friend, “deals” plural- “trade” singular. He did not include all trades and you are singling out a trade. No Butt Hurts there.

FungoAle
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

I’m not so sure. In 2021, Perry drafted a shit-ton full of bullpen arms. In 2023, you’ll see at least two on the big club.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

Yup. I think that the facts as they are dictate we’re gonna see if Loup and Tepera can get it together (I think they will because, contrary to “I never look anything up” guys sentiments both have a fairly good track record and Tepera wasn’t even all that bad last year). That’s our big pen investment. Other than that it’s probably smart to spend elsewhere and roll with the guys we know aren’t horrible and see what we have in the pipeline. Obviously the long term plan is to have a cheap but good pen…. it’s almost like PTP can see that spending on “good” pen arms that are really a total crap shoot is generally just as effective as rolling out a bunch of no-names… the monkey learns.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend

Loup or Tempura? I’m thinking Loup bounces back.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

I won’t even hazard a guess. It seems like 90% of the guys I think will be good out of a teams pen then suck ass while I am constantly shocked to see who was really good around the league at the end of each year.

Which is why I understand the PTP strategy of drafting guys with pen arms and college pen experience, signing a couple MLB pen arms to buy some time, then running a bunch of league minimum burners through the pen like poop through a goose till you get 7 guys who can do the job for 5 million a year all told instead of 30M.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Angelstan

Not sure I agree. We will not be able to afford to fill all our needs via FA. At some point you will need a player from your system to step up and be a full time starter. Are we ready to totally give up on Adell ? I am not sure I say yes. I do however think the leash is getting shorter.

This may be a make or break year for Jo Adell. He has never really had a chance to sink or swim as a full-time starter. We have sent him down quickly after defensive struggles ets.. He has shown flashes. Some players take 2-3 years to develop.

Maybe the wise thing to do would be to bring in an “average” MLB OFer who is relatively cheap as sort of an insurance policy if Adell does not pick up the hitting. That way if Jo figures it out he can be the starting LF’er and the new guy the 4th OFer. If Adell struggles the guy we bring in would become the starter. Not sure who this guy would be, but I don’t think I would spend alot on a LFer when we still need to fix the bullpen.

Angelstan
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

I would be fine with an average LF being brought in depending on how we define average. I think Perry is talking about another stopgap fourth OF like Young or other guys who have been subpar here in the past. We don’t need those guys.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Angelstan

If we can upgrade at Shortstop and if ( Big if) everyone can stay healthy then we will need to find at bats for Rengifo. Could he play significant time in left field? Also as insurance against Walsh’s recovery how about a right handed bat that could play first base and left field? Maybe like a Wil Myers player than can play multiple positions and provide a league average or above bat?

jco
Trusted Member
jco
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Wil Myers makes a ton of sense to me for the Angels. He obviously wouldn’t be the centerpiece of the offense, but he could be in the starting lineup just about every day between LF and 1B (and maybe some CF and RF to spell Trout and Ward). LF and 1B which are traditionally bat first positions were just awful. With Myers (or a player like him, ex Trey Mancini), the play/health of Walsh and Adell can dictate the positioning.

The infield is a weird situation for me. With the ban on shifts, defense is going to be more important. The Halos might want to go with Squid again and hope that by abandoning switch-hitting, he might be less incompetent with the bat. Between Rengifo and Fletcher, I think they have enough to fill one infield position. I’d like one more role player for those positions to add some depth, but I don’t know who that is.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  jco

Plus, we should want Wil Myers (the man with the missing letters) because he was the #1 prospect above Trout back in the day…. so obviously he will be awesome at some point.

But what’s crazy about the Padres misuse of Myers is he’s a crap outfielder. Everyone knows that. BUT he’s played over 3000 innings at 1B aaannnndddd… was actually pretty good.

So of course the answer is sign Eric Hosmer and then almost openly complain that Myers can’t play anywhere and is a crap human to boot because he chose to take the pile of money you gave him.

He’s gonna be ugly in the OF, but we could do a lot worse than signing Myers up.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

Scot Shields would agree

toad2065
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Rengifo hit well enough this year to appeal to other clubs in trade. We should strike while the iron is hot and move him quickly before he regresses to his normal level. A couple of lottery tickets will do.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  toad2065

Rengifo is 26 years old and had his most regular playing time last year. There’s just as good a shot that he’s hit his prime and is a good player as there is that last year was a fluke.

I’m kind of feeling about Rengifo the way I felt about Sandoval last year. Just a feeling.

Angelstan
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Agreed. I would give Rengifo a shot to be something here at this point. I think any effort to trade him means you think he’s a flash in the pan. Not sure what value would exist anyway given that.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

NO! You were only allowed to like Rengifo like three seasons ago when there were other players the FO had put on the roster playing ahead of him for purely evil Arte reasons.

But once it became clear that Rengifo is also an Angel, and that Arte is pure evil, then you had to turn on Rengifo and be assured that he is NOT an MLB player. Not like Stephanic.

Other players who are clearly not MLB include anyone not names Ohtani or Trout.

It’s the bad JuJu program, get with it bro. If we all wish hard enough we can lose 105 next year!

Angelstan
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I would take Myers if he is available. Mancini also. Profar even better. Drury might work. Those kind of guys.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Angelstan

Mancini sure, Meyers never. Profar maybe too. Meyers type is represented on the Angels with our 2 current LF’ers, guys that never live up to what they could have been.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

I’d love Mancini…. at the same time I’ll also “settle” for a 111 lifetime OPS+ from any of our bench bats, so I’ll take Myers too.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

What did he do in ’21 and ’22. He had some good years in KC sure and I agree that he performs decent at 1st base. But Joyce looked good coming here to play LF. I watch the Padres last year when televised and Meyers didn’t play a lot because of injury I assume. What I did see was a player with little drive or incentive.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

He still managed a 108 OPS+ in 2022. You can even see that with your Lylin eyes if you just Google him. He’s also never actually played for the Royals (traded for James Shields I think). He’s better than Magnificence Sierra, has an .800+ OPS against lefties…. we can do a lot worse for a depth guy.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago

He also composes some mean jazz… Love me the Pink Panther theme.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  JackFrost

Exactly.

Is this Adell’s last shot? Yes, most likely, because he only has one option year left.

We need a defensive OF who can cover center. Who? Well, don’t have to spend on that, we have Moniak, who is also on his last option year.

So we can let those two fight for survival. It would be great if one of them actually got their career going and that’s only gonna happen if they get playing time in the MLB.

At the same time, I think it’d be best to get a guy who can play at least LF/1B/DH to throw into that mix. Or a guy that can effectively cover middle IF and play some LF every now and again.

But signing Brandon Nimmo, for example, would kind of be a waste even if I like Brandon Nimmo.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Nimmo is a CF/RF player with a lot left in the tank. Average to above average defense with OBP ability that can lead off and has some speed to stay ahesd of Trout and Ohtani.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Did you actually read my comment? Or just have thought > Reply.

toad2065
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

I’m not ready to consign young Mr. Adell to the scrap heap. He improved on defense by leaps and bounds this year. I hope that Nevin and Perry have assigned someone to work with him on hitting the breaking ball (especially the slider) this offseason as that was his major problem. He has the athletic ability to be a star at this level if he can handle the slider!

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  toad2065

Brandon Wood had ability too.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Good point. If this past season taught us anything it’s that we need to cut bait on young players way way faster. In fact, if I kid’s not an MLB star in his first 200 innings or so I say flush the bum.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Angelstan

Seranthony Dominquez was pretty darned good in the playoffs, and he was used both as high leverage guy in 8th and as a closer. In the regular season he was also pretty good, earning 9 saves in 11 attempts for an 81.8% save percentage.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Plus hes a Knight.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Sir Anthony !!!

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Angelstan

Many many most teams that win use platoon depth now days. I know it’s more comforting to some to be able to just list 8 guys who generally play at the start of most games, but look at most of the teams that make the playoffs lately…. it’s a bunch of guys who are really good at some things and weak in others being put in when their strengths will help the team most. But you just don’t get very excited about “landing” Robbie Grossman.

Angelstan
Trusted Member
2 years ago

I understand good teams rotate players. But it depends who we are talking about. The guys the Angels have had before weren’t good enough. They need someone who is an upgrade. Knowing the Angels, they will bring back Kole Calhoun as their 4th OF.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Angelstan

We definitely need a reliable late inning arm in the bullpen. The only chance of playing well is to hold onto those late inning leads.

Iggy was too expensive simply put. And signed for too long.

I’ll say it here, I’m signing Rogers in my Eppler piece. One year $7.5 million to hope he’s more like the guy he was as a Twin and Padre than the guy he was for two months in Milwaukee makes sense.

Our next bullpen is likely in AA and should start coming up this year. Having one veteran back there to anchor the pen and guide that young talent is worth it.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Yah. There are gonna be plenty of “budget/don’t move the needle” late inning options on the market. We may not be able to buy certainty but we can buy experience and they they won’t all be total busts. We just need to guess right.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Eppler?

FungoAle
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Angelstan

Yeah, serious concerns about Perry’s ability to build a roster, the holes have been immense the past two years. It’s not about just hiring coaches and assistants to the assistants.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  FungoAle

I hear he just hired John Wick as our strength and conditioning coach, so all good there.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

it looks like theres some Owner Collusion going on but so far Arte ain’t part of it.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/mlb-looking-into-potential-cba-violations-by-multiple-teams-regarding-top-free-agents.html

toad2065
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

There is a big difference between actual collusion and somebody saying stupid things. I don’t see MLBPA filing grievances over either of the situations mentioned.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  toad2065

I have links on this for tomorrow. The impossible task will be proving Judge or Verlander were harmed financially after both sign mega deals.

Yes, Cohen’s comments took a boogie man away from Judge’s agent but $300 million is not the sign of a man who was harmed.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
2 years ago

I’m excited about the WBC. Going to be at Team USA’s opening game.

Not sure if I’ll catch the Angels vs USA. It’ll be crowded. Might hit another stadium with my son.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Hmmm. That is interesting.

So, the question is, will Trout play for the Angels or Team USA ?

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Team USA as the WBC players will already be practicing with their respective clubs. Just like Shohei will be doing with Team Japan.

tommyshalo
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

I‘m really looking forward to seeing a Shohei vs Trout matchup in a high leverage situation during the finals or semi finals.

I‘m also looking forward to seeing Fletch and Stassi face Shohei in Tokyo too. Fletch going deep against Shohei there would be hilarious 😂

With the dreamish team of DR and some other interesting teams, this WBC should easily be the best ever.

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

That’s gonna be fun.

VictoriousVIC
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  tommyshalo

Even Mexico’s pitching is stacked. I need to revisit their commitment roster since it’s kind of hard to locate, but their starting pitching and bullpen line up to be among the best in the tournament. Their offense? That’s where things go downhill haha.

2pints
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

I didn’t realize they’d announced the host cities. Extremely sad AZ is the closest they’ll be playing to us. The US vs DR game I went to last time at Petco was one of the funnest baseball games I’ve experienced. Bummed

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Good morning, and today is going to be a great weather day for SoCal. Still snow on the ground up here in the San Bernardino’s.

Rhett Bollinger interviewed PTP. PTP says that there is no youth movement going on right now. He’s right, it should have started 5 years ago. This philosophy of having only scrub major league players has not worked since 2014, so yup, it’s going to work now, right. Going after experienced players is great if you want to increase payroll, but Arte isn’t going to OK $220 mil payroll. PTP is looking for help in the OF, good we need it.

Vasquez could be added to the Catchers corps and that would be helpful.

I’m on the fence about whether PTP knows what’s up. We don’t want to see all the FA’s that we could use disappear prior to Christmas. Want to win now? Then get a SS while they are available. Want a starting OF’er, now is the time to pursue one, we could use a leadoff hitter and there is a FA from the Mets out there. Move your ass Perry, quit sitting on your hands and pick up the phone. Bring some guys in and attendance will go back up.

I love ranting, clears the lungs, the head and the two typing fingers.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

In order to have a Yoots movement you got to have Yoots. Unfortunately we haven’t had many Yoots for quite awhile now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7BMCZdXSlk

2002heaven
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Whut is that?
Haven’t seen this movie in yrs. 2JH2C
I used Josh Hamilton instead of Garrett Anderson.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  2002heaven

So you were busy snorting coke? I’m not surprised.

Last edited 2 years ago by red floyd
2002heaven
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  red floyd

Another 80%er with rabies speaks
Go Light Baby Up again if it makes you feel better.

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago

Being an errand boy for Arturo is not the easiest job I’ll agree, but Minasian seems singularly bad at it.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  MarineLayer

Wait, you think PTP is an errand boy? You think he’s bad at managing generally? Why didn’t you say something? I think it’s going to be important moving forward that you just take a moment everyday to stop sucking at your own life, log on here, and let us know PTP is just an errand boy and he’s not a “real” GM.

Jeez…. how would we have known? What other Gnostic Baseball Secrets do you hold? Any feelings on sayyyyyy… Anthony Rendon that you can share over and over and over again?

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

Do you even know where your lobbed missiles are going?

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

Atlantis. I hate Atlantis.

And the Dutch.

2002heaven
Super Member
2 years ago

Is it any different from hating the Astros, Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, Albert Pujols and Gerard P Dipoto even if he went to the Japan over and over and over and then some more in Dante’s Divine Comedy? (BTW nobody hated him his first 3 yrs with us……go check HH’s archive if you’re not too Josh Hamilton to investigate. Kinda like if #27 went from GOAT to a Capra aegagrus hircus animal in the next 3 seasons).
Andrew Luck got booed off the field in his last home game SO IT CAN HAPPEN……..

Last edited 2 years ago by 2002heaven
2002heaven
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Also for Alex Anthopolous in ATL.
Might be worse than Eppler was while he was here.
WE NEED MORE TONER CARTRIDGES AND FRAPPUCCINO’S PERRY!!! GO RUN TO STAPLE’S AND STARBUCKS!!