The holiday season is in full swing. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and a blessed festivus for the rest of us!
Angels GM Perry Minasian and his elves have been busy building a team of versatile players. This week he added utility man Brandon Drury on a two year deal.
The signing of Drury continues to add depth to a team known for a lack of it. That’s a good link that deserves a read.
Drury and Urshela have both played 5 positions at the MLB level. The Angels already have David Fletcher and Luis Rengifo who are capable of playing 3 infield spots with Fletcher even seeing some time on the grass. Taylor Ward will move around the outfield and Hunter Renfroe has added some first base ability in the last couple of years.
The number of lineup combinations is staggering. Actual MLB level talent across the board and now on the bench. I’ll take it.
Perry is trying to stack depth in Salt Lake City as well, adding former All Star Jake Lamb on a minors deal. Jhonatan Diaz is back in Salt Lake too.
Our own Matty V thought Drury was a perfect fit here. We shall see.
Speaking of our own Matty V, he might be on the way out as Wayne Randazzo has left the Mets radio booth and is expected to be named the Angels new TV guy.
He’s received an endorsement that carries weight:
Randazzo is about the only person leaving the Mets. Him and James McCann.
The Mets have gone on a spending spree unlike any other. Steven Cohen is the new George Steinbrenner just with dirtier money. The Mets are projected to have a payroll approaching $500,000,000.
Money is just numbers, though. The real story is the shocking turn that led to Carlos Correa moving from the Giants to the Mets overnight.
I have to say for only $5 million over two years, I’d have jumped on the McCann deal. But at this point I think we’ll ride with Stassi/O’hoppe to begin the year and sign some veteran to a minors deal.
A couple of veterans I was interested in signed elsewhere. The Cubs will take a gamble on Tucker Barnhart bouncing back and the Reds brought in Curt Casali.
I figured the Drury signing put my Wil Myers dreams to rest. Alas, the one L Wil signed with the Reds yesterday. The Seth Lugo dream also died as the Padres snagged him.
At this point, we have to expect the heavy lifting to be complete. Payroll is at a record $206 million with a luxury tax number of $219 million.
Perhaps a sixth starter is brought in. Rich Hill’s name has been floated.
People worried about the bullpen are correct to do so, but look at the Angels top 30 prospects and see the ETA’s for Luke Murphy and Eric Torres. I’ll do a piece on them soon, but if you’d like check out their numbers in AA.
What that list definitely has wrong is the arrival of Ben Joyce. He’s a closer who throws insane gas. He’ll be up as soon as this year. Meanwhile, look at this:
I sincerely hope you all enjoy this holiday season. That you’re safe, surrounded by those you love, and know that we here at CtPG appreciate you.
Please link what I missed below and enjoy some down time.
If you can take a minute to read my lookback on 2022 and add some memories of your own, I’d appreciate it.
Late breaking news: the Dodgers are screwed. Any hopes of resetting the luxury tax are gone. Now they get the Sophie’s choice of throwing out a sexual predator or paying him to stay home.
Merry Christmas!
I’m not only a member, I’m a founding member! 😆
We even complain about being members!
😂😂
Merry Christmas everyone!!!
Merry Christmas, guys!
Merry Christmas everybloody!!
MLBTR has us looking at Corey Kluber
But,But he’s not left handed.
Eovaldi as well. We could use another vet in the rotation.
Only if they’re gritty.
I miss Brandon Marsh.
It is exciting to have a solid guy in Renfroe instead though.
After reviewing the Daulton Varsho trade I’m wondering if the Angels sold Marsh on the cheap. There is definitely a shortage of left hand hitting centerfielder types in the MLB right now so maybe PTP pulled the trigger a little too early on this trade .
The D Backs got a top catching prospect AND a still young and productive utility player. Both play elite defense but Varsho is 2 years older a super 2 with 4 years of team control where Marsh has 5 years of control left and cant be a free agent until 2028.
I recognize his offensive game had reached horrible levels but the Angels probably should have sent Marsh down to AAA earlier in the year so he could have got swing fixed like Rengifo and others did. he probably would have finished with a nice run putting him at the same level as Varsho is now.
Of course the ultimate test of success will be whether or not O’Hoppe lives up to the hype but the same thing can be said about Moreno’s ultimate development.
Varsho way better than. Marsh. O‘Hoppe was a good return.
But I understand Eovoldi (which was initially auto corrected to “evildoers”) is looking for 3 years 45+ million . I’m not sure that’s in our plans . That’s why Rich Hill or Kluber on a one year probably makes more sense for this franchise . I’d prefer Eovoldi since he could move to 3rd or 4th in the rotation and Suarez would be a 6th man swinger where he’s pitched really well in the past coming out of the bullpen
We’ll see. We’ve spent more than we thought we would already, who knows what the limit is right now.
Though you are likely correct, we’ve been linked to Eovaldi by multiple sources so neither would surprise me.
Correa the pariah…LOL, karma……LOL!!!!!!
Thought to check in prior to the rain locker visit, Santa has delivered all of Asia, the Aussie children are going to be happy for Christmas and Santa is working Quickly to finish Europe and Africa, then Iceland and on to South America. Then to the North American part of the world. Satellites are tracking his progress closely. 🎅
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. From GPB and all of my family to each of you and yours.
Happy Hanukah and merry Christmas to everyone. Hope everyone who travels stays safe and the trip’s easy.
May we all have a Christmas weekend that is the opposite of Carlos Correas. How much you want to bet sticking with the Twins looks really good at this point?
Merry Christmas my close compadre. I’ll take some of that action. A guy like Cohen has been doing term sheet deals more than any other owner. They’ll figure it out.
Merry Christmas!!! I was just discussing the Correa issue during brunch with an Astros minor league trainer ( he brought his ALCS ring to show my son), and he found it odd that they are having issues from an old injury/surgical repair. Unless there is an overly large area of calcium deposits or it causes a noticeable issue with mobility. I think the deal will be worked out with The Mets, maybe Correa will have to take out some insurance regarding that injury, etc.
Oh yeah, it’ll probably get worked out… they can always just have something in the contract that covers the team if he misses big time because of the specific area of concern.
But what a pain in the ass. Could have just extended with the Twins and been done with it.
Could have extended with the Twins , but at a lower number of years and contract value. Boras does not mind putting in the work to get his cut.
So suddenly there is concern from the Mets regarding Correa’s physical!
So we still have a chance…….
Christmas miracle incoming 🎄
I can’t believe is agent hasn’t already pivoted back the Twins.
crystal ball says:
Dec. 27, Mets deal falls through, Yanks to sign Correa 7 years $215mil
Dec. 30, Yanks’ concerns dash deal, Correa to sign with Cards, 5 yrs, $140mil
etc…
Jan 17, O’s not signing Correa after all, Pirates offer 1 yr, league minimum
Payback is a bitch Cheater.
Pirates must see some upside to offer a Major League deal at minimum. I heard Perry put a Minor League with ST invite offer in.
So you’re saying there’s a chance.
There is a reason that the Astros didn’t keep him, and it wasn’t Siri.
I wish happy holidays for everyone, and a championship year.
airing of the grievances….
https://youtu.be/HX55AzGku5Y?t=34
The Airing of Grievances is a daily occurrence here. Year-round.
Dodgers have a moral conundrum on their hands. At least we all agree the O’Malley’s would have already made it plain. Actually, they never would’ve signed him as he is a dipwad.
Arte and Perry were so stupid for signing Drury based on one season of production, but at least they weren’t as stupid as the other clubs that offered him MORE money 😉
https://twitter.com/taylorblakeward/status/1606486200231268353?s=46&t=_DI0dzIwp6TBrtCl4tG_aw
Silver slugger who came quite cheap. Very good pick up. he’ll play lots for our overpriced oft injured 3B.
Sadly, all his other meh years would still be an improvement over the guys we had last year.
And read the FanGraphs link up there. Pretty good data on why Drury has improved.
I’d really like to see Brandon get regular ABs vs being a sore piece.
I think that’s the plan
Ha! I know who this is directed to…..
I’ll keep an open mind and hope to not say ‘told you so’. 🤣
All in good fun, my friend, all in good fun. 😂
Am I supposed to insert a random unlabeled headshot here?
I knew 2002 was your burner account.
Just use the Castellanos headshot that’s your screensaver.
I think the Giants tried to be cute. They were up against Boras, and it backfired. The Giants were going to use the bad back thing to chisel some of the money down and Boras knew that NY would pay, and he was not going to allow the Giants to beat him out of anything. I think in the long run the Giants plan backfired and they still come out ahead. Better to be lucky than good.
I read an article this morning that said they were worried about his right leg.
But How was his left foot?
Oscar-worthy. Oh wait. That’s MY left foot.
No, I think the Giants had legitimate concern and just was not that interested anymore. Correra had other suitors before the Giants signed him.
Yep. People keep rampantly speculating when it was reported, right before he signed with the Giants, that the Mets were actively interested in him. Giants fell through, Boras went back to the next most eligible team. It’s just not that mysterious.
Anytime you avoid a 13 year deal for a player who isn’t one of the three best in baseball, you should be thankful. The Mets might profit from the deal for a few years. Years 7-13 will likely be painful.
He’d have a hard time NOT being on my list of top 3. He’s elite. Top 5
We are watching different players. His replacement in Houston looks better than Correa. We can then start making a list of other talent. Without even trying, Trout, Ohtani, Mookie, Devers, Judge, Harper. Those are six better players right there. I like Bogaerts better at short. I could go on.
Top 5 SS is true.
Maybe buyers’ remorse and they nitpicked so it could fall through?
Apparently Wade plays better than I thought
Jesus. The world needs a good war or something.
Anyone else hear Fortunate Son off in the distance?
If there is, it ain’t me.
Remember Wade is very fast on the bases…..I hear he overran 2nd base with her and was tagged out.
Respect. He’s got an advanced 6th tool mindset. Will never be looked down upon by scouts for confidence because of the ugly girlfriend thing too. LOL Good man.
for my taste, I think she’s hideous. A lucky break for Tyler.
But can she pitch?
Even more plastic than Barbie.
i don’t understand. i dint see anything in the links about Wade
Apparently that was her reason for breaking up .
Bauer is toxic. He’s untouchable. He’s “Colin Kaepernick”. It’s doesn’t matter that the gods touched his arm and gave him the ability to make a baseball dance. No franchise will want the distraction that comes with him. The Dodgers will waive him after the first of the year and his MLB career will fade into the dustbin of history.
Except Bauer is actually good and will actually be blackballed.
Colin turned down an offer from the Broncos after opting out of his SF deal.
If Colin was as good as Bauer, he’d definitely keep playing. He’s not and still had an offer
Hence, why someone will sign Bauer. He’ll hire a PR firm to rehabilitate his image and we’ll probably see him pitching before the All Star break.
I wonder if, after his skills completely erode and his inability to run a playbook better than a bench warmer becomes evident, maybe Bauer can recast himself as a warrior for justice and a victim of the man. He can fight for the rights of freaks to fly their flag everywhere and attention starved babes to do what ever it takes to get their clout stimulated.
Nike can produce socks with traction tread for the classy “sporting” man who keeps his socks on and call em The Bauer XXX. They can do a whole campaign. KINK WINS. Maybe JUST DO IT… REALLY HARD.
Give it a few years. If you don’t support Bauer you’ll be supporting hate. Now shut up and buy.
Really nice (and unexpected) interview at Fangraphs with Angels prospect Ryan Smith today:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/angels-prospect-ryan-smith-is-hungry-for-success/
Ryan is a very cerebral and insightful guy – I was a champion of him during my minor league reports in 2021, his breakout year. He had a tough go in 2022, and the interview flags some things that wouldn’t always be obvious to the average fan – the new ABS system at AAA for instance, which altered the top of the zone, screwing up pitchers who live there like Smith. The combination of zone modification and high altitude meant a lot of pitchers had to reinvent themselves on the fly.
Ryan did an interview here last year as well:
https://crashingthepearlygates.com/2021/07/28/prospect-ryan-smith-talks-with-ctpg/
Wouldn’t put too much stock in that MLB Top Prospect ETA thing… still have Silseth arriving in 2024.
Exactly. Joyce is here this year.
I’d bet Torres then Murphy get shots too.
Currently, assuming Tucker doesn’t get DFA’d or Jimmy Herget doesn’t implode in ST we will only have 2 bullpen spots available in the bullpen but a shit load of potential options:
On the 40 man:
Andrew Wantz
Austin Warren
Zach Weiss
Chris Rodriguez
Griffin Canning
Jose Soriano
Davis Daniel
Chase Silseth
Kolton Ingram
Justin Garza
Jose Marte
Other NRI and Trashies:
Chris Devenski (NRI)
Jacob Webb (NRI)
Jonathan Holder (NRI)
Eric Torres
Ben Joyce
Luke Murphy
Ky Bass
Sam Bachman
Did I miss anybody? Good luck trying to figure this out in spring training.
Hard Knocks 2023: The Los Angeles Angels Bullpen.
This is a better problem to have than where we were a few years ago.
Swiss Army knife team won’t last long against the M1 Abrams tanks NYY & HOU roll
Right, well, let’s not lose ourselves in the metaphor. Swiss army knife team with Trout, Ohtani and theoretically healthy Rendon would be formidable.
That’s more of a Dutch Army knife……….
But don’t we hate the Dutch?
Yes. 1000 times yes.
And people who are intolerant of
other people’s cultures.
Does anyone care to guess how much Boras has made this off-season?
No but whatever he lost on the Giants/ Correa deal falling through he got back on the Correa/Mets and Giants/Conforto deals . Is that just a coincidence ?
Boras clients have singed contracts worth $1.01 billion. His commission is 5%, so that’s a cool $50.5 million this offseason.
He’s the highest paid playa in baseball.
And he’s not done. LOL
The link into our 30 prospects is interesting. Not only do we have three relievers projected to be ready this season, but a total of 4 SS projected to be ready for 2024. One of those pans out, surely, and hopefully others either fill out the IF, or can be traded for starting pitching.