Mike Trout remains competitive. His goal in the World Baseball Classic is to “Win this whole thing.” Here is the Angels version of the “Did they do enough this off season?” from Rhett Bollinger. The counterpoint article, by Rev Halofan, amounts to “No they didn’t since Arte Moreno will persist as team owner.”
Around Baseball
The Kansas City Royals hired Aroldis Chapman. There’s still no word on which lucky clubhouse gets to deal with Trevor Bauer. Mark Leiter Jr. elected free agency and now represents an intriguing option to add to Angel pitching. Therefore, it probably won’t happen. Baffling is what the Angels do, not intriguing. The Angels did get a mention in this “Where should Elvis Andrus end up?” article by MLBTR. The Red Sox signed Ryan Sherriff to a minor league deal, but they did not sign the deputy. Aaron Slegers retired. The Twins acquired Michael A. Taylor from the Royals.
The Hillsboro Hops, the High-A affiliate of the Diamondbacks, hired Ronnie Gajownik to be the first female manager at the High-A level.
Video link: Howie Kendrick is working with young players and discussing the DREAM Series.
Job Listings
KinaTrax is hiring once again.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
Well i’m certainly no longer upset we got Mike Clevinger out of the organization years ago.
Ownership change is healthy. Ownership change brought back the Rams and they were winning and will again. Ownership change was good for the Dodgers and Clippers as they became winners. Keeping it in the family…hmm…Lakers, Chargers, well you see where this is headed.
Winning solves a lot of problems, but it’s been 9 years since the playoffs, so the tribe is looking for new leadership which is sadly not going to happen now as we all know. Ironic maybe that fans of the team can readily point to what is holding back the team, but Kuhl and Carpino and Morono really are making big bucks to be losers. Oh, I am sure that they believe their bumbling ways look good to them, but the time to sell was really a long time ago.
No direction, no upper management,
Soon no town to collect the rent,
No money for two hours of pushing a broom,
Tough there is no town or city with acreage and the room,
They stand around watching the circling of the draino,
What didn’t we do ask their esteem leader Morano?
We don’t renegotiate with them idiots, we abort.
With the fans they don’t come out and support,
depends which ownership change you were talking about…
when the new Dodgers owner went from the O’Malleys to FOX, it wasn’t good
when they went to McCourts after FOX next, it was worse, much worse.
When the Clippers went from John Brown to Sterling, it got worse.
When Stan bought the Rams, it wasn’t good for St. Louis
When Ownership change was brought on by Carroll Rosenbloom’s inability to avoid those 2 scuba divers that his wife hired to rub him out, that wasn’t too good either.
georgia.wav – Willie Nelson singing: “Georgia…”
McCourt was the ONLY owner who could make FOX look good by comparison.
Rangers
Astros
Dodgers
Padres
Mariners
Marlins
Mets
In case anyone’s wondering who the last few teams to be bought were.
And the Only team on that list that still mires in suckage after the sale is the Marlins
Some of those sales were years and years ago. The Rangers are the oldest and they still suck. In fact, all these teams accept the Mets sucked for at least a couple/few years after they were sold. So a new owner may be nice, but they aren’t likely to be instant magic…. which makes sense if they kinda hit restart on things I guess.
Except the Doyers.
Of course the Astros master plan was tank city.
Mets continue the 🤡
Recently the Correa signing. They had a big division lead and blew it. Players like Lindor sprinting to the clubhouse from the dugout in the middle of the game.
I’m sure their fans can list even more- that’s just off the top of my head from a dude on the other coast who follows an AL team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jERpfiqsafU
Scott Rolen? Guess it should be the Hall of above average.
The writers do not know what they are doing really. Was Rolen good? He was very good, but Hall of fame good, I think not.
I’m glad Frankie (10.8%) and Torii (6.9%) are sticking around
Lackey, Street, and Napoli each gone 1 vote. JTY didn’t get one. They gone.
Abreu is at 15.4%
If you look at a comparison of career WAR, OPS + and relative defensive importance, This is actually a good endorsement for Bobby Grich finally getting into Cooperstown.
It looks more and more like 70 career WAR over 20ish years is kind of the new hip number for getting in via the ballot. Sure, plenty get in with way less, but if you have 70 and it didn’t take you 25 years to do it it looks pretty certain.
There’s no excuse for Gritch not being in. Lou Whitaker should probably be in too. Makes a guy like Graig Nettles borderline at 3B, he just had a lot more ABs…. I think both will get committeed in when it’s time for more 2B. I mean, both are top 10 all time at the position and ahead of their era’s darling, Ryan Sandberg, and several other 2B who are already in the HOF.
More goofy bullshit from CtPG guy though. Rolen’s got a career OPS+ over 122 and eight gold gloves to go with a WS ring and ROY…. total hack. But Torii Hunter? Tim Salmon? They merit strong consideration cause feelz.
Ung…. Big Papi, 1st ballot. Fkin hell. But….feelz.
Wow, Ausmus for GM?
Remember, those that can play play, those that can’t play manage, those that can’t manage administrate and those that can’t administrate own….
See how that works?
Of course You’re forgetting that Brad’s Brain is much Bigger than any or ours.
Mike Clevinger’s domestic behavior apparently (Allegedly) seems he should be playing in the NFL or with Trevor Bauer.
Something about that city of Cleveland. 😡
Heya G-Pa.
“The mistake by the lake” The worst city moniker ever.
At least they’re not Detroit.
https://youtu.be/oZzgAjjuqZM?t=39
God I love that long time.
Clevinger’s troubles started in San Diego, not Cleveland
https://youtu.be/V6cWMh2IA7g
F bomb September 2023
😆
With a little time and reflection – the failed sale is a bummer but is not worth anger. It’s like one corporation failing to buy another one. It’s completely out of our hands and it’s a failed business transaction. We can speculate as to the “why” – for me it is likely that Arte did not get offered anywhere close to what he wanted – but again that does not matter. We will never be told the true reasons and are left with the weak “unfinished business” claim and his statement concerning a sudden realization that he cares about the team.
What we can do as fans is vote with our wallets. If this current Organization has failed on almost every level (as I believe it has) and shows little chance of improving (see keeping the current Organization in place with Carpino and Kuhl in key positions) then do not give the Organization your hard earned money. If you are frustrated by the ineptitude and dysfunction of this Organization from a scouting, player development, strength and conditioning and treatment of its minor league players standpoint as I am – do not go to games. Do not buy jerseys. Do not pay for overpriced gear, food and drinks.
You all have a genuine say – it’s just not with words. The only thing that matters to the guys like Arte are your dollars. He wants what is in your wallet – he wants those few dollars that you save for entertainment. He does not care if you are having trouble making ends meet – he wants you to spend on the Angels. He is a businessman and you cant blame him for that. What you can do is to choose to no longer provide him access to your money. Do something else with your time and money. As long as you keep supporting the team with your hard earned $$$$ by going to games and spending on overpriced food, gear and drinks – he cares nothing about what you have to say.
I have made a resolution to stay away. I am not buying any gear. I am not going to any games. I am not buying $7 hotdogs or $15 beers or $20 disgusting pizza. I will listen on the radio and watch on the TV. While that still provides Arte with some dollars, it’s minimal compared to the huge $$$$ I was dropping on 4 season tickets, parking and food/drink at the games. That is how I am expressing my frustration. I welcome all of you to join me in your own form of protest that works for you.
Finally, a short and succinct posting.
LOL, this announcement has set Halo nation on fire.
Hey – I get paid by the word!
if Shohei signs this Spring here for a long term contract and stays, would that alter your opinion?
Not really. I think this Org is so screwed up. To me I’d have to see it be put in the hands of baseball folks rather than marketing execs to get me back to being willing to give them any of my money. If Carpino and Kuhl and Arte stepped aside from baseball decisions and a real team of baseball people took ver from the minors to the big club – that would spark my interest more than taking in another bloated baseball contract.
You get paid?
I wish!
Side boob…. if you get the chance, go ahead and tell the team you are quitting them. It matters. Especially if you’re quitting season tickets. But even just emailing and telling them something like “My six office mates and I would go to a few games a year, but no more.” or “I don’t want my children to see this team….” does actually matter once dozens and dozens of people do it.
Not saying anyone should quit the team, but if you’re sad/mad then this is the stick in hand.
I did tell them and that’s when they tried to keep me with the ‘change of ownership’ shtick.
My marketing rep even had me ‘think about’ all new ownership with a POBO and baseball people running the Org. Wouldn’t I want to be a part of that?! It was all just marketing BS.
teams (no matter what sport) are either good at spotting and developing talent OR THEY’RE NOT…….thanks for sharing Niners.
Other than the color red, this is irrelevant to a discussion of Angels baseball.
Same as politics somehow making it into this blog I guess when it’s not supposed to, however it does mean we still have one of MLB’s worst farm systems and after yesterday’s bad news I don’t see light at the end of this tunnel.
Where is your IIWPM?
I used an article about the Knicks in a similar fashion.
When the owners are bad at spotting talent, they hire the wrong executives, who then hire the wrong coaches and scouts, who then draft the wrong players and are incapable of coaching them up.
What part of being “good at spotting and developing talent” explains this move??
The 49ers moved up to No. 3 overall to select Trey Lance. The price tag for such a decision included first-round picks in the 2022 and ’23 NFL Drafts, as well as a third-round selection in 2022.
Well said Twebur.
Won’t matter then will it?
That was well said, we surrendered a 2nd rd pick for Noah Syndergaard who’s working across town now however………..
3rd rd out of Florida St, we chose Jeremiah Jackson in round 2 of the 2018 MLB Draft……..Yes our scouting bureau still can’t scout or develop talent to save their own Mother’s lives.
But we have Logan O’Hoppe who if we find out he can’t catch as well then that’s OK because we love catchers who can’t catch anyway……..Matt Thaiss, Taylor Ward, Mike Napoli, Jett Bandy, and Jeff Mathis…….
What’s the name of that guy in the upper left corner of the continental USA again? He used work for the Angels..
Hey, idiot. Mathis could catch, he just couldn’t hit.
I didn’t say he could throw to the right base 🙂
But as a counterpoint, nobody — but NOBODY — stole 1B against Premium!
And let’s face it, everybody f’s up defensively now and again.
At least Mathis could make a rocket throw to 1st when the runner is stealing 2nd.
All organizations have failed high round draft picks & players that had to be moved off the position they were drafted.
What point are you trying to make?
Taylor Ward, Matt Thaiss (Kind of), Mike Trout (Played SS in HS), unnumerable MiLB catchers, SS become relievers-Percival & Jensen.
many HS SSs end up playing 3B.
So you’re sad we didn’t draft Doug. That tracks.
And speaking of location dysfunction, this team plays in Santa Clara County, about the same 40 miles away from Frisco that the Angels are away from L. A.
I find the whole location arguments to be tedious and silly.
So many pro-sports teams do not play in the exact city-center that they are named after. Who cares? I personally think it was wise and profitable for Arte to make our team associated with “LA”. When I flew into John Wayne for the holidays, I flew south over LA (well, the ocean off of LA) all the way down to OC, and I just saw a continuous spread of city the entire way. No breaks in between with 2 lane roads with sheep and cows on the side of the road. Just concrete everywhere.
I liked the name Anaheim Angels myself, but when using “LA” it does better describe Southern California better. All of our professional teams are for the enjoyment of all of Southern California really. So, what difference does it really make.
Sometimes it doesn’t matter, it’s just not a big deal. But with baseball, an 81 game home schedule, I think it matters a little. If the 49ers played 81 home games instead of 8 there’s no friggin I’d be going from my old place in the Richmond to Santa Clara several times a year for games. That’s not a “basically the same city” kind of trip at all. I doubt there are a bunch of ten game a year Angels fans in the SFV either…. or even West LA.
So yeah, it matters a little I guess.
Santa Clara built a new stadium, they have an argument the team should be named after them.
raises hand
Hurray. One. Now we just have to find the other 50,000 and we’re all good.
Agreed. It is not he New Jersey Meadowlands Giants and Jets
Hackensack’s a quick trip over a bridge or on a train away from NYC. Not an hour by car. Same reason the Patriots aren’t BOSTON any more… Foxboro is 25 miles/90 minutes away and closer to Providence.
I’m with you. I find it tiresome that some people are unable to accept the Angels name. I prefer the current name. I was pointing out the hypocrisy.
Hell, the NY Jets and the NY Giants don’t even play in the correct STATE!
The good news is if the 49ers played in SF proper, you could just take a dump in the seating area, or walkways, as that is not a crime in that city. Oakland coliseum just backs up its toilets in jealousy….
They did. It was called Kezar, then Candlstick.
I sat in the top level there once for a Giants game.
Wow, that was an adventure.
Seems to me this non-sell is Artie continuing his Veruca Salt ways: I want it now! Just like the canceled Stripling/Pederson trade (that ironically worked out better for the Angels).
Knock, knock
Who’s there?
Impatient cow
Imaptient-
Moo!
how do you figure?
we needed a new RF after losing Kole Calhoun to FA, and as usual of course we needed starting pitching. Ross Stripling went 10-4 for the Blue Jays last year while Joc Peterson went on to win back to back World Series rings for the Dodgers and Braves….
Who’s we?
Disagree. This failed sale is most likely about the buyers not being willing to pay what Arte wants. My guess is the offers were in the $1.5B range (guess). All that talk of $2.5B+ was hype/PR.
The combination of many things – lawsuits, interest rates (the higher cost of borrowing money), stadium issues etc likely led to the potential buyers not valuing the franchise to the same degree as Arte and his cronies.
From Sam Blum:
“Moreno’s statement addressed unfinished business and his desire to win a World Series. Doing that requires spending money, and not just on three superstars.
It’s appropriate to wonder if he’s actually the right person to lead the Angels to the playoffs or a championship. But for now, the team and its fans are left with no other option.“
That first part nails it. Its nice to have the ability to go get that big name when we’re a piece away….but taking 15% of a monster contract and hiring an army of better scouts and upgrading our apparently outdated technology is great too!
Maybe he’ll reconsider when the Angels finish 4th within the division next year and Shohei walks away and Trout finally demands a trade.
Sooooo…. what I’m reading here is that we need to resign Ohtani no matter what it costs cause Bade Root. Right?
Getting an onslaught of snow right now in OK… so no work today for me. Good thing there’s no crazy Angels news to think about today.
Agree with Hernandez that Arte doing a press conference where he has to face some of the music and answer some specific questions would be a small token to the fans.
No doubt Arte views the local media as biased against him. Not wrong to an extent (Hernandez, recently Blum) but their agenda is *awfully* similar to what most of the fan base wants – accountability and answers for some questionable/failed management decisions and some assurance the course is correcting?
I’m sure some “LoL FaNz QuEStiOnS WoNt KeEp TrOUt hEalThy” comment looms telling me Arte is never to blame for anything but forcing this guy with all his thin skin to actually face down and explain some decisions they’ve made–with the player development budget, scouts, international signings, the broadcast, Carpino’s lack of scrutiny–that directly deteriorated the product is exactly the kind of stuff that pressures failed decision making in a new direction.
How would a press conference help? Arte isn’t going to give genuine answers to tough questions. He’s just going to hit talking points about highest payroll, other areas they’ve spent money, how he has confidence in PTP and his team, faith they will negotiate a new stadium deal, etc…
It may not, I said it would be a small token to fans and could possibly pressure a guy with thin skin into realizing people have eyes on specific problems and that ignoring them to continued failure would be something he was 100% accountable for.
If answering questions about decisions he or his hand picked, un-fireable frat buddies are making makes him squirm, good.
Your dreams are lame. I don’t know what it is with you and expecting people who are more powerful than you to volunteer for a struggle session just to make you happy, but it’s never gonna happen the way you seem to need it to.
If I owned a team and someone told me I need to talk to the press and provide accountability and answers for some questionable/failed management decisions and some assurance the course is correcting my first word would be NO. Followed by WHY THE FK WOULD I DO THAT? trailed closely by WHICH OF MY GOALS WOULD THAT CIRCUS HELP ME ACCOMPLISH? with a dash of DO YOU HONSTLY THINK THAT’S GONNA MATTER TO ANY OF THESE PEOPLE THE NEXT TIME I DON’T MAKE THEM HAPPY? then a layer of WHO THE FK ARE THESE PEOPLE AND WHY DO THEY THINK I OWE THEM THIS?
Then I’d keep trying to win, cause as soon as we win everyone but the CtPG guy with the deepest runk pock daddy issues will be fine.
Maybe Arte got the abacus out of the closet and did the math on the state and federal taxes he’d owe on selling the franchise and decided it would be better to ride it all into the ground?
Or maybe…Shohei promised him he would stay?
Everything will be just fine when we win the W/S!!
i get the feeling Arte is going to be around another decade with a likelihood George passes it on to Hal and George Jr.
and once we get Jr., we may be wishing we had Arte again and reminiscing about the good old days when Pop ran the franchise.
CtPG in 2038: “F** Jr – nothing has been the same since old man Arte died – those were the good old days. Why can’t Jr. spend like good old Arte?”
Lakers?
I just read someplace that originally they asked John Wayne to play the Slim Pickens part. I have a hard time seeing John Wayne riding an atomic bomb.
Or telling guys they can have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with a bunch of morphine, pep pills, tranquilizer pills, a .45 caliber automatic, and a combination Russian phrase book and Bible.
Its like he reads CtPG. Not bad from a former dodgers beat writer.
https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2023-01-24/angels-arte-moreno-hernandez
yeah i pretty much despise OpEd Hernandez, but appreciate this one as its focused on the future.
It’s a lot more balanced than Sammy Blum.
On point. I’m snagging for Weekend Links.
Really most of those would be solved by getting rid of his buddies and getting real executives. They’d know to stay out of the baseball ops way, to invest in facilities, and to invest in the farm.
Hell, we know to do those things.
Good morning.
I blame Andrew.
Have a good day.
I blame Perry for putting together a team getting a lot of attention from writers.
Arte wants that WS
I blame fill in the blank.
I blame 2002heaven for not applying for the GM position.
His impeccable record and insight would have ensured he would be hired over PTP and he could have easily revamped the entire Angels farm system by now while successfully signing key free agents to fill the gaps in the major league roster, all without ever having a single signing or draft pick prove to be a mistake.
🤣
I blame Arte for not signing guys who show up in unlabelled headshots. And for firing DiPoto, of course!
[just kidding]
I blame the Dutch. Andrew is probably Dutch.
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