LA Angels Thursday News Crash:

Here is “one cool promotion” for every team in 2023. For the Angels they picked Trout/Ohtani Blanket Day on April 25, 2023. As expected, Chase Silseth got optioned on Tuesday. Also optioned were Zach Weiss and Livan Soto. Twelve players who are not on the 40 man roster were reassigned to minor league camp. Griffin Canning and Tucker Davidson are the last two candidates for the sixth starter job.

Video link: Shohei Ohtani career highlights.

The new rules keep getting newer. Hopefully MLB and the union will get this sorted prior to opening day. Nobody likes having to deal with constantly moving goalposts.

They say Jose Altuve will miss two months because of his thumb injury and related surgery.

Now ESPN is going to have Roger Clemens as a special guest analyst. Let me see, what other alleged roiders can we get on national TV? I’m sensing a trend here.

MLB hired Billy Chambers, former Chief Financial Officer of bankrupt Diamond Sports Group, to front its newly formed local media division. What could possibly go wrong?

Journeyman catcher Ryan Lavarnway announced his retirement.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

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HalosFanForLife
Trusted Member
1 year ago

Are there any back up bullpen catchers on the block for Adell? Perhaps a great bat boy that can work well with the pitch clock?

Last edited 1 year ago by HalosFanForLife
HalosFanForLife
Trusted Member
1 year ago

So I’ve been pretty bullish on Moniak for a long time, since before he was an Angel. Still, I’d like him to start in SLC and get some more reps. Nice problem to have, but I’d still start with Phillips because he won’t be getting many reps beginning of the season. When the timing is right, and assuming he still swings it well in SLC, we can then bring in Moniak and he’ll have reps behind him.

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago

https://i.iheart.com/v3/re/assets.brands/f030a6106dd513b31d271ea823efd78c
Along with David Vassay said the Dodgers should trade Bobby Miller and Dustin May for #17. I got a better proposal..,….Randy Ward and Bobby Miller for Ohtani.
Ward who I heard yesterday on Doyer Talk with Vassay says he’s the Dodger’s #1 power hitting prospect. Also they all predicted YKW will milk both of these guys until they’re both gone (Ohtani to NY or HOU and #27 gets mad and demands to be traded to the Phillies) and then put the team up for sale again……
 🤔  💪 

Last edited 1 year ago by 2002heaven
JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  2002heaven

LMAO. You’d need to give up PROVEN MLB players to get Ohtani (IF the Angels were trading him — and they’re not !). And more than one. Those trades you mention are not even close to getting it done.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Well shit . if the Doyers really want Darin Erstad that bad I’m sure we can make a deal.

And Vladdy already retired.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  JackFrost

No Jack. YOU need proven MLB players to get Ohtani. Every GM in baseball would laugh you off the phone at this point…. unless of course the “proven” guys you want are player like Chris Sale. Then sure, I’m sure most GMs have some proven talent to trade to you.

This late in the game I’d take Bobby Miller and Dustin May in a heart beat, especially if they threw in one of their solid low level position player prospects too. At this point we pretty much have to take our cousin to the dance if we want to go at all.

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago

You’d take Bobby Miller and Dustin May because you love mediocrity.

And you are also not a MLB General Manager or POBO.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Dustin May is not mediocre

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

His STUFF is definitely not mediocre. But his performance has been. There is more to MLB greatness than just stuff and potential… May has not shown that he can be consistently good at the MLB level. To point, he had a negative WAR last year and his ERA was 4.50.

Last edited 1 year ago by JackFrost
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  JackFrost

And yet, he’s still better than the gapping nothing we’ll get back for Ohtani in January.

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

You sound like you’re talking about Sandoval now or Kelvim Escobar in 2005. Great stuff, but rarely ever put it all together however.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  JackFrost

Yes. Mediocrity is awesome. Love me some mediocrity.

Now that we’ve established that, your idea of what we can get back for Ohtani at this point is stupid. You love stupid. I don’t need to be a GM or POBO (Can you tell me the difference?) to recognize stupid. I’ve been to a Target, that’s all it takes.

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago

Just covering the bases… Depending on the organization the POBO is the guy with final say on all trades and baseball decisions, and in some the GM is the guy doing that….

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

Meh on Bobby Miller.

Why would the Angels want the guy that used to have to carry Reid Detmer’s sunflower seeds around for him at Louisville?

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

Especially when we could either have a third incredibly expensive player to bitch about our cheap owner not spending enough to make a champiham sandwich OR some sweet “Well, I tried to sign him as an FA but….” quotes from our FO for the donkey squad to bray about? Oh, PLUS a semi-first round pick…. oooo…. ahhhhh… the all important semi-first round pick. Even more make or break than a second round pick. We’re saved. Fantastic options. Why would we want top 100 prospects from an org that poops out great pitching when we can have those?

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

Fine then . We’ll just have to settle for the worthless mid round comp pick AND this season’s 11+ WAR

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Don’t forget the 85 wins!!

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Need to get two bodies for Ohtani
A pitcher and a power hitter since Ohtani’s both…
 💪  💪  💪  👈 

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2002heaven

Would love to get May and Vargas but the Dodgers know next winter is the time to make the move and give back the Anderson compensation pick

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  FungoAle

Miller and Pages? Si si si.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  2002heaven

So. Much. Guestrec. So. Little. IIWPM.

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago

Secret admirers…….GPD maybe? 😂  😆 

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago

Doyers gave up 10 runs in the 1st inning today……I giggle because it’s funny.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Charles Sutton

They’ll do the opposite and score 19 in the 1st.

TrAdition!

Bob_K
Member
1 year ago

Did anyone else notice the magic with team Mexico. That was some 2002 Angels, grade A excitement. I was rooting hard for them to beat Japan just to keep the magic going. I’d like to believe Benji Gil was primary magician.

I find myself hoping that the inspired vibes from our WBC players will carry over to the Angels games…

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Bob_K

No because I thought Ervin Santana was Dominican.

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Ervin (née Johan) nickname was El Meneo (“the shaker”) for how he bobbed his cranium and body rocked while he walked.

HH added the Black Magic moniker – voodoo as well IIRC

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

Damn this took me way too long to
Locate

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=VFhnPxuLWN8&list=OLAK5uy_ky3de1ZNDWB1xMhVwWbyGnh8Jk_CwNLgQ

Rev found these years ago – classic stuff

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

I think Soggy Joe nicknamed Ervin Magic years ago.

Also wasn’t one of the reasons he changed his name was to assume another (younger) identity?

Simba
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

But Carlos Santana was Mexican ….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axbtig7w7a8

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Simba

“IS” Mexican…still rockin at 75 years young!!

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Bob_K

Sarcasm font ENGAGE:
“Nope – I noticed no magic whatsoever – this was entirely a pointless exhibition and meant nothing to nobody”
END SARCASM FONT

rosstrade
Trusted Member
1 year ago

I made a mistake in a recent post by claiming the Angels World Series miracle occurred in 2006, when it was actually 2002.

Grandpa caught it.

And, a few others.

Well, I am probably almost as old as Grandpa and I’ve made so many mistakes and endured enough failures over the years that there isn’t too much out there I can do to embarrass myself.

Which is a good thing.

Thanks to those who caught my error and informed me of it with humor and good intentions.

It’s appreciated….!

Go Halos…..

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  rosstrade

I wouldn’t say the 2002 World Series was a “miracle,” lol.

They were also not lucky, they were GOOD. Or better stated VERY GOOD. They won 99 games in the regular season. Nuff said.

Last edited 1 year ago by JackFrost
bigviz
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Yes. Every time I catch Moneyball I scream at the tv “but who won the World Series that year, Brad Pitt!”

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  rosstrade

Love it that you can own a mistake. Good on you rosstrade although we knew whatcha meant

WallyChuckChili
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

Damn it! I’ve been looking for the Angels Miracle in 2006 for hours!

rosstrade
Trusted Member
1 year ago

Arte Moreno made a comment in his recent interview that he hasn’t been engaged in talks with Ohtani for a contract extension. And, Shohei has to decide if he wants to remain with the Halos before serious talks can begin.

Moreno’s comments highlight his arrogance and lack of awareness of his own incompetence in managing his team.

What has Moreno done over the last 10 years to improve the team in any significant way from top to bottom? …to make any top level player want to join the team?

From the Tyler Skaggs tragedy, to the treatment of players in the minor league system, cronyism in keep management positions, and horrible baseball decisions over the years, the list goes on, it’s not hard to understand why someone like Ohtani would be reluctant to extend with the Angels.

It isn’t just that the Angels have been fielding teams over the years that are not competitive, it runs deeper in that the team culture sucks. The team’s culture, values, and tradition are just as important as performance on the field.

I like what Perry has done recently. I’d like to think the team this year will be competitive and make the playoffs. With the starting pitching that we have and newfound depth, anything is possible.

Will the Angels winning the World Series this year, convince the Sho to extend with the Angels?

I don’t know.

But, I am looking forward to watching the Sho with the Angles this season with appreciation and optimism….

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  rosstrade

I don’t believe that statement by Arte for a second. It’s in the best intrest of both parties to not talk about it in the media. You don’t become a billionare by being a blabber mouth.

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago

Elon Musk and Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones would beg to differ……

YOUknowulovetheIE
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  rosstrade

Angels have been in talks or signed top free agents the last 10 years. He also extended trout.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  rosstrade

Christ. At this point that list of the same sad fk bitch wanks doesn’t even register on my eyeballs anymore. It just looks like whhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…. evil.

Here’s hoping yall are so right that there’s no possible way Ohtani signs here for half a billion dollars….

Cuase remember ladies, we also like to get our boxes of wine out and complain bitterly about big splashes for players in their 30s.

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago

Albert, Tony and Josh all agree…..
 💪  💪 

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  2002heaven

You shut your face. THIS time it will be different.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago

The heated 4th OF debate lives…up/down, yes/no, velveeta/cheese wiz, Phillips/Mickey

Agree with this

These are good problems to have. The Angels actually have real depth for the first time in years. Moniak not making this team should be viewed as more of a good thing than bad.

https://halohangout.com/posts/la-angels-news-massive-game-and-spring-should-not-change-mickey-moniak-opening-day-roster-status

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

I agree with most others that Philips should not be the 4th OFer.

Unfortunately, becaue he is the seasoned vet he’ll probably get the spot over Moniak or Adell.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  JackFrost

Someone around here made the point that Moniak needs to play often. I get that. It makes sense. So if Phillips starts at the MLB I understand.

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

comment image
get him!!!! 💪  💪 
does Moniak have a WS ring?

Last edited 1 year ago by 2002heaven
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  2002heaven

If those chrome testicles on the backs of trucks Mizizippy could type, this is the comment they’d poop out.

Where’s that IIWPM at?

We.
Can’t.
Wait.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

as others have stated, 1.2 million reasons for Phillips to be the 4th OF. Which is, in my opinion, stupid

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

wait. some geek in a basement thinks that 1.2M dollars is a sum of money that will dictate Phillips getting the spot?

Can this wad of genius please tell us why the Zune didn’t take off? I have always been pretty sure that device should have been a revolution but someone out there just didn’t want it to work….

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

I find this nonsensical

“And to be blunt, if the Angels are losing games because of Brett Phillips, they simply weren’t good enough to begin with. Bench players should not be the reason you win and lose games.”

Where to begin? If your 4th OF is coming off a .144 season (36 OPS+), has a .188 career average then you’re setting yourself up to lose games whenever he has to hit. If Phillips’ terrible hitting (or anyone else’s poor performance) costs us then that is *part of them not being good enough*!! In other words, put out inferior players at any time and the team is worse. And then not blaming the poor players because “they simply weren’t good enough to begin with” shows some sort of lack of understanding that it’s a 26 man team.

And, about Moniak and last season: “He was going to win the center field job there before getting hit by a pitch at the end of spring and fracturing his hand. He came back and hit .130 for the Phillies in 50 at-bats, striking out 19 times.”

yes…he fractured his hand!! And now it’s healed! Additionally, yes .130 is terrible but compare it to Phillips’ .144 *while healthy*!!

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Moniak playing 5 games a week in SLC > Moniak playing 2 games in all of April in Heim.

If he hits in SLC we’ll see him soon enough.

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago

Some numbers from Rosenthal in the Athletic:

Ohtani had the hardest-hit ball of the WBC, 118.7 mph. He tied for the longest homer, 448 feet, and fastest-thrown pitch, 102 mph. For good measure, when he beat out an infield single in the seventh, Statcast measured his speed as borderline elite.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  RexFregosi

11*.7 MPH! Wow. Then 10/700M is…. of wait. It’s still a stupid idea to sign Ohtani for the money they are saying he should get.

MarineLayer
Super Member
1 year ago

Is Estevez the closer or do we have some kind of committee going? I’ve got some fantasy drafts where this is relevant to me.

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

it wont be Raisel – he is starting the season the DL list

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

not sure what happens here but if we have a one run lead in the ninth next week, i personally wouldn’t bring in Estevez.

i wouldn’t put him in a game unless its middle innings for now.

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Agree. The problem is that the team has not given Joyce or Bachmann high leverage opportunities to “prepare” them for this role. I would easily choose either one of those two over Estevez, but there needed to be some planning here. I realize it took a couple of weeks to see that Estevez has alot of work to do before potentially reaching closer level… but we knew Joyce and Bachmann both had closer type stuff..

We could have been positioning in the background to make it easier for one of them to step in. Now if Estevez blows the game on Opening Night after that we are left with Tepera or Loup as options? I don’t like it.

Last edited 1 year ago by JackFrost
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  JackFrost

I’m pretty stoked on both Bachman and Joyce but neither is ready. Guys like Webb and Rosenthal will be higher up on the call list.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

Little Kenny has a mean fastball ? Who knew ?

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago

Like I said, they needed to be given more opportunities to prepare.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  JackFrost

I mean they need like a many many more innings… not six more innings. I gotta believe though that if they are rippin and killing in the minors and any of our guys, even the ones with a fair amount of money left on this last year of their contract, are stinking it up come June those MLB arms know they can be replaced with a single Spirit Air ticket purchase.

YOUknowulovetheIE
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Hebert is the closer.

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago

I sure hope not.

steelgolf
Legend
1 year ago

Herget

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

A top Goalie and a closer now? Whoa.

https://twitter.com/guy_hebert/photo

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Best QB in the NFL too

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

I saw him beat the Rams in Anaheim 8-5 in 1994. YES – an NFL score was 8-5 once – Rams D nearly pitched a shutout but old Bobby Hebert punched in a 4th Q TD and 2pt conversion. Ugh.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Jack Lazorko checking in.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Captain Kirk McCaskill also says high.

Last edited 1 year ago by Cowboy26
halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Kick save by Lazorko!!!

red floyd
Legend
1 year ago

Ryan Lavarnway was one of the coaches for Miss UCSD’s softball team when he was in HS

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NccPSinTcK4

This is worth watching. Again – that last pitch!

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Whom are the other two guys in this Ohtani WBC MVP award presentation…epic beard!!

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

No surprize from a hates everything but MFY loud mouth New Yorker.

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

BOTH “Mad Dog” and Steven A are idiots.

MarineLayer
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

The moment GOAT1.0 passed the torch to GOAT 2.0.

How lucky we’ve been to have them both. How terrible it is we’ve done so little with them both on our roster.

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago

Can you imagine this site if Trout, Ohtani or Sandoval were out 2 months like Altuve due to an injury sustained in the WBC?

The fact that happened to a Houston player and not an Angel may be a sign the stars are realigning

Last edited 1 year ago by Fansince1971
Jessica DeLine
Admin
Super Member
1 year ago

That article says there is only one Trout/Ohtani giveaway but that’s not true. There is going to be a bobblehead on July 1 – just no pics yet. There are some cool bobbles this year I want!

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jessica DeLine

There should be an Ohtani vs Trout WBC bobblehead. I’d attend and even give Moreno a $5 tip!

Jessica DeLine
Admin
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

That would be an amazing bobblehead

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

You’re hired DD…genius!! I would come down from Paso Robles for that.

The moving bobble parts of the bobblehead should include that late break

2GA2Join
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

I think there should also be an “Arte changing his mind” bobblehead.

And an Ohtani “show me the money” bobblehead.

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2GA2Join

Brilliant!

2GA2Join
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

In 2024 we can have a bobblehead of the college reliever that we get as the compensation pick for Ohtani.

Sorry, too soon?

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  2GA2Join

It hurts cause it’s true. But you just don’t trade Bade Root. So amazes. Ankles grabbed confidence!

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2GA2Join

Yep try 2026 since said reliever won’t be drafted until 2024

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  2GA2Join

I like it. The Arte one can have two figures attached like Siamese Twins with one being a “Dr. Jekyl” like character and the other being “Mr. Hyde.”

Last edited 1 year ago by JackFrost
steelgolf
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jessica DeLine

I already have tickets for my son and I for the Trout Star Wars bobble head night. I noticed a lot of the bobble head games are Friday nights.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 year ago

Good morning my friends, put your umbrellas away for now as we dry out a little before next week’s storms. No matter where you live this has been a crazy winter. An example is the Angels are finally working at putting together a good team, maybe the best in 8 years. Now that’s what I call a crazy winter.

Ya’ll have yourselves a great day and make someone smile today. No unhappiness about no game today. 😃 

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago

man!! I put away my umbrella earlier per your request and just got rained on.