LA Angels Weekend News Crash: Running on Fumes

Over the off season I took a look at the depth on Perry Minasian’s Swiss Army Team and concluded we’d be fine with up to two injuries on the infield and perhaps one on the grass.

At that time I thought Rengifo had turned a corner and would be useful and that David Fletcher would be the utility types and Neto would be in AA, possibly AAA by now. Either way, I didn’t think we’d see an automatic three out inning along the lines of Wade/Mayfield/Squid last year.

Then I tuned in Tuesday night to see Squid, a still struggling Rengifo, and some guy named Padlo taking hacks against future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. Squid was, by far, the best of that bunch that night.

A season ending injury to Gio Urshela has immediately sucked away depth at every infield position. As usual, Anthony Rendon is on the IL. Urshela was the first wave of defense for the perpetually injured Rendon.

Zach Neto has been a boon and a blessing to the club but he’s out and has yet to even start any baseball related activities. His absence could extend into July. At this point, I don’t see how it doesn’t.

This might all be fine if Taylor Ward, Mike Trout, and Shohei Ohtani went berserk with the bats for a week or so, but they combined for nothing of note in the two game sweep at the hands of the Dodgers.

Fans are wondering why David Fletcher is not in Anaheim. For the first few weeks of his Salt Lake tenure he was hitting horribly. But he seems to be back to his contact oriented self. His current slash line with the Bees is .380/.431/.462.

I understand that a roster move would be required. Squid can be optioned. Rengifo would need to clear waivers. And he probably would. Neither would be a big loss. This healthy Fletcher may or may not clear waivers (he did earlier this year).

If Minasian is actually trying to win right now why is he playing guys who would not get claimed instead of one good enough to possibly/likely get claimed? Doesn’t make a ton of sense.

There is plenty of good news, though.

And on the more immediate front:

And while he did not do much offensively against our crosstown rivals, Shohei Ohtani did strike out an even dozen of them, a new club record.

And when you are leading the league in Home Runs and can pitch like this, I’ll forgive a two game slump even against the Dodgers.

And let’s not let two games this week diminish the fact he absolutely destroyed the ball on the road trip.

Really, the rotation is looking pretty good right now. Things are starting to click for Reid Detmers, who threw 7 scoreless innings against LA on Tuesday night.

Tonight’s starter Patrick Sandoval pitched 7 shutout innings of his own his last time out.

And while the thought of Tyler Anderson in the thin air at Coors Field is frightening, he settled down nicely in Texas and gave the Angels a shot to win.

And about those Rockies? They are plummeting, having lost 8 straight games and 14 of 17. They are thankful to be home from a brutal road trip and have to realize the Angels are banged up. But they also announced another round of injury news yesterday.

This should be the pitching staff and ballpark to help turn the offense around. It is fair to expect, no demand, a series win this weekend. A sweep should be the goal.

From around baseball:

Who had the Cincinnati Reds in first place at any point in the year? Liar! They are riding an 11 game winning streak, the last three coming against the Rockies.

And in a moment straight out of Hollywood, the face of the franchise, Joey Votto, returned from injury and cracked a bomb in his first game.

The Reds have slightly outdone the San Francisco Giants, who reeled off a 10 game winning streak of their own before getting beaten down 10-0 by the Padres. Nice bit of irony there.

.400 is a legendary number in baseball. Luis Arreaz is flirting with it. Can he really pull it off? FanGraphs says he can.

The NBA draft was last night. Those guys are phenomenal athletes, but Victor Wembanyama did a horrible job throwing out the first pitch at a Yankees game.

I have to say, while I laugh at the celebrity fails I think this is harder than it looks. Sure on a normal day and a normal field I can stand up there and get one over the plate. With a ballpark and fans, the nerves would kick in. Still, I’d at least practice and have decent form; something the celebs seem to overlook.

It has been a phenomenal College World Series. I have what should be an epic LSU vs. Wake Forest game tonight then we’ll have the final match up set. Plenty of mock drafts have two LSU guys at the very top and Lowder from Wake Forest in the top 10. Here’s a recent one showing that and the Angels taking a college outfielder.

Have a great weekend. The sun will finally be out in the OC! Link what I missed.

103 Comments
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WallyChuckChili
Legend
1 year ago

Angels #19 and #20 Prospects for Escobar.

I’d go with Fletch.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

They really don’t want Fletch on the 26-man roster.

I must now assume that Fletcher must have done something horrible to Stassi and it’s all part of a cover-up and punishment. Prove me wrong.

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

At this point if I were Fletcher I would be pissed.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Fletcher must have slept with Perry’s wife Michelle

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

Can she Pitch?

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

This was a move to replace Gio. Not sure I agree with it, But Arte’s playing to win. Escobar is Making $9 Million this year with a $500 K buyout of his 2024 $9 Million option. Thats more than Gio was making.

steelgolf
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

They have The Angels only paying the league minimum for him.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  steelgolf

That would explain the 2 mid level prospects. The Mets aren’t really playing him everyday but I think he can still hit. In his last 20 games ( 51 PA’s) dating back to May 12th hes slashing .340/.392/.468 so I’d take that even in a limited role.

Angelstan
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Mets are playing the whole salary this season except league minimum.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Just read about the trade on a different site. 2 things I like: Escobar has a bat and the other thing…Perry’s working it! Not sitting back. I’m a bit shocked but pleased. Currently, many teams are in contention and competition to acquire talent will make deals tougher.

Last edited 1 year ago by FungoAle
angelslogic
Super Member
1 year ago

Why is Fletcher batting first in the Bees AAA game tonight while the Angles have Padlo? Something’s not quite right with that.

Last edited 1 year ago by angelslogic
Angelstan
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  angelslogic

The only smart answer would be they want to trade Squid, Padlo and others while keeping Fletcher. But I’d doubt the Angels are doing it for that reason.

Dinkycreek
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Angelstan

If Fletcher plays tonight for SLC it is beyond question that they are intentionally screwing with him. His defense is far above Rengifo, Padlock and Stefanic and his bat has returned as evidenced by .383 average. Say what you want about the PCL averages but their are few, if any, hitting higher in AAA ball.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Dinkycreek

According to Sam Blum, Fletch is leading off unless there is last minute change. It did not look good yesterday when he could not run full speed after he hit a weak grounder to 3rd base. It appeared he pulled his hamstring.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Dinkycreek

Is this really a mass conspiracy to screw over Fletcher? Why would the Angels intentionally screw over their team’s ability to win while paying Fletch $6 million a year to waste away in Salt Lake City?

When Fletch was DFA’d, his defense was suffering, his base running was terrible and his batting was atrocious. We know hes improved his batting average at AAA ( Hell who hasn’t?) but I have no clue if his defense and base running are anywhere back to normal enough to help this team.

Last edited 1 year ago by Cowboy26
Angelstan
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I totally disagree. Felucca is a good defender. He gets key hits. He runs fine. Guys like Stefanic have proven not to be capable. Rengifo had the one decent stretch last year. Padlo is whatever. Squid isn’t MLB worthy. Fletch is a real player. He deserves to be with the Angels.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  angelslogic

Pretty Obtuse right?

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I’ll take this angle. Padlo the Angel wacks an HR tonight. Just because.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Well the Padlo days would appear to be numbered… https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/06/angels-acquire-eduardo-escobar.html

Dinkycreek
Member
1 year ago

Why is Padlock back at 1st? Put Drury there and Stefanic at 2nd. Is Padlock related to Arte?

Angelstan
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Dinkycreek

Why are they screwing Fletcher? He is a winning player. Squid is a caterer fringe minor leaguer or end of the roster guy. What’s the deal?

WallyChuckChili
Legend
1 year ago

1. Ward LF
2. Ohtani DH
3. Trout CF
4. Drury 2B
5. Renfroe RF
6. Padlo 1B
7. Rengifo 3B
8. Wallach C
9. Squid SS

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago

I would give more ABs to Wallach than to Padlo. So I would have switch them places.

steelgolf
Legend
1 year ago

Ah hell no. Padlo does not belong on the field.

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago

Padlo is back at 1B tonight.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  smithy610

POTG!

TrojanBoiler
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  smithy610

JFC why

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  TrojanBoiler

Power. Meat in the lineup.

Seriously though, Nevin is hoping some Coors Field magic will make that come true.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  smithy610

My prediction is 0 homerun for Angels as all of them swing for the fence with at least 2 oblique injuries by the end of today.  😆 

TrojanBoiler
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

I take back what I said the other day. We won’t miss you when you follow Shohei to the Dodgers!

steelgolf
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  smithy610

Why? Just why???? Can’t field for shit, can’t hit for shit. Like a human bollard.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

Sam’s in Salt Lake City. Jeff Fletcher is probably on a 2 week vacation and Rhett Bolliinger has to get Evil Arte to sign off on anything he tweets so good luck getting the lineup any time soon.

My guess though is we will see the same Lineup that Kershaw dominated on Tuesday night.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

This is about the time I start contemplating what the starting lineup is going to be, but Angels lost the last two, so I am not going to touch that today. Just surprise me, Phil.

MLBTR had an article regarding Cubs chance of being a buyer before the trade deadline.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/06/ricketts-cubs-are-buyers-right-now.html

Cliff Note version:

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts made an appearance at a fan event in London yesterday, ahead of the club’s matchup against the Cardinals as part of the London Series, and was asked whether the club would be buyers or sellers at the upcoming trade deadline. “Obviously we’re buyers right now,” Ricketts said. “Things can come off the rails, but I don’t think they will. I think what we have is a core that can compete for the division and compete for the playoffs and now it’s finding the missing parts to add to it.”

Due to the expanded postseason and weak Central divisions, very few clubs can be firmly categorized as true sellers and situations can change quickly. As of just two weeks ago, the Cubs were 26-36 and 7.5 games back of of the Brewers while the Reds were 29-34 and five games back. Both clubs have been on hot streaks since then and flipped the script. The Reds are now 40-35 and atop the division, putting them into the buyers camp. The Cubs are 36-38 and just 3.5 games behind and now seem to be thinking of buying as well.

As of just a few weeks ago, there was much speculation about the Cubs potentially trading away rental players like Cody Bellinger and/or Marcus Stroman, the latter of whom having one year remaining on his contract but the ability to opt out this fall. All told, it will be a fascinating few weeks for the Cubs and for the baseball world as a whole. The club has already shown that a hot stretch can quickly flip the narrative upside-down, though the reverse is also true. Each game in June and July will take on magnified importance as each team tries to calculate their best path forward.

By the way, I am so glad that Angels are not doing this London series. I know Manfraud desires to cultivate interest in Europe, but in the middle of June? If Cubs fall out of contention, they have Manfraud to thank off season, and I don’t think he will receive a Christmas card from David Ross.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kiyotchan
Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I guess Fletch is not that injured.
https://twitter.com/SamBlum3/status/1672354624773431296

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

You have 87% nailed the Angels starting lineup for today, sir. (Only difference is that Rengifo batting 7 and Wallach batting 8 hole.)

Last edited 1 year ago by Kiyotchan
Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

I wish I was only 65% right with Padlo riding the pine the plumber batting in his spot and David Fletcher manning third base.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Jeff Fletcher’s Vacation…….Hush money vacation, paid for by Arte?😀

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
1 year ago

15 games before the break. I’d say the Angels need 10-5 to cement themselves as buyers with a shot at the playoffs.

The worst possible scenario is 8-7. That will put the Angels floundering just outside of the wild card race, unwilling to sell or buy at the deadline.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan
Last edited 1 year ago by Twebur
Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Is this clear enough?

Unknown-1.jpeg
Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

Obviously doesn’t know we already have a young SS and C, with another young C at AA… But we could trade someone.

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Lol.

The only positive about that deal is getting Rendon’s contract off the books…

We don’t need a catcher and even though Marte is a good talent we don’t need OF’s either …

matthiasstephan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

It is very clear that they keep a tight grip on the Angels farm system (or have even watched the team this year).

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Twebur

IF a trade were to be had, the teams with the most top #100 prospects are: Baltimore (7), Cincy (5), Clev (5), Dodgers (7), SD (5), TB (6), Tex (5).

The Angels have two top 100 prospects: O’Hoppe and Quero.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

And Neto.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

For some reason Neto was not listed by MLB. Maybe he had too many major league at bats?

matthiasstephan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

But …. we don’t have a farm, right?

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend

We have a farm, but other teams have better farm systems.

Brent
Super Member
1 year ago

Going up against a team who’s lost 8 straight… what could (will) go wrong?

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago

Jeff, I am disappointed in you. You of all people should be leery of predicting a sweep. Not long ago you said on these pages that you didn’t like to play teams coming into the series on a long losing streak. And guess what? That is EXACTLY what is happening this weekend…

Your logic was that the reeling team is “due” to win a game or even a few. And I totally agree with that logic. The Rockies are in fact DUE.

Not only that, there are other reasons I think the Rockies can win tonight. Not least of those is that their starting pitcher Freeland actually has pitched pretty darned well at home in Colorado, as opposed to on the road. He has a 3.19 ERA at home this season.

Check out the splits :
Kyle Freeland Stats, Fantasy & News | Colorado Rockies (mlb.com)

In addition, he has a pattern to his starts. At least his recent history shows that he follows up a poor or bad start with a really good one. Guess what? Last start was really bad for him, so, if the trend holds he’ll have a good start tonight :

Upcoming | FanDuel

Finally, we all know that our lineup is banged up… Having to carry a bunch of subpar bats in our order won’t help us any… So, I prefer to enter this series with caution and being leery of the wounded animal, the Colorado Rockies.

Last edited 1 year ago by JackFrost
JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Agree with you on the point about the change vs the curve or slider. We all know that the breaking pitches tend to flatten out in the thin air…

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

trAdition says…1 of 3 is our best hope.

We don’t play well after off days, especially the offense, yesterday was an off day.
Tonight is a loss.

Tomorrow is Saturday. We basically lose every Saturday. We we have lost the last 10 Saturday games and 2-10 over all. That’s Loss #2.

All we can hope for, is a win on Sunday.
Sunday, bloody Sunday, And the battle’s just begun,There’s many lost, but tell me who has won? The lack of runs within our hearts, How long, how long must we play like shit? How long? How long?
‘Cause tonight we can not have a won, tonight
Tonight, tonight (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)
Tonight, tonight (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Agree.

I think we’ll lose tonight… And it could be in a painful manner, like with the Rockies hitting a go-ahead game winning HR in the bottom of the 9th …

max
Trusted Member
max
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

After having a 10-3 lead going into the bottom of the 8th…

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  max

I was thinking more like we have a 4 run leading going to the 8th and then give up 2 in the bottom half and a game winning 3-run HR for McMahon or Jones in the 9th to lose 9-8 or 10-9.

Last edited 1 year ago by JackFrost
clover_black
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

tell me… would you go as far as to say this team is cursed on saturday?

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  clover_black

It’s a feature, not a bug. trAdition

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  clover_black

Was hoping for rainout on Saturday, but no dice with 0% chance of rain, not even a chance of lousy thunder storm. I think we need to hire a Native American specialist of realizing sudden rain shower at least few inches per hour before game time.

Unknown.jpeg
Last edited 1 year ago by Kiyotchan
2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago

Gonna have to make some moves for sure…….this time they have some ammo to do so unlike the past 5 yrs. I know I’m not supposed to be a negative, but it will all depend on YOU KNOW WHO who’s calling all the shots to give PM the go ahead to get something done. This team is kinda put together like the TB Rays who I challenge anybody here to tell me who their 3B or 2B is………yep a bunch of nobody’s outside the greater Tampa St Pete area. PLZ do what Alex Anthopoulos did in 2021 at the July Trade Deadline Perry.

Guest
1 year ago

The FBM keystone of the series this weekend for the Angels is “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House.

The Angels have miraculously withstood injuries to Quijada, Moore, Joyce, O’Hoppe, Neto, and Rendon, but after two lackluster losses to their local rival Dodgers, it seems as though the injury to Urshela may finally be the straw that broke the Angels’ back.

Let’s see how the Angels fare against the Rockies, and then we can see if there is still hope, or if the dream is really over.

https://youtu.be/J9gKyRmic20

Last edited 1 year ago by GhostGuest
Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago

This feels like a click bait, and I don’t get $ for doing this, but it is hilarious to see Chad Wallach in distress the moment he realized that he might have destroyed Shohei’s beautiful face. (I am not that certain but I believe Shohei is also sponsored by Japanese cosmetic company, either Shiseido or Kose)
https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1671703692871884800

Pineapple12
Super Member
1 year ago

Angels are 41-35

7 losses back of the division
7 losses back of WC1
1 loss back of WC2
1 loss back of WC3

6-23 Rooting Guide

Angels > Rockies
Mariners or Orioles
Rangers or Yankees
A’s > Blue Jays
White Sox > Red Sox
Dodgers > Astros

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

Just want to say, even though I’m not yet scoreboard watching at the moment (because I believe the Angels have a legitimate chance to actually win the division), I appreciate your daily posts on the “rooting guide”.

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  smithy610

Scoreboard watching is fun…remember FUN?

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago

Are you kidding.?.. This stuff is stressful. What college of fandom did you go to ?

Last edited 1 year ago by JackFrost
halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

We drove rush hour traffic in the emergency lane in a 1968 Opal Kadett Station Wagon from Burbank to Anaheim in 1979 to make the first pitch of ALCS game three…stupid 5 pm TV start. That college of fandom!!! `;~}}

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago

Highlight of that game was Don Baylor’s HR.

He was the main reason I became an Angels fan…

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

My Groove highlight is his 5 RBI 1982 ALCS Game 1.

Especially the triple that Gorman Thomas misplayed.

View Level was flexing up and down from the fans!!!

https://youtu.be/J8iYyqlDWxM

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

I think we need to root for the Yankees tonight… I don’t think Texas will be caught, so getting ahead of New York for the WC becomes VERY important…

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

I agree (assuming you meant root for the Rangers against the Yankees).

We should also root for the Mariners over the O’s. Although we are unlikely to catch the O’s, doing so puts the Angels in the playoffs. The Mariners won’t catch the Angels unless the Angels have already blown their chances, so the Mariners winning a few doesn’t matter.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

It’s part me being formerly Ichiro-therefore-Mariners fan, but it gave me exhilarating pleasure to see Mariners beat MFYankees yesterday, which makes it possible for Angels to regain WC2 position today. Baseball sometimes makes no sense; Mariners lose despite #1 Castillo and #2 Kirby going, but wins with Cy-Rookie Woo.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kiyotchan
JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

Yes, sorry, I meant root for Yankees to lose. So we need Rangers to beat the Yankees..

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 year ago

We are far enough along in the season to better see the trends. The Angels are good, not great, but good. What are they good at other than breaking hearts 💔 , well, the long ball has kept us in most games. Ohtani, Trout, Drury and Renfroe all have hit the ball hard and had some big HRs. At times it does look like the lineup is either trying for wearing the Samari Helmet and striking out or waiting for the Big Guns to come through.

Our Bullpen is really better than it looks, well, not that these guys are all GQ, but they are as a group reliable. Except for one guy that seems to allow a run at every appearance. Although he did go 2 outings without giving up a run. He will send you on a Loupty Lou.

Starting pitching is getting better with every outing, don’t you agree? And Barria has been a great #6 when called upon.

RF defense is a big shot in the arm, Trouty seems more comfortable in CF this year too. Ward and Mickey are a real boost in LF. Drury being able to play more than one position has helped a lot.

Now if we could just get the bats moving in the right direction. I would like to see the lineup make better contact and getting on base rather than waiting for the HRs. Working up the pitch count means seeing a better chance at seeing a mistake pitch that can be hit. too.

matthiasstephan
Super Member
1 year ago

As much as I like Trout’s RF doppelganger, I am also looking forward to seeing if an OF of Trout, Ward, Moniak and Adell can work. Long term having that work out gives us a lot of flexibility (either to trade, with some OF prospects on the horizon, or to trade prospects for pitching).

If we are looking to make trades at the deadline, we should keep the future in mind too (never know who becomes available) and look not only at the bullpen (where we need more solid depth) but 3B and 1B. If we can’t swing a trade for Burnes, Stroman or Chapman, maybe we look to strengthen the corner IF with Candelario, Santana or Cron?

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago

Most experts have mentioned no big name trades expected until after ASG, so this is going to be a ticking bomb explosive towards the last 2 weeks of July.

Outside of Chapman, Candelario, and Cron, the availability of others you mentioned will depend on how their teams are playing in still bunched up NL Central. BTW, I like all of your potential trade targets.

Unknown.jpeg
GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 year ago

Good morning to all, a bit of a chilly 36 degrees in the San Berdos this AM. Supposed to be under freezing tonight, in June!

Why keep Squid and drop Rengifo: Squid can play anywhere on the diamond and play much better defense than Rengifo. Squid is the better base stealer. Squid is a better fit as a back up. Squid has field awareness and Rengifo does not.

Walsh is another fan favorite. Fan Favorite maybe because he was a 39th round pick, tried to be a 2 way player under Sosh, and plays a mean 1B. But his bat is missing and missing from a power spot on the field. While I can argue that he saves runs he is not creating them. I hope he can find himself with the bat because he is needed out on the diamond. So why does Walsh have issues with not hitting LHP. Simply because he is not picking up the ball from the release point. Which may explain why he is having his hitting problems this year.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend

Yes I know “WAR” is not the end-all be-all measurement, but it is a metric that does assess the results being generated by a player. With that in mind, for your reading enjoyment…..

Renfro, Drury, Anderson, Rendon and Trout are being paid a total of $109.1 million this year and have generated a total of 3.1 bWAR.

Last edited 1 year ago by Senator_John_Blutarsky
tommyshalo
Trusted Member
1 year ago

Subtract Drury and you get an even uglier $100M for 4players and 2.0bWAR.
Are we the donkeys or are they?
comment image

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago

I know there is inflation but is 33.3 million per 1 WAR good? 😂

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend

“Fans are wondering why David Fletcher is not in Anaheim. For the first few weeks of his Salt Lake tenure he was hitting horribly. But he seems to be back to his contact oriented self. His current slash line with the Bees is .380/.431/.462.”

His current slash line translates to something like .250/.300/.350 against major league pitching.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 year ago

First of all is you don’t know what he will do on the season any more than I do. Any slash line with Fletcher has everything to do with power, Fletcher does have Doubles power but not over the wall power. When on his game he has lead the team in Doubles twice, hits twice, average once.

What has confused Brad Asmus and Joe Maddon and PTP in the past is what to do with a player that does not fit the profile that the bean counters like. Fletcher became a fan favorite because he didn’t strikeout often, he hit the ball the other way with the shift and has a high baseball IQ., fields the ball perfect and has range.

If Fletcher hit .200 with the same AB’s as Renny, they would has sent him through the waiver process. With Rengifo they how for an occasional HR mixed in with his strikeouts and walks and errors and they say that’s a little weak and let’s hope for improvement.

Fletcher was injured for a while and he was still great at playing second base. His hitting suffered and we know the rest. Fletcher never complained, he out and played to the best of his ability. I am no hero, know it all, or physic, but after 49 years of coaching you can bet I know what to look for in a player. I have said from the gate Rengifo would not make it, his instincts and awareness were missing. The opposite was true for Fletcher. But I also said years ago that Fletcher was not anything better than a fill-in at SS and would get injured playing there.

Comparing Fletcher with Rengifo;

  1. Fletcher is smarter out on the field.
  2. Rengifo has a stronger arm.
  3. Fletcher has better range.
  4. Rengifo has better speed from home to 1st.
  5. Fletcher is better 1st to third.
  6. Rengifo has more HR power.
  7. Fletcher makes better contact.
  8. Rengifo strikes out to much.
  9. Fletcher can bunt.
  10. Rengifo can’t bunt.
  11. Fletcher is one of the top fielding 2B in the league.
  12. Rengifo is a huge liability in the field.
  13. Fletcher has a high Baseball IQ.
  14. Rengifo is a better SB artist than Fletcher but gets caught more often Pct wise.

In baseball it is the little things that a player does that make a difference and that difference equates to Wins and Loses. I was at Fletcher’s first Home Game and he so impressed me that I knew he would be an asset right away. If you remember we were having the hardest time finding a second baseman for years, and here was this guy who just was effortlessly smooth, and we had him all along.

Fletcher will never be a HR hitter, but when healthy he will hit the ball, move runners over, drop drag bunts, make plays in the field that others can only dream about, and help win games.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago

There was some excitement when Fletch was taken out of Bee’s game last night in 7th inning for possible call up. After seeing this tweet and video, I think he is hurt, looks like hamstring. Sigh.
https://twitter.com/Jared_Tims/status/1672087006426587142

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

Yep…just another injury prone old guy.

angelslogic
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

Dammit.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

15. And Fletcher looks like he hurt himself again last night

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago

Rec for final paragraph.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

I’m not arguing that Fletch isn’t an improvement over Padlo or Rengifo. The only point being made is that the bar is so low when the comparison measurement is Padlo and Rengifo that there’s more than just Fletcher who would be an improvement.

I understand that Fletcher is a fan favorite. He’s all gritty, scruffy and mascot-like. He’s the example that “anyone” can make the big leagues. He’s the 2023 version of David Eckstein. Perry should recall him and run him out there every game. The point remains that his presence in Anaheim is not going to materially change the trajectory of the season.

I’m drinking the Kool-Aid: I  😍  Fletch. Fletch Lives. Free Fletch. All hail Fletch.

Last edited 1 year ago by Senator_John_Blutarsky
Brent
Super Member
1 year ago

He’s also, apparently, hurt.

Marcotor
Trusted Member
1 year ago

But.. but.. but Fletch is a “fan favorite”. If he comes back the Angels are guaranteed a WS win. That’s what I keep hearing over and over.

matthiasstephan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Marcotor

One cannot win a WS without an Eckstein. (Also, to complete the puzzle, Rengifo is a bearded Figgins).

WallyChuckChili
Legend
1 year ago

Will we be gettin Heffy with it?