LA Angels Monday News Crash:

Besides the extreme beatdown the Angels administered on Saturday to the Rockies, the other news of the weekend was that the Angels acquired Mike Moustakas from those same Rockies. Jared Walsh went down to Triple-A Salt Lake. Mike Trout, Brandon Drury, and Matt Thaiss hit back to back to back homers in the blowout game. The Angels designated Chris Okey for assignment to make some room for David Fletcher and Eduardo Escobar on the 40 man roster. Matt Moore is making progress but is not ready to comeback yet from his oblique strain.

Aaron Judge has a torn ligament in his big toe rather than a sprain. The Dodgers will soon get Max Muncy back while Noah Syndergaard is still working on recovering from his blisters. Deion Sanders seems to have dodged a bullet with his possible foot amputation.

Ty Floyd of the LSU Tigers recorded 17 strikeouts in a nine inning game in the Men’s College World Series.
Rookie on fire Elly de la Cruz hit for the cycle (video). Seventeen former scouts are suing Rob Manfred and MLB for alleged age discrimination.

The Astros lost to the Dodgers on a Ryne Stanek balk.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

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GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 year ago

MLB attendance is up 7.8 percent this season. Time clock I think made a huge positive difference.

LanaBanana
Super Member
1 year ago

It could also be a post-Covid bump.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago

Really? I don’t see that having a bearing. Price per minute of enjoyment has now spiked with pitch clock.

Now that the games are faster, I’m lost desire in driving up the coast, battling traffic to turn around in 2 hours. I love soaking up the action. Give me baseball!!

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago

I think the pitch clock has made watching on television more enjoyable but the live experience less enjoyable because by the time you are settled with a hot dog and a beer it’s the 4th inning.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
1 year ago

if Moustakos Moustakis ….Moose (that’ll work) gets a hit in his 1st at-bat we’ll be making humorous comments about Nevin and Rengifo. I hope to see that!

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago

Okey dokey! Also hope to see Adell get a chance to swing at bat.
https://twitter.com/LAAngelsPR/status/1673460989013135361

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

Another brief stop, burning up the options.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
1 year ago

how to make the playoffs

Step 1: win tonight

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago

Brilliant.

HaloLew
Trusted Member
1 year ago

I was in Chicago this weekend and caught a White Sox vs. Red Sox game. The White Sox looked terrible but did pull out a walk-off which was cool to see in person. Interesting observation – while there were certainly Red Sox fans in attendance, it was not remotely close to what we see when they’re playing in Anaheim. And not once did I hear that annoying, “Let’s go Red Sox” chant. My guess is that White Sox fans will kick the shit out of you while Angels fans are too busy on their phones to care.  😂 

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  HaloLew

South side of Chicago is not nerf football OC.

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  HaloLew

lol – like you’d leave one dump (Boston) for another dump (Chicago)? No fans there bcoz no transplants.

Marcotor
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  HaloLew

They’re mostly waiting for their cue to MaKeSoMeNoIsE!!!! for the lame monkey

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

You would think that Evil Cheap Arte would want to save money on electricity.

https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/1673431390287970310

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

well as long as everyone has fun, wins and losses dont matter.

think of it as a Participation Trophy

SC_Halo
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I noticed that as well but it is lit different when the Angels win. But opportunity 248 to crap on the Angels taken by Shaikin

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  SC_Halo

I hate shitkan

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

He doesn’t even know how to spell tradition.
It’s trAdition you dumb ass… besides, .500’ish baseball, may as well just keep it on.

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago

Some silver lining for the homestand – the Angels will face all RHPs, so more Moniak and Thaiss.

And why that is a good thing, not just for the two of them, but for the entire team:

The Angels are scheduled to face nothing but right-handed starting pitchers in the homestand against the White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks, according to a schedule at FantasyPros.com. They are 34-23 against right-handers (.596, sixth best in baseball), and have produced a betting profit in games against righties (plus 10.5 wagering units, fourth best), according to StatFox.com.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  smithy610

Yesterday’s game odds according to FanDuel: Moneyline Angels (-156) Rockies (+132) Over and Under 12.5. That’s why all those who own the betting sites drive sports cars and own big houses.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago

Starting Lineup:

Moniak RF
Trout CF
Ohtani DH
Drury 2B
Moustakas 1B
Ward LF
Thaiss C
Rengifo 3B
Fletch SS

Go Angels! Get the first win of the series!

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

I like 86% of it.

Jim Atkins
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

8/9 is 88.888…%. I am depressed.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim Atkins

I took 2.8% off for switching Trout and Ohtani.  😉 

Last edited 1 year ago by Kiyotchan
tanana40
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

Rengifo over Escobar at 3B?

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  tanana40
Last edited 1 year ago by Cowboy26
tanana40
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Ah and Jo Adell is up. Good luck to Escobar on taking this test.
From Jeff Fletcher on Twitter.

Last edited 1 year ago by tanana40
Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  tanana40

That is vintage inefficiency of federal government. Assuming that Escobar taking American citizenship exam, why does he have to go to Miami instead of Los Angeles?

One of sample questions:

Where is the Statue of Liberty?

Acceptable answers include New York, New Jersey, Liberty Island, on Hudson River, and New York City.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

Hmmm. I would think that Rengifo would be more interested in becoming a citizen right now than Escobar.

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

Where do the NY Jets play?

Acceptable answers include New York, New Jersey, Liberty Island, on Hudson River, and New York City.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Who was the NY Jets QB who hit on Suzy Kolber on live TV? I think that is a better citizenship question.

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

Does Broadway Joe care if the Angels are strrruuuuugggggling?
https://youtu.be/Gc65NC44dSk?t=15

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  tanana40

Restricted list due to citizenship exam. He should be back soon.

Angelstan
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

How does anyone decide to hit Moose fifth in his first game with the team plus as a guy that didn’t perform much for other clubs? Escobar who they got from the Mets has hit in both games he played. Why is he sitting?

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Angelstan

He is in Miami, taking citizenship exam. Reported to be back on Wednesday. Bigger question is whether Arte is paying for the trip and providing money for hotel and meals,

Angelstan
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

Ok, thanks. I like Renfroe better than Moose — particularly as a 5 hitter. But Thaiss and Ward are better options also.

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Angelstan

It’s probably a matchup thing (RHP tonight). I’m sure we’ll see Renfroe during this homestand.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 year ago

Pretty awesome that the Angels acquired Moose who was then able to stand two feet away from Nevin while he sent Rengifo up to bat with the game on the line.

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

🤣

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Either Mous is injured or Perry made a side deal with Bill Schmidt not to use him on Sunday. (But if that was the case why not announce the deal after Sunday’s game so at least the Angels would have had Padlo to come off the bench if needed?)

But the decision to use Rengifo over Mous is about the stupidest decision I’ve seen in a long time.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

The dumbest decision I’ve seen since the Cleveland fiasco when Nevin intentionally walked the bases loaded then brought in a right hander to face a lefty who had crushed us all weekend.

steelgolf
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

My son looked at me, laughing, and said “ Why is he bringing in Rengifo?” I looked at him and said “Because Phil Nevin, and the entire universe, hates me and wants to see my blood pressure rise.”

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago

Edgar Quero’s bat is less “hitty” this year.

https://www.milb.com/player/edgar-quero-700337

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

He’s 20 at AA and still doing OK by average and OBP. I’m fine with that.

Turk's Teeth
Editor
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

He’s almost four years younger than the average hitter in the Southern League, and the “enhanced grip” tacky baseball in AA has depressed offense across the board vs 2022.

2023 Southern League avg: .235/.336/.393
Edgar Quero: .244/.386/.333

Except for power, he’s doing just fine. He remains a top 100 MLB prospect in every creditable survey.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago

Jeremiah Jackson Named Southern League Player of the WeekRocket City infielder hit four home runs last week 

https://www.milb.com/news/jeremiah-jackson-june-26-player-of-the-week

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Prior to this last week JJ’s been pretty mediocre but I guess he really likes his biscuits. (Montgomery Biscuits that is)

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Maybe a nice trade filler

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Yesterdays news.

Today it’s two for one oblique TJS special day so stay tuned.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Instead of trading our young pitchers, maybe we could part them out?
Pick-A-Part for ribs, shoulders, Tommy Johns, and hands?

https://twitter.com/mikemayer22/status/1673040560431529986?s=20

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Not sure why you would put a newly acquired pitching prospect to work so quickly after moving from Alabama to New York State. Billy must have really been anxious to see his newest pickup since the their other part of the trade is still injured.

Pineapple12
Super Member
1 year ago

How I’m feeling about our Halos right about now ..

As disheartening as the last 7 games have been, and they’ve been hella disheartening, I’m truly happy to *still* be in the race in late June.

Going forward, EVERY series we play should be high intensity and will be important with playoffs in mind.

We haven’t had that feeling in a long time. Let’s embrace it! I know I will.

We are still waiting on Neto, Rendon, Moore, Joyce, (O’Hoppe?). The season starts today (I know it doesn’t. Just go with me, lol.)

SC_Halo
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

That’s basically where I’m at as well. We seem to at least be making moves that day we want to compete and that’s all I can ask for. If all phases (offense, SP, RP) can come together at once, we’re right there. SP has been on a little roll lately. It is fun not being eliminated at the end of May.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

Over the last six weeks we’ve bounced between being on track to win 86 games and 92. Up and down in that span, pretty much.

So that’s right about where we expected: competing for a Wild Card. And far better than any recent years.

It is just disheartening that we’ve thrown away 3 or 4 games that could be so crucial down the stretch.

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Any given night these guys are playing MLB teams and since it’s a game of inches, it is not unusual to lose games to teams that on paper they should beat. Also, they have won games that they probably should have lost. They had a 10 game streak where the luck really switched to the Angels’ side. Since this is a team that lost 73 games last year, winning 85 would be quite an accomplishment. It may not get them into the playoffs but its certainly nice to see them in the race this deep into the season.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago

Latest mock. July 9th, more help on the way. Or additional arms, so we can trade for more Moustakas’es.Or is it Moustaka’i?
These both have us taking another SS.

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-2023-mock-draft-june-22

https://baseballprospectjournal.com/2023-mlb-draft-mock-draft-3-0/

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

Kinda fascinated with Jac Caglianone, whom the certain east coast cable company whose name I have sworn not to utter on this site, christened as ‘CWS Shohei’. I think he is a sophomore at Florida, which means he is still not eligible for draft, right? Assuming he remains healthy, he will be one of sought after players next summer. It would be fascinating to have two Nitoryu players on the same team.

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

Jac Caglianone is the projected starter for Florida. The game starting at 4 pm west coast time would be my perfect appetizer before main course of Angel’s victory over White Sox tonight.

Based on 24-4 rout of LSU by Florida and what happened after Angels record breaking 25-1 dismantling of Rockies, I like LSU for their 7th CWS crown.

Disclaimer: I do not receive $ from the certain east coast cable company whose name I have promised not to utter on this site.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Could really go a lot of different directions this year. The farm could use a lot of everything, particularly starting pitching and bats. We seem to have a lot of bullpen types.

While drafting 13 isn’t ideal, it is still good. Generally there is a run on something in the first round. College arms, high school shortstops, some category starts flying off the board and 3 picks in a row or more come off the board in that group. Well, that leaves a stud in another group on the board.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Then picking 11th is even better 😀

IMG_1660.gif
Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

How about Mustafa? hes a pretty tough cat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htRHj3tyYyo

Turk's Teeth
Editor
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

100% in on Shaw. If I could make that BPJ mock gospel, let it be.

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago

I forgot to add Moniak to the below WAR list.

Believe it or not in 27 games he is at 1.9 WAR and a 1.078 OPs.

That is about an 11 WAR pace over a season.

Gotta keep this 25 year old kid in the lineup

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

With another big hit late in the game yesterday

Last edited 1 year ago by Twebur
AnAngelsFan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

In 27 games, Moniak has a 1.0 WPA. Compare that to Trout’s 1.2 WPA in 74 games.

Moniak is really coming through when it counts.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

Thank you for introducing me to WPA, which is probably the most accurate statistics which quantify “clutchiness”.

The game’s context matters greatly, and WPA is a statistic which has little to no predictive value when it comes to future performance on it’s own.

I am successfully getting nerdier everyday.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kiyotchan
Pineapple12
Super Member
1 year ago

Angels are 42-37

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

6-26 Rooting Guide

Angels > White Sox
Reds > Orioles
Tigers > Rangers
Nationals > Mariners

Guest
1 year ago

The Angels scored 32 runs against the Rockies. Here is the list of how many runs each individual Angel produced:

5.75 Moniak
4.25 Renfroe
3.50 Drury
3.50 Trout
3.00 Fletcher
3.00 Ohtani
2.75 Thaiss
2.50 Ward
2.00 Escobar
1.50 Padlo
0.25 Rengifo

It’s amazing how every time Minasian brings in someone to replace an injured Angel, the replacement produces. Escobar and Fletcher are the latest additions to the lineup, and here they are helping the Angels score runs.

Moniak went crazy this series. He had five extra base hits in the two games he was allowed to play in. This is the second time Moniak has led the team in Actual Runs Produced. The first was back in May when the Angels hosted the Twins.

And here is the Actual Runs Allowed per Batters Faced for our Angel twirlers. The list is year to date with the number of batters faced in parenthesis.

0.03 Bachman (53)
0.05 Moore (94)
0.05 Estevez (129)
0.09 Ohtani (359)
0.09 Barria (186)
0.09 Webb (67)
0.09 Soriano (37)
0.10 Sandoval (338)
0.10 Canning (271)
0.10 Joyce (21)
0.11 Detmers (298)
0.11 Weiss (9)
0.12 Wantz (85)
0.13 Silseth (84)
0.15 Anderson (335)
0.14 Devenski (104)
0.16 Davidson (125)
0.17 Loup (90)
0.17 Herget (69)
0.17 Reyes (6)
0.19 Suarez (123)
0.23 Ingram (14)

The Angels have used 28 pitchers so far this year. No team can field a pitching staff of 28 good pitchers.

If the Angels are to make that Wildcard spot, Anderson needs to pitch better or he needs to be replaced. The Halos need to win more of his starts if they are going to secure just enough wins this season to eke their way into the playoffs.

Bachman, Soriano, Estevez, and Webb are healthy guys I trust to relieve. The Angels need three more reliable guys in the bullpen. Moore is coming back eventually, so that leaves two vulnerable spots. I’m not sure if Joyce is going to return, but he’d be great to have back in the pen. Can Wantz return to form? Are there any guys on the farm who are ready to fill in? Are we trading for Aroldis Chapman or someone else?

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago

Approximately 1/2 way through the season – a review of the current WAR re position players tells us a few things.

Day to Day Players

Ward is at 1 WAR
Drury is at 1.4 WAR
Renfroe is at 0.2 WAR
Trout is at 2.5 WAR
Ohtani is at 5.4 WAR
Thais is at 1.0 WAR
Wallach is at 0.3 WAR
Fletch is at 0 WAR
Rengifo is at 0 WAR
Velasquez is at 0.1 WAR

Injured Players

Neto was at 1.9 WAR
Urshela was at 0.6 WAR
Rendon was at 0.1 WAR

New Players

Moustakas is at 0.4WAR
Escobar is at 0.4 WAR

Demoted Players

Walsh is at -0.6 WAR
Padlo is at -0.2 WAR

Conclusion

Over 10 WAR has been generated by 4 players- WAR, Ohtani, Trout and Drury. That’s pretty good for 1/2 a season and could increase greatly if Trout gets hot and the other 3 continue playing at this level.

Thaiss at 1 WAR is better than expected.

Renfroe at 0.2 WAR is significantly below expectations and is disappointing given that he has averaged around 2 WAR per season for his career.

Fletch/Rengifo/Velasquez are clearly disappointing but at least Fletch plays good D.

The obvious thing is how much Neto and his 1.9 WAR is missed.

Moustakas and Escobar Are bandaids.

Of the Angels 14.5 total WAR in 2023 – 12 has been generated by 4 players – Ohtani, Trout, Drury and Neto.

Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

The injured O’Hoppe has 0.5 bWAR.

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to 

That was generated quickly in very few games. He’d probably be around 2 realistically at this point

MarineLayer
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Rendon at $38 million stands out as always.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Wow. I’m not seeing it ML. Thank Goodness we have you and your acute vision to point out the obvious.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

WAR is a fascinating number. Frequent DP significantly lowers offensive WAR, and that explains why Renfroe has quite modest WAR. Having quick legs to beat the throw to 1B helps to avoid DP, which explains why Ohtani and Trout maintain high WAR despite their propensity for grounders.

FIP is another intriguing number, which is used to calculate pitcher’s WAR.

(13*HR+3*(HBP+BB)-2*K)/IP

It would be interesting to discuss why 13 was picked for homerun, 3 for HBP and BB, and 2 for Ks

Another thing I like about WAR is that it calculates the contribution (or noncontribution) to win throughout the game, not just in late innings. My lying eye test tells me both Ohtani and Trout are usually not clutch hitters in late innings but high WAR numbers inform me that they do contribute to Angels win in non clutch situations, mostly early or middle part of the game.

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

WAR is intended to evaluate the independent skillset of a player. Front offices should use WAR when deciding what players to sign, but ironically, it’s not the best stat for trying to explain how many games a player actually helped his team win in the past.

The problem is WAR’s context-neutral nature makes it an unreliable measure of value on the actual outcome of games. For instance, a player that hits 40 solo-shot HRs in blowout games (contributing to 0 actual wins) will have a higher WAR than a player that hits 10 walk-off grand slams (earning 10 actual wins). The reason WAR has any use as estimator of past value is because such extreme examples simply don’t happen. But, the smaller the sample size, the more likely WAR is to get the wrong answer. In a single game, for example, let’s say player A hits 3 solo HRs, bringing the score to 3-0 in the bottom of the 9th inning. Then, Player B on the other team, hits a walk-off grand slam. WAR values the first player more, but the second player literally contributed more wins (0 vs 1) to his team. WAR will correctly tell us we probably want the first guy on our team in the future (or both, actually), and it is a good starting point for MVP/ROY discussion, but I don’t think it should play as much of a role in those decisions as many people want.

The problem with pitcher WAR is highlighted by its usage of FIP. The stated value of FIP is that it is a better predictor of future ERA than ERA is itself. You’ll note we care about future ERA, not future FIP, because ERA is a better measure for how much a pitcher actually helped the team.

Again, we can illustrate the problem with an extreme example. Let’s say a starting pitcher goes 6 innings and gives up exactly 1 walk, 0 hits, and 3 strikeouts every inning. The opponent’s pitcher gives up 4 consecutive walks in the first inning followed by 18 consecutive strikeouts. The former has a higher FIP (6 BB, 18 Ks vs 4 BBs, 18 Ks). Assuming 4 consecutive walks is an anomaly, FIP correctly tells us the second pitcher is likely to be (minimally) better in the future. However, ERA correctly tells us that the first pitcher (0.00) was better in that particular game than the second (1.50).

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

I again think that we are saying the same thing.

As a math major with emphasis on probabilities and statistics, I would like to point out the fact one can choose certain part of statistics to support his or her arguments. Just as any investment adviser tries to veer potential buyers to certain portfolio or shrewd used car sales man (or woman) to certain SUVs.

ERA, BA, HR, RBI (and possible number of wins that a pitcher accumulated) are the only numbers we used to use to declare post season individual awards. Baseball statisticians (with possibly Billy Beane’s assistance) have successfully added oodles of others to create a whole industry so that they can stay relevant, and more importantly employed.

P.S. It still does not answer why they used factor of 13 for home runs instead of 11 or 15.  😉 

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

Fair enough.

Although I’ll nitpick that it isn’t just so they can stay relevant and employed. At least some of them are nerds like us that enjoy trying to use statistics to provide the closest thing we can get to an objective analysis of players.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

Totally, totally, トータリー, agreed.  😂 

Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

The problems with WAR and FIP and ERA are what led me to create the only reliable measure of a pitcher’s performance, ARA/BF.

Marcotor
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

Wait a minute. Trout’s rookie season the old site was littered with posts that said WAR was everything, and Trout should have been MVP based just on that, and that alone. So WAR isn’t everything? 😉

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Marcotor

“I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell.”

rosstrade
Trusted Member
1 year ago

We hear from Perry M that the Angels are fighting for a playoff spot to keep Shohei in Anaheim.

I think the greater truth is that Perry M and Nevin need to make the playoff to keep their own jobs.

I don’t think for a moment that the Angels making the playoffs, or winning the World Series, will have any effect on Sho staying with the club.

The Sho has only played for two professional baseball teams in his 10 year career. Loyalty plays a big part in this. I don’t see the Sho as being a big team switcher; but, I think that his need to maintain a high brand image and his value system will play a big part in deciding where he will sign next year.

I don’t think it will just be about money.

If you look at the Halos and all of our issues with nepotism, poor management, poor treatment of those in the farm system, our losing tradition under Arte M, Tyler Skaggs, etc, I’d be shocked if Shohei’s remained an Angel.

If he wanted to remain an Angel, he would have signed an extension already a la Mike Trout.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  rosstrade

I agree with just about everything you pointed. (Still 30% chance that Shohei remains an Angel according to Jeff Fletcher)

I happened to watch this morning YouTube of press conference in Japan right after 2021 season, just before he was about to be informed that he won AL MVP award. There were some revealing Q&A (along with ridiculously insulting questions).

Q: I understand you have close relationship with Tsuyoshi Shinjo, who will be manager of Nippon Ham Fighters in upcoming season. Have you possibly considered for playing for him by returning to the Fighters?

A: Right now, I am going to dedicate all of my efforts to pursue excellence in MLB. There is no thought given whatsoever to returning to Japan. 😭

Q: Where are you planning to be when you receive news about AL MVP?

A: I have no special plan. I will be wherever I will be.

Q: Who do you think was the most important person contributing to your success in MLB. Any coach, family member, or friend?

A: Definitely Ippei. I do not communicate with my family or friends in Japan that often.

Just one example of ridiculous question:
Q: In your 100 goals you set while you were in high school, you mentioned to have a family of your own by age 28. Has that changed?

A: I am not thinking about that at all.

The purpose of sharing this Q&A is to illustrate the firm decision he made to focus on contributing to Angels success in reaching postseason every year, and nothing else matters. Winning AL MVP is not as important as Angels and Shohei reaching the playoffs. He does not want to waste any minute at all thinking about what happens after, including communicating with his parents or searching for his future spouse.

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

Fletcher put that probability at 50% last summer so it’s definitely trending in the wrong direction.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

I’m calling bullshit with this question. Shohei’s mom? Hello…..she is the decider.

Q: Who do you think was the most important person contributing to your success in MLB. Any coach, family member, or friend?

A: Definitely Ippei. I do not communicate with my family or friends in Japan that often.

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Mom ls going to be PO’ed!!

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago

I am sure filial Shohei was hoping that his mom was not watching the press conference.  😉 

Unknown.jpeg
Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  rosstrade

You resemble my comments from prior days……  😋 

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  rosstrade

I’m not sure if bullpen is the main issue to address going into the trade deadline (assuming the Angels will be buyers then). I think there are really solid bullpen pieces in Estevez, Webb, Soriano, Bachman and even Barria. Moore is also coming back soon. Perry and Phil has to figure out if Devenski’s recent swoon is a blip, or a sign of things to come. Perry could also always call up Silseth to do some multi-inning relief. So I’m not sure if trading for a bullpen piece should be the priority.

That said, Daniel Bard looked really good the past weekend. But I’m sure his asking price would be high.

I still think it’s a starter that Perry needs to focus on, a dependable #3 starter. Detmers is still inconsistent (one great game one day, a stinker the next), Sandoval still figuring it out, Barria needs to be stretched and Anderson is what he is. Griffin has been good but I think his ceiling seems to be a 3.50 ERA guy, so he’s the type to need healthy run support to pitch deep into games. Even Ohtani is prone to bad games despite giving you double-digit Ks regularly.

Brent
Super Member
1 year ago

Barstool jumping on board the how the hell did they lose the series bandwagon this morning..

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3472146/outscoring-the-rockies-32-12-and-still-managing-to-lose-the-series-only-the-angels

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Brent

Anything is possible in baseball. Some bad bullpen pitching, some dumb manager decisions, several boneheaded defensive gaffes. And dare I say, even after scoring a team-record 25 runs in one game, a weak offense against horrible pitching. Lots of missed opportunities to at least take 2 of 3 from one of the worst teams in MLB…..trAdition.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Comparing the 1st innings of Saturday and Sunday games:

Saturday:
Ward: Walk after 5 pitches, no swing.
Ohtani: Routine Flyout (93.8MPH EV) after 1 pitch.
Trout: A single (100.1MPH EV) after 3 pitches.
Drury: Ground out to 3B(57.2MPH EV) after 2 pitches.
Thaiss: Ground out to P (74.5MPH EV) after 4 pitches. Total 15 pitches

Sunday:
Ward: Ground out to SS (103.8MPH EV) after 1 pitch.
Ohtani: Ground out to 2B (75.2MPH EV) after 3 pitch.
Trout: Liner to LF (103.2MPH EV) after 2 pitch. Total 6 pitches

Potential areas for improvement include:
-More patience throughout Angels lineup against struggling pitchers
-Either Ward to stop swinging at the first pitch, or someone else with more patience to lead off.