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LA Angels Monday News Crash: Nerve Crap

August 14, 2023

Marco Gonzalez of the Mariners is out for the season. Surgery. Nerve crap in his forearm. Unfortunately, Shohei Ohtani will skip his next start because he is just plain tired.

What? Wander Franco? No baseball player would ever do anything inappropriate with a minor says Chad Curtis. This must be a case of mistaken identity.

Justin Verlander a diva? No way! Fake news.

Joely Rodriguez might be on his way out due to recurring hip pain. Chasen Shreve is about to become a free agent, for what that is worth. Bryce Harper came out of a game with a mid back spasm. Welcome to old age dude.

Clayton Kershaw is reactivated. Oh no! Not Joe Kelly! (15 day IL forearm inflammation).

But anyway, Here is the brain fart of the day. Thank the FSM for the A’s. The Angels will not end up in last place this year.

Jose Ramirez got his suspension reduced to two days for punching out Tim Anderson.

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Trusted Member

Angelstan

1 month ago

If you wanted a game to encapsulate the difference between the Angels and division leading teams, tonight was it. Awful.

Super Member

BannedInLA

1 month ago

Over/Under on Trout returning this Friday at home vs. the Rays?

I’d put it at +150

https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/mike-trout-injury-update-2023

Super Member

BannedInLA

1 month ago

Reply to BannedInLA

That would put him
at just a bit over 6 weeks following his surgery on July 5th.

Member

Roy Hobbs

1 month ago

Reply to BannedInLA

I would be very surprised

Legend

Senator_John_Blutarsky

1 month ago

Reply to BannedInLA

I’m thinking he’ll take his time and return in September.

Super Member

Kiyotchan

1 month ago

Today, I am a fan of the Marlins, Braves, KC & the Sunshine Band, Padres and Giants.

Trusted Member

2GA2Join

1 month ago

I guess that the Padres and the Mets are further examples of teams that don’t do so great even if you spend big, while the Rangers are doing pretty well.

We often have lots of debate about that kind of stuff on this site, with some saying that it never helps to spend big on FA… but clearly there is evidence otherwise. The key is picking the right FA… and Texas hit on a handful.

Member

Roy Hobbs

1 month ago

Reply to 2GA2Join

This really gets back to one of the comments below that it’s not so much the approach as it is the competency of the individuals executing it. You can tank or you can spend but its all about making good decisions.

Member

Roy Hobbs

1 month ago

Reply to 2GA2Join

I actually think that if the Angels were able to bring back Ohtani next year, they’re not that many pieces away from putting together a very good team. But it would require going over the cap for a few years and adding a few fairly expensive pieces assuming they were available. Even with Ohtani returning, I believe they need a legitimate clean up hitter and someone at the top of the line up who can get on base. They would also need a #2 starter to give them the depth to sustain a few starting pitching injuries which they have so far avoided this year. Otherwise, they could be better than this year but mostly more of the same. Their current corner outfielders and infielders can’t really be counted on for consistent offense. Unfortunately, I think that having Rendon on the roster just keeps the club from moving forward.

Last edited 1 month ago by Roy Hobbs

Super Member

Kiyotchan

1 month ago

Reply to Roy Hobbs

If the Angels can somehow manage a trade for Lars Nootbar from St. Louis, that will significantly increase Angels chance of re-signing Sho.

Last edited 1 month ago by Kiyotchan

Trusted Member

2GA2Join

1 month ago

Reply to Roy Hobbs

Well you won’t get any argument from me here regarding your scenario where Ohtani returns.

My question, however, is how likely is it that we’ll see our current owner do this? Extremely unlikely. He has had years to do this, and hasn’t yet. And if Ohtani signs, all the leverage on Arte is gone. He doesn’t need to do anything to prove anything to anyone. Why would he suddenly raise the level then, when he has had Trout and Ohtani for years and never did?!?!?

I really want my team to do well, but I’m preparing my expectations for us to have multiple sub-.500 years from here onwards.

Super Member

smithy610

1 month ago

Not baseball related, but this is quite disturbing, if true:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38190720/blind-side-subject-michael-oher-alleges-adoption-was-lie-family-took-all-film-proceeds

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Legend

Jeff Joiner

1 month ago

Reply to smithy610

Wow. That would be horrible.

Legend

Twebur

1 month ago

Reply to smithy610

Fake news…..that family, the media and Hollywood would never lie to us about something like that. I mean they made a heartwarming movie about that, so it must be true. 😀
Next thing we’ll hear, the government is lying to us too and is really here to help.

Trusted Member

clover_black

1 month ago

Reply to smithy610

It sets up the sequel “Blindsided: Michaels Revenge” quite nicely.

Legend

Cowboy26

1 month ago

Reply to smithy610

The story was initially publicized by MoneyBall author Michael Lewis’s 2007 book The Blindside. Its actually a great read since it also discusses the history and evolution of the forward pass in the NFL.

Lewis was coming off literary success with Money ball and was contacted by the Touhys to write a story about their adopted son. Lewis and Sean Tuohy had a preexisting relationship as they were high school teammates at a small private high school in Louisiana. I think it was the same one the Manning boys went to.

The Touhys had their own dough. She had an interior decorating business and he owned a number of Taco Bell franchises in the Memphis area. Sean also did the color commentary for a quite a few years for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Lewis apparently spent quite a bit of time with the family and Michael before releasing the book including visiting Michaels biological family and his old neighborhood friends. I’m sure not everything Lewis was told was true and probably took some artistic license ( but not as much as movie though) but if this was some scam by the Touhy family to get Michael’s money I doubt that was the intent during his high school and early college days which is the setting for the book.

Super Member

angelslogic

1 month ago

Reply to smithy610

I’m sure there are two sides to this story and it is evident that Oher has nothing negative to say about the many years the Touhys provided him love and support.

But there is one truism in play here: the one thing that can break up a family faster than lightning is money.

Legend

Eric_in_Portland

1 month ago

Anyone here a journalist? Is there a reason an article about Wander Franco would avoid mentioning why he’s away from the club?

Super Member

halofansince1978

1 month ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

Something about social media posts.

Legend

Cowboy26

1 month ago

Reply to halofansince1978

And minors that are not 49ers.

Super Member

halofansince1978

1 month ago

Reply to Cowboy26

Bad news!!

Lifetime ban?

Super Member

steelgolf

1 month ago

Reply to halofansince1978

Possible. Have to wait until the investigation is complete. If the rumors and allegations are true, he just tossed away millions of dollars.

Super Member

Kiyotchan

1 month ago

Reply to steelgolf

Most recent example. Felipe Vazquez:
https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/554827-major-league-baseball-all-star-found-guilty-of-sex-with/

Legend

Cowboy26

1 month ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

which the Doyers dodged a bullet on. https://lasportshub.com/2019/07/28/los-angeles-dodgers-rumors-felipe-vazquez/

Super Member

Kiyotchan

1 month ago

Reply to Cowboy26

The Doyers could not quite dodge Bauer bullet a year later. Good thing he is earning ¥ to pay for his legal defense against three other women.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/06/13/trevor-bauer-new-sexual-assault-allegation-arizona/70319689007/

Last edited 1 month ago by Kiyotchan

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Super Member

John Henry Weitzel

1 month ago

Last edited 1 month ago by John Henry Weitzel

Trusted Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Reply to John Henry Weitzel

Sooooooo, you’re saying we DON’T have a chance?

Trusted Member

tommyshalo

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

But, somehow we find the Orioles nearby…

Super Member

tanana40

1 month ago

Reply to John Henry Weitzel

Look at San Diego, they should be a winning team (hence Fangraphs overestimating their playoff chances).

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

1 month ago

Reply to John Henry Weitzel

that’s a great graph. We are the definition of an ever so slightly below average squad. Atlanta is a beast and Texas isn’t far behind.

Member

HaloLew

1 month ago

With the win yesterday, the boys didn’t dip into their loss allotment, holding steady at 12 to reach 90 wins and a possible wild card spot.

Trusted Member

GhostGuest

1 month ago

The Foundation Building Materials’ keystone of the game for the Angels tonight in Arlington is “Love Is Only a Feeling” by The Darkness.

It is time to take The Darkness’s Buddhist attitude towards love and apply it to our Angel fandom. If the Angels take it to the Rangers tonight and pull off a win, there is no reason to get excited about it. At this point in the season for the Angels, a win is only a win.

Likewise, there is no reason to get depressed if the Rangers force the Halos to suffer another heart-rending loss because at this point, a loss is only a loss.

https://youtu.be/QSGa1dW_KoE

Super Member

Kiyotchan

1 month ago

13 three game series and 1 four game series left. If the Angels sweep the four game series and take 1 three game series, they can afford to lose one game of the remaining series and end up with 90 wins.

However, because of how bunched up the race for AL WC competition is, 90 wins are no longer a guarantee for playoff spot. We need 3 of Rays, Red Sux, Mariners, Rangers, and Arsstros to go on losing streaks. Not worried about self destructing MFYankees any more. I have also assumed that the Orioles would take AL East division despite their awful owner.

So, why not make it easier for the Angels by sweeping the Rangers! That would also give the Angels the season win over the Rangers with 3 games remaining in September. That would also put Angels 8.5 GB Rangers with 40 games remaining. Yes, AL West division title is much closer to zero now (FanGraphs odds is 0.1%; note that it is not zero) and with Rangers daunting August and September schedule, there is still a flicker of hope.

To refresh your memory of what Sho did in the June four game series with the Rangers:

7 for 12 with 6 RBI, 4 HR, 7 BB and 1 steal

Rangers are still PTSD from the Sho dominance at Globe Life, and they will IBB him whenever possible and Sho will counter with stealing 2nd (and 3rd) base wherever possible. Thus, it behooves other Angels to be patient and battle by fouling off tough pitches after 2 strikes.

Last edited 1 month ago by Kiyotchan

Trusted Member

YOUknowulovetheIE

1 month ago

Will we ever see chris rodriguez or stassi play another game as an angel?

Legend

Cowboy26

1 month ago

Reply to YOUknowulovetheIE

Or Jared Walsh?

Or David Fletcher?

Legend

WallyChuckChili

1 month ago

Reply to Cowboy26

Or Roberto Baldoquin?

Super Member

BannedInLA

1 month ago

Reply to YOUknowulovetheIE

I would say Yes on Rodriguez, though it may just be one appearance before he breaks down again. Such a shame because he flashed some serious talent.

Stassi, No.

Walsh unlikely.

Fletcher, probably part of the September roster expansion, but it’ll be his last hurrah IMO.

Super Member

halofansince1978

1 month ago

Reply to BannedInLA

What the heck is going on with Stassi?

Super Member

BannedInLA

1 month ago

Reply to halofansince1978

No clue, but the silence is deafening on the lack of news & information. It must be something incredibly serious. Hopefully not legal (or worse).

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

1 month ago

Reply to halofansince1978

The official word started off as a hip thing but mostly a family thing. That was at the beginning of the year.

Since then official word has stopped. His status on the team page shows a hip injury.

So far no news of a death or anything super tragic has come out regarding the family, which I hope is a good sign.

Trusted Member

GhostGuest

1 month ago

The Angels only mustered eight runs during their weekend stay in Houston. Here is how many runs our individual Angels produced:

1.75 Ohtani
1.00 Velazquez
1.00 Cron
0.75 Wallach
0.75 Drury
0.50 Escobar
0.50 Grichuk
0.50 Renfroe
0.50 Moniak
0.50 Rengifo
0.25 Moustakas

This is the 13th time Ohtani has led the team in Actual Runs Produced. If Ohtani had been traded for a gaggle of prospects, would the DH for the Angels right now be a mix of Escobar, Velazquez, and Jordyn Adams?

Here is the update for Angel Actual Runs Allowed per Batters Faced:

0.05 Moore (147)
0.08 Soriano (122)
0.09 Ohtani (549)
0.09 Silseth (172)
0.09 Bachman (77)
0.10 Sandoval (478)
0.10 Weiss (25)
0.10 Joyce (21)
0.11 Canning (357)
0.11 Estevez (211)
0.11 Lopez (206)
0.12 Giolito (577)
0.13 Anderson (488)
0.13 Detmers (471)
0.13 Leone (148)
0.13 Rosenberg (28)
0.14 Barria (288)
0.15 Loup (165)
0.15 Wantz (96)
0.16 Devenski (140)
0.17 Reyes (34)
0.18 Herget (71)
0.18 Mederos (17)
0.19 Suarez (123)
0.23 Ingram (14)

I have been really impressed with the batch of rookie pitchers the Angels have used this year. Ben Joyce’s brief stint was enticing, Sam Bachman has been very good, Chase Silseth is now the Angels’ second best starting pitcher, and Jose Soriano has been terrific.

What is amazing about Soriano is that he never made it to Triple-A. This year was the first time he even played in Double-A, and he only got to pitch in 23.1 Double-A innings before he was called up to the Angels.

Also, he was a starter his whole minor league career except for this year, when he began to make the transition to reliever. A guy with that track record should not be as good as Soriano has been this year at the Major League level.

Super Member

Kiyotchan

1 month ago

Reply to GhostGuest

Just looking at BBRef regarding Soriano, he has been in Angels organization since he was 17 for 6 seasons. There is no record of him playing in the Covid year, and he played for Pittsburgh for one season (2021). No info on why he did not play or whether he was released by the Angels. He is not that young at 24, but he must have obviously shined so much that he was called up in early June.

Even in my non expert eyes, he has great stuff. This season, he will remain as reliever because of present Angels bullpen needs, but if he improves his command and cuts down on giving up BB, he might turn out to be another ‘Silseth’ for the Angels in near future.

Legend

Cowboy26

1 month ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

Soriano has TJS in 2020. Despite that fact Soriano was the no. 1 overall selection by the Pirates in the Major league portion of the 2020 Rule 5 draft. The Pirates returned him to Angels in Late summer of the 2021 season as do his lengthy recovery they could not keep him on their active roster the minimum prescribed duration.

The Angels tried to stretch him out to be a starter earlier this year at AA but with negative results. His stuff plays at the major League level but he is subject to massive bouts of wildness.

Super Member

Kiyotchan

1 month ago

Reply to Cowboy26

Thank you for the info.

Super Member

BannedInLA

1 month ago

Reply to GhostGuest

Natural talent and confidence goes a long way.

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

1 month ago

In the American League, the biggest surprise has to be the Orioles. Sandbagging works, the Orioles-Braves-Astros are proof positive.

Legend

Senator_John_Blutarsky

1 month ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

As long as the franchise has competent leadership in baseball operations, sandbagging – tanking – rebuilding absolutely works. Look at Texas, Houston, Baltimore, Tampa Bay. They rebuild and have competent leadership, and are back seriously competing.

Pittsburgh and KC rebuild yearly and don’t make it back because they lack competent leadership.

Oakland has had turnover in it’s baseball operations – I’m not sure they make it back.

…and then you have the hapless, lovable loser Angels who get gifted two generational talents and can’t muster more than a good month or two of baseball a season.

Member

toad2065

1 month ago

Reply to Senator_John_Blutarsky

Have to disagree with your inclusion of the Rangers. They are actually following the ridiculous Padres model of throwing stupid money at all-stars in the modern version of collecting baseball cards.

Super Member

steelgolf

1 month ago

I’m shocked that Justin Verlander is a smarmy diva!!!!……… Okay, I’m not shocked at all. That’s why I wanted The Angels to try and lead off bunt against him, just to mess with him.

Super Member

halofansince1978

1 month ago

Reply to steelgolf

Is it a surprise that we get the guy that TX traded for in the first game?

Super Member

steelgolf

1 month ago

Reply to halofansince1978

Nope, we all knew we would see Verlander against the Angels.

Super Member

halofansince1978

1 month ago

Reply to steelgolf

You missed the facetious part.

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

1 month ago

The new goal is to finish over .500, possible but highly improbable. I’ll root for the improbable though.

Our lineup as built is just not getting it done. Rooting for the Moose to had a great 6 weeks is easy to do.

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

1 month ago

Wander Franco is a team’s walking nightmare, like Tatis Jr. All the talent in the world and then some, but a .10 cent head.

Super Member

Jim Atkins

1 month ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

Went to the D-backs/Padres game Saturday- Holy crap did Tatis and Machado get booed. Altuve-level!

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

1 month ago

Age is catching up to Shohei by way of being a superhuman unicorn and playing every day as a DH and adding in being a top tier pitcher, time for taking first real break to reinvigorate himself. This really is a “Burning the candle at both ends” situation.