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LA Angels Tuesday News Crash: Inching Upward

September 12, 2023

The Angels are inching upward in the power rankings. It’s pointless, I know. Fangraphs is slightly less bullish on the Angels. Mike Trout is the Angels nominee this year for the Roberto Clemente Award.

Here are the playoff tiebreaker rules in case anyone is interested.

The Yankees selected the contract of outfielder Estevan Florial and placed Jasson Dominguez on the ten day IL with a torn UCL. Dominguez will be having surgery. The Braves selected right-hander Jackson Stephens. The Cubs are calling up outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. The Royals selected the contract of catcher Logan Porter. The Padres selected right-hander Nick Hernandez.

The injury that Jose Quintana had earlier in the season was a benign lesion on his ribs that required bone graft surgery. Josh Donaldson gets another chance. This time it is with the Brewers.

The Braves just reinstated Kyle Wright from the 60 day IL. The Rockies just designated Cole Tucker for assignment to make room for Kris Bryant. The Royals did the same to Tyler Cropley to make room for Logan Porter. The Cubs just placed Adbert Alzolay on the 15 day IL with the dreaded forearm strain.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

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Legend

Eric_in_Portland

14 days ago

No Sho again

Legend

DowningDude

14 days ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

Hot take of the day from yesterday.

“Ohtani was such a cancer to this team. They are playing so much better without him. The curse has been broken.”

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Sure as HELL is a great time to start sniffing glue!

Legend

Eric_in_Portland

14 days ago

Reply to DowningDude

😂 😥 😂 😥

Legend

DowningDude

14 days ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

(It was originally heefo, but the hot narrative fit for Sho as well)

Super Member

angelslogic

14 days ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

So, Sho is a no-show?

Legend

DowningDude

14 days ago

Reply to angelslogic

That’s fo’ sho

Trusted Member

rosstrade

14 days ago

There have been a few comments below about how much fun it is to watch the youngsters play.

I agree.

It takes the pressure off.

It makes watching the games bearable again seeing the young talent on the field achieving their dreams of playing big league baseball.

It’s too bad the team can’t bring up some young arms with pitching next year being such a black hole for the team.

Sure, Joyce and Detmers are on the team and Bachman is hurt; but, why not open the floodgates and bring in some young pitchers and give them a test run….?

Legend

Fansince1971

14 days ago

Reply to rosstrade

I love the young kids. So much more fun to watch.

Trusted Member

rosstrade

14 days ago

Reply to Fansince1971

absolutely

Legend

DowningDude

14 days ago

Reply to rosstrade

Yeah – WE NEEDZ MOAR SUAREZ AND BARRIA

😝😝😝

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Mike Moustakas coaching Kyren Paris in the dugout is why he should stay and the coaching staff should go.

Legend

Eric_in_Portland

15 days ago

Aaron Rodgers’ Jets career reminds me of Mo Vaughn

Legend

Cowboy26

15 days ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

Do you think the Jets can get a veteran quality pitcher for him in a couple of years?

Super Member

Designerguy

15 days ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

The Angels are the NY Jets of baseball, and vice versa.

Legend

Twebur

15 days ago

Reply to Designerguy

One big difference

The Jets have a great defense.
The Angels have a horrible defense.

Trusted Member

GhostGuest

15 days ago

The Foundation Building Materials’ keystone of the game tonight against the Seattle KenGriffeyJrs is Hugh Montenegro and His Orchestra’s 1968 chart-topping version of “The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly.”

The Angels and the Mariners easily embody all three of these nominal adjectives, so the two teams continue their duel tonight to see who will claim the right to be called the goodest, the baddest, and the ugliest.

https://youtu.be/qd_7Bnxblo4?si=HYUX-TsBh-yer2rC

Super Member

Jim Atkins

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLgJ7pk0X-s

Super Member

halofansince1978

15 days ago

How about those Marlins?
Tied dead even with Giants.
W/C 1 1/2 back with 18 to play.

Trusted Member

Jayman28

15 days ago

Reply to halofansince1978

They’ve had their own skid as well, but if they choke near the end, GM Kim Possible will be in the Hotseat with Perry the Platypus

Last edited 15 days ago by Jayman28

Legend

Cowboy26

15 days ago

Buh bye Billy. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/09/mets-hire-david-stearns-president-baseball-operations.html

Legend

Twebur

15 days ago

Reply to Cowboy26

PBO? What do they do?

Billy. Billy. Billy.

Legend

Eric_in_Portland

15 days ago

Wish we’d seen the shufflebot last night or the dancing zebra. Maybe tonight?

The Mariners finish with a brutal schedule. 2 vs us, 3 vs Oakland, 3 vs the Dodgers, 3 vs Houston, 7 vs Texas

Legend

Cowboy26

15 days ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

Legend

Fansince1971

14 days ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

I’m traveling East so game ended too late for a shufflebot. Here’s one to make you feel better.

Legend

Fansince1971

14 days ago

Reply to Fansince1971

Trusted Member

2GA2Join

14 days ago

Reply to Fansince1971

I hadn’t even realized we won 3 in a row.

I’ve been so used to us getting beaten that my in-built counter wasn’t paying attention anymore…

Legend

Twebur

14 days ago

Reply to Fansince1971

Remember when winning was fun?

Legend

DowningDude

14 days ago

Reply to Twebur

Tanks for nutthin

Super Member

FungoAle

14 days ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

Texas is competition and you want to play your competition when trying to gain in the standings

Trusted Member

Angelz4ever

15 days ago

So, let’s circle back to the two fateful base running gaffes in the top of the ninth. Somebody needs to read Baseball for dummies-You send the rabbit home and the tail runner takes third. That would’ve eliminated the second dark spotlight on that unproductive fly ball to RF.

But we won, but that still needs to be addressed.

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

The Angels staff takes the Dummies moniker too seriously.

Legend

Cowboy26

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

Paris needed to round second and stop to see if that O’hoppe gap ball was caught and if it was high tail it back to first . If he had done that he would have been able to score. Thats on him on our illustrious minor league development program.

The failure to tag is on Hasselman. he needed to remind Paris to tag as I’m sure he knows by then hes dealing with a neophyte. I suspect the contact play was on although with the infield playing in I doubt he would have scored on a ground ball hit right at someone.

Super Member

FungoAle

15 days ago

Reply to Cowboy26

This is so true, could not say it any better. Both paragraphs.

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

15 days ago

Reply to Cowboy26

The contact play is the dumbest thing possible with the infield in so you KNOW it was on.

Super Member

AnAngelsFan

15 days ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

I was on gameday and was really wondering why you put in a pinch runner who can’t make it to home from 1st on a double.

Glad (well, not glad) to know it was another 3B coach mistake.

Member

HaloLew

15 days ago

I don’t know about everyone else but I really enjoy watching the young guys play with zero expectations of winning. When they lose, I won’t be disappointed, and when they win, it’s a bonus. I guess this is a snapshot of the next few years which I’m all for. #tearitdownandrebuild

Trusted Member

Biggiswrth

15 days ago

Reply to HaloLew

I agree, but it actually isn’t that bad of a roster right now. Perry has at least put together a good young, cost controlled core. Now we have to be very careful with FA sprinkled in, but this team could gel more and catch lightning in a bottle

Legend

Cowboy26

15 days ago

Reply to Biggiswrth

but we have no depth . especially with the pitching.

One of the things I agreed with Perry on this year is you can never have too much depth. Especially with the pitching And we’ve already proven our young players are fragile and made out of glass. ( O’Hoppe, Neto, Adell, Bachman, Joyce, Rod, Rengifo, Thaiss, Moniak and on and on) and I dont think we can just shrug that off to trAdition.

It’s like most of them are already playing at the very limit of their physical tools and I wonder if this will not be an ongoing condition.

Trusted Member

Biggiswrth

15 days ago

Reply to Cowboy26

I agree, but we have a ton of money available from whom we are losing this year. Replacing depth and bench is much cheaper than replacing high end starters. So Perry is looking for bounce back canidates, bench pieces, and guys that can be flipped at the deadline for more prospects.

Super Member

smithy610

15 days ago

“High-powered” Seattle should be ashamed they lost in extra innings to a lineup that has no Ohtani, Trout, and Rengifo.

Nevin gave the game away a lot of times – pitching to JRod instead of walking him with 1st base open, putting Loup in for multiple innings, pitching Marte and Herget – and still, Seattle couldn’t take the game from Nevin.

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to smithy610

Nevin and his staff are the worst I’ve seen since 1961 when I started rooting for this team. Haselman is so bad a runner should take a quick look at him and do the opposite of whatever he’s signaling.

Super Member

AnAngelsFan

15 days ago

Yesterday, the Mariners were in 2nd place and held the 3rd wild card. Today they are in 3rd place and and do not hold a wild card.

Good morning. Let’s make it a good week.

Super Member

smithy610

15 days ago

Reply to AnAngelsFan

I hold no ill will towards Dipoto because I believe he got a raw deal here with Arte and Soth.

But I do hope the Angels mess up their playoff chances as payback for the Baldoquin signing.

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to smithy610

Payback for the Rendon signing.

Super Member

Pineapple12

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

Eppler signed Rendone lol

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Precisely.

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

15 days ago

Reply to AnAngelsFan

In theory I’d rather screw over Texas or Houston than Seattle (I have a couple of good friends from Seattle and always like their color scheme).

However, when playing Seattle I really want to screw over Seattle. LookoutLanding was deplorable on so many occasions, especially the Adenhart tragedy.

Super Member

smithy610

14 days ago

Reply to AnAngelsFan

It would be the most Angels-way if they play major spoilers from here on out, going on a major winning streak, and then losing the last WC by just 4 games…

Trusted Member

grichmanpoorman

15 days ago

Mmm, one of my favorite September traditions, reinforced by a childhood of post-season-free Angels fandom: wrapping myself in the warm, insulating routine of prospect stats. Who’s with me?

Barrett Kent was lights out yesterday: https://www.milb.com/gameday/storm-vs-66ers/2023/09/10/724862/final/box

Super Member

Pineapple12

15 days ago

Reply to grichmanpoorman

It’s my favorite past time!! Caden Dana and Barrett Kent are the future, duh

Trusted Member

Biggiswrth

15 days ago

Reply to grichmanpoorman

ugh up 5-0 and lost in the playoffs. TrAdition

Legend

Cowboy26

15 days ago

Reply to Biggiswrth

Playoffs?

Don’t the playoffs start tonight?

Last edited 15 days ago by Cowboy26

Trusted Member

Angelz4ever

15 days ago

I’ll tell the truth. When the ninth inning from Hell happened and it went to bases loaded with PLoup pitching, I turned the channel and wrote it off. Then, being the lifer fan that I am I went top the team page moments ago.

Very nice surprise-Go Halos!!

Legend

DowningDude

15 days ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

fan is short for fanatic, you know.

Trusted Member

Angelz4ever

15 days ago

Reply to DowningDude

Yeah, I will always be a Halo fan, that’s why it hurts so much.

Legend

Twebur

15 days ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

It hurts now. But once we get good again in another 25 or 30 years, it will be awesome and well worth the wait.

Super Member

steelgolf

14 days ago

Reply to Twebur

That’s a pretty quick rebuild for this team.

Super Member

Pineapple12

15 days ago

My favorite exercise .. looking towards next season.

C: O’Hoppe (23) / Thaiss (28)
1B: Schanuel (21)
2B: Drury (31)
SS: Neto (22)
3B: Rengifo (26)
LF: Ward (29)
CF: Trout (32)
RF: Moniak (25) / Adell (24)
DH: Rendone (34, he sickens me)

SP: Detmers (24) – Canning (27) – Sandoval (26) – Silseth (23) – Anderson (33)

RP: Estevez (30) – Joyce (22) – Soriano (24) – Bachman (23) – C Rodriguez (25)

Estevez and Drury signed thru 2024. Drury is making a strong case to be an extension candidate. We can trade Charlie Sheen or keep him.

Anderson signed thru 2025. Pray he finds a sliver of positive regression next season.

Rendone signed thru 2026 and will be on the IL for all of it.

Trouty signed thru 2030. He can decide to stay or demand a trade.

It would be awesome if Ohtani would want to stay in Anaheim on some type of 2-year $100 million deal with a player opt-out. Highly, highly doubtful.

We have some nice young pieces to build around. And soon enough will be flush with cap space for Arte to sign his next over-the-hill 33 year old former star !!

Last edited 15 days ago by Pineapple12

Trusted Member

Angelz4ever

15 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

I see the four OFers cycling through DH like when Anderson/Salmon/Erstad/Edmonds did it. That helps Trout (If he plays for the Halos in ’24) fresher longer. Redown won’t be a factor as his quarterly malady will keep him off of the field.

I see Rendown being released late next season after the Halos try to split or 2/3 his salary with someone in a trade (Yes, I’m serious).

Trusted Member

Angelz4ever

15 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Honestly, if approached right, I think Shohei sign a two-year “Rehab” deal with the Halos. 2/70, as he has already had to rehab with the Halos and he knows he’d land a nice 5-7 year contract afterwards.

No one is going to pay him $50M next year to DH.

Super Member

AnAngelsFan

15 days ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

I think he would have gotten $50M to DH up until the extended time off from an oblique injury. Now he’s an injury risk on the mound and at the plate. If he doesn’t get the 10-year offer he’s looking for, I could see a 1-year deal with the Angels being a back-up plan.

Trusted Member

Angelz4ever

15 days ago

Reply to AnAngelsFan

I didn’t see anyone giving Shohei the imagined 10yr/$600M contract that many pundits poised, even before the (Second) arm injury. $60M is approximately >25% of the salary cap limit. Three of the last big spending teams have taken it in the shorts (Padres, Angels & Mets) came out flat this year. Then you tack on the penalties.

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

I don’t want to pay that much for. DH. I think his time as an elite pitcher is done. As much as I love him, time to move on. Whoever spends $500 million on him will get the Pujols contract.

Super Member

Pineapple12

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

Respectfully disagree with both points. Ohtani will resume pitching in 2025 and comparing his contract with the Albertross feels disingenuous. Alberto was 50 years old and clearly stopped taking care of his body. Shohei is too disciplined and determined to go out like that.

Trusted Member

Biggiswrth

15 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

2 year $100 Mil isn’t the end of the world. You have to think the Angels will get a do over at the trade dedaline with Ohtani if they do this. They can help re tool faster and you can market him for another half season. But teams would be ok with $75 mil ofr 1.5 years and a full year of pitching for him. We could get some valuable pieces back.

There is also the 10% chance the Angels actually compete next year and they maje the playoffs, but I think resigning him actually can help the rebuild.

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to Biggiswrth

I’m fine with that, as it is not a long term commitment and it will help Arturo to continue to sell tons of tshirts.

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

I think Shohei is looking for something way longer.

Legend

Senator_John_Blutarsky

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

Legend

DowningDude

14 days ago

Reply to Senator_John_Blutarsky

Shohei’s mom said that to Arte

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Very few pitchers are ever the same after A second Tommy John. And whether Pujols was not taking care of himself or just breaking down physically is debatable. What isn’t is that Time is undefeated and it is not on Shohei’s side.

Super Member

Pineapple12

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

That’s fair. I recognize I have a hubristic belief in Shohei Ohtani.

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Fair enough, he is a unicorn

Legend

Cowboy26

15 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

You forgot Stassi & Fletcher both under contract for next year ( and beyond)

Super Member

Pineapple12

15 days ago

Reply to Cowboy26

Not forgotten — chose to exclude them because I cant see a viable pathway where either contributes moving forward. 1 more season for Stassi and 2 for Fletch.

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to Cowboy26

That’s couch cushion change compared to the really horrific contract still on the books.

Legend

Cowboy26

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

And what contract is that ML?

Legend

Eric_in_Portland

15 days ago

Reply to Cowboy26

I know you know which one. Currently the highest paid player on the team. I think he is, anyway. I could look it up to confirm that but I wanted an opportunity to use I2GA, which I am

Member

Roy Hobbs

15 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

I like the line up and roster a lot but if they wanted to win, RF and DH would need to be replaced with middle of the order bats, one of which could be Ohtani. Moniak and Rendon aren’t getting it done. I want to like Moniak, but on a winning team, he’s a 4th outfielder. His inability to stop swinging at bad pitches keeps him from being an everyday player.

Super Member

Pineapple12

15 days ago

Reply to Roy Hobbs

Moniak may very well end up as a 4th OF.

Glass half-full approach — this is Mickey’s first season receiving consistent playing time as a full-time MLBer, and is fairing pretty well. The dream is that he makes the proper adjustments to his game and solidifies himself as a MLB starter.

Super Member

MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

4th OF who is a lefty bat who can play CF is a fantastic outcome for him and a great help to the Angels.

Member

Roy Hobbs

15 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

You’re right, if he can make outs less often, he would be a very good everyday player. He runs well, fields well, hits for power, and bats left, he just makes too many outs right now. Swinging at mostly strikes would elevate all of his rate numbers BA, OBA, and SLG%.

Last edited 15 days ago by Roy Hobbs

Super Member

Pineapple12

15 days ago

Reply to Roy Hobbs

Well said! Rengifo and Moniak both relentlessly swing at the 1st pitch. The key difference is when unsuccessful on the 1st pitch, Rengifo has the ability to work the count, whereas Mickey will keep swinging until he makes contact or strikes out.

Someone in the organization needs to get Mickey on the Rengifo plan asap !

Last edited 15 days ago by Pineapple12