Zach Neto is apparently OK after that painful at bat in the ninth inning on Sunday. Jared Walsh is making the most out of what remains in the season. He’s feeling a lot better he says. Here is Hannah Keyser giving Shohei Ohtani grief for not talking to the media since August 9. Says Nez Balelo, “There’s really no need for him to address the media.”
The Padres are not a dysfunctional organization according to the Padres. Will Aaron Boone get canned by the Yankees? Boone doesn’t know. The Red Sox are reportedly looking at Sam Fuld as a potential replacement for Chaim Bloom.
This is the Fangraphs 2024 Free Agent Tracker if you want to get an early start on your Perry Minasian articles.
The Reds reinstated Kevin Newman from the injured list and then designated him for assignment. The Braves did the same thing to Ehire Adrianza. In other Braves news, they may use Kyle Wright out of the bullpen during the playoffs.
Erik Pappas is playing baseball for team Greece at the age of 57.
Former MLB pitcher Roric Harrison passed away at the age of 77.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
https://x.com/Angels/status/1706832365732188572?s=20
Is this the worst lineup this decade?
Go back and look at some of the lineups from the end of 2003. They’re not this decade, but they’re just as bad.
sponichi_yanagi just posted on his twitter that Rendon was on the field running!!!!
“No habla Nihongo today!”
This is the one you are talking about. Mr. Yanagihara also noticed that Angels team merchandise were 35% off, suggesting that Sho’s stuff are almost gone.
https://twitter.com/sponichi_yanagi/status/1706823546151039353
Colton Ingram has a locker. Season saved.
Tank Bronze Star recipient
https://larrybrownsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mickey-hatcher
2024 skipper? Why not?
Respectfully I’d prefer Brooks Robinson
True. At this point, he’d be really good about showing our players how to cover the most ground.
Brooks Robinson, the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer who made MLB history with 16 straight Gold Gloves at third base, has died, the team announced Tuesday. He was 86 years old.
https://x.com/Orioles/status/1706785629546111056?s=20
Was just about to post this.
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/orioles-legend-brooks-robinson-dead-86/45329889
Too bad. Great player, great guy.
Met him at a baseball show, one of my best autographs.
My niece just adopted a little boy….named him Brooks.
Great HOFer. This guy was underrated. 1-time MVP, 16 straight GGs, amazing when you stop to think. Iron man as well, no load management, put up large plate appearances year and year. Solid hitter. He and Belanger on the left side were a pitchers dream. Great to look back and read his history. So long, Brooks, RIP.
I’ve been meaning post this, I haven’t watched it yet. Moreno’s eventual Netflix documentary won’t be fun. 😀
Check out 10 of Mike Veeck’s zaniest promotionsNew documentary features maverick executive’s wildest ballpark stunts
https://www.milb.com/news/mike-veeck-documentary-features-his-zany-and-influential-promotions
I have a signed first edition of Bill Veeck’s classic “Veeck’ as in Wreck” – highly entertaining read.
The ash tray in his peg leg was quite the Luxury.
I watched it last weekend its definitely worth the time.
If you wonder why the Savanah bananas are such a hit you just have to follow the Veecks’ history.
Yeah, I think I’ll do that!!!
😆 😆
I wonder if Clevinger would be a good fit to return? He has had a pretty good year on a crappy team.
I may have an unpopular take but I think the pitching staff was also weaker this year by not having Stassi behind the plate . I know 2022 was even a less than premium offensive performance by the Secret police, but Our younger pitchers in many ways regressed this season despite the progress they made in 2022 and not having Stassi I believe was a big part of that .
I still believe O’Hoppe will be great. Maybe the best catcher this franchise has ever had (hes a got a ways to go to top Molina or Boone though ) but he’s still young and learning. Stassi would have been a great mentor for him .
I can see that. Take a look at how the Giants staff all took a big step forward in 2021 after Buster Posey came back.
Pitch sequencing is critical. So is framing.
Of course, better coaching and video teams would illustrate what the battery mates are doing incorrectly and help them fix it.
This was addressed in Fletcher’s article re: the pitchers’ struggles in 2023. It wasn’t just Stassi – Suzuki was gone too.
Yeah but what does Perry know?
Not as much as the guy in Seattle obviously.
We’re on pace to win less than last year (73 wins) which was worse than in 2021 (77 wins). Why should Perry still have his job if the team’s regressed every year since he’s been here? Everything’s always personal with you though.
Not sure about that. Hes on the verge of another late season collapse. That would mean that despite the fact the JeDi has had full autonomy for almost 8 seasons and his teams have won a total of 2 playoff games (both last year against the Jays). If you add to that his record tin his Angel GM days then it becomes even uglier over 11 seasons
Yeah, sure
How about 3 winning seasons with us and 5 with the Mariners……as opposed to Perry with ZEROOOO!! and Eppler with one in NY with a gigantic payroll to boot. The Mariners had a $140M payroll and the Rangers have a $240M payroll and they might just barely get in as WC #3. BTW he’s POBO in Seattle now where as here WE ALL KNOW WHO THE REAL GM IS!!
Still a loser . Always a loser.
Sure hope Stassi is able to come back next year.
O’hop might be good enough with the bat he can DH sometimes when Stassi catches.
The Question is what do you do with Thaiss? Carry him as a third catcher? he has no options left. he can play other positions but his bat is not that strong even though he’s left handed.
So I think it comes down to whether you keep Mous or not. Since Thaiss would then have to become that left handed bat off the bench, Though he does play catcher he’s not going to hit as well as Mous and certainly would not provide the leadership skills that the Mous can.
I’m sure he’s a tradeable piece if he doesn’t fit in with us
Moustakos is a free agent so we’d have to make a good offer
So….What would it take to sign him?
$1 … take it or leave it. I mean if the player wants to be an Angel, he’s gonna be an Angel.
Because Mouse was an active leader on the club should not mandate he must be re-signed. Agree, offer him a minimum deal.
C’mon, he’s a relatively cheap “get”’ at this juncture.
Angels should acquire a solid veteran. Stassi slipped in ’22 and hit 0.180.
The proof is in the pudding.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
Just look at those Obliques being stretched.
We’re not the only ones not stretching enough. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/09/reds-matt-mclain-shut-down-for-remainder-of-2023-season.html
This is a pandemic caused by players pushing their bodies to their limits with heavy conditioning and advanced nutrition.
This why Pitching & Hitting Velo is up along with strikeouts
Oh no, was waiting for his return to my hometown Reds, they really miss him. (They’re facing Giolito tonight, which version will show up?)
There is just not enough pitching to fill 30 MLB rosters. The Meltdown of what was a strength for the Angels turning into a nightmare once again showed that pitching coaches make a huge difference, that Sandoval needs a psychiatrist, it’s rare for the Angels to have anyone from the Bullpen succeed two years in a row.
The next Free Agent class of MLB Pitchers is weak at best, so any improvement will undoubtably be from coaching. If or when Shohei parts, the staff will be from inhouse for the next several years, so new coaching is paramount.
No doubt that a rebuild is in order. It will be fun watching the “Yuts” advancing.
I’m in total agreement about Sandoval. He’s got a two cent brain out there.
What I find troubling on top of what you said is how often our pitchers go from effective to unusable within a short period of time within a season. Estevez and Herget are two very recent examples of this. It’s understandable with Herget, but the Estevez meltdown was devastating at at the exact time we needed him most. Now we see some weak rhetoric from him about some off-season adjustments, but we all know how that story works in Anaheim.
Sandoval needs to learn lesson number one: don’t think; it can only hurt the ball club.
Sandy leads all of the major leagues in giving up unearned runs by almost double to the next highest pitcher.
Now granted we know our defense has sucked giant balls this year but this is also an indication that the guy literally falls apart at the sign of trouble. Definitely someone who is thinking and worrying too much out there on the mound.
He’s been soft since his little league days in Orange County. It isn’t going to change.
So youre saying hes another Mission Viejo pansy?
Ugg, Missionites
Yep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao_0INP14DI
They need to make Sandoval wear a garter belt.
Kevin Costner is part of the two greatest “Don’t think” scenes on film.
This one in “Bull Durham”, and the driving range scene in “Tin Cup”.
And breath out of his eyelids.
The concept that 30 teams dilutes the talent pool is so wrong.
Yes, there were 8 teams when Ruth played but the US population was less than a third of what it is today and only white guys on the east coast were in MLB.
There was still enough talent to field the Negro Leagues, Pacific Coast League, and Cuban and Mexican Leagues back then which was over 30 teams.
Between population growth, integration, organized minor leagues, and jet travel the talent pool in America alone has over quadrupled since the 8 team days.
Add in the talent from Japan, Korea, the Caribbean, Mexico, even Australia and there’s even more.
The issue is that between all of these factors plus better conditioning, nutrition, coaching, video work, etc. the talent has become so great anyone less than the best of the best looks horrible.
And the Angels skimp on all of those things.
💯
C – Logan O’Hoppe
1B – Nolan Schanuel
2B – Brandon Drury
SS – Zach Neto
3B – Luis Rengifo
OF – Mike Trout
OF – Taylor Ward
OF – Mickey Moniak
OF – Jo Adell
I may be alone on this island — but that’s a fun, solid lineup.
SP – Reid Detmers, Patrick Sandoval, Griffin Canning, Chase Silseth, Tyler Anderson
I believe Detmers eventually blossoms into an ace. Outside of him, yikes. Positive season for Canning coming off injury. Silseth looked good, up until we murked him in the cranium. Sandy will be better next season, how much better idk.
RP – Ben Joyce, Jose Soriano, Carlos Estevez
Joyce and Soriano have the 8-9th innings locked up for the next 5 years. Please trade Charlie Sheen, thanks.
You forgot Anthony Rendon, Max Stassi & David Fletcher
You also forgot Sam Bachman, . Either way that’s still the worse bullpen in the majors with mediocre starting pitching
Who?
I still like Fletch as a 26th man, who might be able to rediscover his swing with some coaching.
barring injury, Hell be the 27th man going into next season.
That’s okay by me. We’re pay him anyway.
Since we have options with him , The Plumber, I believe Taylor Ward , and maybe one more with Adell & Moniak and of course the kids ( Schanuel, Neto & O’Hoppe) I believe they become the most important players on the roster next season if Perry can still acquire some depth.
Agreed/
If Rendone doesn’t retire, which he won’t, pencil him in at 3rd for 30 games. I have no opinion on Stassi or Fletcher.
I have an eery suspicion that Sam Bachman’s shoulder is burnt toast. He hasn’t been able to handle a SP’s workload at any level. Is he destined to become a 1-inning reliever? Me thinks so. Throw Bachman in the ‘pen whenever he gets healthy.
Perry (or whoever the GM is) needs to be more active picking up RPs off waivers — high velo required.
I’d take one good inning from Bachman at this point. I was always perplexed with him as a first round pick. Reliever risk was built in from Day 1.
Impossible. Perry made a bad draft selection?
Ha ha.
For all the hate that Rendon generates, it would behoove the fan base to wish for a bit of good fortune health wise with this player.
If healthy, he remains our best 3B and since we’re paying him anyway, we should hope for that outcome.
Truth. The best thing that can happen is that he can turn out to be valuable.
The worst that can happen is that he continues to be injured.
I know someone on the inside of Arte’s circle….he’s done some cost-benefit soul-searching. The amount of money he’s spending on player injuries is outrageous. He now plans on pumping a bunch of money into R&D of this product. He’s seeking MLB permission to incorporate this into their uniforms. Not sure how this works with saving everyone from the oblique epidemic of 2023. More hand washing, masking and vaccines are rumored to solve that problem for 2024.
Free the OBLIQUE muscles!
https://x.com/CatchUpFeed/status/1706532613660217529?s=20
You’re joking, riiiight?
5G Zombie Apocalypse.
I disagree, he’s our worst fielder at that position, with zero power at the plate. What’s worse is his horrendous attitude. That comes from inside him, that’s not something the fans made up.
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/51955815-f5b7-43bf-beb8-371aa16bd1b1
Odds are that you’ll be proven right in the end, but his first year was very good. And he was healthy.
I hope for Rendon to hit 90 HR’s and an ERA of 1.23.
That’s a little higher than your hope but about as likely.
Brilliant take. Not.
Rendon gave us a highly productive year one when healthy. Fact.
Renny starting at 3b, I don’t see it happening at all. Neto and O’Hoppe need to come up with better bats and Adell is very iffy. ST is going to be very interesting in ’24. To early to speculate on next season. Plumber may be the new 3b. Drury could end up at 1b and Schanuel could be LF.
Stefanic should not be starting over Rengifo. It’s not even worth a conversation to me.
I do think Stefanic can be a bench piece, but his inability to play at SS limits him.
GB is waging a forever jihad against Rengifo and believes (mistakenly) that the Angels “screwed” David Fletcher.
Meanwhile in reality land, Rengifo is a solid & versatile baseball player and Fletcher is WASHED.
I think ‘The Plummer’ is a nice IF depth piece and ideal pinch hitter.
Not sure who’s being more blinded here. Rengifo is still a below average fielder and a terrible base runner that finally broke out offensively. (although he still has negative platoon split differentials against RHP’s)
And you have to wonder how he magically blew out his bicep tendon in the on deck circle. Pumping too much weight at the gym Mighty-Mite? Or is your body breaking down from some Venezuela home town remedy? Inquiring minds want to know.
I heard via MH25252 (not sure how many 2-5’s go there) that he works out at the same gym as Rengifo. The dude was putting in work.
Well let’s hope MH doesn’t partake in any supplements Renny is offering him or his body parts could literally blow out at any moment. He Could even come down with a case of Obliquitis
Venezuelan horse testosterone is illegal?
I guess you’re choosing to ignore his 2022 numbers as well?
Not following you here. His OPS against LHP’s was about the same stellar numbers for 2022 and 2023 (.909 vs .928) . His OPS against RHP’s went from abysmal in 2022 to just below league average in 2023 (.629 to .727)
According to defensive metrics at whatever position he plays he still kind of sucks.
And according to base running stats and my Lylin eyes, despite larger bases this year, running around them has never been his strong suit.
The conversation is Rengifo vs. Fletcher.
Rengifo had a solid 2022 and a better yet 2023. Meanwhile Fletcher has been putrid for 3 straight years.
As for defensive metrics, despite the cool back flip by Fletcher, he’s lost a step (or two) and doesn’t have the range to get to as many balls as Rengifo at this point. Moreover, people want to give Fletcher a pass for having to play 2B/SS, but ignore the fact that Rengifo plays 2B/SS/3B and OF:
I agree that Rengifo is a poor base runner, but he does have more speed than Fletcher.
If I have a team full of Rengifo’s in the IF/OF versus a team full of Fletcher’s, I’ll take your lunch money all week.
As a starter next year?
I vote (d) None of the above.
Agree there. The ideal scenario is to have a bounce back from Rendon at 3rd and Rengifo is our IF/OF super sub that gets 350-400 AB’s:
How many wasted seasons until the hope on Rendon is extinguished?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-5o2f9wzmw
How long are we paying him?
So the “Plummer” is now the X factor?
https://twitter.com/Jared_Tims/status/1706517567630983201?s=20
Hey, don’t we have a guy already under contract at a reasonable price who has proven ability to play second, third and short effectively and lay down a bunt or hit a sacrifice fly when called for? I forget his name, but I sure do miss him!
We used to have a guy named Fletcher who could do that. But then he lost his mojo and never recovered . In fact he hasn’t posted an OPS over .625 in 3 over years.and about 1,000 Plate appearances ago.
Assuming Ohtani is gone, I would expect a play for Blake Snell this offseason.
We think very similarly, bro. It’s weird and highly affirming lol
Yes, we need an establish veteran to lead the youngsters.
Snell will be 31 on Opening Day…not too old and washed.
If the crystal ball is accurate, karma dictates that we can pencil in Snell for TJS in the May/June 2024 timeframe…..
My man, why even put that JuJu into the Ether !!!
Juju in the Ether?
or tradition?
I don’t know where the JuJu ends and the trAdition begins.
Nobody understands the trAdition……..that’s part of the trAdition.
Jobu knows…refill!!!
A guy with FIVE plus walks per nine is a ticking time bomb, which of course makes him a perfect Arturo play. It’s all about overpaying for a career year. Hard pass is my recommendation. I hear Giolito is a free agent. Maybe they can sign him.
Giolito, Lorenzen and Thor? One can throw in Rich Hill to round out the set.
Snell is now going a little longer than most of the year. His game logs are full of 5 inning 100 pitch outings. Over the course of the year that’s a lot of bullpen innings.
The dude AVERAGED 99 pitches and 5-2/3 innings per start this season.Even though 17.5 pitches per inning is on the high side I’ll take that all day long.
I can also accept 4.95 BB’s/9 considering he also averages 0.75 HR/9 and 11.7 K’s/9 hence why the pitch counts per inning are so high
Ironically Reid Detmers has averaged 17.64 pitches per inning, about 93 pitches and 5.33 innings per start but the results have been “less than wanting”
Sounds like Ohtani numbers minus the high homer rate. I’ll take it, too.
A High HR rate of 0.75/9? thats about 25% below league average.
You work OT to misinterpret me. Shohei has a high HR rate. Snell does not.
Thats True. Snell doesn’t throw the Sweeper.
Sweeper = Hit my shit to next week.
Fuck the Ohtani sweeper.
Dodgers or Giants makes sense to me. Staying in the NL West would be good for his stat lines. Angels should stay away as they are not in a position to complete for division title.
He’ll sign with the Angels on a multi year deal with 2 player opt outs. One after 2024 & the other after 2025. Even though Arte never does that he’ll make an exception for his marketing dream.
I hope we sign no one with a QO.
Even Ohtani?
He doesn’t cost a QO if we sign him.
No but it will cost a comp pick in the 2024 draft
It is after the 2nd round, right?
So like a pick in the 70s….
That is so far down that who knows what you’ll get.
Fair take. I get it.
My concern about Snell is that he is having a phenomenal year and will win the Cy Young this year so he will be very expensive. Angels would be buying high and hope he has similar numbers, which isn’t likely.
Your concern is valid, but FA is and always will be a gamble: Shohei is gone and Arte is compelled to complete, A Blake Snell is logical IMO.
Yep. I see no point in signing a big expensive single FA that will also cost a draft pick. That is the opposite from what our situation logically dictates.
The one exception is doing what I mentioned recently, would be like if we took on big contracts from a team trying to shed (like SD), but in the process taking their good young prospects/players as part of the deal. Basically using huge money to build the farm faster.
Not that I expect Arte would ever approve that.
I don’t disagree with any of this, but the Angels and Arte are COMPELLED to compete now.
This means FA spending. We could do worse than Blake Snell. And have done worse.
Re: . I see no point in signing a big expensive single FA that will also cost a draft pick.
Clearly you do not operate a marketing firm nor have you made a billion via a billboard company. It’s all about “the big splash” (of arte dropping another FA deuce 💩 into the toilet 🚽)
🤑
At 102 AB’s this year Schanuel has not burned his rookie status.
If they hold him out for the remainder…fun 2024 ROY Campaign.
And a potential 2025 post first round comp pick
We’ve got 5 games left. If he gets fewer than 5.6AB per game (and given his walk rate and the teams suckage, that’s doable), he should be good.
Yet he hasn’t walked at all in the last 3 games.
Knowing our team management, they’ll probably screw this up.
That’s a nice lineup, but how many games will they be able to play together before injuries make mincemeat of this dream and the Angels are running out a lineup full of third and fourth string players and waiver wire pick ups?
The over-under is 1.5 games.
I’ll take the “under”
Perry had it right this year trying to acquire depth. Something we will not have without a better deeper farm system.
I wonder if Urshela, Moose and/or Grichuk figure into the bench mix in 2024 ????
What would it take?
Not much IMO.
4/58. But then we’d be out on Wilson.
We could probably resign each of them – but which (if any) do we really want? (and why?).
Grichuk is the only one with an above average season at the plate (103 OPS+), but is also the least versatile of the bunch.
However, if we are going the FA backup vet route, might there be better, and younger, players available?
Perhaps, but it seems to me we’ve exhausted our reserves like a late stage empire.
Well, I don’t want aging veterans as ‘reserves’. There are always guys like Grichuk or Renfroe available.
That looks like one of the worst OFs baseball. I still don’t see Rengifo as anything but a utility guy. Would love to trade him while he may have a little value. Would love to give Stefanic a chance to lengthen our hitting lineup, and live with his below average fielding. Maybe Gio and Mous can return on a team friendly contract for some position flexibility and veteran grittiness.
The pitching is a complete mess, and the current staff from top to bottom has no ability to fix it.
Truth be told, this is a sub .500 team with not enough prospects to turn it around. Look at the Reds and Orioles for examples of great young teams. I’d even trade Our roster for Detroits.
Not bad, let the kids play, 2024 is a bridge year. I’ll still follow with the same level enthusiasm.
3rd base is a little tenuous with Rengifo as a starter but I’ll deal with it, sit Rendon until he self-motivates or forces a trade
Hoping Trout forces a trade and can flank Ward and Adell with Moniak in center.
I’m willing to give Shanty Singles a year and see what evolves (stat wise, does not fit the position).
Probably the starting 5 pitchers today, think you nailed it. Stuck with Anderson. Maybe a low grade starter to add, Mahle or Maeda.
Angels are not powering past Texas, Houston and Seattle with the way things shook out this year and available help on the farm.
Angels and Mets, Perry vs Billy, are battling for the 6th best draft lottery odds. Ironic, isn’t it?
Angels 70-87
2 vs. Rangers
3 vs. A’s
Mets 71-85
3 vs Marlins
3 vs Phillies
If both teams finish with identical records, (I think) the Mets hold the tiebreaker because we took the season series 2-1.
I expect the Rangers and Marlins to sweep. The tankathon will come down to the final 3 games. It is probable that Philly will be locked in as WC1 and their games against the Mets will be inconsequential. Same thought goes for the A’s when they come to the Big A.
Buckle up 🎢🎢🎢
Mike Trout will be an Angel next season, and for the rest of his career.
Trouty’s comments yesterday should shut down trade speculation for the foreseeable future.
Here is that article and…Mike likes Phil.
Nevin might just our manager next year.
Recall Trout vs Madden…Trout will win!!
https://www.mlb.com/news/mike-trout-addresses-angels-future
I Like winning more. Sorry Mikey but maybe Its time you play for a manager you dont like
I like winning way better too…but.
I say money talks and BS walks!!
37,100,000 reasons you’re wrong.
Maybe Mikey was crying yesterday because he knows he’s going to be asking for a trade this offseason?
Trout’s not going anywhere.
Source…the article is clear.
My take as well. It seems clear enough.
He’ll probably ask pointed questions about the roster, etc, but he’s an Angel.
Here’s what I am curious about: Does Trout go the mat for Nevin?
Sound like he will…should be interesting
I think baseball managers are vastly overrated. I could be wrong.,,
Why would Trout go to Rev Halofan?
😆
That fills me up with Glee, son.
English, please?
Going to the mat. Rev’s name is Mat.
And his last name is glee, son.
This is a great point. I would like a red ass manager who doesn’t try to be everybody’s best friend. If there’s no fire beyond Neto and O’Hoppe on the field, maybe a new manager can generate some from the dugout.
It depends on if Nevin is the problem. Coaching is a lot of things, and if having the team play for you works, then it works. Maybe Trout sees some of the dynamics, and forces others out (Wise, Drivetrain, whoever derailed Sandoval and Detmers).
Does it matter? No manager is turning this mess into a winning team. The problem is coaching. Can Nevin preside over a complete new group.
saying that no manager will make the team a winner, and then claiming the problem is coaching is pretty funny
Coaching a player to improve his technique, versus deciding which players are too different things. Are you saying that better coaching can’t improve the pitching staff, or that Cleveland or Tampa Bays staff couldn’t have made them better.
Trout is untradeable given he’s 32, he’s been injured frequently over the past three seasons, and he’s getting paid $37m for the next 7 seasons. It would be better for the Angels to keep him and hope for the best, then to eat salary and still only get a middling prospect.
If Trout asks to be traded, he’ll need to agree to re-negotiate his contract and give up some $$.
This is precisely why I’m firmly on the make him a DH/part-time OF bandwagon.
Yes, I’m aware that his recent injuries occurred whilst batting, but logic dictates that his risk of future injury is reduced by playing in the field less often.
His previous injuries were calf and back, which were not directly related to hitting. I like the DH idea.
I think Trout is the type that needs to play to fully engage
I think Trout needs to play in 140+ games and have 550+ AB’s to fully engage.
There are 4-5 teams with deep pockets to take Trouts contract on; Yanks, Mets, Phils, Dodgers and Giants. Whomever misses out on Ohtani.
Unfortunately, none of those teams need to make a big splash in desperation after missing out on the prize.
Are they allowed to re-negotiate contracts, I thought the union would frown upon that happening.
Grichuk’s uniform is so weird. He wears his pants above the knees. But wait — those aren’t pants. He didn’t pull the cuffs of his pants above his knees. He is wearing an actual pair of shorts. And those aren’t socks either, are they?
Is Grichuk wearing red Lululemon leggings?
Just remember…the rose goes in the front, big guy.
No, that’s what Sandoval needs to do.
Those aren’t shorts those are knickers.
He’s wearing culottes
Football pantaloon breeches…it’s all the fashion rage.
I thought it was Parachute Pants that were the rage.
🤣
Always appreciated the uniform rules Sparky Anderson invoked when he was with the Reds and seeing his team all dressed the same
The more one watches baseball, the more it seems that pitching overwhelms most other factors. Looking to 2024, if the Angels can acquire enough pitching (that’s a big if), a lineup featuring O’Hoppe, Neto, Schanuel, Drury, Trout, Rendon and/or Moose, Ward?? Adell, and others may be enough to get to the playoffs. The makings of a bullpen are there with the young 100 MPH guys and Estevez. They get to drop the salaries of Loup, Tepera, and others. It’s kind of how the Rays do things but it’s possible.
So there might be a chance.
You get to be right today Astan…pitching is everything.
We need a new manager, pitching, and hitting coaches.
So we are not making the same mistakes over and over.
We need our young staff to make big strides…. I’m looking at you Sandoval!
Playoffs are a dream, but if healthy there could be enough on paper to do it. Let the offseason begin!! We need to lay the ground rules for the IIWPM series but i believe its’ a bit early to understand our payroll and the entire FA class.
I expect the team to throttle down on payroll. Maybe 30 million or so under the cap.
I think it may be a considerably more if Trouty and Ohtani are history.
And we can move Rendon.
If they dont re-sign Shohei, I show the Angels will be at about $160M next year if they dont make any other moves other than the jettison of the Flotsam. The CBT threshold is $237M so at $207M that gives PTP about $47M on trade and free agent acquisitions. https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/angels.
After cleaning up the 40 Man and I dont see the Angels promoting very much from within- (Maybe 2 players to avoid the Rule 5 draft?) Therefore they should have at least 6 spots (Plus Minor League Contract NRI’s) they will need to fill going into spring training from outside the organization. If they target a major Free Agent SP ( $25M-28M AAV) that only leaves $19 Million to fill 5 spots. That aint much even if your lessor targets are guys like Mous, Grichuk or Gio. And you know how well PTP does in building bullpens.
Good Luck with that.
Who warrants 25-28 AAV that is a FA right now?
Snell made 16M. Sonny Gray signed for 3 years 30M when he was 3 years younger – even coming off 5WAR he isn’t tripling his AAV. I don’t see anyone paying Scherzer or Verlander money for anyone this year.
I think not getting Gray was one of the bigger misses on our part in recent history.
Obviously Eovaldi now too, although I think he is all in retrospect, because I didn’t at all expect Eovaldi to suddenly dominate.
But we had no way of knowing what shade of Gray we would be getting.
The injured shade
Eovaldi wouldn’t have suddenly dominated had he signed with us.
He would have been known as deo-volved-di
Insert “Playoffs?!” GIF here
I think we understand quite a bit. We know Trout’s salary, Rendon’s salary dump, and the few other players that warrant any money (Drury, Fletch, Estevez). Almost everyone else is arb or league minimum.
We have, for the first time in ages, salary space to play with. We can spend some on Ohtani, if he is amenable (still room for this years 30M plus some), but I think we use is on 2 starters and lots of bullpen pieces.