Welcome to the MLB off season!
The off season calendar is pretty full with plenty of baseball stuff to get us through what Southern California calls winter. Free agency started yesterday and by the next Weekend Links qualifying offers will have been offered and rejected.
Who might get a qualifying offer and who is ineligible? I’m glad you asked and here is your answer.
Among the many awards to be handed out over the Winter are Silver Sluggers. Ohtani and Brandon Drury are each up for their second Sluggers.
Ohtani will collect that slugger and is a huge favorite to win another MVP.
It is pretty crazy to think the Angels went from perennial MVP candidate Mike Trout to perennial MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani and have absolutely nothing to show for it.
What the Angels will do next year is unknown, but Rhett took a stab at answering some questions in his mailbag.
Lots of us questioned why Chris Rodriguez was let go for nothing earlier this week. Friend of the site Jeff Fletcher has the insight.
Of course all of this off season activity is only possible because the Texas Rangers ended the 2023 series with a 5-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 5th game of the World Series. Congrats to the franchise and one of my all time favorite managers, Bruce Bochy.
I missed Bochy’s playing career but found this great picture when looking for links:
Great players make a manager look really smart some times. Bochy can definitely thank Marcus Semien for making the lineup card a little easier every day.
I have to think both the Giants fans and Dodgers fans were watching this Series a little wistfully. Why did the Dodgers let go of Seager? Even fans at the games are asking.
Or maybe the fans weren’t watching. Seems like not many people did. This was the lowest rated World Series in history. It is almost like audiences for everything were larger when people had 3 channels to choose from rather than a million.
Hey, we have a move! Max Muncy stays with the Dodgers for 2 years $24 million.
Don’t forget to set your clocks back from glorious evenings with sunsets to dark before you get off work time tomorrow night. And change the batteries in your smoke detectors (mine always seem to go off at 3 AM).
The boy hadn’t been hitting lately but another coach noticed he’d brought his hands forward. Getting back to his old stance seems to have done the trick. Three Fall Ball games remaining and just like in Spring I already know I’m going to miss some of the kids when this season is up. Should be good pizza party weather from here on out.
Enjoy your weekend and link what I missed!
Note: I’d like to use this off season to boost up the team here at CtPG, starting with our social media feeds. If a poster or two could help get our site and content into the world it would be greatly appreciated and it would help us snag more interviews and promos. So please, please consider helping us make this a better site for all of us.
?w=737
Trolls movie 2023
The Toot family’s home video?
Sure wish we could send private massages on this site!!!
Only if she can pitch
Private massages? Yikes. Did I stumble into “Crashing the Happy Endings?”
🤣
You wish.
lolwut
Do you believe Ohtani is returning? I don’t see that happening at all. BTW, I have never seen a player hold up a team the way Shohei and his posse have held up the Halos. Yes, I was on the band wagon since last year to trade him for minor leaguers. I would trade Trout and Sandoval for a couple of high-ranking kids. This team can’t fix itself and a big reason is the owner meddling in the operation. The whole organization has the wrong people in place at each level.
Rebuilding the team should have started 6 years ago, but now is a very good time, but first do not wait for Shohei, take whatever you can get trading Trout and hire 12-15 more scouts. Let’s put a winning team out there before I am gone.
You don’t have to agree with me, but I will point out the Dodgers have a long history of being winners and a long history of having Rookies of the Year. It’s time for the Angels to figure out that Shohei and Trout and a whole bunch of Joe Who’s does not work.
Blow it up and rebuild from ownership down. This is the way.
I beg to differ, but then again I wouldn’t be 2002heaven!
Somehow that AL East team in central Florida with attendance that Mater Dei HS could probably out draw has figured out how to win with a payroll that might be less than UCLA’s AD budget. Also, obviously a bullpen doesn’t work just ask Emmanuel Clase, Liam Kendricks and Josh Hader oh and Carlos Estevez/Cade Marlowe.
Just the facts, ladies and gentlemen.
1.Shohei has not decided which team yet. May not happen until early next year. He has just received the most special athlete of year award by Iwate Prefecture media, among many that he will acquire this off season.
2.Yoshinobu Yamamoto had his first ever win in Japan Series last night by throwing 138 pitch complete game with 13 strike outs for Orix Buffaloes, forcing the winner take all game 7 against Hanshin Tigers. He has started 4 games in past Japan series, and this was the first time he got a win. It Is widely assumed that that was his last game in Japan before he would be posted later this month. My bet is that it will be either MFYankees or Mets. If Mets get him, they may have #1 and #2 pitchers in Senga and Yamamoto.
I will continue to post relevant NPB news to MLB until Shohei’s decision.
Thank You K.
Honestly I hope Shohei makes his decision quickly (he won’t). I just feel like the Angels are in limbo until he makes his decision which is likely that he is leaving. But until it is for sure- the Angels’ focus is mixed. They can’t really focus on life with or without Ohtani. If Shohei cares at all for his (likely former) team he will make his decision quickly and give some certainty to the off season.
Like Tuesday for the Qualifying Offer!!!
Smoking the hopium?
Pathetic CtPG Loser Guy is always high on the Hopium!!
Is there any reason not to extend the QO? Of course he turns it down (even if he stays).
He;s a FA
Hes also forgot how to hit.
Last season in almost 500 plate appearances he slashed .245/.286/.296 . I know math is not your strong suit Toots, especially without taking your socks off , but thats really bad Toots.
Hard Pass
At a minimum, i think the decision will come after the Winter Meetings. Angels just need to move on.
I agree but they wont
I agree. If, as so many like to say, Shohei is just so golden he basically pays for himself and will do so for a decade to come, then by all means try and resign him.
But that also means that you can go about your off season pretty much the same way whether you land him or not. All it willmean is you have an extra DH this year and extra pitching next year.
Hopefully Yamamoto didn’t blow out his arm
Thank you, sir!
I would be surprised if Shohei has all the teams best offers to choose from at this moment, right? Don’t sleep on the Rangers but the Dodgers have been waiting for a year for this opportunity.
I’d be all in on Yamamoto over the likes of Snell, Nola and Montgomery. Can the Yanks even go there after blowing it on Rodon? Yankees need offense, Mets will Elbe in the running for sure and the Giants will be in the bidding. Dodgers focused on Shohei and pass on him.
The Rangers are paying a large pile of guys a large pile of money. Seager, de Gromm, Scherzer, Semein, Gray, Eovaldi, Heaney…. and some young guys are gonna be in arb soon.
I just don’t see them adding Shohei unless they plan to go the Padres rout….
Man there are going to be alot of intriguing options in terms of opt out Major league free agents or non tendered free agents or even walk year players available in trades this off season.
For the love of God, can we finally get our shit together this offseason Perry and make better choices?
Last off season Perry was fast out of the gate with:
Signed Tyler Anderson F
Traded for Gio. C (for effort)
Traded for Hunter Renfroe F
Signed Charlie Sheen C
Signed Brandon Drury A-
Signed Matt Moore B+
We have got to have more consistent success in these moves if we have any chance of success in 2024. Considering he traded away so much depth lats year this will be even harder to accomplish this offseason.
Copy that. Letter grades feel right and you’re right, no trade leverage with the farm for sure. Please Perry-Boy, DO NOT sign anyone where the 2023 team extended a qualifying offer.
IMHO, I’d avoid the top 25 FAs. Teams are going to be shelling out bucks and years for the arms.. The last month of the season is really who the Angels are and zero reason to think one Tier 1 FA could turn this around. Yamamoto would be the only guy that that peaks my interest with his youth but I’d still sit this year out from signing a tier 1-2 FA. Ok to take a couple of flyers with 3rd tier FAs but 1 to 2-year contracts only.
Lets the kids play. Adell, Moniak, Schanny Singles, Neto, O’Hoppe. Curious on how well they will progress. Hell, I’d even put up with the CtPG fan favorite, “The Plumber” if we just LET THE KIDS PLAY (LtKP).
There are interesting FAs who do not have a QO – like Stroman (wonder what his price will be), Reynaldo Lopez. So many guys were traded last year mid-season meaning they don’t qualify.
I don’t trust Mickey Moniak
Might have had his 15min in 2023.
Not going anywhere in the standings, toss Moniak out there for 500 ABs. It’s not like there are better options in the minors.
I also have concerns regarding Moniak as well as Adell and considering that TBW is, coming back from a horrific beaning, The Glass GOAT is not getting any younger we have serious questions at every outfield position.
A partial defense of Perry : Gio was looking like a B+ or A- move prior to his injury. Since Gio was not a chronically injured player whom Perry brought on board I don’t think we can blame the Playpus for that one. Also, Charlie Sheen was great early. The idiot manager however misued him horribly in the 2nd half as well as misusing pretty much everyone else in the bullpen, having Barria closing the most important game of the year (and blowing it !) and making several horrible or non-decisions with Reynauldo that cost us games … Those are things we shouldn’t and really can’t blame Perry for.
Would be happy bringing Gio back, and he shouldn’t break the bank. He was a good backup to the oft-injured Rendon before his (freak) injury.
I liked Gio. Was not horrible at all and one of a few batters who seem to know what it meant to hit the ball to the right side to advance the runners. But that hip might take a bit longer to heal. Another similar option would be Joh Berti.
One of the few times I agree with you — Gio and knowing how to hit , especially going the other way…
Can’t chase wins every night.
How about the fact that bullpens don’t matter anymore since 2018 or 2019 when the top closers were guys like Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Edwin Diaz.
Data nerds can’t make sense of their own research and data mining and just keep crapping the bed.. These guys time is done and THERE IS NO SUCH ANIMAL AS A DUMB FIELD MANAGER (Torey Lovullo lost 110 games in 2021 BTW). Also TX saves leader Will Smith had just 22 saves and made $1.5M while Carlos Estevez made $6.5M
You were wrong…….AGAIN
About what?
He was looking in the mirror
Overall that’s a C which might be too high! I’d give him a C-
Saw this on X’s “Beyond the Halo” yesterday.
We need about ten guys just like The Weave.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1699658562694197402
Just for fun…another one.
https://youtu.be/uqr2k8L2mMc
my advice to Shohei: take a 2 year deal or structure a longer deal with an early opt out clause. Two years at $45 mil per and then 8 years at $52.5mil will pay more, if my math is correct, than 10 years at $45 mil
*10 years with an AAV of $51 million
They give out perfect attendance awards in school. I wonder if Semien has a scrapbook full of them from his younger days.
Trout, on the other hand, must have been the kid that ditched school at every opportunity and when he did attend had a note from his mommy to excuse him from PE class.
The old thermometer next to the lightbulb trick, works every time.
“Angels Decline Club Options On Eduardo Escobar & Aaron Loup”
There goes 2024….I mean…..
So glad Loup is gone. The most frustrating Angel the last 2 years. Indifferent on Escobar.
Even More Frustrating than Rendon?
At least Rendon was hurt. Loup just didn’t pitch up to expectations (unless I missed him playing through injuries).
Someone will replace the Loup villain. He will just as bad, used just as often, same bad results……trAdition.
Love the optimism only a few days into the offseason.
I really do think Perry has been good at cutting loose guys as they declined in quality. Tepera is a good example. Loup was also ‘off’ for a while, and by the time he was back (and lost his mojo again) it was basically too late to make any difference.
Is that like some silver lining management style? I would prefer not signing these dipshits in the first place.
Thank you. Best comment of the off-season so far.
A lot of retrospective thinking here.
This was MLB Trade Rumors on the Tepera signing (March 22):
Yes, I find it silly for people to be bagging on Perry for signing Tepera and Loup.
At that point of the FA period, agree, Tepera was the only one left. I was good with that signing but Archie Bradley was signed earlier in the day was a turd. Similar to his 2021 FA haul. Perry needs to step it up and after 2-years of bad signings, doubtful it gets better. He better stick to 1-years and guys he can flip at the deadline.
Escobar and Loup, goodbye
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/angels-decline-options-on-aaron-loup-eduardo-escobar.html
I’m not sure it helps ratings, but getting the youts to watch baseball requires MLB to allow cordcutters to watch streaming games. I am not a yout but I could not watch the games this year, unlike say the Super Bowl.
Any news on where MLB is on this?
One of the reasons I’m holding onto DirectTV….the Angels……how dumb am I paying way too much money to watch a bad baseball team every day.
Same with me and Spectrum. My buddy says he could watch them on Hulu Live last year. If that’s the case, I’m about to dump Spectrum.
Ballys isn’t on Hulu Live unfortunately.
There goes that idea.
Yeah. They used to be… and it got dumped mid-season (not sure if it was last year or the year before).
I’ve been doing MLB.TV plus Unlocator and it’s worked for me, but thats not the best option for for most people.
I tried Sling and they dumped the Angels halfway through whatever season that was. Pissed me off.
lol yea these regional sports network contracts are wild….. sling is actually my favorite “cord cutting” app …
I did that too this year but probably won’t next year. Not paying that much for a team with no Ohtani, the ever injured Trout, and who the F knows who else.
If I’m not mistaken, the Angels also had their own Iron Man (that is, until he was let go), and only took a short non-injury related leave – Hunter Renfroe. Too bad that the person who didn’t miss a game due to injury was the biggest miss of the season.
I’m sure one of Rhett’s answers was, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”
Another season gone with the wind.
https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/2024-top-111-free-agents
Heres a list that might show us about how much it would cost us to sign a free agent or two.
Mex Kepler?
his option was exercised yesterday
That was Max.
Mex will cost some large number of pesos.
With Ohtani money off the books I would bring Hader in and bring Reynaldo back. Charlie Sheen gets demoted to set-up or generally late high leverage (along with Reynaldo) and Hader becomes the new closer.
Could possibly also go after Snell.
Bullpen however would be first priority.
Pass on Hader. Angels don’t need a $20M closer, that would be a huge mistake. Snell as well.
So you’re a Hader Hater and you dont think Snell is as Schnell as he used to be?
Avoid Hader and Snell.
Maybe you don’t like the amount, but look at the number of games we lost in the 8th and 9th last year (especially in the 2nd half !). Hader would fix that. Part of the solution is that the other guys get pushed back so it makes your bullpen that much stronger … Reynauldo in 7th and Sheen in 8th etc.
Angels are not built to compete for the foreseeable future. The best players on the team were rookies and while they played well, they are not upper tier (good but not great). Why invest in a high-price bullpen arm? That is the last piece for a “championship” roster.
I don’t agree. I don’t make that assumption… If a team like Tampa Bay can dominate the first half and make the playoffs with their talent level then with a couple of key additions we could too. The talent level between the good teams and average teams is just not that wide … It is the little things (like winning close games) that separates the playoffs teams from the non-playoff teams…
And guess what? Winning the close games is mainly about the bullpen.
With Detmers as the ace?? Followed by a fragile Canning and declining Sandoval, Ty “ffing” Anderson and you’re worried about saves? And sinking $20M AAV into a bullpen arm?
Keep your day job.
I never said Detmers is the ace… And besides, I DO think Detmers has alot of potential, not necessarily ace potential but I certainly feel like he could be a good, solid # 3 for several years or maybe develop into a consistent # 2 starter with the right pitching coach. I think his stuff is definitely good enough. If you don’t see that then maybe YOU should keep your day job instead of analyzing pitchers.
As for Sandoval I also have not given up on him.This past season does represent some regression for him, no question. But many young pitchers follow up a good year with a bad one. I can see him becoming a very good major league starter. He’s still young and will surely get better. I expect to see alot of that growth next season …
As for Anderson, sunk cost. Perry F’d that one up. Cut your losses and DFA him at midseason if he has not established any trade value by then.
Detmers by default is the ace.
That just means that we need to be after someone to slot ahead of him. Who fits that role?
We are all crazy to think we won’t need several more bats in this lineup. It’s not just the pitching. This guy could help.
https://x.com/Super70sSports/status/1719828663032512696?s=20
Unfortunately Frostie theres no reason to believe that Arte will spend as much money on payroll as he did last year if we dont re-sign Ohtani. Ohtani was a very unique revenue generating asset . I doubt the Angels would want to expend the same annual payroll amount without Ohtani’s rainmaking. Especially in light of the recent news that the Padres will be cutting payroll by about $50 million ( or more) so that they are cash positive in 2024.
I recognize that Arte probably has a better TV deal than the Friars, but,despite the fact the CBT threshold is increasing to $237 million in 2024. it would shock me if the Angels dont go over the $210 million amount. Shitty contracts and all.
Arte will have a better TV deal than the Friars. They lost their prior deal and a significant chunk of revenue. That is the main reason they won’t be in on Ohtani.
Right but $50 million is still a chunk of change. And right now San Diego has a projected 2024 CBT amount of almost $250 million even with all their recent opt outs and free agents
I thought Ballys was going into Bankruptcy?
Bally’s seems to have a separate entity for each TV contract deal especially where the Arte may have part ownership in the BSW. According to the last interview Arte gave on the subject Bally Sports had not filed bankruptcy with the BSW entity so Arte’s still getting his checks.
Angels need to help with the roster next year…. hold my beer. I’ve started the spreadsheet! It’s going to be an interesting year and I can’t wait to see the direction that they want to go. Personally, I don’t have us getting Ohtani back. I actually think it would be foolish to bring him back at this point because he can’t pitch. We don’t need 3 DH on the roster. It’s painful, but Trout and Rendon are the two DH moving forward and should be in that position ever other day to keep them active on the roster.
I do have some trades though. I believe in growing the depth of the starting pitching to beyond 5-6 and want a pipeline like the Braves had. So I’m going to stockpile young arms and build my offense over the years with quality FA.
I’m excited to share my plan with you all. Have a great offseason!
I hope you have a great plan. I don’t see the Angels being successful as long as they are counting on Anthony Rendon as a significant contributor. I believe they need to decide whether to replace him as a middle of the order hitter or wait 3 years until he goes off the books. He’s a sunk cost.
We’ll be rolling out the off season pieces in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I’ll be rolling out a few general ideas the season could take.
HALO POWER BABY!!!