Welcome to the winter meetings everyone. Maybe something will happen now.
The Angels managed to stay under the luxury tax threshold.
Jim Leyland was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. Joe West got less than five votes.
The Braves acquired Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales and Evan White from the Mariners for two right-handers and some cash. Joe Kelly is going back to the Dodgers for $8 Million. The Brewers extended a guy for eight years who hasn’t even made it to the majors yet in Jackson Chourio.
The Angels interviewed a couple of people they did not hire for coaching positions, meaning Clint Hurdle and LaTroy Hawkins.
To the surprise of no one, Shohei Ohtani is going to cost a bundle. The Angels are still considered among the top suitors. Shohei could even have a sandwich shop named after him. Meanwhile, The Angels are still not listed among the top teams pursuing Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The market for Yamamoto is now allegedly nearing $300 million. Will nearly $1 billion be spent for two Japanese baseball players?
THE STOVE IS HOT
“Right-hander José Marte is signing with the Los Angeles Angels, source said. He was non-tendered by the Angels in November and is now back with the team on a minor-league contract.”
https://twitter.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1731832148355649732?t=ljIYF-0zBHrTIET9qQr0JQ&s=19
Bullpen guys should want to sign here on minors deals. There’s a very clear path to MLB playing time.
This is our silver lining – at least a reputation for providing playing time (and perhaps cutting loose non-performing arms).
Oh yeah. My hand just got burned 😂
World Series?
You already know
Etch the sh*t in stone.
I listened to the Wash presser. Definitely think. “ out of the bag” comment is being taken out of context here. It sounded more like he’s not allowed to talk about it rather than he has some important exciting information that he can’t share so even if the negotiations we’re going in a direction that did not favor the Angels, he’s still not allowed to talk about it, because that is the agreement between all of the involved parties.
Source?
Source is the groundrules that were announced for the negotiations. From CBS Sports:
“Ohtani’s free agency has been quiet by design. Ohtani and agent Nez Balelo reportedly warned teams about leaking information about meetings and contract offers to the medial.”
That is the reason why I like Nez Balelo/CAA. Boras would have been talking mile a minute to inflate the dollar numbers so that his cut would be so increased. Nez gets Shohei, who loves privacy and hates media.
Nothing wrong with keeping stealth, seems like a good agent. Who else does Nez represent?
Other than this drawn out cone of silence FA process has reduced the normally must see TV Winter Meetings into just another butt crack plumbers convention.
Way to completely destroy the hot stove league for me Shohei & Nezi
Isn’t his job to maximize his clients value? I never understood the hate for Boras, who consistently does the deals his clients want him to. Fun Fact: When Jered Weaver signed his friendly extension with the Angels to continue to swing his dick here, his agent was… Scott Boras, who apparently wasn’t concerned about “increasing his cut”.
By the way, Wash couldn’t remember more than Neto, O’Hoppe and Rosenberg re the young players. He even dropped an F bomb because he couldn’t remember the names. If he prepares this well for games we are golden! 😂
He’s obviously qualified to be our next president !!!
His comments regarding being between the “white lines” made me lol!!😂
If nothing else, the comedic fodder will be fun during the Ron Washington era.
It is not only Ohtani and Agent’s move, but historically the Angels as well. We all know about the signings out of nowhere (Pujols, Hamilton, etc).
I’m excited for the lottery. I’m gonna go smoke a little Hopium and predict that the Angels will have a top five pick by the end of the day tomorrow.
Between the lottery and “in the bag”, perhaps for those that do partake, cooking the hopium in a spoon and riding the needle would be more appropriate.
One could always roll up a C-Note and snort said Hopium.
Washington and Hamilton approve of this method!
We just need Darryl Strawberry & Steve Howe to complete the circle,
And John Candynose Candelario
Ron Washington presser
https://www.mlb.com/video/live-ron-washington-presser-90158
“I don’t think you should read anything into the exact words in this “no comment,” but here they are.
Q. How much attention are you giving to signing Shohei somewhere?
RON WASHINGTON: I don’t have much to say about that yet because I don’t want to let anything out the bag.”
https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1731811219164508275?t=RI3iDZTWpN2EDlkdHSackQ&s=19
Ohtani is so staying and you can’t tell me differently.
Everybody is now trying to assume that there must be “something in a bag” for Wash to not want to “let anything out of the bag”……
For shits & giggles, I’ll play along. Is there any scenario in which Shohei takes less (say 2 years at 90 million) AND the Angels nab Yamamoto or Inaga?
Actually, I now for the first time saw a rumor that Angels are in on Yamamoto.
Maybe things have shifted for Arte now that he got the luxury tax result?
If the Angels are in fact “in” on Yamamoto it’s most likely because Ohtani told them he’s not coming back. There’s no way that Arte spends over $50M and then drops roughly $30M on Yamamoto…while paying Trout and Rendon.
We can hope that dementia sets in or that Arte sells the team. Short of that, there’s no way he’s spending somewhere in the range of $150M for four players.
Bruh, I won’t lie. The whole Tokyo Angels option is incredibly intriguing to me.
I maintain my opinion that Yamamoto will be either MFYankee or Met; that the Giants and Angels are interested will only help inflate his final $ number, maybe now north of $250M.
It is kinda interesting that both NY teams have quickly decided not to pursue Ohtani. Did Nez Balelo send some message to them? Or they just figured that Ohtani was not interested in playing in NYC (or in front of crazy media/fans)?
Yeah, it reads like a NY bidding war for Yamamoto.
Yamamoto and Soto to NYY makes a lot of sense
According to MLB Network, Padres are demanding Michael King and another pitching prospect (Forgot the name) from the Yankees, but so far the Yankees are saying neither. Yankees are desperate for another lefty bat, so that will continue to be intriguing.
After this past season, Cashman is under a lot of pressure (as if being the GM of the Yankees wasn’t pressure packed enough).
I do think the Friars will get a nice haul for the one-year rental of Soto
I totally agree with your assessment, sir.
Yep. It has been a LONG time since he produced the goods in NYC.
Even an ownership darling like Cashman has an expiration date if a ring is not delivered for over a decade ..
What do you think those rumors are being used for if you were the agent and you wanted to run up the price on your player, wouldn’t you have rumors being generated?
They are strictly being used to get everyone here at CtPG all worked up into a lather.
Quit raining on our Buttercup parade.
You’re right. Let the masses have their opium.
Appreciate you playing along brotha.
I can see us re-signing Sho, and pursuing cheaper depth options elsewhere OR lose Sho, and pursue random mid-level starting pitching/hitting that ultimately busts anyways (Renfroe, Anderson).
Can’t see Arte shelling out significant cha-ching to anyone not named Shohei Ohtani.
It’s the offseason where anything is theoretically possible and chat rooms are supposed to be fun.
I think you’re right that Arte views Shohei in the highest regard though I could envision a pivot to Yamamoto if the former signs before the latter.
Why can’t the bag be holding the answer that he’s not staying? Wash wouldn’t want to let that one out either.
The late Tom Petty said it best:
Yeah, runnin’ down a dream that never would come to me
Workin’ on a mystery, goin’ wherever it leads
Runnin’ down a dream
Because that’s less fun and I like fun.
Keep up F71, come on now
Yeah, but buttercup is not fun. I hear you though. Hopium away.
F71 couldn’t spell fun if you spotted him the F and the N.
I kid, I kid. Sort of.
I agree. I’m an old fart. Git off my lawn!
Fair enough bro.
I was kidding of course. I’m fine with hopium but I also think being grounded in reality is good too.
At least ‘F71’ is a cool handle.
Wash is so old he might be talking about a Colostomy bag.
Ha!!
Love it. Derek Shelton just plugged Bobby Grich for HOF!
can an admin help me out? I wrote a IIWPM, but it wont upload on fan posts. I’m confused, help! lol
I also wrote one, but it say it can’t be posted till late July.
Are you joking? I can’t see yours anywhere.
We should have an off-season….
WWAD
What
WouldWill Arte DoEvil. Dark Secret Evil.
Yes, but July, you know when 2002s headshots of who we should’ve signed start coming through.
I scheduled you for tomorrow at 10 A.M.
When you write a fanpost WordPress puts it in a “pending” queue and someone from the masthead needs to put a picture on it and schedule it.
HalosFanForLife finished about a half day before you so I scheduled that one for today and yours for tomorrow. I can advance you to this afternoon if you are worried about being overshadowed by the draft lottery.
I appreciate that. I kept hitting the button and nothing was happening, just making sure it was not user error.
Not in any rush lol, I just wanted to make sure I did it correctly, I plan to hopefully write a few fan posts throughout the year
The lottery is tomorrow? What time? I can’t wait to be disappointed
5:30 PM ET
https://youtu.be/NEeXNxfQUc0?si=QPdZYEMAcUSr0kiS
Baseball media is funny. Dodgers are gonna get Shohei BUT the Giants, Blue Jays, Cubs, Braves are all seriously involved.
Nothing about the Angels? I’m not saying Sho will re-sign with us, however I’m confident it’s the Dodgers or us.
We’ll see 🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮
Thank goodness for Ohtani and Yamamoto, making this off-season very intriguing. This and tomorrows lotto. Good stuff.
San Francisco has been quiet which makes me feel they are throwing around some serious coin. He’d look good in the Black and Orange. Giants are going hard after Ohtani or Yamamoto and it feels like one of them will sign there given their thirst to sign a flashy player. Still feel it’s Friedman’s to lose as he has been waiting for 2-years to leap at the chance.
I completely forgot about the draft lottery!! Good looking out.
I got this book on Black Friday and sent over to Angel Headquarters.
If the Angels get the No.1 pick, Ohtani is a lock to come back.
I know you are being sarcastic haha but that’s my pipe dream.
Angels get the 2024 #1 pick and select 2-way star, Jac Caglianone. Shohei mentors Jac and we have the unstoppable 2-way duo 😭
The Giants are actually my preferred landing spot for Ohtani. They can get stuck with a 55M a year DH in a few years and the Dodgers can suck it in the short run? Lovely.
With Burnes (man crush on him being an Angel), Wheeler, Buehler, Glasnow, Beiber and Fried FA arms next year, maybe the team that signs Ohtani will have to bow out.
I want to see him mashing lasers into the Ivy at Wrigley for the next decade.
Gi’nts are my 1st choice for Ohtani
we can ignore the media. It’s all “Buzz” which means nothing. But I will say my favorite is the mlb dot com article with the headline something like “Movement on Yanks-Soto talks” and the article says the teams haven’t talked thus talks are “bound to heat up”.
All the speculation and gnashing of teeth regarding Ohtani is downright hilarious.
Ohtani is the only person who absolutely knows the day and time he will make a decision. Everyone else is just making shit up for clicks, attention, or to piss-off the fanbases of 29 teams.
Blue Jays are hoping that Sho might be interested in getting together with his Senpai from Hanamaki East High School, Yusei Kikuchi. Toronto has always been nice to Japanese players like Munenori Kawasaki and basketball player Yuta Watanabe.
Braves are kinda intriguing, but I believe that Sho would prefer to play for West Coast team, so that Japanese audience can watch more of his games at reasonable time in Japan time. That would also lessens the chance for Cubs.
I used to watch the Super Bowls in downtown Tokyo in Roppongi at 8:00am Monday morning. Of course, required copious amounts of alcoholic beverage to watch. Then in the office by 1:00 pm. Moral of the story, yeah, West Coast is preferred to maximize viewership and support your local izakaya.
I respect your loyalty to work, sir; most people would have called in sick. When I was in the US Air Force in Misawa, Japan, the base commander routinely gave the day off on Super Bowl “Monday” at US taxpayers expense.
By the way, Budweiser and Heineken were 25 cents a bottle at PX.
Meh. That’s certainly better than 99% of Congress who have virtually every day off at tax payers expense !!!
Saki & beer or Suntory & beer?
Asahii nama beiru and shochu, so good.
I’ve spent significantly more time in China vs. Japan, but the Japanese manner of drinking is more fun, definitely.
PS – I have zero malice to my Chinese brothers.
Agree with you there. I lived there for 3.5 years, single, working for The Mouse. Epic, best job ever, society is wonderful, love the way business life melded into the nightlife.
Ended up marrying Chinese, been all through that country, simply amazing infrastructure improvements over the past 10-15 years but nothing surpasses my Japan memories.
Apparently Ray Montgomery has been retained as Minasian’s spy, err, Washington’s bench coach. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
The coaching Dream Team has turned into disappointment. I wanted The Chili Dog most of all. Maybe this coaching fantasy was all Washington’s pitch at his interview. Torii laughed it off after he was passed over.
Tip of the hat to Bob Nightingale who gets it wrong again.
I know right? Boo hoo. I hate having the FO and field management connected. What a suck. And Montgomery? Who has he worked for in the past? It’s like they just went and got a guy Perry liked from his favorite Chick Filayee and stuck him in the dugout to interfere with geniuses like Joe Maddon. Totally lame. Spread sheets and video ruin everything, that’s why all the teams that make the post season don’t have anyone like Montgomery in the dugout. Nope, they just have seasoned guys who go with their ample guts. Does Ray even have much of a gut?
All our players keep getting injured. Ray Montgomery was there. Coincidence? Look a little closer friends….
Can LaToya still pitch? And is he available for that?
He is 51, but he did well in his last stint with us. Can’t be worse than Tepera. Then we just need to lure Nolan Ryan to be our ace.
Nolan Ryan?
Then we’d be out on Blanton.
there’s a couple of posts that had me laughing, and this was one of them
She can’t sing either.
As much as I like Shohei, he’s just one player, and if the numbers are accurate, He wouldn’t be worth it if he hit a HR every time he got up.
Actually, if he hit around 400 HRs a season, I think he would be worth it-But, WTH do I know?
Me too. Obviously, at some point he’s not affordable regardless of his performance. As a hitter he’s had one MVP caliber season and as a pitcher he’s top 5-8 in the league. Some number might be worth the risk for the next 5 years but certainly not for the next 10. And the Halos are many players away from competing.
I agree that Ohtani won’t be pitching every year from contract year 2-10. I believe that, though I love Ohtani the player and reportedly the person that he is, I just think anything over five years has typical Halo albatross contract spray painted all over it in 10 foot letters.
That’s the main problem. If I had to spend 550M on shohei but he’s the last piece that’ll make my team a title contender for five or six years he makes sense.
But that’s not us.
But but I (emotion) want Shohei on the team because of emotion!!
Emotion is now became a “Faith”.
And hope is a strategy
So you have seen a picture of Arte’s back tattoo! 😂
I think most of us regret not getting something for Shohei when we still had a chance. I absolutely don’t want to pay half a billion for him given his age, injury status, and lack of defensive flexibility. Besides,that second round pick has lots of value, Minasian can trade whoever he selects for another injured two week rental.
Mark my words, when and it is when, his arm finally checks out from pitching, he will patrol the OF for wherever he lands.
That makes him much more valuable, particularly for a team that already sports Rendon and Trout.
Yes, I think if Shohei is open to a two year contract, it would be with the Halos. But, if is the world’s biggest word in English language…..
If he is offered similar amount of money AAV wise between Arte and the Doyers, he will accept the contract for however short or long it is. Sho does not desire wrath from his MLB fellow players, so if Arte is stupid enough to offer 10 year plus contract, he will not decline that. However, there will be player option to opt out at every year of the contract AND no trade clause.
Great. A 55M a year meh left fielder. He’ll probably hit well enough to be 2 WAR better than a 20M a year LF, but still…. meh
….until he hurts his calf, back and breaks that hamate bone in his left hand.
I’m so glad I work from home. Love MLB Network during the Winter Meetings. They just had on Dave Martinez. Had a funny story with him. I lived for a few years about 15 minutes from Yankees stadium. (90 minutes sometimes with traffic. LOL) Went to a game with my buddy a Yankees fan and Martinez was playing first. Let’s just say my friend and I had quite a few beers and were feeling pretty good. We were sitting right near first base in the second row. We start needling Martinez. (By the way, I’ve never been a needler, but for some reason this day I did.) He then makes an error and is noticeably irritated. I yell at him, “Hey Martinez, I didn’t know Nike made boots.” He looks over and chuckles. You could see the look on his face, “These damn Yankees fans are brutal.” (Not knowing I could care less who won.) But having a bunch of Yankees fans around me I stayed on him, “This guy scores – it’s your run.” He does, and I just stayed on him. I notice he’s due up in the next inning, so I yell at him, “Better not strike out.” He goes and delivers a two RBI double that he absolutely smoked. He comes out for the next inning and looks over at me and shrugs his shoulders with a smile. I stand up and give him a golf clap. He tipped his hat. Then I said, “Don’t make another error and wipe that away.” And he busts out laughing. Just a fun day I remember like yesterday. I can almost assure you, he’d remember too.
Thank you for the good story. I was also watching MLB Network when he was on. They were talking about the controversial call/play at first base when the batter runner runs inside the running lane. I like him; he must be players coach, but he really seems to enjoy baseball.
I’ve heard they love him.
I read some utterly meaningless article somewhere that the Angels intend to be “aggressive” this offseason. Bwahaha
Apparently “aggressive” means to do nothing in English.
The only thing more vapid than sports “journalism” is coach/player speak. None of it, I’ll repeat, none of it, is substantive.
Angels plainly are waiting for Ohtani. They likely have two plans. One if the re-sign Shohei. The other if they don’t. The latter sadly includes sweeping up whatever is left on the market if Shohei goes elsewhere. Not sure what the former includes other than bringing back Ohtani at high pay. We will see though.
I probably agree with you, but I don’t view pining for Ohtani and not having the budget for anything else vs. signing third tier FA’s as “aggressive”.
Aggressive would be making moves for solid players now AND pursuing Ohtani.
I guess my point is the utterances from management are less relevant than the wild speculation from fans.
In the end, I think we’ll see the youth movement and some “prove it” deals on some oft-injured yet talented free agents. Not “aggressive”, but perhaps the best approach for this club.
Most of baseball is waiting for Ohtani it seems.
Good prediction. You are likely on the right track. The Angels will also finish second or third in the Snell bidding and then say they tried.
I know right? The Angels need to show that they have big guava balls by overpaying for Snell so we can win 79 games. That’s real man stuff.
I think they should say they are going to be aggressive to placate stupid people and then do next to nothing and hire a bunch of flabby player development and scouting guys…. aggressively.
And aggressively trim payroll for a couple years.
Lots of flavors of aggression….
There was a Japanese newspaper article that Shohei is quite mindful of what other MLB players think of him. The author of the article, though he admits that he has no idea how Shohei thinks, states that Sho will not do anything that would incur the wrath of the Players Association, like accepting significantly lower than market contract. But at the same time, he may not want to be known as the first person who broke $500M level. Therefore, he may opt for a very short term (as short as one year) with AVV of $50M+, which would avoid losing face to MLB PA. As you know, losing face is as disgraceful as it could be for Japanese; they would rather disembowel themselves.
Besides, if the Angels are struggling before August 1 deadline next season, Sho can return the favor to the Angels by being traded.
Zero and I mean zero chance Ohtani signs a 1 year contract. I understand and appreciate the Japanese perspective but he has American agents who are involved. He is coming off 2 out of 3 MVP seasons which arguably should have been 3 out of 3. This is when you strike for a long term deal – ie when you have leverage. Japanese or not, allowing Ohtani to sign a one year deal right now would arguably be broker malpractice.
Do you not think his injury would impact this? Sure, he won the MVP but he won’t be pitching next year (at least not to start) and with such an injury there is always risk. Hard to assess his value given that no? Would you pay 500M over 10 years for Ohtani if it turns out he is a DH?
No – I don’t think it will impact it at all.
Two arm injuries in 5 years (ACL in 2018, UCL in 2023).
So, I will ask again. Would you pay 500M over 10 years for Ohtani if it turns out he is a DH?
Would I personally – no. I would have traded him. But Shohei apparently pays for himself via revenue and television and if I could be convinced of that – maybe.
Your comments about Shohei paying for himself with fans and marketing etc. is how owners and execs tend to think.
Pujols was also going to pay for himself if I recall.
Also of note…. wow, there were about ten times more people around here that wanted to trade Ohtani a year and a half ago than it seemed then.
ha ha
It depends on the club. He makes perfect sense for a team that is already solid because he rakes offensively and is a revenue generating demon.
He’s a marketing bonanza for a big market team. Baby faced Japanese masher that has the chance to he a top 20 pitcher in 2025?
If nothing else. he’s a 50 HR guy that puts butts in the seats and draws National attention.
I was talking in terms of Shohei trying to give back to the Angels and their fans for the 6 years of amazing support. If he is traded after one year, and he will be a FA again now as true two way player. He will be just as valuable or even more next off season.
CAA seems to be a legit agency, taking good care of many other international sports players with integrity. Not like that guy named Boras.
Shohei doesn’t care about the Angels anymore than any professional player cares about a team. That’s a childlike narrative we as fans create to soothe ourselves and delude ourselves. This is professional baseball and free agency is guided by an agent. It’s dollars and cents with the one factor being Shohei’s apparent desire to play for a winner. So, Shohei will likely go to the best team (with the best chance for him to play on the biggest stage) that bids the highest.
Maybe I watch too many tear-jerking baseball movies, but I still believe in people’s genuine love for baseball and relationships that baseball creates.
I just know Japanese players like Ichiro who continue to serve as special assistant to the Mariners and do tons of charity work not just for Seattle but also for Japanese Girls baseball. But, I also know that there are many American players out there who have given much back to the communities that they have played for. So, lets agree to disagree of the subject that Shohei is genuinely grateful to the Angels and their fans.
I’m not saying he’s not grateful. I’m saying that gratitude will not factor into his decision making from a dollars and cents perspective.
I don’t agree at all. G. Anderson, Salmon and Jared Weaver all took team friendly contracts to stay with the Halos. Reportedly, Drury took less to play with the Angels.
That being said, those sitches are few and far between.
Well said, and thank you.
You’re very welcome. Fans should remember that Freddy Freeman was (Reportedly) crushed because his agent didn’t tell him that the Braves, exercising an allegedly pre-agreed upon last refusal offer, had offered to match the Dodgers offer. He found out after he was already a Dodger.
The agents are to often to blame IMHO.
You and Kiyo are hopeful fans and that is fine. My perspective is different mostly because of so many buttercups. While I feel Shohei will remember Anaheim fondly, and has and will always respectfully thank ownership and the fans, I do not think that will factor into his decision making related to his free agency.
We all have to realize that the players agents are the ones who communicate with the players during negotiations. They can often be the turd in the punchbowl and the one who doesn’t communicate everything involved with negotiations.
I do agree with what was said above, that looming $500M contract looms large in his mind.
I am hoping Kiyo is right and Ohtani signs a 2yr extension to let his pitching arm heal and showing he truly cares about the fans and friends he made on the team. On the other side, the worst scenario is jumping to the Dodgers on mega contract. A long time Halo fan, that feels like a dis. They are hated cross town team, hope Ohtani realizes that and it’s part of his decision making
Prepare yourself for the dissing
What potentially can be added is Shohei comes with an entourage, a need to have a 6 man rotation of starting pitchers, and he will occupy the DH spot. So with all of the talent, he also brings a lack of flexibility. I don’t know the behind the scenes issues but there likely are some. Does Shohei listen to the manager? Does he get to do whatever he wants? The Angels at least let Shohei play the way he likes and successfully for him. Will every team do the same? How is the locker room elsewhere?
All of those little things do matter. How much depends on the player and team.
This is a TOTALLY BASELESS glop observation on my part, but has anyone else noticed that Mike Trout hasn’t been Mike Trout since Ohtani started getting all the clapping?
I don’t think Trout’s some kind of punk diva at all. I know he’s been hurt. But maybe he needs a little bit of hero worship to keep his mojo up.
I think there is something to be said for this. When do you ever see Mike and Shohei randomly talking and hamming it up. Seem very professional and competition like.
I think Trout and Ohtani got along fine. I saw them together plenty on TV. I don’t think in any way that Trout’s some sulky bitch like old Albert. But I think it’s a matter of attitude and circumstance. Like look how injuries work for Bryce Harper.
Big dogs have things fall their way when they feel like big dogs. You know, when you’re on a roll, doing something you’re great at, you hit a bump and just deal with it and get back to action? But if a big dog feels kind of shoved to the side, despondent? Things start to go wrong more often, the injuries get worse and heal slower, etc.
I’m thinking more like that. Not like Trout’s making a conscious decision to act negatively.
I doubt Shohei receiving well deserved acclaim and attention had any impact on Trouty’s inability to hit a fastball or stay healthy.
Trout needs to get healthy and rediscover how to hit the heater. Shohei departing or staying is irrelevant.
Tongue & cheek humor. That’s all it is.
They are actually close. Some might say “friends.”
Like this :
And this ;
Great, a WBC photo when they were made to come together for the pose. Mutual respect is there but Mike is far from being openly complementary. Mike wants to be the man and as Gitcho stated, when Ohtani showed up and became the face of the game, Mike has retreated in many aspects.
Lmao.
“Made to come together.” By who ?
Nobody forced them to do anything. Mike has been nothing but complementary towards Shohei since he arrived 6 years ago. He even took a picture with him on the field when he was awarded the first MVP here in Anaheim. Nobody made him do that.
You’re wrong.
Get over it.
Photos mean jack, jack. Mike never said anything publicly bad about anyone and I did not say they were enemies. As someone was indicating, Mike seemed to have retreated, far from a leader and is no longer the man with Shohei in town.
Go back to your shoe-shine box.
So you know Jack?
Can’t take your L like a man. There is NOTHING to indicate that Mike has either any jealousy or ill-will towards Shohei. Provide me one piece of information, anywhere. You can’t because it doesn’t exist.
You totally pulled this out of your ass.
It is as gitch intimated (can’t believe I’m quoting him here) “total bs.”
Now please go away.
Kiddos for dropping a ‘Goodfellas’ reference.
I do not recall Trout being ‘the man’ in the way you seem to recall. I remember people calling him out for not doing so. Trout has always been lowkey – in fact that was his sales pitch to Ohtani, one can be lowkey in SoCal.
Got to be good looking cause he’s so hard to see.
Yeah. That’s all I mean. Ohtani diminished Trout a little, just by nature of him being really good, and maybe Trout feeds off of being “The Man” and losing that takes a little bit out of him.
But it’s baseball, so losing “a little bit” can have an effect.
Or, this could be total BS.
it happened to Albert. He appeared to sulk because Trout got the adoration. “Appeared” meaning how would I know?
LOL, my wife made this observation about three years ago.
I think her quote was that “Trout is jealous of Ohtani’s fame & success and that why he isn’t good anymore”,
And no, I don’t have a link for the aforementioned statement.
Trout put up 3 WAR in 82 games while fighting injury. He is still good, just hurt.
Completely concur. His agent would be doing his client a gross disservice it he allowed Shohei to sign a one year deal.
The time is NOW for him to get the biggest/longest possible contract as he figures to decline around 2025-2026 and beyond.
I am repeating myself, but I am not sure if Shohei would be comfortable being the first MLB player to break $500M contract and the pressure that comes with it. He would rather be the first person to hit 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in a season.
Besides, assuming that he has another good season this year AND possibly pitching in the second half of this season, he would even command higher amount of value at next off season. Remember that he had internal brace UCL surgery which would allow him to pitch much sooner than traditional method.
I’m sure that all the sports psychologists and groupies that can be utilized for the half-billion dollars he will have can soothe his mental and emotional anguish.
What do you base this supposition on? Statements from Shohei or his agent? Something cultural? Gut feeling? I’m genuinely curious,
Most star athletes are incredibly confident and with that comes ego. I personally doubt that Shohei is weirded out by being the highest paid player UNLESS I’m missing something on the cultural front of course.
It is the cultural that Kiyotchan is bringing to the conversation.
“If” the Angels are struggling before August… Good one brocephus
The Angels definition of “aggressive” is unique to the Angels. It’s not what fans hope it means.
Any guesses as to what management means with that statement?
Frankly, I think it’s meaningless PR drivel along the lines of the government-media-complex telling the normie masses that inflation and/or crime is down.
It’s a sound bite used to support those selling season tickets
Yeah. Who comes out and says “This team’s pretty gross. Blowing a ton of money on stars isn’t gonna fix that. We need to retool a fair amount and it’s gonna be a bit of a slog this year. But we will have some acrylic fleece sarapes in May.”
Of course the GM has to frown slightly, nod his head, and say “We’re going to get at “it”.” Without defining “it” to clearly.
You nailed it. I still find it annoying nonetheless.
Just say “we’re exploring numerous options” or “no comment”.
You know which other GMs are being “aggressive” this winter?
Actually, can anybody name the GMs that have come out and said they will NOT be aggressive?
Baseball fans who get all snotty about the annual GM’s announcement of all the brilliance they are about to do are right up there with the guys who get pissy when they see that women get into clubs for free and act like they don’t understand why it’s normal.
Just say nada is my point. Particularly Angles management.
Under sell & over deliver.
Have you ever seen one man, one player hold up any professional sport like Shohei has done? Just git ‘er dun all ruff and ready.
Do you not remember ‘The Decision’ – LeBron going to Miami in June, 2010.
The deGrom signing was Dec. 3 in 2022, Semien and Seager signed on Dec. 1, in 2021. Cole signed with the Yankees in 2019 on Dec 11th, and Harper signed his monster 13-year contract in FEBRUARY (with Trout signing his extension after that).
Take a breath. It is still early!!!!
It occurs often and in every sport. The top dudes and their agents fish for the $$$$. Always have,
always will.
Yes. Just about every free agency period the last seven years or so….
As to the Shohei sweepstakes, don’t the Dodgers need Yamamoto more than Ohtani? They have Urias as a FA and uncertain due to conduct. Kershaw out until midseason assuming he heals and comes back. Buehler??? May?? They need pitching this season, don’t they?
The Dodgers still have some bats. The Angels might say the same thing as to pitching needs but they aren’t even pursuing Yamamoto And the Angels have Trout and Rendon as hitters which comes with a high injury risk.
What does the Mariners trade mean? They are cutting payroll? They are getting Ohtani? Anyone know? Losing Kelenic and Gonzalez isn’t going to help Seattle in the short run. There must be another move coming. Right?
Perhaps they are waiting for big spenders like MFYankees, Red Sux, Cubs, and Doyers to make their move and sweep in to “purchase” remaining disappointed FAs for cheaper deals and/or make significant moves before next year’s trade deadline? Mariners were also close to making the playoffs this year, and they are not going to blow up the team, but their moves often do not make sense, like trading away Sewald last year.
With Trader Jerry there is always another move.
The Kelenic trade was to clear salary. I’m thinking he’s trying to make a “serious” run at Yamamoto.
That is a keen observation. Although baseball media have not mentioned the Mariners, they have always expressed desire to have at least one Japanese player on their roster. If they are not pursuing Shohei, then it makes sense that they have to be targeting Yamamoto.
If Seattle can pull that off, I’d rate it a net upgrade.
Good morning to you all. I am so excited about this winter meeting that I have started watching MLB Network since 3 am this morning, thinking that they would have live broadcasting from Nashville, but to my disappointment, they were just showing repeat of last night program. What was I thinking? These GMs would wake up early to start meeting?
Though some pundits are predicting that Sho will decide during or shortly after the GM meeting, my bet is still with Sho waiting for other significant FAs to make their moves first. It is mostly American media (and many Angels fans) wish that he makes his decision earlier than later. But, what benefit would Sho get by signing early? Absolutely nothing, except some non monetary “kudos” from baseball analysts? I expect that he will wait at least until Yamamoto makes his decision, which should come sometime next week.
It is clearly obvious Minasian/Moreno/Angels are waiting for Sho’s decision, which is making many Angels fans anxious/angry/disappointed. I am in the small of minority that the Angels should stay pat because they were pretty close to making the playoffs. I repeat to mention that the Rangers got fortunate by winning so many games in April and May; if it weren’t for that, the Rangers would not have made the playoffs (it would have been the Mariners). As all of us know, baseball god is finicky. It looked like the Braves should have won the whole thing in 2023; not too many people, including Rangers fans, thought Texas would win the World Series. I am very aware that we should not be discussing what ifs, but what if the Angels swept the 4 games against the Mariners instead of being swept in early August? Let me repeat. The Angels of 2023 were really close.
Injuries kill this team every year. Injuries are a curse for sure, but it does seem that the Angels suffer more than others every year. Where’s that Indian holy ground at and am I a believer? Oh yeah I’m a believer.
Respectfully what do you consider “really close” (to making the playoffs)?
They were 56-52, within 3 games of playoff spot before August 1. Then the disaster of being swept by the Mariners happened. If they swept the Mariners, they would have been right there. Of the 6 years that Shohei was with the Angels, this was the best in terms of being close to the playoffs.
Again, I think it is baseball god who decides the outcome. Baseball is very difficult to predict. How does anyone know that in 2024 Angels may win many games to be 20 games over 0.500 like Texas did this year in April and May?
Thanks for the follow-up
If 73-89 and finishing 4th in your own division is “really close” then your perspective is different than mine. Angels have not been “really close” to the playoffs in a loooooong time.
They clearly were close – tried it and things went south. Then they backed off and ‘tanked’ at the end (put Trout back on the IL, traded/waived anyone with value). The final W-L column doesn’t reflect those assessments.
So what about ‘22 and ‘21 and ‘19 etc. Are we all just going to delude ourselves here?
Trout was put on DL because he was having pain not for tanking purposes.
Trout was coming back from injury, but then we lost a few in a row and they decided it wasn’t worth it. They have done that before down the stretch when the season got away from them (2019 after Skaggs death, 2021 after the horrific losing streak …).
Precisely. Context matters. The Angels were firmly in the thick of it until August 1st and every wheel proceeded to fall off the wagon.
The Angels must have drilled Murphy’s wife or something because they got bit with every possible negative.
It’s akin to a close fight with a late KO or a football game that is super competitive at 21-20 for 3 quarters and then turnovers happen in the 4th and the final sore is 34-20. It looks bad in the box score to someone that’s unaware of the context.
Context indeed matters.
I wouldn’t have characterized them as being “firmly” in the thick of it at all (and that is why I was heavily in the trade Ohtani camp). Our team was barely in the playoff discussion, and that was after a string of wins versus super-easy teams. According to stats, we were going to have one of the worst strength-of-schedules coming up, and we had played like crap versus good teams all year mostly. The writing was on the wall, in giant marker.
One can always point to the end result as de facto evidence (and you wouldn’t be wrong) but it also true that being “in it” can allow a team to get hot at the right time and make hay. The Sneks & Rangers say hello.
When are we gonna address the obvious real issue with this team? Shitty fan juju?
Don’t think it matters? Look at the Phillies, Astros, Rangers and dBags….
Copious amounts of human sacrifice on an Aztec pyramid is clearly in order.
Will a bucket of KFC and a bottle of Rum suffice?
My White Trash calculator says YES.
I think Cerrano would disagree. Cigars and Rum, and Jobu of course.
I agree with you here Kiyo. The Angels were really good talentwise last season. Everyone remember that big series in Texas in mid-June where the Angels took 3 out of 4 games ?
That was where Shohei had a series for the Ages and basically wrapped up the MVP for himself. Things were looking really good at that point. If not for Nevin the idiot manager bumbling away several key games (including rubber game vs Astros at home in first series after the break and also first game of Mariners four game series where the first game snowballed and we got swept) in the second half of the season who knows what would have happened.. The Angels showed that they could play with good teams. It was the consistency and discipline that were lacking (and as mentioned, savvy in-game management).
To your point, the Angels were not that far off. Incredibly bad luck with injuries and poor game management spelled their doom rather than lack of talent or just not being able to compete with top/good teams.
You mean The series where Neto hurt his Oblique running into the stands and Gio broke his pelvis?
Vaguely.
Yes, you are right. It is odd that the series had great outcomes in turns of W’s or L’s, but at the same time those injuries killed us. I guess us fans should never expect undiluted happiness or undiluted prosperity any more.
You are what your record is.
The Angels were 10 games from finishing above .500 in 2023. That is not a good baseball team.
Every team deals with injuries and adversity over 162 games. That is part of the reality of the grind that is baseball.
Good teams have depth and viable farm systems to overcome that adversity. The Angels have neither so they cannot be considered a good team.
Disagree.
You say “Every team deals with injuries and adversity …” as if injuries are evenly distributed and all teams are impacted equally. That is simply not the case… And the impact that injuries played on the Angels’ season was MUCH worse than pretty much anyone … There were only one or two other teams who were in the same area code for injuries … Hard to argue they were not inordinately unlucky.
Now, if you were to somehow claim that the extent of injuries were related to poor preparation, poor or inadequate preventative measures instituted by the training staff as well as SAC then maybe I’d view your argument differently. But the one you presented was/is very weak.
If those were banh mi’ sandwiches
, I would be tempted. Although with as much money as he already has, he could have sandwiches delivered from anywhere in the world.
Or hire sandwich makers from Jimmy Johns, Quizuno, and Jersey Mike to build 24 hours open store right in his apartment complex.
I am sorry to say that there are no Quizuno in Oregon, and for that matter, no Dunkin Donuts either.
Jersey Mike’s > Quiznos
Crispy Cream > Duncan Doughnuts
I have not been to Jersey Mike’s so I should visit them and see if you are correct.
Now that Portland is famous for Voodoo doughnuts, I probably should not even mention those national brands.
BTW, I finally got to visit Petco Field. I have now been to 9 MLB stadiums, 21 to go. I will return to Petco Field (and Anaheim) for a real game in near future.
You’re catching up with me.
Been to 19 MLB stadiums!!
I’m at either 10 or 11.
[counts on fingers and toes]
Yep, it’s 10.
If you just count your thumbs with your fingers, you will not need your toes to get to ten
Well, I had my toes ready because I wasn’t sure if I needed to go to eleven (no matter what Nigel says)
I lived in the Portland area for 21 years and had an office a few blocks from Voodoo doughnuts when they went viral. I really tried to like them but their stuff wasn’t great even when they were fresh and they were typically stale. I did buy and drop off boxes from Voodoo to my customers several times back then. It was like Elvis had just walked into the building 🙂
Hit up Master Donuts in Springfield, OR if you’re headed south. Nothing fancy but they are the real deal.
We’ve got a Voodoo in L.A. There’s one on Universal CityWalk.
Not surprising with their success. Early on they had a thing where you could go in late at night/early morning and get five gallon bucket of day old donuts for super cheap. It was very popular with the soon to be hungover crowd in Portland.
Is Voodoo doughnuts a small business?
I was commenting on chain establishments.
I suspect that a lot of their clientele likes to (as Steve Martin phrased it), “get small”.
Yeah man, if we’re talking small (non-franchised) I’ll go with some no-name Vietnamese owned hole in the wall in Laguna Niguel. I can never remember the name.
You sure it is not Cambodian? Check out the documentary Donut King.
Giamela’s or Santoro’s…there are no substitutes!!!
Both have been around since the sixties…tradition.
I’m an avowed lover of “the sandwich” and Banh Mi’s rate highly in my book.