Zach Plesac says he is developing emotional awareness and hopefully won’t be taking himself out of games by means of self inflicted injuries any more.
Here is Raimel Tapia bunting for a home run down in the Dominican Republic.
Kevin Smith (not Kevan Smith) has a deal with the Yankees. The Cardinals hired Chaim Bloom to be an advisor. The Braves signed utility infielder Luis Guillorme to a one year deal.
Long time MLB infielder and Manager Billy Gardner passed away last week at the age of 96.
Minor League Deals
Outfielder Jonathan Davis has gone back to the Marlins on a minor league deal. Catcher Rob Brantly has his minor league deal with the Rays.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
Queue up the articles we’re going to see everywhere about how horrible and failing the Angels are this off-season for “missing on another top target” yada yada yada
That doesn’t solve the issue that We still NEED MOAR PITCHIN
As the relevant free agents get snapped up, it’s more obvious that the club is taking the “Play the kids + vets on one years deals” path for 2024 and I’m OK with it.
ya we hope and then Atre’ will Buttercoop us with 8/250 for Bellinger b/c…well we all know why
Even if they throw $45 million for 2 years at Stroman, it doesn’t pull us from the path and for what it’s worth, I think this squad will be competitive – health permitting of course.
This is more or less my position as well. I think they have potential, but if they suck, the games will be cheap. There’s always a silver lining.
Shota to the Cubs
Well, glass half full, Arte didn’t massively overpay for this guy.
Yes! C.J. Wilson’s legacy Contract of $77.5 Million is still intact as the largest free agent contract that Arte has ever given a pitcher.
I’m reading the AAV is only $15 million which isn’t bad at all for a mid rotation guy. That’s just a hair above what Tyler Anderson will make this year.
What if its 7 years?
I’m OK with not adding yet another lefty to the rotation.
However, I am interested in watching Shota pitch.
July 5-7 Wrigley Field Chicago.
Meanwhile Perry has been located just outside of West Covina
&ct=g
Excellent, showing restraint, I think this is good.
This would have been cool:
MLB Rejects Amazon’s Proposal to Stream Angels Games in 2024
Not so fast Ohtani, maybe you will be paying your full share of taxes after all:
https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2024-01-08/shohei-ohtani-contract-state-controller-deferrals
“Come and get it state of CA! You’ll need to pry it out of his weakened surgically repaired arm!”
—Shohei’s Mom
No surprise there.
The very fact that, according to the article, the State Controllers office requires Congress’ intervention in order to try and collect these taxes from Doyer players’ deferred income means that this issue is far from being settled.
Dodgers to sign Imanaga….
Just kidding!
Actually, I wouldn’t be totally surprised if it happened.
For $3MM.
and $92 Million deferred
Payable starting in 2065
Maybe we’ll get lucky and the Doyers will bring back McCourt?
I’m thinking Imanaga is an attempt to avoid Boras on Snell and Montgomery.
If he misses there, Clevinger or Stroman would be my targets. Get one of them and a good bullpen arm.
Sounds reasonable, although I would prefer a couple of each.
Or Boras’ stooge is saying the opposite and That Angels” looking elsewhere” means that Arte has decided to engage the Evil Borass.
https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1744741995451732330
Angels were already luke warm on Stroman last year, don’t see that this would change in 2024. He’s a pariah due to his own agenda.
What *is* his agenda?
He talks a lot on social media and supports causes Arte would definitely oppose.
He also does a ton of charity work, which is something Arte loves.
I know the idea that Arte won’t play/sign people he doesn’t agree with has been floated around but yet Dexter Fowler, Jo Adell, and others have been in the organization and everything was just fine.
We need to hook Zach up with Jared Weaver to mentor him.
Properly Channel that aggression
With his blazing 87 MPH heater?
And a scowl…
The scowl alone is worth at least 2.0 WAR.
I guess I’m getting old as I miss the days when dugout speak included phrases like:
“Hit one off his forehead” or “You need to earhole that guy”.
Most of it was puffery as nobody really tried to earhole anyone (that’s what ribs are for). I know there are still some warriors around but it seems to be an exception rather than the rule.
“I’m developing emotional awareness”
Does that mean you won’t cry when watching Hallmark holiday movies?
Or maybe it means when fans talk crap about you after the game you won’t reach into the stands and punch them?
Oh wait, that’s a different Angels player…..
From the comfort of his wheelchair at the skilled nursing facility.
Is it possible Perry is doing nothing because they have made a decision to trade Trout?
And they believe that they will get so much back that they don’t need to do anything?
Nice theory but highly unlikely .
Agree but…nothing would surprise me.
If we are talking theories, I suppose it is possible that no free agent worth a damn wants to play in Anaheim and are choosing other locations despite competitive bids by the Angels.
Makes a lot of sense…..
Although So far “elsewhere” has not been disclosed.
is it another celestial system?
“Elsewhere” is a parallel universe where Arte is carefree and extravagant with his baseball investments, and allows his baseball operations leadership to make all player personnel decisions.
There has been no indication that Trout has demanded to be traded, which is a requisite if he is to be traded. And it is possible that Perry has made offers to a number of high-profile free agents, but they are not interested in playing for this broken organization.
Most of the higher profile free agents haven’t signed with anyone except the Dodgers who are spending like Drunkin sailors and pushing the cost out to the future. It’s possible that the players are all asking for more money than the market is so far willing to pay. A number of clubs have supposedly made substantial un-excepted offers.
The Dodgers didn’t learn from the Mets or the Padres
No indication doesn’t mean something isn’t happening…trAdition!!!
Arte don’t do rebuilds
He doesn’t do builds in the first place, so how could he rebuild?
Just slow deterioration
It’s crossed my mind. As has a team sale.
Can’t imagine Arte stuck around to watch the team get way worse and do nothing. Choose a direction and go. Win or rebuild.
I have been wondering this too.
I actually think it is very likely he would sell now. Why stick around? He took his shot and missed. Surely it is clear that the team is at a low right now… it isn’t like he can still feel that he is on the “verge” of playoffs anymore. I would think he’s ready to throw in the towel.
We will never know until we know
We will win some games and lose some games
ya never know. 0-162 or 1-161 is still a possibility.
Beyond time to go. Vs a year ago, Talk about selling low…
I think his pride will delay things. I don’t think he wants the perception to look like a baby and sell because Shohei left.
Especially with Carpino advising him…
Yep, I considered that angle too. If he sold now, you can almost imagine the baseball world painting a picture of Arte leaving baseball with his tail between his legs. If he thinks that way too, and it motivates him, he might take a “well I’ll show them!” type of attitude and stay at the helm.
Then again, people who become super successful at business don’t typically let their emotions steer their major financial decisions, but who knows.
Logic hasn’t made a visit to Arteville in a very long time