Good morning Angels fans. Have some links.
Angels News
With our new RP officially signed, Perry finally did something. What’s next? Something apparently as he says he is not done. There are a lot of names left so he might be telling the truth.
For now though, MiLB deals is all we get. Miguel Sano is added to that list.
Oh and Alfonso Rivas was DFA-ed. He was an Angel for not that long.
Turns out Perry was telling the truth. Matt Moore is back! 1/9M.
No former Angel made it into the HOF this year. But K-Rod and Hunter stay on the ballot.
Around Baseball
HOF votes are in. 3 members this time. Beltre, Helton, and Mauer.
Billy Wagner just missed by 5 votes. 3 writers voted for him last time but not this time. 2 voters voted only for Manny and A-Roid.
However, most voters weren’t trolls. The average ballot had 7 names on it this time.
The 2025 HOF ballot is now out. Ichiro is the clear number 1, but who will join him?
So, uh, the LA Times just fired almost all their sportswriters. There are no beat writers for pretty much anyone besides the Lakers, Rams, and Chargers. Sports Journalism is dying. Just like SB Nation before them, the biggest Newspaper on the west coast purged their staff. It is a sad day.
Anything I missed? Post below for upvotes.
Yeah. More filler https://twitter.com/Jared_Tims/status/1750369454788407690
Part of the Milwaukee “8 Maids a’ Milking” Crew
Clearly more feared than the Brew Crew.
The Los Angeles Cangrejeros Santurce de Meat Packers of Anaheim.
Is that rookie ball?
Correct, rookie ball and apprentice butchers. They are proud members of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 770.
This is not the first time Perry milked that team, right? I forget the other player he signed. The name will come to be as I tap into a Coronado Island Big Weekend IPA 8.8% alc.
Basically agree with this entire segment on BHOF *or very good*
https://youtu.be/BcDvzp_LsfY
Dan Patrick Show today, 8 minute clip. Covers a bunch. Some of it you all have shared already.
Looks like one of our local “Sister Teams”, the Chargers made a big, bold move. Signed Jimmy Hardass as coach and Messiah. That guy has Extra, Exxxtra, Exxxxxxtra Grittttt.
One the worst owners in the NFL is moving on from the practice of hiring weak OC and DC’s as coaches on the cheap. He’s wasted only a “few years” of having one of the best QBs and what appears to be a nice roster….better late than never.
I’ve never heard this to be true, but if Art were to be close to an owner of one of our 8 professional sports teams, I’d lay all my chips it would be the Spanos family.
Free Art from his Cheap Ass’ness
Free Charger’ing
Free Angel’ing
I don’t at all care about the NFL as I used to, but the AFC West is incredibly interesting. This is a good hire, by San Diego regardless of how you slice it.
Yes, I realize that they’re supposedly an LA team
I’m betting that we’ll see Russell Wilson in Vegas this season.
Derek Jeter, with almost 40% more ABs than Chase Utley and 9 whole WAR more to show for it and ragged defense as apposed to Utley’s good defense was clearly a first ballot HOFer while Utley should slide off the ballot like the slime he is in a few short years….
Utley a slightly better OPS+ and a much superior defender.
I think he’ll eventually slide all the way to Cooperstown
Joey Votto or Joey Buttafuoco?
At this point, neither would be a surprise. 🙂
Sure, if he’s cheap and we also sign me some Urshela… or something. Thing is, I think Sano got his “take a flyer DH” spot.
Joey “The Trigger” Votto whacked Paul Castellano in NYC. Or something like that.
LOL Joooooeeeey, she screamed.
I don’t think I like this Votto talk. We can do better
But we miss our Grandpa.
If we got him cheap I’d love Votto…. mostly because I love Votto. This characterless plain oatmeal all red Dodge Stratus of a team could use a guy like Votto around. About 85% of our hitters could stand to watch how Votto hits. The bitches on this site could stop complaining about a lack of clubhouse leadership. And maybe, big maybe, he could actually DH and play a little 1B and actually hit a little. If we got 300-400 ABs of .750 OPS out of the guy and saw improved approaches from some of our guys like Neto and Adell from having him around then hell yeah I’d throw some small bucks at him.
Plus we need some more left handed hitters
Lefties? We don’t need no stinking lefties, holmes.
Plus we need some more
left handedproductive hittersI’d take him as an assistant hitting coach.
I’ll be honest that I find myself internally caught between feeling excited about seeing if we make big signings like Snell or Belli versus thinking in the back of my mind that we shouldn’t.
We would probably be better in 2024 if we signed either of them.
But both of them have very inconsistent pasts, that make them very non-ideal for us to commit our payrolls to. If we’re going to sign a hitter, why not wait until Soto next year, and if we want a pitcher, why not Fried or Burnes next year.
I would love to have Soto but he turned down more money than he is worth from the Nationals. It is highly unlikely that we would be able to sign him unless we offered him too much money. But I would love to have a player like that. He’s young enough that you could sign him for 8-10 years.
Yes. If Arte is going to shell out a massive contract to someone, I’d rather it be Soto who is very young and we won’t have a Pujols situation.
Or a Franco situation?
Definitely a better free agent class next year, unfortunately I foresee the same issues we have this year; the stupid Ohtani factor. Nobody wants to play for a loser team, that hasthe title fans/players have given us after the greatest player walked out. Soto will be courted by the Dodgers to help cement their dynasty (remember they also went after Judge). Burnes a maybe cause he grew up watching Angels.
We shouldn’t. There, rest easy.
Whew. Thanks for solving that for me.
A little history today… California Gold Rush began on this date 176 years ago.
https://youtu.be/CDuNLpbj9Yk
California Angels will always be my favorite team name and uniforms (‘86-‘92)
Roster resource still shows 2 our of our bench spots going to the Plumber and the Cabbage hack. And until we sign Snell, I think the top 5 starters are set as well as the 8 man bullpen unless the Angels Trade or DFA (which I doubt) Suarez. That would mean the 2024 Salt Lake Bees would look like this (with no other Major League moves):
Infielders:
Paris*
Soto*
White
Sano
Dozier
LeBlanc
Lopez
Martin
Wagaman (also OF)
Rivas ( if he clears waivers)
Outfielders:
Adams*
Calhoun
Marisnick
Martinez
Catchers
Wallach
Mejia
Humphrreys
Starting Pitchers
Bachman*
Davis*
Plesac*
Rosenberg*
Mederos*
Rangel
Kerry
Erla
Relief Pitchers
Herget*
Wantz*
Caceres*
Kolerak
Thomas
MacGregor
Jones
Murphy
Torres
Marte
Guerrero
Ingram (assuming he gets DFA’d but nobody wants him )
I’m not sure if any of the borderline Prospects will start at AAA or AA since the team generally hates sending the young pitchers to the AAA launching pads but I’m assuming they will. It looks to me that even at AAA the Angels are devoid of viable outfielders. Not eventually they will pick up 2 spots on the 40 man when Quijada and Warren go on the 60 day IL at the end of spring training so a couple of these NRIs who signed minor league contracts could be added and since many dont have options left they have to play for the big club. Of course many of the NRI’s may have opt out provisions around the time the season starts so they could be leave us regardless.
*Denotes currently on the 40 man roster.
Thanks for the breakdown.
If I were the Platypus, given the moves I’ve already made, I’d just hang with the starters we have and let that dictate next years plan. We have a pretty strong pen at this point and can send some guys to SLC to season for that. We can see what we have with Sandoval, Detmers. If they take steps forward try to sign them to extensions. We can try to salvage Anderson. If that works, maybe trade him. We can see what some rookies like Bachman and Silseth have to offer. Let those starters show what they’ve got and then turn it over to a solid pen each game till the picture, good or bad, becomes clearer.
Same with a lot of the position players, honestly.
That roster – who are these guys?
I aspire to pull off a walrus stash’ in my next life.
In regards to Moore, I’m just glad to see a guy WANT to come back, especially after cutting him loose like they did last year.
For me, this is not at all difficult to comprehend.
9 millie salary and living in Newport Beach? Forget about it….
Heck yeah, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else
Ditto man, ditto.
I think many of you are born & raised in OC so I’m slightly envious. Then again, spending most of my life in LA & elsewhere possibly makes me appreciate this area even more.
Newport, Laguna (Beach or Niguel), Dana Point & San Clemente is one of the best areas on the planet and I’m NOT being hyperbolic.
So what is Huntington ? Chopped Liver?
Surf City
Are you going to ding me for omitting Placentia, too? Haha
But I don’t think they have ocean views there just river views
Not to mention crystal meth views.
It’s the tents, the wafting perfume of urine, and feces on the sidewalks that are the real draw for many….
Venice till I was 7 in the 60s. L.B. till i was 21. I’ve seen stuff.
Just across the Orange curtain now. Very thankful, yes. But have to be honest, L.B. Had less crime than the other 2 despite our reputation.
Wierd
How about now? Comparing 60’s Venice to 2024 OC is a tad unfair.
60’s Venice Italy to 60’s OC would also be unfair.
How so when it’s an apples-to-apples comparison?
Ok. Venice was violent crime.
Different level, yes.
O.C. is more home and auto burglary.
Unfortunately as prevalent as ever in my neighborhood.
The rot from North (LA) and South is starting to have an impact in this area, unfortunately.
players, for the most part, don’t hold a grudge
Shohei maybe?
Assuming we’re staying on the path of fiscal responsibility, is there enough room on the roster for Turner & Clevinger?
I’m concerned about OF, but I also want to see Jo Adell sink or swim and Rengifo can fill in if needed.
Matt Moore is off the….WTF!?
Moore returns to the Halos for 2024.
IMHO, a good move, some also have posted we should re-sign him.
We signed Miguel Sano? As in the Miguel Sano who was #4 in the 100 Best Prospects in 2014?!
They’re hoping he can reclaim some of the old magic.
I’m hoping they keep him away from the female reporters.
Charles, can you unlock the 👎🏻 for my account… I want some of that sweet sweet adharma
???????
Looks like you’re the only one with a 👎🏻 on their profile.
Adharma = bad karma
I still have 6 ?s left unanswered, if I was Canadian I’d apologize 😉
I guess I pissed somebody off.
This is such a useful, fill in the blank, meme.
Maybe Jessica can take it off.
I view it as a badge of honor and think:
Trumbo and KMo are on the 2025 ballot? Damn, I’m getting old.
You kidding me?! My God, I still remember Trumbombs like it was just yesterday. And that unfortunate KMo walk-off that unfortunately forever changed the Angels’ trajectory.
Sheesh.
Granderson too- we can vote for him.
If we vote for him, we will be out on Wilson.
Are his votes available?
It is starting to look like a 5 man rotation between Detmers comments and the bullpen revamp.
Nice, shades of old fashion baseball. Miss the days were teams had four primary starters with a spot starter.
I remember the 1971 Orioles when they had four 20-game winners Jim Palmer (282 IP, 20 CG), Dave McNally 224 IP, 11 CG), Mike Cuellar (292 IP, 21 CG) and Pat Dobson (282 IP, 18 CG). I don’t think we will ever see these kinds of innings pitched and complete games in the same year by one staff. The remarkable thing is these four pitchers put of these kind of numbers generally for over 10 years straight.
Sadly only Jim Palmer is still alive the rest have passed on to the great pitchers mound in the sky.
I remember meeting Mike Cuellar when he had a late career run with the Angels. dude was totally superstitious in fact I dont think he would sign autographs because of it ( at least thats what they said)
Yup Cuellar pitched his last major league pitch with the Angels (I wonder just how many pitchers we can say the same thing). I think they modeled the character Pedro Cerrano in Major League after Cuellar.
Beltre is a slam dunk first ballot HoF.
Maurer and Helton were fine players.
But couldn’t even carry Adrian’s jock.
Sorry to break it to you ’78 but I dont think Beltre wore a jock.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28946425/tim-kurkjian-baseball-fix-adrian-beltre-was-confident-wear-cup
Minor detail…but those two don’t belong in HoF!!
Does 500 HR or 3000 H mean anything anymore?
I agree and I no longer seem to understand who belongs in the Hall of Fame. The last few years, players who I don’t think belong are getting inducted and others of equal achievement don’t get in. As an example, Todd Helton and Jim Edmonds have virtually identical WAR and OPS+ values. Edmonds played CF and also won 8 gold gloves. Helton played 1B and won 3. Yet many who consider Helton a HOFmer don’t consider Edmonds one. I’m not arguing either way for either one. I’m just somewhat perplexed by who get’s in and who doesn’t. Joe Mauer has 55 WAR a 124 OPS+ and 3 GGs as catcher while Bobby Grich has 71 WAR a 125 OPS+ and 4 GGs as a middle infielder. Our friend Jim Rice is in with 48 WAR and a 128 OPS+ as a bad defensive LF.
The process is being dumbed down just like the rest of our society.
We’re basically living thru some combination of “The Matrix”, “Idiocracy”, “1984” and “Brave New World”.
I’m just seeing Idiocracy.
we are pretty much there, but President The Rock will be a little too on the nose, even for the simulation.
Totally disagree on Helton not being HOF worthy.
There’s always a mystery team but I believe the Angels eventually be choosing between Snell and Bellinger ( bye bye 2nd round draft pick) so what is the flavor here ? The sometimes surly and baked kid who may have rediscovered his way or the older Mr 5 innings ?
If past history is any indication, Arte will sign Cody over Blake…..
I actually think they will be in the conversation and just miss out (intentionally) on both. I think he’s only going to sign guys where they have a good chance to move them at the deadline or let them expire if they can’t.
I think you’re correct, but IF it did come down to one or the other, I think Arte would sign Cody over Blake.
Because chicks dig the long ball.
Nice.
The more I look at Moniak’s last season the more I like the kid.
If I had to choose between those two I’d take the 27 year old with plenty of prime ahead over Snell.
Although I’d rather go Clevinger and JT than either of the big names.
Bellinger will be 29 in July btw.
Gimme the 2x Cy Young Award winner, please.
I actually think signing both of them for the right money and years would be good long term moves for the Angels but the right years and money are significant qualifiers. They would both provide stability and depth without really blocking anyone. They both present some risk but for the right money and years would be acceptable risks. There is a reasonable chance that both provide good value but not for superstar money.
I like Moniak too, but still, he’s only shown a half season of production. Pair that with Ward recovering and Adell never arriving (at least not yet) and our OF has more questions than answers.
I’m working on a Moniak’s piece.
Nice…..
IF the Angels want to back up Rendon with an affordable 1-year contract, maybe bring in old Dirt Bag alum, Longoria? He is past his prime but he should not kill you price wise. I’m not digging it but wonder what thoughts are here,
Urshella and JT are the other options but should command more $$ and Gio might get a 2-year offer.
Can Longoria also play 1B?
I think the back-up to Rendon also needs to play 1B as well. Hence the Justin Turner, Gio Urshella and Moose talk.
I like Turner because he is a much better hitter than Urshella.
This. The guy we bring in as Rendon insurance should be able to cover first base. And he’ll get plenty of DH opportunities until Rendon gets hurt.
Turner has the biggest bat of the names mentioned. Urshela has the best defense and most versatility.
Longoria is coming off a 93 OPS+. He’d be great to bring into camp to see if there’s an injury but probably not worth a roster spot right now.
I generally avoid the negative ju-ju with discussing the “I word” and Rendon in the same sentence, but a 80/20 split of Turner/Rengifo at 3B would be workable.
The guy that loses out if we were to sign Bellinger is Adell. And Maybe not so much if he platoons with Mickey.
We need both of them to play regularly. We already have 4 OF that need playing time – and only one DH spot available (which also might be useful for Rendon).
I think it is time that we let Moniak, Ward, and Adell prove they have it (or not) – either that or we need to move someone (and it is hard to sell them on potential and get any real value in return).
You are correct regarding the available slots. I would not want Rendon to be taking away at bats from any one of the 4. You either do as you say, and play all 4 every day, because you need to see what you have, or you give up on someone if you sign someone. The risk is that one of them goes belly up, most likely Adell, and then you’re left with a big hole. You already in my opinion do not have an everyday 3B, so that would be two holes and no real expectations of competing. I’m ok with that, if that’s the plan for one year to make an assessment, and there are many here who would support taking a year to evaluate. But you would also be using up a year for those players who don’t need to be evaluated. If you went that direction, it would beg the question, why aren’t we trading Drury and maybe Rengifo, whose values may never be higher.
There will still be days off – for all four plus Rendon. Managing that will allow it to work.
I do worry about the bench though – we have Thaiss, Rengifo, Cabbage/Stefanic, and Adams?
We need someone who can cover 3B and a back up OF (unless we are ok with Adams in the bigs) – to go along with Rengifo being able to slot around the IF (even if moving Drury to 1B) and Moniak covering CF on Trout’s DH/Off Days.
Probably, but until & unless Ward demonstrates that he’s truly comfortable & competent in the batter’s box, I think he’s a question mark.
No Doubt. And that’s the conundrum if one or both go belly up.
I don’t get this line of thinking.
There no reported reason to think Ward has the yips from the injury but a portion of the fanbase is acting like its a given he’s gonna have the yips.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/angels-ward-being-hit-in-face-by-pitch-from-blue-jays-manoah-badge-of-honour/
Hopefully that is the case. My son was hit in the face in HS just like Ward without the nose part though. He had surgery and was playing three weeks later. Had had a cage on his batting helmet and played in the OF as opposed to his normal position of 3B. It happened when he was a junior and did not bother him when he returned or his senior year when he went back to 3B. He still has the metal plate behind his zygomatic arch that held things together while it healed. He played soccer his senior year prior to baseball. And that was 20 years ago so we should be optimistic but you just never know how things affect people.
So how long have you been an Angel fan ?
Long enough to to see each one of the owners go from beloved to a disappointment to the fan base.
What’s he supposed to say? I’m pissing my pantalones when I grab the bat?
I’ll believe he’s fine when he demonstrates that he’s fine.
The consistent guy with two Cy Youngs or the extremely erratic guy that occasionally plays well and the rest of the time looks like a bad version of Moniak? Hmm. What should the choice be?
Forgot about the Bellinger QO. Much less appealing on top of the existing regression risk. Despise Snell. Man…tough one.
I’ve already talked myself into expecting Arte to sign Bellinger. It has Arte written all over it. I hope Perry is smart about it and gives Belli a deal where he offers a player option after the 2nd year and backloads the contract. I’m guessing 7 years $200 million could get it done. At best, you get 2 years of Belli’s prime and tests the free agent market again at his age 30 season. At worst, you get an elite CF for 7 years.
The Los Angeles Times is in the midst of a death spiral. Their remaining employees are now just working at keeping their paychecks stream for as long as possible. This is a case of a billionaire mismanaging or miss marketing even worse than Arte.
I am happy to dance on the grave of the LA Slimes. They, like the NY Times, Chicago Sun, SF Chron and nearly every other social propaganda rag have done irreparable harm to this nation. It may be unfortunate for the Sports writers, but that paper is a net drag on society.
Bye Felicia.
Well said.
I go to Club Shay Shay for the truth!
Please no political rants……..but if you must continue speaking the truth, I’ll continue to read and give more recs. 😀
Seems like in a world with 24/7 crazy, just covering the news, who-what-when-where, without a political lean would somehow be lucrative, even if it’s mostly online. Nothing but stenographers, shills and mouthpieces…..In a state full of political corruption and scandal, it would be a never ending Smorgasbard of Perlitzer Prize winning investigative reporting…..with movies being made about your reporting.
I will miss them, a lot of their content was hilarious, even though it wasn’t supposed to be.
Free Jim Murray!
Free the Angels Bullpen from Matt Wise!
It’s hardly a new phenomenon. Look up “Walter Durant – NY Times” and the bogus Pulitzer that they refuse to renounce.
Jim Murray where art though….
im amazed at how political it got.
sad things is, the ones who got cut weren’t political, they were just beat writes covering the game. sorry for Sarah and Jack for sure.
and the o-piners are left? to tell us how to navigate the politically waters that come with sports these days?
lol – its sports page is now just AP stories and hacks opining on telling us when to stand, when to sit, what colors you should wear
For those who are younger, reading the LA Times sport section growing up in the 60s and 70s was one of the great pleasures in life that I wish you could have experienced. The writers were really good and you got a lot of really good stuff on the local teams. The radio sports people were also very good.
I think you missed the Washington Post in there.
Can’t forget Bezos and his outstanding performance in expediting the death of the WaPost.
billionaire gave his activist daughter carte blanche running that rag.
to think he was rumored to be an angel buyer.
It is so awesome how people born into gobs of money and/or get it for being good looking love to tell us what to do.
Enough of describing my life Jeff.
(Not really my life)
The rich love to pretend to be poor/just the average citizen while the poor/influencers pretend to be rich. We all suffer as a result.
I like to tell people what to do but I’m neither good lucking and only partly rich, so not many listen to me.
Still owns 11% of the Lakers though.
Question – How many of us pay for a newspaper subscription? Very few, apparently. But we would rather criticize the owner. Kind of mirrors the way some feel about Arte. 🤔
Does the Athletic count?
Apple News?
the newspaper meltdown happened a good decade ago. Those that adapted and survived had adapted to the new online driven reality.
The LAT was one of those papers.
So for it to fail now after surviving the largest industry shift of all time indicates the failures were internal.
The OC Register kind of counts doesn’t it ?
What is that, the bitch ass cousin of the LA Times?
I’d argue the reporting has been so biased that nobody reads it anymore. Of course I’m only talking about how they favor the Dodgers and not politics…
Signs of life from the Halos… level of Hopium rising…. must prevent trAdition…..
Last thing from me this morning,
Prospect Lists Are Unkind to the Angels; Why Doesn’t Their Farm Director Care?
When you promote players as aggressively as the Angels do, rankings barely matter.
“For us it ultimately comes down, from a player development standpoint, to meet the player where they’re at in their development curve. It’s certainly different whether they’re coming out of high school, college — their overall experience level. Perry (Minasian, the Angels’ general manager) and our player development group overall … when players know we’ll be aggressive pushing them through the system, it creates an urgency for the work. It’s been a positive for us overall.”
https://www.si.com/mlb/angels/news/the-prospect-lists-are-unkind-to-the-angels-heres-why-their-farm-director-doesnt-care
I doubt S I will ever be updating this article .
AI might do it though. LOL
This is funny. They have only been doing this recently but their prospect lists have been bad for years. We also don’t actually know yet if it’s working. We may find out this year. It’s one thing to draft players with the strategy to identify those that you think have the shortest path but something else altogether to rush players to the majors whether they’re ready or not because you don’t have enough major league talent and don’t want to spend the money. On a decent team, Schanuel, Neto, and maybe even O’Hoppe, would have been in the minors last year developing, perhaps with O’Hoppe coming up mid year. The three would have been potential rookies this year.
It’s almost like saying they are so poor at developing players that they just need to find those that are close to ready and let them finish their development in the big leagues. it didn’t work so good with Joe Adell so far.
I don’t see this as a great statement about the organization or the farm director.
Totally agree. Good farm systems graduate players and still are rated high. The Angels not so much: they draft 20+ players yearly, promote one to the majors rapidly, and remain in the bottom 10% of the rankings consistently.
I do agree that giving away Quero and Bush didn’t help, but neither were going to create a leap in the ratings for 2024 if they were still here.