When Perry Minasian was first signed as Angels GM I looked at the Braves bullpen and hoped he’d build something similar here. Honestly, I was happy with both the Loup and Tepera signings. Archie Bradly was even added as depth.
None of those moves worked, but all were made with sound logic. Bullpen arms are just unpredictable. Other than the fact you can predict every free agent to play worse when they come here, ha ha.
Perry is again rebuilding the bullpen. Again the choices look solid. Let’s hope the results are better.
Last weekend Robert Stephenson inked a three year deal with the Angels. There’s no way I would’ve predicted him getting a three year deal anywhere 12 months ago. But Stephenson learned a new pitch and it changed his career (and bank account).
Stephenson calls it a slider, but whatever it is works. He talked about the pitch with Jeff Fletcher on the day the Angels brought back an arm we liked in Matt Moore.
Adding these two experienced late inning arms should give incumbent closer Carlos Esteves a more reasonable workload and a replacement if he falters. Here’s one more interesting note on the new bullpen.
Adam Climber also joined the Angels this off season. And Luis Garcia was brought back in the fold.
How revamped is the bullpen? Consider the fact that guys pitching key innings last year are headed to AAA.
The Angels bullpen has gone from a weakness to a strength. Will the rest of the roster follow?
One way to do so would be to play a super stud defender in center field; saving both runs and wear and tear on Mike Trout.
Arte, however, might have other ideas. And signing an aging Joey Votto just might be one of them.
To me the bat that fits best is Justin Turner. He of the 114 wRC+ last year with basically no career split difference over his career who can DH most days, play first occasionally, and be a great bench bat.
Other bats are coming off the board now. Rhys Hoskins got a nice 2 year deal in Milwaukee. He’ll turn 30 before the season starts but carries a career OPS+ of 125.
Pure DH JD Martinez is without a home and basically pure DH Jorge Soler is also out there.
Both the Angels and Brewers are Diamond Sports teams. Last week news of Diamond continuing through 2024 came out, which might explain them finally spending some money.
More details on the plan are emerging and it looks like Amazon is after the YES Network and more.
Of course, spending money isn’t the only way to improve a team. Somebody is going to trade for Dylan Cease, but who?
And then there’s a combination scenario. Say, sign Mike Clevinger for two years and trade away the last two years of Griffin Canning for help in other areas.
Griffin Canning could represent something of a canary in the coal mine. If the Angels really are going with a 5 man rotation both Canning and Plesac have minor league options remaining. If the Angels start the year with both of them in AAA, that’s a sign of depth.
Around baseball, Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, and Joe Mauer were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Mauer always came across as a class guy. Enjoy this interview.
Enjoy your weekend and link what I missed. Less than three weeks until pitchers and catcher report!
I’ll take the 49ers in the Super Bowl over the KC Swifties.
When KC loses, Taylor will just Shake it Off.
Just me talking to me in the mirror.
There’s is just something about California Teams born and raised in the State.
CA football fans definitely are all over the place with their favorite teams. I can see why Cowboys (training camp here back in the day where Rams are now, now in Oxnard), Packers (on TV a bunch, cool organization ‘owned’ by fans), Broncos (SB win in SD), and others all have their allegiances.
For me, BBNG
Seriously? Nor Cal absolutely despises Socal as they would never ever root for a Socal team. Despite many down here that only have well wishes or ambivalence because we went almost 25 years without a professional football team there’s no way I would root for their teams considering their disdain for us and their feelings of superiority.
Have a GIF, feel free to use it in the future. Expand your horizons
I feel free not to. I’m sure that everyone is ecstatic that you more than make up for everyone’s share.
As opposed to what’s been on here? You know why I like baseball… Because there’s no crying in baseball.
There’s a lot of crying on CtPG. Which is cool, I’m pretty sure there’s an active movement to have mens get more in touch with feelings. To not use my Tom Hanks GIF took some restraint. But you know, conflict resolution isn’t for everyone. Is this the part where we crap on millennials/gen z without turning the mirror/thumbs on those that ‘raised’ them?
#deepcuts
#againstthegrain
All welcome to me. Glass can be 1/2 full, 1/2 empty and I’d still be willing to talk about the left out glass.
It is funny how there were so many Laker Jerseys in Nor Cal before the Worriers started winning.
As matter of fact, going to a few games in San Francisco, Giants fans were pretty chill seeing me in Angels Jerseys or even 2002 WS gear. They look at us as friend of an enemy is our friend. (Enemy As & dodgers)
And the Superiority thing can be said both ways.
Funny how you are expected to answer whatever question someone poses and that someone else can’t even say what their favorite NFL teams, when asked multiple times by different commenters. Isn’t it ironic, dontcha think. It’s like raaaaaaain lol.
Hate those bastards up there. But we need the water…
prediction: with football being fairly quiet for two weeks after today we’ll start getting the big signings very, very soon. Like tomorrow or Tuesday.
I saw Kiké’s name brought up today. Feels like we are the team agents use to get their guys bid up. Saw a Great Seats, Great Prices with Trout Arteboard on 405N in LB yesterday.
Trade Rumors reported we were interested in Enrique 2w ago.
Sounds more like a free agent rumor 😉
Football?
Americans call it Soccer.
Did N E 1 see what Mahomes and kelce did to Justin Tucker (kickers are people too!!)
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2p5rWAJ_Qj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
This that don’t want to click on the insta link, they threw his kicking gear off the field
https://twitter.com/tigers/status/1751636412879773964?t=jrklrBOnlarZqTwPiLFLMQ&s=31
There have been thoughts/feelings shared on deferred salary of MLB players. This one looks newer to me, a sign of things to come?? Big contract for someone who has ZERO major league experience.
TL:DR (even for a twitter/x link): Cole Keith (Tigers) signs 6 year $28+ million dollar deal
Jackson Chourio (Brewers) sameies a month ago with 8 years $82 million.
Relating it back to the Angels… do we even have any MiLB prospects that would be worth this investment. I can see why both player (there’s always moar money in sponsorships) and team would do such a deal.
Evan White………again?
Ooh, good call!! I know we got him from the Braves for fletch/stassi but didn’t know his contract with the mariners. Is he the first MiLB to get generational wealth like that before his cup of coffee?
Also, what’s the O/U on Cole Keith debuting a country album after retiring from MLB?
He’s the 22nd ranked prospect in baseball; we have no one close down on the farm.
As for the contract itself – it’s a risk even if you believe (like the Tigers do) that the prospect will make the majors and perform. Look at us with Fletcher: he actually produced at the MLB level, got the contract, and then forgot how to play baseball.
For sure, appreciate the insight.
Here’s a list of MiLB players signing big contracts before their MLB debuts:
Jackson Chourio
Luis Robert
Eloy Jimenez
Colt Keith (correct spelling thanks autocorrect for the typo above)
Scott Kingery
Evan White
Jon Singleton (2014, so first… at least of the modern era)
So Angels have yet to navigate this route. Having an awful minor leagues & structure since 2014 isn’t helping much.
Thought this was Atlanta’s MO
I didn’t really know it was a thing, which is why I brought it up. I’d definitely be interested to hear in the future if an Angels prospects would/could/should be our first.
Actually it started with Jeff Luhnow . Atlanta waits until the player debuts before signing them to extensions that take some of their FA years.
If you look at that list, 5 of the 7 players have already debuted and are well into their Major league careers. Of those 5 only one has been a Home Run for the team. ( Luis Robert JR) the other 4 have cost the teams anywhere between $16 million and infinity per WAR the players have generated to date. Now granted the player could rebound (except for Single who’s long past the contract expiration date) but it aint looking too good.
To my understanding, that list/those players all signed those deals before MLB debuts.
Jon Singleton was 10 years ago.
I’ve had no clue what other teams MO have been or are so it’s cool reading up on it… reading an article on Luhnow-now
Well if you are really interested read this book. It talks about this concept as well as alot of shady shit that the Trashstros partook in.
https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Fixes-Everything-Houston-Astros/dp/006304904X
Not going to buy the book, appreciate the rec.
Got a cliff notes version here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/11tsnkq/notes_from_winning_fixes_everything/
True. I guess if you are too busy constantly posting Gifs and other inane pics you wouldn’t have time to read a whole book.
Says the person with 18K posts. I got some catching up/defending of myself to do. You like words, I like Kevin from the office
Anyway, why would I buy that book (even in audible), in particular? Do you a copy you can loan? Maybe I’ll see if there’s one to check out at the library next time I’m there. I don’t waste my money on stupid shit…. My time on the other hand, a completely different story 🙂
But apparently you waste your time on stupid shit. Dude this isn’t a contest. If you want the award for quantity of posts I will gladly vote for you. but If your trying to start your own GIF site why not do it somewhere else instead of this site which is just a community of Angel fans.
Did you not read the part where I talked about my time usage?
Why are you gatekeeping here, I thought we were supposed to crash the MF!
If you’re rooting for SF or BAL today, this is the thread for you:
*for those not in the know, the people (media, ratings) want DET v KC in SB*
If you want the other teams to win, follow benders lead and start your own thread with
Is it time for an APB on Downing Dude?
I heard he no longer plays by the Rules.
Rules?!?
If you didn’t know yet, welcome to the wicky wicky
There’s just some weird connection with Downing and Rules.
I think the guys that yell at clouds could explain.
I consulted “the cloud” and enjoyed this highlight of being HBP x 2 then hitting a 2-run jack!
https://youtu.be/zKraOyZlvyM
That is the great Dave Neihaus on the home run call. Thanks for posting this.
Touch and go around here sometimes. Downing highlights are awesome, those uniforms 🔥
Huh? I’m here. I’m always here. Thanks for the wellness check. ✌️
The “leading soprano” lives!!!
Mezzo-soprano?
Silver Alert has been called off
A Silver Alert is activated when an elderly, developmentally, or cognitively-impaired person has gone missing and is determined to be at-risk.
Downing seems to fit the criteria.
If I qualify for 2/3 should I consult my physician??
The only one I’m missing
How many self deprecating jokes do I have to make until everyone realizes I’m an equal opportunity offender?
Remember, from a 7yr olds point of view, You’re Old as Shit!
And from people with 18k, 16k, 10k etc that ALL their posts are Pulitzer Prize winning? I know man. I’ll fall in line, if I beetlejuice or click my heels together 3 times and say a players name every day for 2 weeks, maybe they will come here!! Maybe I too can convince someone of how awesome I am!! Yes we can!
Oh sure, waits until he joins the Dodgers to start speaking english in public.
Ohtani MVP acceptance speech:
https://x.com/angelswin/status/1751425062765293695?s=46
dodgers apparently have better teachers as well as coaches in their organization.
Cheap Arte never paid for English classes.
But he paid for the Unicorn’s ball shagging interpreter for at least 3 years after he learned to speak English fluently
He also pays Carpino and Kuhl to do non-baseball things.
NO COWBOY. Any detail, no matter how trivial, must be made into hot little ball of shit that CtPG guy can smear all over himself and his team. Otherwise
Daddy
may
not
know
how
fustrated
lil’ fanny is.
So frustrated daddy 😩
Wait, what?
And he’s talking about smearing stuff on Cowboys lil’ fanny?
It’s winter. Everything is cold and bleak. We’re all a lil frustrated. It’s ok.
There is a ‘Cure’ song somewhere in this statement.
This was my takeaway as well.
Ippei now unemployed?
No but he has to wait 10 years for his money.
Shohei walks off stage…
Ippei: You knew English this whole fcking time?!?!
😂
Ippei has zero room to bitch considering how many times he’s been laid on account of being Shohei’s boy.
That’s English?
I bet his English is better than your Japanese.
I bet his French is better than mine. Or Spanish. Especially Spanish
Apparently he was trash talking opponents in Spanish long before the English showed up.
Shohei is just coming out of his shell, being very public now with his new team. Kind of tells me leaving has been his plan for a while now.
Coming out of his cage(Arte’s clutches) and he’s been doing just fine…
We should have made him GM
He does have recruiting skills.
Out goes the cabbage again…..
It must have been shredded
He was really steamed….
Yeah, he got pickled, fermented, braised and sauteed…
Lettuce Romaine calm, we need to “celery-brate” his contributions and turnip the beet !
I just don’t understand how this FO can keep trying to think that the BP is the silver bullet to stopping 8 straight from turning into 9 and 10. Ever since the 2014 WS when the SF Giants used Madison Bumgarner in relief to lock down the WS vs the KC Royals that was the beginning end of the BP ace era. This must be You Know Who’s stubbornness to have a elite level starting pitcher. Remember the Albert Einstein/ dammit I meant ME, quote about insanity!
💪 💪
Didn’t Gitch summon him?
Nu uh
uhhh You realize that the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 2022 & 2023 World Series champions pretty much all used traditional bullpen closers right?
And you want to talk about insanity…….
It’s funny you would leave out the 2002 Angels and their famous BP
It’s the cheapest way to constructing a POTENTIALLY competitive team.
This is where F71 comes for me….. haha
Trey Cabbage has been DFA’d.
https://x.com/billshaikin/status/1751340753463435379?s=46
The Meme is strong in this one….
Just your resident a-hole/troll chiming in here. Cant leave the place to run free with Karen’s, Pollyanna’s, or insert whatever name fits the bill. Heaven forbid someone attach a link, engage in conversation that doesn’t help someone climax, etc. look no meme! Just snark!
This guy GIFs!! Enjoying catching up.
Man, Kolton Ingram is like a turd that wont flush. That guy is resilient. If only I could have thrown left-handed.
The Angels now have only 15 position players on there 40 man. Thats crazy
Does it make me a bad fan that I had to google his name? My brain didn’t hold onto him at all.
Which is probably indicative of his performance.
He slightly out performed Jo Adell in AAA last year but no one is expecting him to break out.
Right. But he was nice to look at. So it’s a sad day for the ladies.
…and this is why Mia wasn’t hired as an MLB talent scout……..LOL
Among many, many reasons.
Ehh, a player being cute is just a nice added bonus.
Kinda like when your wife or girlfriend drags you to a romcom and Sydney Sweeney is in it.
Who is Sydney Sweeney?
Oh just a beautiful actress that has been on top of Hollywood for a few years now.
Did you see the rolling stones’ video with the woman in the convertible?
Lettuce all ponder who beet him out to stay on the 40 man roaster.
Bro. I just filmed this earlier with the intent of making this very gif. Crazy coinky-dink
Depending on how old your tv is. Here’s a standard view of it.
Rudy, Rudy! Niners needed that inspiration at halftime. Joe Cool was the honorary pregame captain and got the NFC championship trophy at the end.
Edited to add: day late/buck short… are you writing a re-port?🎵
You can Trey and figure it out, but you’ll get a Head ache and end up a Bitter old Sauerkraut.
But we still need Moore pitching…
Good thing we signed (Matt) Moore.
And yet, we need moar….
LAT has a commentary piece on why we haven’t signed Bellinger or Snell yet. Not worth posting the link.
Newest rumor of the day has us “in” on Matt Chapman (Matt Levine if you want to look it up yourself).
All that click bait stuff is here. https://www.si.com/mlb/angels/
But they also seem to be first on most breaking real stories.
It is always entertaining (what does the E in ESPN stand for, hint not East anymore) to me to read what people on here have to say as well as whatever link. Most the time there’s crossover!
If I’m using GIFs/memes I am in playful mode.
If I use a link it’s to have a discussion.
I hope we aren’t going after Chapman. His numbers are falling. Seems like a typical aging veteran signing we’ve done so many times.
Matt thinks our lineup is a joke outside of Ohtani, and he was right TBH. Long shot to sign here but I think he will go to Giants or back to Jays.
So, we’re all rooting for Detroit/Baltimore this weekend?
Oh, and:
A.I. Taylor Swifts Ass >>>>> Actual Taylor Swifts ass
REEEEEEED KINGDOOOOOM!!
Mahomes and KC gets it done LFG !
You’re trolling me, right? You’re a millennial from LA, how are you a chefs fan?
At least have the decency to be a Raider fan !!!!
Funny you ask..
Grew up in LA without a local team, so early on I took to the Colts because my mom is from Indy. I’m a diehard Colts’ fan.
Where does my Chiefs’ fandom come from? Well, I watched Mahomes a ton in college at Texas Tech and could tell he was different. Found myself tuning into a .500 Texas Tech team every Saturday strictly for Mahomes.
Obviously he gets drafted by KC. By that time Andrew Luck retires, Colts go into QB purgatory, and I start dating a girl (my ex) from Missouri.
We watched every Chiefs’ game for like 3-4 years. Couple that with Mahomes’ magic, as the Colts made me suffer thru the QB carousel of Brisset-Rivers-Wentz-Matty Ice.
Long story short, I’m a fan of both teams nowadays. Colts will always be *my* #1 team, and I’m a passionate fan of KC. Mahomes is my favorite NFL player currently because if you haven’t been able to tell, I root for greatness.
Chiefs ownership >> Jim Irsay. That guy makes Arte look like a saint
Actually, despite his substance abuse problems, Jim Irsay is well liked by the Hoosier community and those in the Organization including the players. It was his dad, Robert who moved the team in the middle of the night from Baltimore who was incarnate evil.
When you lay it down that way, I get it. You have to stick a spike in Mahomes’ evil heart to kill him. Dude is clutch.
Still, F’ the chefs. I hope Maxx Crosby breaks him in half 7 months from now !!!!
Rooting for Ravens SF…..for 1 reason, best/most interesting possible SB.
Beting KC Det + the points.
But would Love to see the long-suffering Detroit fans get a ring.
Rooting for same SB match up. So it will prolly be Det v KC haha
I don’t know how anyone gambles on NFL with officiating having zero checks and balances. Like the say, the great players “earn” their calls.
If the talent is relatively equal, bet on the team that the league & networks like more.
KC Home of the Queefs?
Hahaha
No offense to P12, but as George Lopez would say, “F*ck those Putos”.
I’m a salty a$$ Raider fan. And yes, I own my bitterness.
Are we all suppose to sing kumbaya on here? It’s really fun when people like P12 expand on their fanaticism.
You’re a raider fan, did you see/hear AP poking fun at Telesco? That was comical, seemed well natured and is more of a reality (ribbing each other) than what’s projected… oh yeah, I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for so and so. AP was like hell no I was trying to drop 71 (would’ve went for 2!) on the chargers ass lol
AP is the perfect persona for the Raiders. Gangsta’ team requires a gangsta’ coach.
Now get him an OC and QB.
Tuff life when you are in a division with Mahomes/Kelce/Reid, Herbert/Harbaugh, Sean Payton and you are stuck with Antonio Pierce and Aidan O’Connell.
While we’re here, Banned…
Thoughts on UFC 298/299/300? Are you going to 298 in Anaheim?
Like Arte, I’m practicing a degree of fiscal restraint in 24’ so probably not, but I’ll of course watch them all. Some action along the way, too.
Lmaooo good one, until King Arte signs Snell!
Volk vs Ilia is appointment television. Dana needs to announce DDP vs Izzy for UFC 300 already.
Ilia is snatching that belt.
This is the year of belts changing hands in almost every weight class. Bet on it.
Yes, but I’ll always have Christmas Day 2023 when the Raiders physically thumped & punked the chefs.
0% chance that Aiden is the starting QB.
Don’t know who it’ll be, but I know it won’t be.
The XMas game was the worst regular season game in the Mahomes Era. I gave up all hope on the season after that lol.
I enjoyed Aidan at Purdue and his rookie season with yall. Solid backup.
😂😂😂😂
Please don’t pledge your allegiance to me ‘71… no thumbs up or replying to me or ye shall be ostracized!!
Too funny!
49ers-Ravens
I root for Not Baltimore.
Basically, I’m Detroit or bust. Which means bust.
I root for who whoever is playing the Niners.
And whomever is playing the dodgers.
So, you’re either a Raiders fan or a Rams fan?
The CtPG shooooow
I’m gonna piggyback on a comment made earlier today by 71 regarding optimism and pessimism. As fan, I tend to fall in the more optimistic camp because I don’t want to give up before the season starts unless that’s part of the plan, which I don’t believe it is. But, if you put your glasses on, or take them off, whichever you need to do, and look closely, it is hard to see how the team as currently constructed, is much better than last year. That is not a complaint about what has been done so far but an observation of where they are.
The bullpen, as has been mentioned by many here, does look to have the potential to be good and a club strength. Some poor performers are gone and have been replaced with players who are potentially better.
The young starting pitchers regressed last year so their is hope they go back the other direction this year. But with Ohtani gone, even if they all greatly improve, they probably just make up for the loss of Ohtani since the club has not really replaced him with anyone. So there isn’t a lot of room the starting pitching as whole to be significantly better.
Position player wise, who has actual room to improve. Trout, Ward, Neto, Schanuel, and maybe Rendone. Even if they all improved, they might offset Ohtani and a little more. It’s unlikely everyone get’s better though so there will probably be a mix. Rengifo, Drury, O’hoppie, and Moniak all had very good seasons. If they all put up the same OPS+ we would probably be very happy, and they would have to repeat their performance for the team just to keep up with last year.
The bottom line is that I am optimistic and very interested to see how everyone does, but 71 has a very valid point that it’s hard to see how, other than the bullpen, the club has the potential to be much better than last year even if no one regresses, which isn’t likely. There are so many unkowns, it’s a year to evaluate where your at.
I left out Adell. He has room to improve as well, but even if he hits 25 HRs, how many outs will they cost. I know there are a lot of Adell lovers here, I don’t mean to offend you.
Edited to add /s
I disagree with you to a degree on Ohtani the Pitcher.
First of all, he’s only available one start per week and let’s not forget, he pictched like hot garbage for most of his June-August starts.
I think even a slight improvement from Sandoval & Detmers would eclipse the value of Ohtani (the pitcher)
Ohtani the masher is another conversation. We’ll miss that dude big time.
We need to win a lot of 3-2 games this season to be “in it” and having a strong BP is paramount. Time will tell if we have one….
I’d argue Ohtani, when healthy, is a top 5 SP in baseball any day of the week. Not to say he didn’t go thru some tough stretches on the mound, but he was flat out dominant 21-22-23.
There’s a reason he’s the greatest to ever do it. Elite hitter, elite pitcher, elite runner, elite fielder.
“When healthy” is a big a$$ qualifier when you’re talking about a pitcher with two elbow explosions.
Besides, the conversation was about replacing Ohtani’s WAR as a pitcher. He started out hot in April snd most of May (?) and pitched poorly IMO the rest of the way prior to the injury.
I think a return to form for Sandoval & modicum of consistency from Detmers makes up the difference and more.
Am I crazy, Yes. But am I wrong…..
I’m good with that.
You should know by now I think Detmers is a budding superstar, and fortunately so does our new pitching coach.
Detmers, Sandoval, Canning, Silseth is a solid core.
Yup. No argument from me that Ohtani wasn’t dealing in 21’ and 22’, I just think our youngsters in 24’ could/should outperform 23’ Ohtani. Hope that makes sense.
I agree
*please note I’m joking, I don’t think you’re actually an a-hole*
Shut the f*ck up Donnie !!!
(PS – Yes, I am an AHole and no offense taken)
Still batting 1000% for not being wrong though!!
wait who are the adell lovers
Love me some Adele but can she pitch?
Hello. Hold on, all I ask is you don’t sell Adele short. Rumour has it she could be the one and only and help us to take it all.
I’m rooting for him. He can mash dingerz. I am in favor of this.
I want to see a full season of him in mlb… not ready to throw in the towel yet.
You go ahead and flop to the optimistic side all you want Roy. It doesn’t hurt anyone or cost anything.
Here’s my thoughts on all of this pesimoptim talk (not just at you Roy) since so many people around here seem to struggle with this topic:
1) If you throw around terms like hopeium or Kool-Aid while telling folks you don’t mind if people want to look on the bright side…. you’re full of shit. You mind. You have a problem with it.
2) In ANY situation, looking at the pile of stuff in front of you and thinking of ways, even far fetched ways, that this pile can actually accomplish something good is a skill. Finding ways that a pile of stuff can NOT accomplish anything is the opposite of a skill… what ever that is. It’s like finding the sky. Good for you dimwit.
3) When people do try to figure out what the possible strengths of a situation are they never have been, are not now, and will not ever be trying to fool or trick you. If this is a suspicion you struggle with it is likely that you are a combination of proud and simple minded. It’s OK to shrug your shoulders and say “meh, might happen”. No one is keeping score and if they are they have extreme small dick energy.
4) There’s a very wide chasm between saying a couple things may work out well or that a good thing could happen if several different variables all swing our way and declaring absolute confidence in victory and undiluted allegiance to who ever is making the decisions.
5) I can tell from decades of reading comments that Arte Moreno reminds many of us of your dad, or a football coach who wouldn’t let you play because you were weak or stupid or both. Maybe a boss who didn’t want to listen to your thoughts on how to run his company because, again, weak, stupid. It also seems like you think he actually sees your comments and you are afraid that if you let any ember of positivity glow while Arte is still alive Arte will no longer feel your ire. But he doesn’t read your comments. He’s also not your dad. You should talk to a therapist, stop being such a sad donkey, and let people find little things to enjoy about this team.
6) A lot of success in baseball has to do with talent and planning. A lot of it also has to do with luck. A LOT of luck. Demanding good luck, and whining constantly about bad luck, needing someone to blame or even hate for those bad breaks…. that’s what pathetic losers do. Multiply that by thousands, a fanbase becomes a bunch of losers. No one wants to win for a pile of losers. Resiliency is a part of winning, a skill. Someone sitting around moaning until someone finally summits your mountain of bitch isn’t resiliency, it is just sitting around at the finish lining complaining and then flexing when your team finally wins. This is what front running candy asses do. The baseball gods hate it. This may explain some of our recent problems at the Big A.
7) Many of us want to “see how theese will work” in February. I understand, maybe you’ve only watched baseball for a couple years, so you might say that. Or maybe you’re just not very bright…. but you’re demanding. Most of us have watched a lot of baseball, so we should all be aware that there are always dozens of players that have surprisingly good seasons every year. Even surprise teams. So demanding that our fellow fans be pissy because we can’t see how the coming season is sure to be good right now isn’t really necessary. Even the Yankees and Doyers can’t manage to buy a title most years and they strive to give their asshole fans the surety some Angels fans demand. So standing as guardian against invalid optimism doesn’t really serve any purpose. No one needs your help sad donkey.
So, while it’s pretty likely the Angels will not win the title this year, feel free to let your mind roam the verdant hills of how it’s an outside possibility. Enjoy any excitement you feel at the thought that Neto or O’Hoppe or Packy Naughton may blossom into a stud. Go ahead and try to have a little fun as an Angels fan. It’s OK. It’s good.
I also realize that many folks are reading this and thinking something along the lines of “But someone has to point out…. are you saying I can’t….. I have a right damn it….. I have been butt hurt for years so I have to…. this Gitcho thinks he’s smarter than everyone and better than me. OAH NAR!”
No they don’t. You can, but who is it really helping? You do sad donkey, yes you do. No, no you don’t. You can stop whining, rub some ointment on it, and move on. Yes, I do because I am. Yes I am.
You can either accept it or continue to take weird pride in eating misery with a bag of dicks on the side every night and getting weirdly mad at the people who won’t join you for dinner.
Jo Adell… 2024 AL MVP baby.
Sure sets the record straight. Is there going to be a quiz on this later?
The answer to every question is “Don’t be a poon”.
That may win the record for longest post. My question is this – is a realist just a pessimist in sheep’s clothing? Can someone be neither pessimistic nor optimistic? Can a person just feel meh and express it as such? Why does everything have to be on the extremes? That seems like ‘wit me or agin me’ type viewpoint so prevalent in our Nation today. Is there not a middle ground that is worth preserving?
I, personally, am neither optimistic nor pessimistic about this team. I’m just sitting here in the middle- wait and see – neither excited nor depressed. If anything, I’m a skeptic which is very different thing altogether from either an optimist or a pessimist.
If you want an example of pessimism, look no further than 2002.
I actually agree with some of what you wrote and won’t accuse others of huffing hopium anymore. I can see your point on that.
Apparently I didn’t communicate very well and perhaps used the wrong terminology. All I was really saying is that when you look at your team as a fan, there are always reasons to feel both optimistic or skeptical about their chances and regarding the Angels this year, there are very good reasons to be either one or both. As fans, we always root for success but are sometimes skeptical for good reason. I actually appreciate the fact that there are both kinds of people here and I enjoy hearing why they feel or think the way they do. I believe you can be optimistic and analytically skeptical at the same time. And there is certainly room for numerous opinions when predicting your teams performance. There are lot’s of things that could happen, some more likely than others. I was just pointing out that, regardless of how others feel, you have good reason to be skeptical and they have good reason to be optimistic.
Can we just attach one of these after every comment?
Classic!! 😂😂
I feel like we are becoming too cliquey ‘71. That’s NOT what CtPG is about… can you fall in line already?!?
(Clicks to attention and salutes) sir yes sir!
Well Done Gitcho .Your post was so strong and so spot on, it may have even elicited an epiphany in ’71 that many here have thought has long been buried and possibly lost.
Long live the allusion of hopium (ie trAdition fAndom) Long live Crashing the Pearly Gates. There’s hope for you yet ’71. I apologize to you for losing that faith in you.
Yay, more prospects!
https://twitter.com/TaylorBlakeWard/status/1751047273235321210
You mean Shamwow?
“…I can’t do this all day!”
We all have our limits 4eva
Vince Offer legend.
I’ve not yet immortalized your account with a GIF/meme (you had an intelligent comment and I didn’t want to mess with that mojo).
How would you like me to proceed… should I handle with care/bend the knee or would you like me to treat you like everyone else?
I was glad to NOT see Quero or Bush on that list
*yet
The Shaman has played in the majors with some degree of success and he’s the #95 rated prospect behind guys who haven’t graduated A and AA ball?
that’s some strange shit
No surprise, we’re in the bottom 5
Power Ranking All 30 MLB Franchises over the Past 5 Seasons
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10105660-power-ranking-all-30-mlb-franchises-over-the-past-5-seasons
#26. Los Angeles Angels (321-387, -342 run differential, no postseason appearances)
“If you wanted to say that the Halos should actually be in dead last for repeatedly posting a sub-.500 record during a six-year stretch in which they simultaneously employed two of the greatest players in MLB history, I wouldn’t argue with you. They absolutely squandered a golden opportunity. They were never outright terrible, though, and in fact have not finished dead last in the AL West since 1999. They’ve simply perfected the art of underachieving without ever fully tanking. (That is not a compliment. They’ve been stuck in purgatory for more than a decade.)”
Pirates, royals, tigers, Rockies are the only teams worse. It’s sad to see the Athletics above us!
…but remember the national publications and baseball savants are not including the 15 WAR we will receive in 2024 just by having Ron “Baseball Jesus” Washington wear the Angel uniform.
They don’t call him “15 WAR Ron” for nuttin’
It used to be 15 line Ron.
8 ball Ron has graduated to 15 WAR Ron.
Still time to get in on the ground floor, Vegas hasn’t even adjust for RBJW yet.
Everyone who missed out on Ohtani’s 80-1 MVP odds in ‘21…. Git in now!!
Reading more about Snell and Clevinger makes me think pass on both of them.
Montgomerey OK, but otherwise pass and sit pat until next year.
Unless maybe we can get Clevinger on a 1 year deal for cheap that we likely can flip for prospects….
Pulling for the Jays to sign Snell to ensure Perry does not
My opinion is that the Yanks want Snell.
And that Snell wants the Yanks.
And that Snell will just use the Angels to raise the Yanks bid.
So the only way to sign Snell is for Arte to massively overpay for Snell, which I absolutely do not think we should do.
Good back and forth here on some of the challenges Canada has in securing athletes (would be similar to some states here but Canada’s tax rate is higher)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/taxnotes/2022/06/22/how-canada-taxes-pro-athletes/amp/
But what does this meeeeeaaaannn??
My opinion, Snell will sign a large contract in a state that doesn’t pay certain taxes or IF he does sign (say TOR or NY) they will be adding more money/some other bennys to offset. He’s outplayed his last contract(s). Man wants to secure his bag and Boras will give him just that.
The athletic has a piece on shortening the MLB season. Our #6 front and center of the discussion
https://theathletic.com/5228769/2024/01/26/mlb-shorten-schedule-anthony-rendon/?amp=1
That’s the thing. Remove your rage boner for Rendon if you have to and just imagine that it’s “Blank Face Player” saying it. The season IS too long. It’s boring. People don’t need 162 games played in daylight anymore. Kids don’t entertain themselves with hula hoops and a stick anymore either. Some Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday games could totally be cut and we’d all be fine. Players WOULD get hurt less. A lot of players will start better not playing on ice in early April in Chicago etc and we could stand to have the play offs end before Thanksgiving…. especially if they expand the league and probably playoffs.
Season starts in third week of April. Season ends second week of September. Playoffs, which everyone actually cares about, go to slightly longer series. Maybe have a couple more off days, kill off a few mid week games a season. Play something like 140 games, mostly Thursday through Monday…. each match up becomes more of an event. The best starters pitch more…. sounds good to me.
I must also hate baseball.
I don’t think I’ve mentioned Rendon much but I can understand his name might *trigger* certain thoughts that are really just regurgitated on here. so I get it, not offended. That link was/is new… just adding it here as it’s been discussed. I like to read what the lay person has to say and what word smiths do too.
My clutch links actually help his cause out for performance when it counts (to me, later innings in close games).
Maybe MLB should expand the rosters so September calls up are opening day rosters people now too? Spread the wealth of the season amongst many, see who has the best team/group of players. Just food for thought.
That what I meant by “if you have to”. Some would have to, some don’t. I mean, it’s not like I’ve been in love with the guy…. how do you love a player who can’t ever play?
My bad, I think I have to learn your style more.
It does mention other names (Rizzo) in the article and that was in 2018. I’d think he was still drunk off the Cubbies WS. I was fortunate enough to be in Chicago when they won and for the parade. Wow that fun. So you’d think Rizzo wouldn’t want certain seasons to end, right??
https://www.si.com/mlb/angels/news/recently-signed-angels-pitcher-working-out-at-driveline-this-offseason-rks97
Is it all about velocity? Spin rate would affect velo, correct? Any pitchers out there?
I’m gonna say this. I hate headlines where they don’t mention who it is so you *have* to click. F you, headline writers and link setters.
I didn’t help that out, I’ll try to do a TL:DR if/when supplying a link in the future… if I’m allowed
not your fault. It’s just the way they do it these days
Willing to learn, appreciate the feedback.
I’m wondering what happened. Was 2022 the abberation? When our team ERA got good? Or did something weird happen in 2023?
I’m looking at Loup. 2.52 ERA (0.840 whip) in 2020, 095 (0.9350 on 2021, comes here in 2022 3.84 (1.295) and then ouch 6.10 (1.747).
Tep, 3 years in a row 3.92, 2.79, 3.61, then 7.59!
Anderson goes from 2.57 to 5.43.
Is that coincidence or did something cause them to be terrible in 2023? Wise was the pitching coach in both 2022 and 2023 so I don’t think it’s that we miss Callaway.
Almost forgot to mention, the reason why I’m asking is that Stephenson will be an interesting case to watch this year.
The curse was temporarily lifted in 2022 due to three 2’s being in the year.
No but I betcha we’ve missed Nagy & Scioscia. Since 2018 , the starting staff and bullpen has been very inconsistent.
Yeah, but we gain several wins per year because we are free from those guys. That’s why we’ve been so much better since they left, right? ANY manager and coaching staff would have done as well or better if I recall. That’s what Halo’s Heaven was all about. There is no way those real men of baseball were full of shit.
A bunch of us wished really hard for those guys to fail because they weren’t the guys we wanted “cheap” Arte and “stupid” Perry to sign. We got the magic we create.