MLB and the clubs will pay for the vandalized Jackie Robinson statue to be replaced. While the original sculptor is dead, his mold is fortunately still intact. Someone just needed to pay for the bronze and the pouring.
Perry traded Trey Cabbage to the Astros for minor league pitcher Carlos Espinosa. Here is a little spin on the Cabbage trade from the Astros perspective. Former Angel Joe Smith announced his retirement. Beckham Trout makes a snow angel.
The Padres will sign free agent left-hander Wandy Peralta to a four year deal. He apparently has three different opt-out clauses. A health issue led to the Dodgers dropping their price lower on James Paxton this week, but he still signed with them. The Seattle Mariners traded for Jorge Polanco. Several players including Anthony DeSclafani went back to the Twins in the deal.
The Red Sox claimed Romy Gonzalez off waivers from the White Sox. They designated right-hander Zack Weiss for assignment in a corresponding move. The Pirates designated outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba for assignment.
Minor League Deals
The Mets signed Jose Rondon. The Nationals signed Robert Gsellman.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
Good news, allegedly/reportedly Manoah, a reported trade target of the Halos, is now off the trade market. One bad trade taken off the table before the Halos could make it.
I wonder how long before we see a report that we were “in” on Burnes…
Every time I see one of those reports, it makes me laugh. The only one I slightly believe is an outlandish contract for Snell. Nothing Arturo loves more than insane overpays for a previous season.
Burnes slots in nicely next to that guy Kyle Bradish…
😖
I wish stupid Angels scouts could find pitching prospects like Kyle Bradish!
Wasn’t Clevinger in the Angels system too before he broke out?
Albert Belle is pitching beep about having better stats than Trout and believes that he belongs in the HOF. Gary Sheffield this week complained about not being voted in and falling off the ballot process. What do Albert belle and Gary Sheffield have in common?
Hmm, let’s see, both were surly when playing and didn’t make friends in the press. More important, Steroids come to mind. That is considered cheating, so you don’t get in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
Albert Belle had a career OPS+ of 144 which is 30 points below Trouts without even considering base running, defense, and the positions they played. Belle also accumulated just 40 WAR which is less than half of what Trout already has. Albert Belle may have an argument that he is a HOF hitter, much better than a bunch of players who are already in, but he looks silly when he compares himself to Mike Trout.
Gary Sheffield has a slightly lower career OPS+ of 140, which is still HOF caliber, and he accumulated 60 WAR, which until the last decade was sort of considered the WAR floor for modern players and one that Bill James identified as one of the selection criteria. back in the 80s or 90s. So Gary maybe has a slightly stronger argument although both were probably HOF hitters and deserve consideration, certainly more so than many who have already been enshrined.
Some guys are slam dunks but with others you just shake your head. Recent inductees Harold Baines with 39 WAR and a 121 OPS+, and Jim Rice with 48 WAR and a 128 OPS+ are absolutely mind boggling.
It’s the Hall of Very Good at this point. Not trying to knock it, just the reality.
If we are considering how well someone handled media (no thanks for me or just give me the plug and play answers that would never change) or is liked, those just aren’t great criteria. But then again, maybe that’s where the ‘Fame’ part comes in.
The really great ones all get in but there are a number of really deserving players who are not in. When I was growing up there were guys who were really great every year until they aged out. Like Trout’s 1st 10 years, they had MVP seasons every year. Pitchers as well as hitters. I don’t see that today. Players aren’t able to repeat year after year. That was what set Trout apart. For 10 years you could have deservedly given him the MVP. Not true of his peers who haven’t been able to maintain the level year after year. Or Like Albert in St Louis, or Bonds.
My reality, if I ever go, is I’d check out anything Angels related (Vladdy, Carew, Nolan, any game/individual player performance stuff) and not check out anything I didn’t want for see. And be on my way.
I did Yankee Stadiums outfield thing and a few other local things. Maybe if I went to Cooperstown I would feel more ‘vested’ or whatever. Certainly like the talk about it, but it doesn’t change anything in my life. In this case Sheffield in over Belle. Belle was fun to watch in the playoffs.
Unless you’re David Ortiz.
So the new Owner is already exerting his influence https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/orioles-nearing-deal-for-corbin-burnes.html
Would this be the equivalent of us giving up Neto, Soriano & the Ohtani Comp pick?
Would you do that deal ?
Hall > Soriano
Orioles gave up a lot for a one-year rental
For their most glaring hole on their roster though.
The rare team that is so stocked on the farm this makes sense to prioritize the major league club and not have to sell your payroll soul for Blake Snell.
😂
But Neto>> Ortiz so my equivalent package would have actually been too much (according to the Evil TS) for Burnes
I agree that the Orioles package is alot to give up although I’m not sure how much the Comp Pick is valued at . I’ guess I’m more bummed that we will probably have to give up our second round draft pick next year when we sign Corbin Burnes in Free Agency
The comp pick is wearth more than an Ohtani comp pick.
Wel, We’lll get one of them Comp A picks next year when the Shamwow wins the ROY.
He might just lead the league in singles but hey, he has a high OBA
Burnes is a stud, you gotta make that deal in that division, I like the O’s side of it.
I like it as well, especially since it will likely “inspire” NY, Boston or Toronto to do something stupid
If the O’s stiff arm the Yankees and do well in the post season It’s a great deal for them. Their farm is so stacked that they really didn’t lose much from their end.
Am I missing an inside joke re: Snell ?
Any legitimate smoke to this supposed fire?
There’s no chance.
Two reporters posted on a site that the Angels are going to reel in Snell with the number of years that needs to be finalized.
Don’t believe everything errr anything you read these days Grandpa.
In regards to Snell going to the Halos, it is now official:
No new news on that subject.
Thats mean 4EVA
Thing I think I’d consider:
Cincy has too many infielders and a pretty weak rotation. Angels have too many outfielders and a crap farm.
India and Adell are both out of options but have clear paths to playing time in their new organizations.
My default setting, because of Angel trAdition, assumes everyone will do better after they leave us. In reality we seem to be league average, not a lot of players move on from us and take off, more likely to kill their career after being in our organization.
With that said, we’re likely way, way, way past receiving a good return for Adell if we were to trade him…LET HIM PLAY! Don’t trade him! This is my gut feel. Defense has improved to where I don’t think it’s an issue anymore. Never going to be great, but league average?
I think he can hit .250, 80+ RBI, hit 20+ HRs. And I’m not shocked if he does better than that. I’ll take it, plus I like the guy. Something about him, just looks like he’s going to be a stud, again my gut feel, nothing else.
Free Jo!
Man this site sure seems down on Canning. I’d rather have him than Clevinger. Potentially I think Griff will have a quality season in 2024 ( until his arm and diminutive body explodes on the mound mid game )
While I like India, he seems like a poor man’s Brandon Drury, But This move would pay dividends for the Angels in the long run but its certainly not how Arte rolls
To me, he’s got the look and feel of a #4 starter on an average team, with some upside. Hopefully the new pitching coach can unlock something.
I’m definitely not down on Canning. He’s 98% of the trade value the Angels gave up.
We need to solve multiple problems here: third base, infield depth, Adell roster crunch.
Simply signing an Urshela or Anderson at best solves 2 of those problems. This solves all three and adds a prospect.
Rec for “…diminutive body explodes…”
It’s not “being down” on Canning. We lost 89 games with Canning….and Ohtani….and Trout. Adding a metric shit-ton of relief pitchers to a team with crappy starting pitchers only matters if the plan is to pitch the relievers longer in games and more frequently.
Trade them all and try something different. The worst thing that could happen is we lose more games. BFD.
I’m with you Senator
Starting pitching is at a premium level, not so with infielders. Starting pitchers can keep us in games, makes it worth turning in to watch. Besides, Canning has a big year and he will bring more return at trade deadline.
Ok so we have “crappy starting pitchers” and Canning is one of our starting pitchers but you’re not down on Canning.
hmmm.
It all depends on your point of comparison. Would it be better to pretend he’s a contributing member of a good starting rotation, or acknowledge that when he’s not been injured Canning has struggled to a 19 – 21 record over his career with a 4.58 ERA and 1.299 WHIP.
At best he’s average. By saying that if it indicates I’m “down” on him – so be it.
Could it be that you are so affected by TrAdition that even the positive signs from the development of a young but oft injured pitcher into a viable starting pitching asset have blinded your judgement?
Blending his lifetime career stats would certainly suggest so. Last year canning lowered his WHIP to 1.236 while striking out 139 batters in 127 innings. his era was lowered to 4.32 thereby generating 2.0 WAR at the age of 26/27 . If thats your definition of crappy for your #3 or #4 going into the season than its going to be a very long one for you Senator.
Bottom line this. Do you think Adell is not going to amount to much so we should get what we can now?
I’m torn on this question, but leaning a bit more to the negative side. Would love to be wrong, of course.
The possibility of this dude going elsewhere and looking like a poor man’s Justin Upton haunts me.
I would love for Adell to succeed, but based on his performance the last 4 years, and he does have nearly 600 ABs including more than 250 in 22, I don’t see his ceiling being as good as Moniak was last year or anywhere near where Ward was the year before. Even though he has improved his defense, his BA, and BB and K rates have not improved. He’s out of options and he’s still a project who has never shown the ability to hit major league pitching. Maybe he will be a late bloomer as he did hit pretty good last year in AAA, but we just DFAd a guy in Cabbage who actually slightly out performed Adell last year in the same league. The question to ask is do you think he will become that player you hope for in this organization? I could go either way, but if he can be packaged in a trade for something the team needs, then I would do it.
If India was good, he’d have a secure position but shaky in the field
Again, the idea would be Ron Washington could work with him and make it less shaky, maybe league average or so.
I have thought all winter Cincy is a great trade partner for us. They’d work for a Ward trade too, and they do indeed have prospects up the wazoo and nowhere to put em.
Adell could also hit 50 HR in GABP…. and bat .210.
I think that’s okay. We’d be giving up something, but India addresses needs we have.
Decent baseball documentary on Netflix maybe worth watching “The Saint of Second Chances” about the Veeck family, mostly the son. Had a “I did not know that” story about D. Strawbery in it, and a good story about his daughter. Some interesting things about the Veeck time with the White Sox’s I didn’t know, good details about the Disco Demolition Night.
One more baseball movie review for Thursday….
Dennis Quaid and THE HILL on Netflix? I’d rather rewatch last years Angels 2023 TANKATHON in slow motion, and then backwards…..then this horrrrrible movie.
Claim it’s based on a true story, blah, I doubt much of that story is true.
Arte needs a trained pig to deliver baseballs to the umpire every night. Then I would definitely have a reason to go to the Big A this season
This
I haven’t checked the site this much everyday for a signing since anticipating Scioscia parting ways, the firings of Big brain Brad and Maddon, and the release of Pujols. I fear clicking on breaking news that we overpaid Snell just to do something
The trauma of being an Angels fan.
Its TrAuma TrAdition Jeff.
Is it trauma or resignation. As a fan since 1961, I think it’s more the latter for me at this point.
Pirates Designated OF Canaan Smith-Njigba For Assignment…and he immediately signs a minor league deal with the Angels in…5, 4, 3, 2, 1…and rescues his brother, WR Jaxon from the Seahawks and the city of Seattle, signs with the Chargers.
I find it interesting….
The general media keeps on dumping on the Angels at how we have such a bad farm and we’re screwed, with some fringe MLB players..
At the same time, when we signed new players and need to drop a couple from our 40-man (presumably the ones we least need to keep), the media comes up with analysis about how good the players are that we’ve given up and what a steal it is for other teams to grab them.
Comment of the day. I’m glad you were not 2GA to post it.
Sam Blum in a nutshell.
Farm is worthless until we trade from it, then we’re gonna regret the guys we shipped out
I actually was seeing this in other media locations too.
And good job summarizing what I said in a nice one-liner. For some reason I struggled to figure out how to type it earlier. I’m not a morning person.
Basically yeah but it’s possible to have some quality on the farm while the overall depth is poor. For example, our farm might be ranked #28 but we might regret trading Quero.
It makes sense that other teams would only be interested in the better minor leaguers we have.
Who ironically is not ranked in the top 100 MLB prospects.
Quero is however, the 9th best catcher prospect in baseball according to MLB pipeline so there’s that
we pretty much have no top 100 prospects since Shanny is the only one (at 95) and he’s on the big club already.
Blum’s point is that we’re going to regret giving up any talent in a barren farm system. This is why the farm continues to be rated so low: our 1st round picks are rushed to the majors, and the next tier of prospects get traded off for players that didn’t last more than a few weeks
We should have a contest where we all try to write what we think Sam Blum would have said if we’d held onto Ohtani but NOT made any of those trades in July.
I’m sure the Hat would have been all “Wise. Prudent. Very good.”
Don’t get me wrong, and DON’T start a long political discussion about this anybody.
But it’s pretty obvious Arte likes him some Trump. It’s also pretty obvious from their social media that Sam The Hat and other baseball writers don’t.
Thus…. Angels worstiest team evah most wasted best players who are partially around… so cheap…. blah blah blah. The truth is the Angels, Red Sox and Mets are all pretty much in the same boat org wise…. so are the Rangers, as we will likely see over the next few years. Not doing great, but not the trash fire angry press weenie wants to make out either.
I’m in “the arts” and I hate when critics, which is all a sports writer is now, show everyone their emotional underpants all the time when reviewing an art show, or film, or album…. I’ll check it out and see that it’s awful, but makes writer’s feelz warm, so I was told it’s good. Then I’ll go see some art show that is “horrible” and it’s great…. but oops, turns out said artist is really into blondes and owning guns.
Sam Blum is perfect for CtPG…. his daddy issues run all over his coverage like mascara down a ghosted bridesmaid’s face.
This is one of the reasons, though they aren’t high on the Angels either, that I prefer news based more on Fangraphs type stuff.
So Fangraphs isn’t racist ?
Yeah and the fact that the ASStros fans were [Reportedly]so jazzed to get Cabbage back-Like they heavily mourned his departure earlier in his career….
This is too TrAditionally perfect.
https://twitter.com/TaylorBlakeWard/status/1753115338752024726
Possible K rate of 99% now he won’t be facing the Angels…can’t wait to see him and Adams in the same lineup……….we all know that is coming.
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/683a1269-f8fa-47fb-a1c4-b4fcc517ea55
No one said there was going to be any maff…..
To Arte Moreno: “Dude, you got a Snell!”
….let’s wait and see…
I’ll run the counterpoint. I really hope this doesn’t happen. 7-9 years for a 31 year old pitcher at $30 million is a big mistake in my opinion.
Agree, good for a couple three years and after that it will be ugly…trAdition.
Yep. I am instinctively excited to see us sign someone good, but logic and reason agrees with what you’ve said. Hopefully Perry is using the same reason.
Unfortunately, we already missed some opportunities to sign other pitchers.
Assuming, of course that said pitchers wanted to play for us…
Well, we don’t know what happens behind the scenes. All we know is that there is a list of free agents available with some that might be good fits, and we don’t sign them.
God I love that people seem to get this now. Back in the HH days it seemed like 90% of people just thought that the only thing stopping players from signing with the Angels was Arte being cheap. Even players who said they’d only play on the E Coast, etc.
While some of us may be really impressed with ourselves for living in SoCal, kids from Atlanta and Texas and Santa Domingo mostly don’t give a shit.
I am actually neutral in signing Snell, if it happens, it happens…..
right, but not for 9 years.
Looking up random pitchers I see Greg Maddux, starting at age 31, had ERAs of 2.20, 2.22, 3.57, 3.00, 3.05, 2.62 (that’s 6 years of solid pitching), 3.96, 4.02. 4.24
We’ll take those last three years in a heart beat…LOL
The Yankees made the right offer of 6 years $150M
I could even see 4 years and $110-$120m. Not personally interested but at least that would be less risky. But the length and money he’s asking for – I think it’s a big mistake.
I agree with you regarding less money and years as well but based on the last 6 years, 25M a year is fair. He’s only been worth 30M twice in the last 6 years so it hopefully evens out. 6 years would be the maximum I would go and you could accept greater risk by paying him a little more per year for 4 years as you suggest. There’s probably a reasonable chance he’s better than average twice in the next four years and he’s historically been better than any starter the Angels currently have. 4-6 years even as an overpay would provide starting pitching stability. But he’s already turned down 3OM a year for 6 years from the Yankees and I don’t think paying him more than that would be a good risk. As others have pointed out, almost none of the long term pitching contracts have worked out. If we were that one pitcher away from possibly winning the World Series in the next couple of years, maybe it would be worth it as an owner. But we’re not.
Exactly. You sign that bruiser of a contract when you think you might be in the WS the first 3 years of those 7.
I had to look twice at your comment. I thought you said “Dude, you got to Sell!”
I would think he hears that every day 24/7 and thats just from his own Family members.
I saw Smails…I bet you $50 he doesn’t get Snell or sell. And we here a CTPG will just need to eat it.
https://youtu.be/E-jlQS-Wuc0?si=wkzVX5stLIQicSdM
Ahhh… classic cinema at its finest.
Hard pass unless he will take a short deal. And he won’t, so that’s that. Some panicked owner will give him an 8-year deal. Oh wait.
Caribbean WS starts NOW in Miami. Three games today.
Sano is a big bat for DR – they play Venezuela tonight.
But quality baseball, on ESPN, is back. PR vs. Nicaragua, now. joy.
February – the best baseball month – is here
Many Reports are that Sano has slimmed down and changed his swing and looks rejuvenated. Well that maybe the case but his Dominican Winter league stats dont really reflect that as he only slashing .225/.346/.405 . Thats not exactly overwhelming for DOWL but we will see.
A GoFundMe worthy cause! My favorite, besides people coming together, is the $10,000 from an anonymous WS winner. Class act from that nameless legend!!
Link to Astros perspective was cool/different to read.
Reading about what the Cleveland team will do for their home opener and the eclipse was neat. I thought those things came around a little more often than every 212+years (is that what Snell will get from NYY, $212 million??).
Speaking of weather, Pineapple Express is in town. We have our paper boats made ready to race in the gutter (won’t litter, promise), gumboots out and some chili in the crock pot. Our sport of the season even has outdoor practice tonight while everything else is cancelled.
Count says 13, thirteen days until P/Cs report. Wednesday 2/14 can’t come soon enough for a few reasons.
Hey bud, when your paper boat goes into the street drain, go ahead and talk to Pennywise down there. It’s okay….. 😀
I went on and donated-People’s stupidity still surprises and shocks me. Am I that dumb? I grew up in the IE for God’s sake, I must be slippin’……..
That’s awesome 4ever!! Appreciate you sharing and those kids/community at league 42 will surely benefit and everyone reading beyond the initial headline know there are good people out there.
Why don’t the Doyers just donate the existing Jackie Robinson statue in the centerfield pavilion area on their stadium ?) it’s a beautiful statue of Jackie.A much much better one than the one that was vandalized IMHO . Guggenheim has a limitless supply of money so they could just commission a new one with the artist while showing everyone in the baseball and KC community how incredibly wonderful they are.
Funny you bring that up. Saw on the news last night Guggenheim plans on doing that very thing…………just not anytime soon, 10 years from now, they defer everything.
F the Doyers!
F Shohei and his mother!
They’re going to defer caring to a later date as well. “Caring to be named later.”
The Guggenheims. “We love poor brown people. Hell, we made our vast fortune climbing up a mountain of their dead from mining and smelting accidents and poisoning. We can’t thank them enough, so we haven’t even tried. LOOK! SHOHEI!”