Billy Eppler’s rule violations spanned both the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Rhett Bollinger projects the Angels opening day lineup.
Jurickson Profar got a one year deal with the Padres worth at least a million plus incentives.
This should be interesting. We will have a female umpire working in some spring training games. This could very likely get her onto the MLB Call Up List.
Here is a ranking of top fantasy candidates in case you are getting ready for a fantasy draft. Shohei’s first batting practice seems to have gone OK.
Minor League Deals
Pitcher Connor Sadzeck got a minor league deal with the Pirates. Left-hander Lucas Leutje got his minor league deal with the Red Sox. Ben Gamel got his with the Mets. Jesse winker got his with the Nationals. Amir Garrett got his with the Giants.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
I guess I’m a little surprised no big deals today.
I know there is the whole 60-day DL thing tomorrow, but I didn’t figure that would prevent deals being made. All the time we see “Team X to sign Joe” and then 4 days later we see “The team officially announced the signing.” So I don’t think they really need to wait until tomorrow.
I guess our buddy Scott Boras is trying to milk everything he can out of this.
Isn’t that his job? Maximize whatever value his client has and find it for them?
Yes it is
I’m of the belief that there will be no more deals, no more money spent. I think Arte has to realize revenues will be way down and he is reacting accordingly.
Oh… and just to clarify…. I was referring to any team making big deals, not just us.
But I also agree with you that I wouldn’t be surprised if we do no other signings.
Got it. Meaning someone will sign Snell, Montgomery etc
https://twitter.com/rhettbollinger/status/1757558571120910513
Alrighty then.
And with Bachman and Suarez stretched out, I wonder if that puts to rest signing any more starters or not.
“5 man rotation”
“Set lineup”
Be still my heart.
Yes I like the set line up and playing the best performers regardless as well as the 5 man.
Sucks for you Jo Adell.
I like the “He’ll play whoever is playing best.”
I believe it when I see it.
Detmers said mo the ago he’s looking forward to a 5 man rotation.
Fortunately for the Angels the entire rotation minus Anderson is young, cost controlled, and valuable on the trade market.
So if the Angels want to improve another area they could sign a starter then trade one.
Good plan, I like it. Halos have their 5 starters? Let’s go.
Why the hell would you stretch out Suarez? To tank a game?
On the rack to make him taller?
https://twitter.com/samblum3/status/1757548374415614128
Good! Maybe Gubi will fix our pitching staff!
After years of struggles, why not, let the announcer come down and fix the team!
I’m more excited about this. he seems legit for once.
https://twitter.com/BeyondTheHalo/status/1757540085359382809
GAUCHOOOOSSSS! They all gonna bench press 400lbs while runnin a 4.4 40 now.
Too fucking funny
it worked with Pat Riley
To be fair, Gubi does a hell of a lot of analysis from the booth on what the pitchers are doing, both right and wrong.
I’ve commented on many times during game threads
Poor Diego Castillo. He’s now been DFA’d 4 times in the last 45 days. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/phillies-claim-kaleb-ort-designate-diego-castillo.html I wonder what the MLB record is? How many more teams will need to dump him before Perry takes a flyer on him?
What’s crazy is we are really short on infield depth yet we’re about the only team who hasn’t claimed him.
Avoided Soler, good. I see at least 2 underwhelming years on the horizon. Love the restraint thus far.
Moar MiLB signing by LAA:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/angels-nearing-minor-league-deal-with-drew-pomeranz.html
But can he pitch?!?!
that could be sneaky good. or completely forgettable.
not bad!
I agree. Good article on LHP
https://www.mlb.com/news/why-left-handed-pitching-matters-in-baseball?partnerID=web_article-share
Exactly. This is actually a smart signing. It just doesn’t warm the sap or drip the hormones or move the needle or what ever the old men are saying these days.
Decent lottery ticket to add to the mix. Odds are he’s toast but if he’s not….
“lottery ticket” = “hopium”
Is that a way to run a ballclub?
Reserving the right to stop being cynical, pending the remaining free agents. Soler off the board as we know know.
Every year some unheralded signing makes a GM look like a genius. The more lottery tickets you have, the more likely you’re that GM.
Every team does it to some degree.
While others let the big fish off the hook ala Billy and Kirby Yates or Daniel Hudson
It especially doesn’t have any down side for us because we don’t have Andrew Painter being blocked and it costs us nothing to give a guy a shot and then cut him if he sucks.
every team says multiple minor league deals. This is no different.
If he’s not then Suarez will be toast .
But After Moore, I think we only have Suarez, Kolarek & Rosenberg (maybe also Thomas and Torres?) as viable lefty bullpen options so I cant really blame them for trying.
Only 8 years too late, not bad for The Angels
Perry is recruiting for his slow pitch softball team on work time. 😉
https://theathletic.com/5271955/2024/02/13/top-remaining-mlb-free-agents-players-teams/?amp=1
FAs remaining and where they might sign:
We are ‘linked’ to numbers 1, 3, & 5
An arrest made in Jackie Robinson statue crime:
https://sports.yahoo.com/man-arrested-charged-in-theft-of-jackie-robinson-statue-from-youth-baseball-field-183809553.html
Fortunate it seems drug related rather than race related.
I tried to attach a picture of Ricky Angel Alderete. Was mentioned that it could be tweeker (my word) related in the first article when it happened but media wants everything to be so polarizing. Catalytic converters take more time, this guy went for the ‘big score’ all in one. In all seriousness it’s awesome so many people stepped up and contributed to League 42 (over $300,000 and counting).
Plenty of people are salty it wasn’t the KKK.
United States, least racist country in the world #facts
Since I have virtually zero expectations, I am very interested in seeing what the 4 kids, Mike Trout, Anthony Rendone, Taylor Ward, and the young starting pitchers do, as it will greatly influence the team’s path forward. As opposed to years past, it will be nearly impossible to be disappointed, so there is that.
I feel the same way. I am glad I have zero expectations this year.
Of course that just means they will overachieve early in the season and reel us back in just in time for mid-season injuries and the lack of depth depth to rear its ugly head. trAdition.
This season is basically one long spring training. Let’s see what the kids do.
Although the bullpen is incrementally better than last year, I don’t see the team winning any more than the 73 games they did last year unless some more starters are brought in. Two out of Montgomery, Clevinger and Lorenzen should get the team to .500, but I think you’d need an ace like Snell to get to the playoffs.
on paper Loup and Tepera were studs, pre-2023. Well, on the field, actually. Loup with a 0.95 ERA for the Mets and 3 straight years with a whip under 1. Arrives here, goes to 3.84, then 6.10. Tep was similar. 2021 whip of 0.880. Becomes and Angel, 1st year whip is 1.081 (fine!), then …well, you know.
Fingers crossed….
New philosophers and philosophy will help more than hurt.
https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-jose-cisnero-arriving-late-to-camp/amp/
Cisnero didn’t report, visa issues.
Question for you: Why do all of your posts have 9-10 likes? (And most from “guests.”) Are you employing a Russian bot factory?
Is that discouraged grich?
It’s an old meme… “GUEST REC!”…. cause there have been dudes who seemed to only get recs from mysterious folks who never log in on totally clunker posts.
He needs the validation from his sockpuppets.
Maybe 2020, 2002 & 2002’s Mom are in some new found collaboration together?
Been covered before. I am interested in talking Halos Baseball and providing links seeing as the season has officially started.
By whom?
Suarez also didn’t report, citing family matters. Wonder if it has to do with him losing his arbitration case:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/angels-win-arbitration-case-against-jose-suarez.html
As a former CEO stated on an employee Town Hall meeting when responding to a question regarding his compensation package (at a time when employee salaries were frozen): “I have an expensive wife“.
Perhaps Suarez’s SO is expensive as well?
https://www.mlb.com/news/all-time-top-angels-draft-picks
I like what we have done in drafts (which are much more unique in MLB, see ‘04 Weaver recap) and 8 of the last 9 are still with us! Good recaps in the link along with an embedded video of Schanuel draft.
So? There is absolutely no way Pawol will be worse than Angel Hernandez. Gotta be a step up.
First woman primary PBP announcer hired by MLB team, Jenny Cavnar, congratulations!
https://www.si.com/mlb/2024/02/13/athletics-hire-jenny-cavnar-mlb-first-woman-primary-play-by-play-announcer
Looking forward to hearing how she does by tuning into that team’s broadcast when they play our Halos as a change of pace (I like our broadcast booth, radio and TV, and so do most fan… see fan survey below)
I’m waiting for Grandpa’s annual 900 runs scored and five 20-game-winner predictions. They always give me a chuckle. 😂
I will miss the annual Fletch is getting SCREWED posts.
Fletch will still be getting screwed but this time in Atlanta.
Screwball history:
https://howtheyplay.com/team-sports/The-Best-Screwball-Pitchers-in-MLB-History
Last Halo Hurler I remember throwing one was Hector Santiago.
Good morning Halo faithful!
I think Sano cracks the team after ST. Where does he fit in the 25 man? Adell out?
As the 26th man on the 26 man roster. Also, Rendon might be on the DL by the time the season starts, so that will open a spot.
The problem with that concept is, that unless there is an injury (or a trade), Luis Rengifo is now you’re only backup SS. And considering how brittle Neto is that aint good .
If Sano could play a serviceable 3B (Hes only played 37 innings there since 2019) that would certainly increase his value . How past history at the hot corner is not promising where is generated -26 DRS ( Defensive Runs Saved) in 2000 innings there (Accord to The Fielding Bible) dating back to 2017. But as bad as that seems he’s not as bad as his ST competition Hunter Dozier who has amassed and even worse -36 DRS for the same amount of innings over the same period of time.
Perhaps you should send Perry a copy of The Fielding Bible as a gift.
So is that why Urshela makes a ton of sense for us? Is the plumber the next man off the list?
Urshela’s projections
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/gio-urshela/10681/stats?position=3B
<1
Stefanic’s projections:
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/michael-stefanic/25353/stats?position=2B
Also <1
Not sure how that mended pelvis is doing, but last year The Fielding Bible had Gio with strong numbers defending t 3B and basically holding his own in the limited starts he got at Short.
The plumber surprisingly has posted good Defensive stats at second base in a very limited SS but has not done very good at all at 3B
Offensively the Plumber will get on base at a higher clip but with virtually no power and no speed ( Like a Schanuel lite? )
If hes healed, based upon need, I think Gio would be a no brainer over Stefanic for this team. I also think NRI Charles LeBlanc would be a better upgrade over the plumber but with minor league options we maybe able to keep them both.
I still think it ill be interesting to see how Wash’s fielding prowess influences these guys.
Yeeeeaaaahhhh….
But Stephanic is a small bald white guy soooo……
I think we all know who has the grit and drive to win that this team so desperately needs.
Urshela makes a ton of sense because he plays a great third base and passable SS.
I predict Quijada moved to the 60 day IL to open a roster spot and nobody gets cut.
I am still hoping that the Quijada move is for a top of the line starter, but I am probably just dreaming.
How does Sano making the roster impact the SS position? Rengifo/Neto are the only SS on the roster regardless of whether Sano makes the team.
Are you counting on Stefanic as a backup SS? If so, he’s still a backup in AAA because if Neto/Rengifo are injured, or Rendon is injured and Rengifo has to play 3B, that would open a spot for Stefanic.
What the Angels really need is some depth pieces that have options.
This article is hours old. Athletic is a relatively respected site ‘round these parts:
https://theathletic.com/5256344/2024/02/13/mlb-minor-young-stars-impact/?amp=1
A little bit of cost controlled/years left under team control/service time, GM/Scout/etc stamp/I did dis, and minor leagues losing MLB affiliations in ‘20 (impact veterans, which Sano is) and more within the link
Rengifo statistics (using any outliers you can make up what you want, past 7 days, past 7 years, etc) here are some according to the professionals that get paid to do it:
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/luis-rengifo/19858/stats?position=2B
Projected WAR 2024: 2.0
Fielding:
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/luis-rengifo/19858/stats#fielding
Has statistics/innings in 6 different positions in ‘23. Jack of all trades, master of none? Probably improves defensively if he plays one spot and can train/practice for it all ST/season.
Sano is projected to and has produced negative WAR. But maybe it’s his year.
https://theathletic.com/5268304/2024/02/12/angels-fan-survey-results-2024/?amp=1
We are well represented in the Hopium department (0.60%) in this survey, CtPG rise up!!
To get to 0.60% it’s clear you and Pineapple are stuffing the ballot box…..
Somebody had been paying attention!!
Think I’ll get a wedding invite? I’m a great gift giver.
Perry, too
He’s a ballot harvester.
Fun read, thank you.
https://www.dailynews.com/2024/02/12/angels-2024-spring-training-preview-key-dates/amp/
We know who is reporting
First workout tomorrow
Full squad Sunday
Full squad workout Monday
2/24 first game
Etc
https://lwosports.com/2024/02/12/biggest-storylines-for-the-angels-entering-spring-training/
OF, pitching, young player development
https://www.mlb.com/news/angels-2024-opening-day-roster
C- OHoppe, Thiass
1B- Schanuel
2B- Rengifo
SS- Neto
3B- #6
OF- Trout, Ward, Moniak, Adell, Hicks
DH- Drury
Utility- Stefanic
SP- Sandoval, Detmers, Anderson, Sileth, Canning
RP- Estevez, Stephenson, Moore, Soriano, Garcia, Simber, Cisnero, Suarez
Offing Soto made no sense, capable backup at SS with a decent bat. Renny will start at 3b and Drury at 2b. Redone is mentally done and is not a leader but a possible cancer. Never thought the contract that anyone could beat out Albert for worst contract signing ever but Rendone has taken first prize.
Look for big improvement in O’Hoppe both on the field and at the plate. He showed in September he could be one of the top 2 catchers in the league.
We do not need a full time DH, and if we do we have Trouty and if Trout can play the OF then the DH rotates giving more AB to others.
Our starting pitching is going to fare well and the pen is always as usual a open wound.
Neto is a big key, staying healthy for the season and playing 150+ games and hitting .260 would go a long way to helping the team out. I like Neto in the field a lot. and believe he will improve every year. Just stay healthy.
I fear that Trout will never be even a 6 bWAR player again and am really hoping that he can prove me wrong.
Ward returning full strength will help the moral of the team. Adell maybe the Dave Kingman of the year, or a complete failure.
Go Halos!
Agree with everything, wish moar people would write in long-form like you!
Questions remained to be answered:
Can he pitch
Buttercups
trÅdition
What will happen first 25k attendance or a 25k CtPG poster?
I know you can’t replace a superstar of Ohtani’s caliber, but that batting lineup has potential. Using lasts season’s stats, in 3657 plate appearances (about 60% of a season’s worth) that group scored 456 runs, hit 134 homeruns, batted .252 with an on base percentage of .331 and slugged .431. I would take that kind of production any day.
Please post more ‘59, I can already tell I’ll like hearing more from you. Great insight
It’s just not as horrible as I think some of us need it to be.