MLB is planning to enforce the obstruction rule strictly this year. Let the runners run.
Mike Moustakas got his minor league contract with the White Sox. Better luck next year. Stephen Piscotty got his with the Athletics. Quell surprise! The athletics have signed Scott Alexander for $2.25 Million. Dude’s a lefty pitcher. There are performance bonuses. Austin Warren is out of here.
Lou Trivino got a major league deal with the Yankees. The Rangers are allegedly done for the off season. Well, to hell with them anyway. The Nationals are allegedly done as well.
Starting Pitcher Don Gullett passed away at the age of 73.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
No players hurt yet?
It’s early
Check out this quote from an article on mlb.com where apparently Wash had a pre-season talk with Trout and Rendon….
“According to Washington, Trout and Rendon said they wanted better structure on the team.”
There must be some sort of Rendon retort there… I figure there is a whole crew on this site who are eager to make it…
“He’ssssss structurally unsound!”
laugh now
And there is that Too.
My opinion is that other than making a lot of money, Rendon has no standing. He’s never done anything for this organization that would give him a voice.
Sounds like good comments from the vets. Take it in stride all.
Quoting Washington is done at your own risk. He’s the same guy who made the public comment in December regarding Ohtani:
“I don’t have much to say about that yet because I don’t want to let anything out of the bag.”
https://twitter.com/BenVerlander/status/1731813673193095467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1731813673193095467%7Ctwgr%5Eb8f519faec0ec0932009128c268b2d3a03d1cc1d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fmlb%2Fangels%2Fnews%2Fangels-manager-ron-washington-alludes-to-having-positive-information-on-shohei-ohtanis-free-agency-nc2000
Until Trout actually confirms his conversation with Washington and the “need for better structure”, it’s all just speculation from a 71 year-old who may or may not remember conversations correctly.
He should get into politics. For either party.
And he didnt. Thats good management right there.
https://theathletic.com/5276787/2024/02/15/angels-arte-moreno-long-term-future/?amp=1
Too GA to look up Sam (I am?) Blum, but this article seems well written. The guy doesn’t appear to be a lackey for Arte. His hat choices should be questioned but asking for honest feedback here… is he known for being a bad reporter/person? Is the athletic a ‘trash’ site?
Grich has the best description of Blum the Glum
I so wanted to share this quote with Sammy today. If I get a chance …
I do have a question. I understand the comments about Sam and believe them to be accurate. But most other writers are lackeys for Artie, and no one likes that either. At least Sam is willing to bring stuff up that the others won’t and pretty much every topic that he raises is discussed on this site. I’m trying to figure out where the middle ground is that allows for the same criticism of the organization that takes place here. I know some of his questions in the article are not really even answerable. Whether he’s talked to Trout is really no ones business. It’s an honest question, I’m not defending Sam or being critical of those who don’t like him.
The problem with writers like Sam are that he is stupid, or he thinks we’re really stupid.
Plenty of writers back in the day were capable of not being a “lackey” without making themselves the hero in their own story of noble rebellion.
They used to rely on the reader’s mood and interpretation more. If they wanted to convey that the team is cutting payroll they would simply state that, to this point, the team hasn’t seemed inclined to add a lot of expensive players.
This is true. The Angels themselves would probably say so.
Then fans who read that can interpret it as “Cheap Arte” if they want to…. or some other way. A writer can basically lay down some facts, and the statements the club has made, or state that the club is mum on a topic, and let the readers build the narrative around that.
But that leaves the writer themselves out of the story….
Then, once every few years, a writer would unload a “personal” piece. They are angry that the team signed Bauer, or that the owner is shedding players in an attempt to move the team. But it was OK because that wasn’t the writer’s MO…. their feelings weren’t a constant nose bleed.
Also, sports writers used to consciously try to have some topic balance. Do a piece on something negative…. but then actively try to find something cool to share with the fans…. even if it’s just the fact that Joey Votto bought Zack Cozart a pet donkey. Or highlight a rookie’s debut. Etc.
But all Blum can do is wage a personal war against Arte. Which is why no one talks to him.
👍
I totally agree with you but Artie provides lots of opportunities with so many bad looks.
Waging war against Arte is sport that is practiced here by many posters
Yeah, pathetic losers wage non-stop wars against sports owners who never know they exist because they are fans…. and fan blah fanatic… and other stupid quotes.
Blum is supposed to be a professional journalist. He’s not on BALL BURN: THE PODCAST or something.
🤣🤣
I don’t think I’ve ever weighed in on the whole Sam thing, but I read the Athletic (pretty much just for the Angels) and I do enjoy it mostly, and I do agree that Sam definitely doesn’t give the organization a free pass. He is pretty critical about the stuff that isn’t going right.
But at the same time I agree that he goes over the top sometimes. The times that really bothered me are the ones where he sounds like he is entitled to answers from Perry or Arte… as if there is some sort of MLB Rule where owners/GMs are required to layout their roadmaps and strategies to reporters like him for judgment and approval.
Who?
Damn it. forgot the t. Its gitchogritchoffmypettis comment regarding Sams tweet on yesterdays news
It’s not that the Athletic is bad. It’s great. Sam Blum’s not even a bad writer. But he hit on it first read…. Sam Blum’s soul purpose in life seems to be to make sure you know he’s not a lackey for Arte.
And he made that clear to us years ago.
And it’s all he’s got.
That’s helpful, he’s very one dimensional.
Well that and to let everyone know he really loves that hat
Athletic has mostly excellent writers and articles.
Sam isn’t one of them. He definitely isn’t a lackey for Arte.
Arte lives rent-free in Sam’s head so Sam bashes Arte every chance he gets.
Blum’s decent and not an Arte lackey, but the guy who preceded him was great. Unfortunately, the guy who preceded him switched to the Dodgers as soon as the opportunity opened.
Blum is not lacking writing talent ..but there was a pretty clear inflection point when the team un-invited him from the beat writers roundup thing on the radio, he took it personally and his content since has a noticeable lean against the team.
Often the criticism is extremely valid. But there are other times where it seems he searches for the negative in an otherwise normal story. Like when we made trades last year, the same players he had stressed lacked upside or promise prior to them being traded were all of a sudden players the Angels were going to regret moving.
I think you just painted a character sketch of half the CtPg posters, haha
Grumbling about the new uniforms from Nike/Fanatic is going on.
I must say I was trying to read names on players’ jerseys and found it difficult- now I know why.
Those unis are absolutely disastrous, to be nice.
You’d think the leagues would learn from what Nike has done to NBA jerseys.
Fanatics whole business model is based on skimming on fabric quality/weight/design and assuming sports fans will still buy the marked up, bland garbage they put out.
Happy to see this story pick up attention this week. Fanatics is trash.
Makes me thankful for my closet full of Majestic jerseys.
“NBA fines Clippers’ P.J. Tucker $75,000 for publicly expressing desire to be traded”
Nothing says you are irrelevant when you get fined for what top-tier players routinely state all the time in the NBA.
Manfred leaving!
… in 2029
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss 🎵
Lets Hope Arte doesn’t out last him.
Maybe they’ll just swap places in 2029
You know you should be banned for that comment alone right?
Reid Detmers is your 2024 AL Cy Young winner.
“Detmers now believes that his slider was actually too hard, touching the low 90s instead of the mid 80s. He had a 5.27 ERA when he made some more changes to his slider, allowing him to finish with a 2.41 ERA over his final seven starts.
During the strong finish, Detmers was actually throwing two sliders, a harder one and a softer one. Although at the time he said he enjoyed the flexibility of having two pitches, he now admits that wasn’t really the plan.
“It wasn’t meant to be two sliders,” he said. “The slider just did not feel good coming out of the hand. I didn’t know what it was going to do.”
Now, Detmers said he’s just got one slider, and it’s somewhere in between the hard and soft ones he was throwing at the end of last season. He also said he’s been encouraged by the improvement of his changeup, to go along with his fastball and curve.
How all of that shakes out remains to be seen.
Detmers clearly has the talent to be a frontline starter, but so far he hasn’t strung together enough consistency to do it. He is optimistic but said he’s not making any predictions about the numbers.”
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/02/15/angels-reid-detmers-looks-to-maintain-highs-and-eliminate-lows/
Not giving up on Bachman. His repertoire is ⛽️ ⛽️ ⛽️ ⚡️⚡️⚡️
“Right-hander Sam Bachman, who had arthroscopic shoulder surgery last fall, said he won’t be ready for Opening Day.
Bachman said he has “hit all my milestones” in recovery from the surgery, but nonetheless the Angels are going to take it slow.
“Based on where we’re at right now, we’re just keeping it a week at a time and being smart,” Bachman said. “I don’t think it would be smart, or logical to be ready for the first month this season and you know, have a hiccup along the way.”
The Angels’ first-round pick in 2021, Bachman reached the majors as a reliever last season. He had a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings before suffering a shoulder injury that cost him the last three months.
Bachman is currently penciled in to be minor league rotation depth. He said he appreciates a return to starting, after working in relief last season.
“That’s been my dream,” he said. “That’s what I’m designed to do. I’m super excited to do that again.”
Here’s today’s photos
couple thoughts:
Rendon…prick.
these are great, as always. Do you tell them you’re with CtPG and, if so, does that make it easier for you to get close?
just fan access,
there have been previous conversations about trying for a media pass for CtPG but we haven’t pursued it but maybe one of these years.
Thanks Rex. Great job as always.
I noticed that Perry was holding court with Fletch, Sam the Hat and Rhett today. So I guess we should expect some rivetting stories chock full of diatribe and other canned non answers from the remaining Angel beat writers sometime later today?
They stood around talking for a while but it seemed informal
Oh wow, Bellinger is now an Angel!
Wouldn’t that be a weird thing to see IRL?
what exactly are you referring to?
Just trying to make a few fans blow a gasket…
By publishing fake news? No wonder you weren’t invited to any SB parties 😂
Well we have before when his father played for us in 2002.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bellicl01.shtml
World Series Champion Bellinger 🥇
Still a hard NO!!!
https://ouresquina.com/2024/jose-contreras-honored-by-halls-invite-to-east-west-classic/
TL:DR/click –
HOF adds Afro Latinos to Negro League tributes
Minnie Minoso (Latino Jackie Robinson) met Jose Contreras in 2004 now Contreras will pitch in HOF East-West classic.
Angels related:
I took a train to the Big A for game 5 ALCS (Piercynski is a 4 letter word in this house) and forced myself to watch the entire game (Contreras CG) and subsequent celebration before hoping on the train back home. Wasn’t fun. What WAS fun that postseason was being at game 5 divisional series v MFY and seeing Santana, Escobar and K-Rod coming into save Colon’s early exit.
I see many reports of “Team X unlikely to make any more moves” everywhere.
Probably a tactic to pressure Boras that the teams are not budging.
If the Rangers really are ‘done’ then that is one less team for Montgomery to land with. Short(er) term deal?
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/15/pay-tv-distributors-are-confused-concerned-about-sports-joint-venture.html
Ron Washington is already out working with the infielders.
Neto turning into prime-Omar Vizquel in the field will be extremely fun.
LOL, looks like a news crime photo with the circle.
Very excited for the Wash Era.
1B Schanuel
2B Rengifo
CF Trout
DH Drury
C O’Hoppe
3B Rendone
LF Ward
RF Moniak
SS Neto
bench: Adell, Hicks, Thaiss, Sano/Stefanic
We are very heavy on the right side. Health provided, this is a good lineup.
There are so many unknowns they just have to start somewhere and adjust the line up as they go forward. I do appreciate, if it’s true, that Wash is not going to be playing musical chairs like his predecessors.
-unknown
So if you are serious, the known knowns are past performance, the known unknowns are mostly related to the younger players future performance and to what version of Redone, Trout, Ward will show up, and the unknown unknowns are injuries or significant aberations (good or bad) from past performance. I can give you an example for any individual player if you would like. Obviously you can’t predict the future, but often, you have a lot to base your expectations on. It’s not like we have a team of mostly returning players with enough past performance to make reliable predictions. And we have some exceptional situations with Rendon Trout, and Ward. So basically, Drury and Rengifo are the only two players that we have that don’t have known unknowns. Known unknowns are what I was referring to in my first statement. Not trying to be disrespectful just trying to explain if you were actually asking a question.
Just smartassery from the ghost of Donald Rumsfeld. 😄
I agree with your comment. Only knows we have as Angel fans is trAdition and around 72 wins.
https://youtu.be/REWeBzGuzCc?si=mmJJpVBbU3triu8a
…..but what’s the meaning of ‘is’ ???
🙂
But how can you know about the unknown unknowns? Isn’t that why they’re Unknowingly unknown?
BTW was the original author knowingly unknown?
Original “author” was Donald Rumsfeld.
Are you sure? Knowing that guy he probably plagiarized it.
I don’t see Rendumb batting any lower then 3-5 with that albatross contract.
#PUJOLSTENURE
#WHYPUJOLSBATTINGSOHIGH
The last 3 years his value as a hitter has been similar to Schanuel’s in that it’s solely been about his ability to get on base with no power. I would not be against seeing how he does hitting 2nd behind Schanuel and in front of Trout. I would probably hit Ward 4th even though he is not a typical cleanup hitter because, after Trout, he has the best combination of OBA and SLG %. And probably follow that with Drury, Renjifo, O’Hoppe, Moniak, and Neto. Drury, O’Hoppe, Moniak, and Neto are the guys who are on base challenged, all being around 30%. Drury is in the 5 hole because of his slugging percentage but he and O’Hoppe can always be flipped if O’Hoppie out hits him. Adjustments could be made when and if anyone performs different from their past performance.
I’m good with having our top-3 OBP guys at the top of the order.
No IF depth (no reserve with a good glove, period, and no one who can play SS on bench). Since Rengifo will almost certainly be our primary 3b, this is a glaring problem. (Urshella is probably the best option, but he is only passable at SS to begin with and broken pelvis seems to be something one should really worry about)
Totally agree.
Lack of depth at 2B, and more specifically at SS, is alarming.
As of 2.15, I prefer Anderson over Urshella, but I reserve the right to flip my vote at any point in time.
Can either one pitch?
That is a very slow line-up, not a burner in the bunch. Minasian still fails to take into account MLB rule changes.
Trout still has elite speed and Moniak runs pretty well but your statement is correct, it’s a slow team. Unfortunately the fast guys we have in the minors can’t hit. 🙂
Trout is fast but does not utilize his speed anymore, plays the game cautiously now. Angels don’t have that guy who can create runs on the basepaths. Agitator. In 2023, Halos 2nd worst in baseball and their success rate was like 57%.
I agree and you are accurate in your assessment.
No argument from me
If Kyren Paris could learn how to hit he would be that guy. In the last 2 years in the minors at 3 different levels. he’s walked 149 times in 218 games while stealing 77 bases in only 86 attempts. Unfortunately hes only hit .248 while striking out a whopping 285 times over that same span.
But if the new coaching staff could unlock that potential then all the whining about losing Soto or having to playing Rengifo or the 28 year old plumber would quickly be a thing of the past.
Paris should be spending this season in the minors. Prepare himself to be our starting 2B in 2025.
Well hes already on the 40 man and unless he gets a serious ouchie he aint coming off anytime soon. So depending how many Injuries we have (TrAdition!) he should probably be prepared to play this year.
That’s like saying if only this pilot could learn to fly !!!
The fact that Paris can’t hit renders him “combat ineffective”, unfortunately.
Trout still has Plus speed and Neto, Rengifo and Moniak are decent, but your point is valid.
Just thinking out loud:
1. Arte said yesterday the stadium deal and surrounding land deal were essentially dead and that he is not interested in negotiating. Yet the Anaheim mayor said the City is open to a fair proposal.
2. Arte said he is not selling and around for the long term unless he is wowed by a stupid overpay.
I get the sense that Arte is either a) bitter/petulant about what happened to his stadium purchase deal and his less than 1% approval rating and is therefore lashing out or b) is engaging in public double speak – denying something that he actually favors to gain an advantage.
I am landing on (b) mostly due to the ridiculousness of his comment that he is no longer interested in the land deal while the mayor welcomes negotiations. Of course Arte is interested in that land. And if that was double speak then the ‘going nowhere’ comment could easily be as well.
The more petulant and resolved Arte seems, the more it is likely that he is not so adamant and is just trying to use a press conference to his economic advantage.
he’s gonna move the team to Albuquerque.
That would be the stupidest business move ever 😂
Why? It’s all good man.
👀
Mango-lime salsa? That’s the kind of bold flavour they enjoy in… ALBUQUERQUE!
Or at hipster “Mexican” restaurants.
Ah, the answer seems to be Arte wants to do the land deal but doesn’t want to make a fair proposal. He had the deal at a great price before and now begrudges paying anything that would be close to market value. He will likely try to block anyone else doing a deal and then sit back and wait for Anaheim to come to him on kinder terms.
Really? and what was/is “Market Value” for the Big A property knowing all of the development restrictions that would be imposed?
I’m just curious.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CGMwcTatIr8
What a mess. It’s probably a nightmare to build a statium here.
Its awful on all sides. Anaheim is particularly tough now. California always is a mess. And Arte will only do things that benefit him.
Its not a recipe for a deal.
That “Affordable housing” BS is what dooms the entire hope for a new stadium complex. That term is a misnomer as it is completely misleading-Just look at the “Affordable housing” put in near the formerly known as Staples Center, those units are affordable, if $10K a month is in your budget.
These nincompoops don’t realize, or care, how much revenue/employment a stadium generates and they think that a team won’t consider moving, so they tighten the screws-Then they have the audacity to hinder or try to stop the teams who exit.
#OAKLANDSTRA’S
#LASVEGASRAIDERS
#WIZARDSDCEXIT
#CAPITALSDCEXIT
I think we should try to veer this back toward Arte/baseball.
Of course its B unless he’s forgotten who he was talking to yesterday again Here’s the Mayor’s quote according to Fletcher:
I suspect Arte has some framework of what the City of Anaheim would want on a new stadium/ land purchase deal.He probably does not like it and therefore his only real leverage is the fact he can legally control the property for the next 15 years. by acting disinterested then maybe playing the waiting puts him in a better position for in so distant future to make a deal with the City when the entire area miles around the stadium is getting completely redeveloped Not sure I would use the word petulant for describing a common (and many times successful) business negotiating tactic but none of us are going to change this strategy if Arte thinks this is the best course of action. Of course embracing a strategy that conflicts with the undefeated Father Time when you have no stated succession plan may not be the smartest idea in the long run.
this is a well thought out response based on inferred facts and known business practices while forgoing conspiracy theories.
You know darn well that this kinda speech does not belong on a thread concerning Arte’s ownership
No conspiracy theories. Just reading between the lines and looking for the reality based on his statement on the two main points.
Curious- what does this mean?
“You know darn well that this kinda speech does not belong on a thread concerning Arte’s ownership”
The conspiracy comment wasn’t meant to be a knock against your original comment, I thought C26’s comment was just a grounded well thought out statement.
Regarding the your question:
Comments (fact or opinion) that shine a neutral to positive light on Arte are widely dismissed as being from Artes burner or from a hopium addict and disregarded even though the point may be valid.
Got it. Thanks for the clarification
You say “hopium addict” like it’s a bad thing.
Is there any reason the Angels couldn’t have tendered a minor league contract to Moose like the White Sox did and then used him at 3B and/or DH? He was fine last year and showed leadership skills. He seemed to be a very cheap alternative for them. They need another bat. This makes total sense unless they are spending bigger money on JD Martinez or something like that. Thoughts?
He was pretty bad.
Compared to who? What else do they have now? Moose hit some bug HRs last year and drove in runs. He costs almost nothing.
i dunno but im sure they can find someone to replicate -.4 war
Agree. A cheap pick up that has a positive upside. Fans attending games loved the guy. Had some clutch at bats last year, a clubhouse veteran. Guess Perry never inquired.
Or Moose wasn’t interested?
he didn’t have positive upside last year
By the time Moose showed up the Angels were playing out their version of M*A*S*H baseball style. His fielding was limited to what was within arm reach and being an everyday player was years behind him. Today baseball is for multi position players who can produce. I liked Moose and I can say he will make a great coach when he is ready.
He also provided more more than pujols on a few years. –
He had a negative WAR
He takes up a 40 man spot so you have to DFA someone.
He takes up an active roster spot and is limited to the corners
His leadership skills could not mask his deficiencies on the diamond
It’s also nice to learn that Moniak, Neto, Adell, Paris, Schanuel and Stefanic reported early. All (or most) of these guys figure heavily into the team’s plan for 2024 and beyond.
The young kids are pumped to learn from an actual manager in Wash opposed to Nevin lol.
The vibes are good 😇
Hicks played in the Pro-am yesterday at Riviera, Tiger and Josh Allen were his partners.
Here at Diablo again this morning- looks like 10-12 position players in camp. They are warming up separately
Appreciate the on the ground updates. Any chance you’ll land an interview or three?
Have fun.
I just take photos with some small talk with the guys.
Man the sounds here – bat hitting ball in the cage, ball hitting the mitt, players ribbing- with some rock and roll in speakers in background
Just read on the team page that Schanuel is tentatively slated to bat leadoff. Not sure that I like it since I prefer a bit more speed at the top, but his OBP – assuming it’s in the .350+ range is hard to ignore.
Of course, if not Nolan, then who?
Going by On Base Percentage, the next best choices would be Trout, Rendon, Hicks, Rengifo and Ward. Since Trout and Ward would be placed further down to drive in runs. and I would say Rendon won’t give you speed, it would be between Rengifo and Hicks.
Hicks ain’t starting on a regular basis
If he does, then it means someone got hurt-which is not good.
I’m definitely a Rengifo Jihadist and his numbers at leadoff last year were good, I’m not convinced that he’s disciplined enough over the long term to handle that position? I could be entirely wrong, of course.
I think you’re assessment is correct. It’ll probably come down to Shanny or Rengifo in the end.
I’ve beaten this horse to death, but I still like Trout at leadoff. His speed, power & OBP are still above average even if he’s past his physical prime.
If you want to put Schanuel or Rendon in the ninth position so there might be a baserunner on Trout’s second thru fourth time up, I’d be for it.
Angels dont have speed, a lack of vision by the GM. Hope you don’t get sucked into Rengifo Speedster hoax like others on this site.
Uhhhmmm, I clearly stated that I doubted his long term viability at leadoff, but acknowledged that due to an obvious lack of options, it’ll probably end up being him or Shanny.
My ideal scenario is for Trout to bat leadoff.
Replacing Nolan’s .350 with two players hitting .175?
Great pictures posted by Rex yesterday-but I honestly did not know who 2/3 of the players were. 😮 But I’ll learn in a short time who the heck is who, Who? He plays first, what is on second and I don’t know is on third. 😁
im with you on trying to figure out who all the kids are
Good morning to all, there has been a Moose sighting in the Southside. Cabbage to be a 1b in Houston. Sad news on Valentines Dat-Arte broke my heart once again-he is not selling the Angels. I’m calling Larry H. Parker at 1-800-whaaaaa 💔
Now if only the Pale Hose traded for David Fletcher we will feel so much more complete.
https://twitter.com/BeyondTheHalo/status/1757966700425978249
Was melancholy going down the list until I got to Brett Phillips
Some of those names like Edgar Quero created Infinite Sadness for me as well..
A new White Soxs trAdition is born!
That is amazing