Hey folks, I have to hand it to this group for hanging in there this off season. We have a writers group chat and the prevailing theme was “there’s nothing to link.” Yet day after day we had comments; some of them even about baseball.
The opening of Spring Training has changed all that. Now we have games and, sadly, injuries. Some of the off season storylines are carrying over but we have real baseball to discuss. Baseball is back, baby!
As is usual the first week of Spring Training, some guys look dialed in and some guys look lost. This guy is just looking forward to heading out there for a few days.
Keeping the Spring Training hopium alive is Caden Dana. Dude looks like he hit the morning swell in Huntington then pitched that afternoon. If he keeps this up, he’ll definitely be a fan favorite.
Interestingly, Andrew Wantz has been moved back to being a starter. Ron Washington says the rotation needs more depth. Granted, Wantz isn’t likely to make the Opening Day bullpen due to all the additions this off season, but bullpen depth gets tested quickly.
There are still several high quality starting pitchers available on the free agent market. Most notably Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery but also local boy Michael Lorenzen and former farmhand Mike Clevinger.
The first two on that list are part of the Boras Four which is down to three. Perhaps Cody Bellinger’s signing could have an impact on Snell and Montgomery. Meanwhile, plenty of places look to be good fits for Michael Lorenzen with the Angels being one of the best.
All off season I’ve stated the stagnant market is due to the uncertainty around half the league’s television contracts. Diamond Sports had a great day this week and secured $450 million in financing to remain afloat. There are still several steps to complete, but the restructuring plan announced a few weeks ago is moving according to plan. Arte and several others might have money to spend soon.
Going back to that injuries thing, the Giants are also embarking on a youth movement in their rotation and a key piece is hurt. That likely puts them in play for one of those starters. The Mets rotation is in flux and they could be a player as well.
One theory I’ve floated this off season is signing a free agent starter then trading one of our cost controlled guys for prospects and depth. However, there could be a different path to take.
The San Diego Padres are looking to add to their outfield. And the Angels have five outfielders in camp vying for four spots. The Padres are looking to both contend and limit payroll. There could be a match here.
Jo Adell is one of those Angels outfielders and his new swing is getting good results.
I’m going to leave you with a longform piece written by the founder of Halos Heaven. It is a mix of history, art, statistics, and wit. In short, Rev at his best. Enjoy this with your coffee and don’t be surprised if you come back to it.
Enjoy your weekend folks and link what I missed. It is Opening Day for my little guy. We’re blessed to have the same coach and several of the same teammates we had last spring. He’s learning the fundamentals but more importantly having fun and making friends.
Nice all-around game yesterday.
interesting lineup today with Hicks and Marisnick in the lineup, no Moniak or Adell, and everyone else looks like an Opening Day starter.
Moniak has had maybe 3 ABs in the last 5 games so not sure what’s going on with him considering he really needs to use this spring to work on his plate discipline.
Is this the first time many of the regulars will be playing back to back?
Wow. Real reporting https://twitter.com/rmfalla/status/1763635109763444878
Blum actually retweeted a players analytical response to what the teams new positive changes/improvements are. instead of the usual “Arte verry verry bad man”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN29X2HCKpU
Love reading this. Crazy to me that this kind of philosophy was novel to guys that have reached the majors though! Glad Wash is here.
Once again. Really? Glad there doing it, but lot’s of people been teaching this to kids for 30 years and some of you are doing this with your kids now. How can this be new for both the players and the organization. Honestly my kids got better fundamental training from all who worked with them back in the 90s and high schools and colleges have been teaching this stuff even longer. But, good that it’s at least happening now. I didn’t get this kind of instruction when I was growing up but Cal State Fullerton and many local OC High Schools have literraly been doing this since the 70s.
I think this also why Wash has been so effective coaching the last decade or so in Atlanta and Oakland. There is subtle but significant loss in fundamentals as players mature through their professional and big league careers . Wash is one of the few “old schoolers” that still emphasizes the importance of this . It’s definitely should not be a novel concept so I’m not sure why this problem is becoming so prevalent.
Now if they can just catch up on the pitching and hitting instruction we might have something. I’m very happy with what Wash and his staff are doing in this area.
Yeah, for some players, more intervention is required to bring them back to fundamentals. Bad habits can seep in all lines of work. I cannot help but welcome it. I know Maddon and Nevin team defenses failed miserably and it just seem like they accepted it as the norm.
Adell’s swing looks better. Shortened it up for sure. Also made big change with his stride. This will be interesting to watch.
Today’s Lineups
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/d-backs-vs-angels/2024/03/02/748142/preview
Possible opening day lineup with the exception of O’Hoppe > Thaiss ????
Imagine if Adell supplanted Hey Mickey…..
Or Ward…..
Thought of him too, but he’s looking solid thus far.
Or DH Adell and put the Mick (or Hicks) in RF . Better defensive lineup
Chapman to the Giants
With the opts outs, assuming he has a reasonably good year it will only be a one year $20 Million deal.
Man the Mighty have fallen.
Offensively he’s not very mighty at all. Career .240 hitter. Hasn’t had an OPS in the 800s since 2019.
I’ll admit my perception of him was much higher than what the stats show. The defense has been great but he’s going to be 31. This contract feels appropriate TBH
Yes, and I would much rather deploy the money elsewhere.
But dont we need a Third Baseman?
No Habla Engles?
We’re covered, dude.
Que es Engles?
Un amigo de Carlos Marx, yo creo.
Ha! Es Verdad!
Yes, but one that is not overpriced and isn’t declining.
Forgot to check earlier. Are the minors at the lower fields or are they in Scottsdale?
Hey, phrasing.
😄
I haven’t heard anyone being located in Scottsdale
But Miners could be underground though.
What I really wanted to know, I found out at the game. They are not allowing fans onto the lower fields 🙁
Angels stretching out Soriano as a Starter.
Lots of depth.
It’s looking like Ol’Wash is gonna be into tryin the whole “opener thing some. As luck would have it, I’m into the whole trying stuff thing. So we are still friends.
O’Hoppe on the defensive and offensive side today!!
https://x.com/BallySportWest/status/1763677445415194979?s=20
https://x.com/BallySportWest/status/1763683909986885793?s=20
Don’t forget Sano with the quick tag and HR today.
No link for the 2 throwing errors by O’Hoppe too?
I really appreciate this site and check almost every day. I enjoy reading the articles and comments from the staff.
It may just be me, but…
I also like reading the comments from non staff.
I think this is the “Rev link” Jeff was talking about. https://theviewlevel.substack.com/p/the-year-in-angels-cards-1963-peak?fbclid=IwAR1Fy-39NHjSA9nalpYN1xB4XyU0q7OvJcJIjm4WU-rIyrGOBb0iu9W_xVU
Isn’t that the wrong Matt?
Mat didn’t write it but said he was mentioned in it.
definitely good stuff – thanks to both for providing the link.
Only sixty more years worth of cards to go through
Not Mat G (Rev), but Matt Welch was one of the OGs at Halos Heaven.
Before Welch went national 😀
Free Adell….and Adele.
May Jo become so good that he is known only as Adell….and when you publicly mention Adell / Adele you’ll need to clarify which Adell / Adele you’re talking about.
Several CTPG’ers have liked the idea of keeping 5 OF’ers on the roster, starting to make sense to me. 5 or 4, just make sure Adell is one of them.
Keep 5.
The DH spot can will allow us to rotate AB’s. Sano doesn’t bring enough to the table to warrant the roster spot. At least not yet.
Willie Calhoun lol?
I believe Drury is going to be the everyday DH. Since they don’t appear to have any long term plans for him and they’re not going to win anyway, I would trade him and give the DH at bats to Adell. I know Drury isn’t worth much, but it’s the only way Adell is going to get the at bats. Whether you choose to ultimately keep or trade him, it would be nice to know what you have and the only way that happens is if you trot him out there every day.
Well then we better get Rengiblow back soon because we have no-one else primed to takeover second base at this time.
Agreed, or SS or 3B either as a back up. I was assuming that Rengifo would be at 2B. As long as Drury is on the team, it will be difficult for Adell to get At Bats, and if Rengifo is at 2B, Drury will be the DH. Drury’s bat will be in the line up pretty much everyday as long as he’s here.
Adell and Trout have got to play, every day. I don’t care what the Angels do with the other 3 OFs but 4 OF is all that is needed with AAA fillers upon injury.
four is all that is needed but the problem is there is nowhere to safely stash the 5th OF
Flip one of them for prospects?
Todays Lineups.
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/angels-vs-padres/2024/03/01/748158/preview
Sano at 3B
I don’t know what’s going to happen when the season starts and Rendon has to play every day.
I will continue to manage my own expectations. It does bring this quote to mind “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Cron to Red Sux on MiLB deal.
That’s interesting that he would agree to a minor-league deal. Is that some form of recognition of the realities of the market?
I think it is evidence that the market is rough right now. Along with what Urshela got etc. The Angels should be taking advantage of discount prices. But they aren’t. I realize spots are minimal. But the injury bug has gotten Rengifo and Stefanic. Plus Suarez and Stephenson right now. They can bring in some other guys.
The uncertainty of the television market appears to be the reason why owners are hesitant to make huge long term offers for players this offseason. It’s not collusion but smart business. The days of free flowing television revenue appear to be over. It will be hustling year-to-year. That development in and of itself can explain the lack of willingness to commit hundreds of millions to a player in a long term deal.
I expect shorter term deals to become the wave of the future. The only question to me is when will players and agents adjust?
Right after the next strike is settled
Excited about Dana and Rada. It will be really interesting if they continue to fast track them. Seems like endurance is the key thing that keeps coming up with the young guys so maybe they’ll start getting them to AA sooner but leave them there longer.
They both impressed me.
Definitely looking forward to what they can do in Huntsville
Dana’s frame could lend itself as a good innings eater and if he adds more velocity, his ceiling will raise. Dude is only 20 and has a couple more years to advance before the majors. For me, it’s nice to see the Angels drafting some ranked high school arms.
Enjoy your kids baseball Jeff J. My youngest started his Little League last week. I am obsessed with MLB, but great to step away to enjoy kids play and also my old college LB Dirtbags. This wknd, Go Halo Faithful!
Thanks. Enjoy yours as well.
The Rev link just goes to Adell’s triple for me.
No reason to link but Kike thinks owners are capital C Colluding in free agency since terms and timing of such offers were the same. I don’t doubt that, I also don’t think it’s a new revelation… but also metrics are out there that are used by everyone to project contracts. I really hope we do sign that twat.
Cute couple, I wish them luck!!
That’s his previous gal I believe.
I’ll check on the link.
Is her name really Kamalani Dung? 😂
If so I would imagine she’s a-okay with giving up her last name.
Very Hawaiian sounding first name. Wonder what her other nationalities are. Be willing to guess not 100% Japanese, which is kind of how I read the initial release. Nbd either way.
Born in Hawaii but plays for the Puerto Rican National Softball team. And I also think she’s a Warrior Princess. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamalani_Dung
I was also thinking that she does not look Japanese.
So she went from Shit to Shohei? Thats quite the upgrade.
I bet Arte gets a big cut (fees) from the ATM machine behind them.
Oh I’m sure thats true. It’s probably the only one left in the stadium since MLB stadiums only take plastic now. The Players must need it for their in game betting
I just thought the pic was funny with the ATM strategically placed in the background over her shoulder.in reality, never saw a pic of him with a GF or otherwise, just Ippei. As if being tall, dark and handsome wasn’t enough.
I always find this hilarious: crazy hot matrix
https://youtu.be/bbpGkrViOcE
Also DONT want kike but I think British version a ‘stupid person’ was clear enough 🙂
I was going to say I thought he could do better.
Not very gorgeous at all but likely down to earth and not after his money
Really? I disagree
That Rev link is riveting. I think it took longer to load than it took to read.
It is definitely a come back to it link. Early risers will not be surprised to come back to it.
It’s 4D chess.
Rev says Jo will make the club for one reason- he’s the only player with any wheels
The club will have some tough choices. Also, it will be a challenge this spring to get the for sure guys ready and also get a good long look at the players they need to choose from.
The Rev link no worky.
Probably why it took longer to load than it took to read it.
Didn’t realize 7 words was longform for Jeff.
Halo Power Baby!!!