LA Angels Thursday News Crash: Ippei-Back

Who’s stuck with it? Arte? He retained Shohei for two months just for entertainment value. He pays $30M+ contracts all day long, but he prefers ones that carry 7-10 year commitments.

On that proposition, Snell would be entertaining. He’d sell shirts, he’d sell tickets. He could be flipped at the deadline for more prospect capital than the second round will deliver this year.

It’s a 70 win team as constituted, not fun to watch. Make it a touch more fun, with an outside chance at a wildcard. Give the young pitchers a good mentor in Snell to sweeten their development.

It’s a terrible farm, a weak draft class, the team has an extra pick. Prospect loss has never come with less cost for this club.

I’ve listed my reasons why I’d trade a year of a Cy Young for another shot at a Jeremiah Jackson a few times here. In any other year, it would cost the Angels $250M+ and 6-8 years to acquire one. They’ve only had one ace in, what, 10+ years? I’d like to see one again just to make the club watchable.

Yes, Caden Dana was an 11th rounder, overslot. Acquired in the same year that the Angels forfeited their 2nd rounder.

Money gets moved around regardless. Despite the lack of a second rounder, they netted Neto, Joyce, Dana and Mederos.

But this year, they have an extra compensation pick just after the second round, so the loss is even less severe than 2022.

I think folks are finding inventive ways to embrace losing. I get it – it’s been a long time since the team was competitive. If I trusted the draft room, and thought this was a compelling draft class, I might follow you down that road.