Early Wednesday the word came out that Pittsburgh and the Angels are discussing a Taylor Ward trade. It looks like this is driven more by the Pirates needs than the Angels needs, although it could all be posturing. Finally, I found a notation of what the wrist guy said about Rengifo on Monday. It’s only inflammation and not a strain. Rengifo and Ward are both “under the radar” trade candidates supposedly. With those two gone the Angels might not even be able to buy a hit. I jest. Rendon is apparently back to hitting doubles and O’Hoppe is awesome. Neither of those latter two guys is going anywhere.
Mike and Jessica Trout welcomed new addition to their family, Jordy Michael Trout. (Sports Illustrated link, maybe written by AI).
Jack Kochanowicz will be our pitcher today. Kenny Rosenberg was activated for last night’s game. The word on the street is that Davis Daniel doesn’t have a locker in the Angels clubhouse. He got optioned to make room for Rosenberg. I’m not sure how much longer Roansy Contreras can last. The Angels could simply option Rosenberg back down to make room for Kochanowicz. Contreras/Rosenberg … potato/pototto. I don’t know. Rosenberg already has 77 innings this season despite a couple trips to the injured list. I think they must have him doing multiple innings. Contreras is out of options.
Here is the final starting field for the Home Run Derby.
Rob Manfred said robo-umps won’t be coming very soon. He said the human umpires “do an unbelievable job in an extremely, extremely difficult role.” Unbelievable is right. Some are more unbelievable than others. Manfred said of the gambling scandals that the integrity of the game is MLB’s number one issue. Just in case he reads this: Robo-umps don’t gamble because they don’t have any money. Think about it. Oh wait! Crap! Don’t tip the robot. They might make it an umpire.
It doesn’t look like Wander Franco will get a mere slap on the wrist.
The Marlins just outrighted Matt Andriese. Up and down, overseas and back, Andriese’s just a travelin’ man.
You ain’t getting that cheese by me meat. I think Rosario is pretty lucky that one didn’t get him in the package.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
I forgot how bad Rosenberg is, now I remember. Why can’t we draft pitchers?
If the Pirates are interested, then I’m all in. They have a good farm system right now. BTW the Phillies have the best record in MLB along with the best GM.
Tonight’s Lineups
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/mariners-vs-angels/2024/07/11/746204/preview
Adell got the same bug as Drury and Soriano did a few weeks ago.
Time to bring in the hazmat suits.
Angels – Pirates talking Taylor Ward deals, Perry is probably asking for Skenes as an opener.
It would be interesting to know what the trade simulator says about Skenes. He’s all the rage right now but he could flame out as a Sophomore.
Ward has got some staying power if people would just stop throwing at his face.
Taylor Ward has value. He is an inexpensive somewhat better than average hitting OF who is cost controlled for the next two years. He is not someone who I would want to pay more than 10-15M a year for in FA, but he is an excellent bargain for the next 2 years. Ward and Neto are nearly equal value hitters right now which says a lot more about Ward than Neto. Ward has been a big disappointment for me. I was hoping for an OPS+ closer to 120. It would not be a reach if he did that for each of the next 2 years.
Bottom line though is he is already 30 and if you can acquire long term value for someone who is trying to win now, you should do it. With that said, he still has good value for the next 2 years and I would not trade him just for the sake of it. And they do not have a ready replacement for him right now.
Now for Schanny:
Since June 11 hes played in 26 games slashing .316/.411/.411 while walking 15 times which is the same amount that he has struck out in that same period.
Is that suitable production out of a first baseman?
I want to see him hit more doubles along with continuing to walk and hit like he has in the past 26 games. I would say that an OPS of .822 is solid in the middle of the pack as elite first baseman have an OPS in the .900s. But I think Schanny will develop more as he is only 22.
I think Yogi Berra struck out 12 times in 1950
Back in my day when men were men and sheep were nervous we didn’t even let bears play baseball. You kids are so stupid.
Now Cubs and Tigers can play baseball.
No, not to me, but he’s only 22 and we have time to see if he develops. It’s also only for a month and the rest of the season he has been awful. Hitting .300 with a .400 OBA is good but his .411 SLG Avg is abysmal. He has to hit .300 to maintain his OBA. He hit’s like a non elite middle infielder. If he was able to maintain a .300 BA and .400 OBA for the season, he would have value as a leadoff hitter, which some here don’t like because he’s not fast. But we also don’t have any lead off alternatives. The problem is that he has to hit .300 and have a .400 OBA to be of value because of he only hits singles. I believe that they could turn him into a star if they rebuilt his swing over the winter. It would not affect his patience. The dude is 6’4” 220 lbs for crying out loud.
No but I don’t see the Angels focused on 1st and will let it play out
Indeed, he is also starting to hit the ball harder as well.
Yeah, but Arte. And Perry. So he’s a piece of shit. I hate him. There have been times he has not been good. I hate improvement. I am a winner and demand instant wonderfulness. This kid’s crap.
If your best stretch of the year gets you just north of .800 OPS, that’s not very exciting.
Since June 4th, Mickey has put up a 27 Game, 98 Plate Appearance performance hitting .256/.316/.456 while “only” striking out at a .27.6% K/PA clip.
I dont know about you but I would definitely take that for a defensive competent outfielder. Just platoon him with a RHB who mashes lefties and you definitely got something.
I am rooting for Mickey also. I wonder if Adell and him will form a lefty/righty platoon?
If we are succesfully developing O’Hoppe, Neto, Schanuel, Moniak, and Adell this season then the season is not a lost season after all. Not to mention Soriano as a starting pitcher and Joyce and Crouse as relievers.
If there is one good thing this shitty yet again underperforming Minasian team, is that they have committed to Adell in RF
Unfortunately Adell only has an OPS of .705 in his career vs lefties. Although this season it is .986 vs lefties in pretty small sample size.
Only as long as he’s cheap, and he also has been really bad for the rest of the season.
Yeah, but Arte. And Perry. So he’s a piece of shit. I hate him. There have been times he has not been good. I hate improvement. I am a winner and demand instant wonderfulness. This kid’s crap.
So what MLB team has both a lousy GM and the best record in baseball? Consult
CB26 PLZ….. 😂
I’m gearing myself up for a puzzling draft pick
trAdition
We ain’t taking anyone or any animal who’s represented by Scott Boras.
If you mean by “puzzling” a readilly signable draft pick ( possible discount) that is close to the majors but has a lower ceiling then others then yes you are well prepared.
You’re a plagerist. I’ve been saying that since HH prepandamic. How original of you…
Sorry Toots but I only plagiarize peeps who can actually spell correctly.
That aint you.
Your beautiful sintaxx and datuh doesn’t help you make correct observations….. 😂 😂
You
Win
A
Cookie
If I feel like it.
I’m thinking it could be a toolsy high schooler not on anyone’s radar. Tibbs, for example, might be underslot but we know about him.
We cannot afford to use our top pick on HS player for now.
Nothing wrong with a toolsy high schooler. Caden Dana and Barret Kent are better pitching prospects than the entire 2021 draft. Silseth pretty good stuff but is a physical mess for the second year in a row.
I’ll have zero complaints if Perry went with Konnor Griffin.
I do because it would be 5-6 years before he had any impact on this franchise assuming he ever did.
If good, 3-4 years. If really good, break in at 21. It’s the classic case of settling for another Schanuel type talent profile: (readymade college looking hitter but low ceiling) or shoot for more dynamic impact.
Outside of the top 3 bats, Bazanna, Condon and Wetherholt, nothing separates as an obvious pick. This is why I’m good with Burns or Hagen, if those arms are gone, swing for the fence with Griffin.
Trout was drafted high schooler.
I agree, I do not want another Nolan. The 2 HS kids in the top 10 are consensus top 10, but I would take Caglianone or Kurtz before them if available.
But Caden Dana is the 2021 draft version of Mason Albright. Both were the double digit round High school pick that the Angels used their remaining pool monies to lure away from college with a $1,000,000+ signing bonuses. The only difference is it looks like Perry hit on one and probably busted on the other.
That would be a giant disappointment and the end of any support from me for Perry.
I think Arte is confused what to do now cause like the past 12yrs he had the same MO: Win now but stay under cap. Looked at past teams like Royals, pre-COViD A’s , Twins thinking they have playoff teams without spending $$, I can too. For Angels, turned out to recipe for disaster. Looking back, should have spent like the big boys on pitching while we had Ohtani with Trout. Today Arte is stuck in mud, clueless about having to actually rebuild a shallow team.
I get it. Nobody admits it openly, but Insane Clown Posse sells a lot of albums and tickets, so people who like em are out there. Wondering what rainbows are about and stuff, thinkin cheap deep. ICP even tells you you’re not alone. So thoughts and stuff.
Yes, that’s exactly what he was saying dude.
Nutthin wrong with ICP
Ohtani was a blessing. We saw things on a baseball diamond we never thought we’d see.
He also came at a time when the team could’ve really used a retooling year or two to position themselves to really contend. You can’t do that when you just landed the unicorn.
You take Ohtani every chance you get, though.
Excellent observation Jeff. Looking back and knowing where we and he are at now…I could have lived without him. Lot’s of greatness from him but at what price?
I will add that hindsight is 20/20!!
You take him until it doesn’t make any sense to not trade him. Realistically that was 2022 but DEFINITELY 2023.
TB Rays.
Have to accept that you’ll be road kill in the post season to a team with deeper pockets.
Big Poppa is pretty freaking good.
Zach Neto is on pace for 21 HR and 24 SB. He’s on pace to be the first Angel shortstop ever to have a 20-20 season and would also become the 7th shortstop in the Wild Card Era to have a 20-20 season at the age of 23 or younger.
https://x.com/JackJanes_/status/1811252917426676051?t=fqi4odS7-12AwNt0RB1Jrw&s=19
Agree, but can we please stop calling him “Big Poppa.” First, he is not large of build and certainly not fat like Ortiz, and to my knowledge he is not a father yet…
Maybe Z-Bone?
https://youtu.be/gXTlAJrgGEY?si=uKGoe88s4DrYdrBl
The irony in the nickname is one of the reasons its awesome lol, also its literally his walkout song.
I’m just glad he has a nickname other than “Nets” or “Zachy”. MLB guys have the worst nicknames 95% of the time.
It’s his whole vibe. Yeah, tell a kid living out his dream to stop having fun is what you’re saying to do. You can’t be this miserable, jack.
And he clearly doesn’t use steroids like Ortiz did.
Totally agree with this. It just doesn’t fit him.
That was a nick name that Wash gave him because of his walk up song. . I think Zach kind of likes it so it may stick despite your boycott.
This. The nickname has nothing to do with Big Roidy.
Yeah, we know about the nickname because Neto himself mentioned it… it’s not something we came up with.
It also has to do with the movie Hardball. The song they use in it and the celebration when he hits doubles are all part of it. Telling a kid to stop celebrating is just wild lol
I thought it also had to do with Neto’s affinity for Robert Goulet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O38x5S6j-nU
Gubi has been calling him MagNETO on the tv broadcasts. This is of course a nod to the Marvel character Magneto.
And what could be better than having a nickname of a powerful character from the Marvel Universe ??
You aren’t gonna get what you want.
It won’t change my life whatever happens. I just think the “Big Poppa” thing is stupid.
And no matter what I won’t be calling him that anytime soon ….
Boooo. Fun sucks. Those kids don’t know how good they have it or how stupid they are.
Swaggy Z
Big Poppa! Decent numbers from a glance but I feel he can and should do even better once he gets more selective at the plate.
Extending O’Hoppe and Neto feels like smart business to me but I imagine Arte prefers the financial flexibility of not paying them too soon due to Rendon and Trout.
This is why punting Anderson and Ward makes even more sense. Free up some room in the near term you can give to your new leaders/core guys and have it be understood the team will not try to really win and spend more until Rendon is gone. Keep these guys in house, empower them as leaders and then keep payroll elsewhere low due to an advertised rebuild. Everyone wins?
I agree, but when’s the last time ownership made common sense decisions?
losing Ohtani for nothing set the franchise back years. Doing the same in 2024 with the few remaining trade assets will only make things worse.
There is no incentive to do that yet until they become arbitration eligible. They are both currently minimum wage players. After next year, O’hoppe becomes arbitration eligible. Are you talking about just buying his arbitration years or some of his FA years as well. There is always the injury concern. I think that Neto is several years behind.
The incentive is paying them earlier can get you under-market salaries in the extended years. Look at what the Braves have Acuna and Albies signed to vs. what they would have gotten in free agency.
Hypothetically, they are not close to being FAs, and they cost nothing currently. Logan because he is more polished, plays catcher, and has only next year before arbitration could be considered. Neto is not currently an elite player and has 2 more years before he’s even arbitration eligible. There is a lot of risk involved with Neto. But it’s based on what you could get them to agree to. And neither of them are Ronald Acuna.
The problem with Trout and especially Rendon was their age at the time of extension. Trout was going into his age 28 season. Rendon turned 30 shortly into his first season with the Angels.
Giving these guys a 10 year contract that takes them through their age 35ish seasons is a lot more palatable. And at this stage in their careers they probably wouldn’t command top dollar. Bobby Witt got ~$26M per year which seems like a deal.
And yet the Doyers handed Ohtani $700 million when he was older than Trout and everybody says they’re geniuses for that.
Ohtani sells more tickets than any player I have ever seen and they pay him in dollars during the contract that are worth a lot less than today’s dollar. Smart Move, yep.
I wasn’t necessarily saying that extending a player in their upper 20s is a bad idea, just pointing out that its a safer bet to do it when they are 25 instead if you have the opportunity.
Predictably disappointing.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5630136/2024/07/11/angels-all-pitcher-mlb-draft-lookback/
“Bachman’s fastball is 95-96 and doesn’t miss bats, he’s slider heavy now” said Law, The Athletic’s draft and minor league expert. “They might have the worst farm system in baseball. I don’t think there’s anyone left from 2021 who projects as more than a middle reliever.”
“The Angels organization has made significant changes to its pitching development within the last year. It let go of its top minor league pitching coordinators. The purpose, those around the team have said, was to become less driven by analytics. “
“Pitching coach Barry Enright operates in the middle ground of analytics and feel. He’s also emphasized keeping up with organizational arms, and having a consistent strategy and open communication amongst the affiliates.”
“A rival scout noted that the Angels have a very limited scouting department, which could impact the organization’s ability to properly analyze talent.”
That last sentence is the key and talent evaluation might be the single most important area to invest in.
The drafts top 10 list every year is pretty universally accepted. That ability to properly analyze talent when you draft in the top 10 every year becomes a lot easier. Just pick one of those, that’s the list they’ll be picking from.
The Angels often think they are smarter than the list but as long as they select one of the consensus top 8 with their 1st choice, I’ll be happy.
A stinging analysis that underscores why my fanship has become less involved by comparison to any other time in my life. The Organization matters if you want to have any shot at success either short term or long term. I have zero faith in this Org.
In the NFL “they say“ draft grades take’s about 3 years to complete….not sure what the opinions are with that timeframe in MLB. I’m willing to give PTP more time to see if that 2021 draft class bares some fruit. I’ll lay some Eppei bucks it does.
No matter what, the Angels will have a decades long hole to dig out of. The insiders are going to be lazy on us (rightfully so) until some significant signs of life are thrown in their faces…….not saying that’s happening, or even going to happen, but I sense some reason to be more optimistic. Too GA to explain why, it’s just my gut.
This is just more Sam the Hat bullshit. he really could find a real job that he actually would know something about.
The only statement in this story that I would agree with is:
I disagree on a couple of fronts. First, Sam the Hat’s criticism of the Organization is justified and while I certainly think he can be a bit extreme on the downer side, the underlying issues he identifies are real and deserve criticism. Second, I think we can all see the problems that are written about right in front of our eyes – we do not need Sam or anyone else to tell us that this Org and its baseball decisions are a stinking pile of you know what. I think if a writer were saying otherwise we would have to question that writer’s motivations.
Yeah. Sam the Hat has trouble with Arte cause politics. Thus everything is 110% evil with Sam. But just because Sam would bitch about a sunset if Arte opened the curtains to see it doesn’t mean that Sam doesn’t bring up plenty of valid stuff.
Of course, none of it’s new most of the time.
What does Arte Moreno want?
As usual, that’s the only relevant question when it comes to pending roster decisions with the Los Angeles Angels. And as the trade deadline approaches, the whims of owner Arte Moreno will again guide how the team operates.
If Moreno is willing to tolerate another losing season — the Angels are at eight straight and counting — then he will authorize general manager Perry Minasian to make deals that would add to the team’s young core.
But if Moreno is again under the illusion the team might contend in 2025 — a serious longshot unless he is willing to increase payroll — then he will instruct Minasian to keep players under control beyond this season.
Of the Angels’ potential free agents, closer Carlos Estévez (16-for-19 in saves, 2.89 ERA, 28 strikeouts, four walks in 28 innings) almost certainly holds the most value. The other Angels teams want most either are under control through 2025 (lefty Tyler Anderson, righty Griffin Canning, infielder Luis Rengifo) or ‘26 (outfielder Taylor Ward).
If the Angels trade most or all of those players, it will be that much more difficult for them to avoid their first 100-loss season. And without a significant bump in payroll, the chances of a 100-loss season in 2025 would increase.
For now, the Angels are engaging in conversations and open to all possibilities, according to sources briefed on their conversations. Ultimately, Moreno will decide on their direction, if direction is even the right word. Too often since he bought the team in 2003, the Angels’ path has been unclear.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5630323/2024/07/11/mlb-trade-deadline-watch-competitive-balance-picks/
Does anybody really know what time it is?
(Care) does Arte really care?
(About time) you know, I can’t imagine why
(Oh no, no) we’ve all got time enough to cry.
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I’d like to do
Is to save every day
‘Til the trade deadline passes away
Just to spend them with you……Rengifo
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with…….Rengifo
“Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Won’t get fooled again.”
This reminds me of like 15 years ago when the crappy Orioles had Erik Bedard pitching really well and their owner was hesitant to trade their lone star player but fans were basically begging the franchise to start a proper rebuild. The owner had clearly become the hurdle to a real turnaround instead of rudderless, directionless losing.
They got Adam Jones and Chris Tillman, who were part of 2 playoff runs for the Orioles and also got George Sherrill who made an All-Star team and was flipped for more prospects.
As for us, we don’t have a Bedard type chip but the context feels real similar. We have nothing to lose anymore. It’s one thing to cling to Ohtani….but Tyler Anderson and Taylor Ward?
They’re not going to be good next year but even if they were to trade those players I am more optimistic about their opportunities to improve as a team next year. They will have some payroll flexibility.
Jack Kochanowicz Day
Remember, the c is silent.
Especially the first one
Fans should get a ticket in the OF to catch the first home run allowed
Riddle me this: if the standard season for Adell is 30 HR, 80 RBI, sub .200 batting average, and a sub .300 on base percentage, should he keep his place on the 26 man roster?
With excellent defense? Maybe.
How hard can it be for Jo to get closer to a .220 BA, .320 OBP ? Apparently, incredibly hard.
No, he should be talking to Billy Ashley, Brandon Wood, and others about what else might be a fit. Moniak too. It’s a shame. If Adell could just hit .240, the answer might be different. But his plate discipline is poor, he doesn’t make contact regularly, and all of those flaws add up. It took him many years but he figured out how to play the OF. So it’s not a total certainty he cannot correct things. But odds are greatly against.
Yes, until cost becomes an issue or someone younger and more in team control stumbles in.
Yes, that would be my thought. He’s cheap, you are not yet trying to win, and you don’t really have a replacement. You have at least until through next year to see if he can adapt. Same with Moniak and Schanuel and anyone else who is cheap and not performing. I realize there are high hopes around here for Nolan but right now he’s 10% below average as a hitter at an offensive position. He’s much younger and shows promise but he’s still a work in progress.
If you have no other options in the organization?
Why not?
I’m kinda at the same point as you, just wondering what the collective brain trust around here was thinking.
The term “brain trust” is very generous.
Yes it is! 🙂
Jo worked so hard on his defense that I assume he is doing the same thing with hitting. I am hoping that he can improve his OBP and become a .250 hitter. He also might steal 30-40 bases if he can get on base enough.
Story might become where Jo Adell is the forgotten Angel with all these kids around him producing. More time to grow with no spot light on him. Goes from having high expectations, to low expectations, to NO expectations. While nobody is paying attention, he might creep up on us.
Bottom line, the Angels have spent every single year for the last decade plus, with an OF’er getting a ton of playing time that sucks more than Jo. Too GA to compile a list, but it’s long and not many could hit 25 HRs and swipe 25 bags.
Keep Jo
Free Jo
Still the coaching. He was good when he shortened his swing. They can’t seem to help him figure that out again and execute that.
I provided my thoughts to your question below but it’s not just Jo Adell. This team has way too many players like him who have sub.300 OBAs. You just can’t carry a whole team of those guys. It get’s back to the fact that baseball has no clock but is limited to 27 outs and the less often you make an out, the more opportunities there are to score a run. This team has too many players who make too many outs. It is what is currently keeping Neto from being elite.
68-94 finish is the current .413 pace, not far off the Mendoza over/under Line of 73.
This sounds about right…..likely worse if Perry trades Anderson
Neto and Moniak are a great one-two punch, even if for only one night. 👊
I’m not sold on Moniak as of yet. He’s still just Adell with less power.
As it stands, neither can be actual starters on a contender. That said, no reason they can’t be given playing time through the end of the year and be thoroughly ecvaluated.
We won ONE!!
We finally beat
Medicarethe evil Rangers.