And just lack that, baseball is back. Last weekend NCAA action kicked off and yesterday the Cubs and Dodgers kicked off the 2025 Cactus League season.
There are four games out in the Valley of the Sun today and another two in the Grapefruit League.
MLB Network will air a ton of Spring Training games to scratch our baseball itch. MLB.tv will have lots of free games as well. A new wrinkle will appear this Spring, an automated strike zone with player challenges. I saw this in AAA action last season and liked it.
The Angels kick off their Cactus League season tomorrow and wrap it up on March 21st. Join your fellow Angels fans in gamethreads here. I have them scheduled for every game.
When the games start there will be one significant change: Mike Trout is moving to right field. Trout and team hope the move will save some wear and tear on his body, including his surgically repaired meniscus, and help him stay on the field.
This begs the question of who plays center field. Jo Adell looks to establish himself in centerfield after dramatically improving his defense in right field last season.
Angels GM Perry Minasian jumped on MLB Network to discuss Trout’s move and the team’s off season. Note the nod to playing the kids.
Here’s a look at Trout in right field from Tempe.
Before taking those reps in right field, Mike and his buddy Freddie Freeman did some important work and put smiles on kids faces. This stuff right here means far more than any accolades they receive for their play and is important to highlight.
Another player who needs to stay healthy is shortstop Zach Neto. He is recovering from shoulder surgery and appears to be ahead of schedule. He’s doing drills and throwing from short distances.
Part of what made the early 2000s Angels so much fun to watch was the fact many of them came up together and formed genuine bonds as teammates. There was a family feel with Salmon, Anderson, Percival, and the bunch. We watched them grow and develop as players and men and enjoyed in their success. The same thing seems to be happening with this group.
Yes, all things begin anew in Spring. Even the outlook from Angels owner Arte Moreno, who spoke with the media this week. He stated the team will lose a cool $50 million this year but then spoke about acquiring and developing young players.
“You have to continue to put up good building blocks. And then the reality is being able to supplement everything.” – Arte Moreno
When combined with the comments above by Perry and the obvious huge roster turnover the next two seasons, the plan is pretty obvious: find some kids who can really play then spend the freed up salary supplementing and extending them.
The plan was to keep this column 100% Angels but late breaking news yesterday must be mentioned. MLB and ESPN are mutually parting ways after this season. ESPN wanted MLB to take a pay cut from the $550 million per year it currently receives, MLB is complaining about a lack of coverage. What is significant here is that national contracts are divided equally per team, so this will impact the amount of revenue the Angels receive. MLB is discussing other broadcast partnerships.
I will link this absolute bomb from my draft crush, Fresno State third baseman Murf Gray. That is an epic name, my favorite school, and a position of need. Hopefully he’s there at 47 or we snag a competitive balance pick and get him at 31 or so.
Enjoy this blessed weekend of baseball and link what I missed. We have Opening Day ceremonies for Little League and I am the manager of the farm level Angels. It is a great group of kids and we are going to have a blast this season. We will win some games, ha ha. The opportunity to spend this time at the ballpark with my son is beyond description. Look for me in the gamethread when I get home.
Hey guys! I’m going to miss today’s fun. I’m in Miami about yo leave on a Star Trek cruise.
Hold the fort, keep the faith, Live Long and Prosper, and … GO HALOS!!!!
I’ll be in Miami next weekend- Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream 😁 back on the Derby trail 🐎 in 2025 and it’s looking good for the first Saturday in May at this point.
Noda, Rada, Dana. (This is going to mess with me in the Spring)
so far, so good! Still a half hour away from first pitch
So we’re still unbeaten?
it could happen!
Today’s Lineups
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/mariners-vs-angels/2025/02/22/779162/preview
you beat me 😭🤝
Adell in CF, Mickey in RF.
I’ll take that challenge for the rest of the year!! `;~}}
39 players listed and I hope they all get in the game
The crazy ride begins!
https://x.com/Rainmaker1973/status/1893361346525155548
So I guess that’s the positioning when Trout gets injured.
PLAY BALL!!!
Counting down to the Game Thread.
Adell In CF is gonna be great!
Hi everyone new to the community. Used to be on the old thread, circa 2006-2008, happy to be back. Can’t wait for you all to tell me how much of a cuck I am!
Welcome back. I’ve approved your comments and now they will show in real time.
HELL YEAH! CUCKZ!
My 2 cents worth (While we still have Pennies, no not J.C.)
Ward
Renny
Trouty
Soler
O’Hoppe
Adell
Moncada
Schanny
Neato
You scared me until I realized Renny is not RenDone.
if we get Gray and if he hits a lot of HRs then our games will be 3 hours long since it appears to take him 45 minutes to circle the bases
Ryan Prager had a pretty good outing tonight. You know him, he’s that 2024 3rd round pick Perry stubbed his toe on.
Well of course he did.
Glass half-full? Perry was smart enough to draft him 🤓
Yep but too dumb to understand Prager’s signability and manage the budget accordingly
“Look at meeeee! I’m a Real Angelz Fan! I am hung up on a third round pick who decided to go to go to the best college baseball team in the land instead of signing with us cause he wants to be a first rounder. GMs are stupid. This team is a joke!”
Opening day starter ✅ Ward lead-off ✅ All before 1 inning of ST.
https://www.mlb.com/news/taylor-ward-leadoff-hitter-angels-2025
Ward has done well leading off. I’d be happy with that.
Ward
Schanuel
Trout
Soler
Rengifo
Neto
O’hoppe
Adell
Moncada
Is probably pretty close to how a healthy lineup will look.
Surprising to say but that lineup isn’t bad. Add in a couple old guys like Anderson that re-discover how to hit and the hitting might be decent.
Garrett Anderson?
i believe you are correct regarding the 1st 4. Might see O’Hoppe 5 and then Rengifo and Neto drop to 6 and 7.
Neto was money in the clutch and wRISP last season. I want him in a run producing spot.
If I had my way —
Ward
Trout
Soler
Neto
Rengifo
Schanuel
O’Hoppe
Moncada
Adell
Trout
Schanny Singles
Neato
Soler
The Heef
Ward
Mbappe O’Hoppe
Moore
Adelle
I don’t know why, just need Trout to get his groove back and need athletes in the damn line-up. Super Sub Alfred E. Newman.
Move Ward to leadoff, and I can get behind that configuration too.
Also, no Moncada? I was championing for a CMo call up late last season, but I can’t see him breaking camp in the majors.
I’d rather Renny start out batting 2nd, he just might have a breakout season, at least good enough to bring in a good trade later in the summer.
Setting lineups and rotations and bullpen assignments to maximize trade value should be the prime directive while we are still pre-competitive.
Yeah, I can see Ward getting the nod but hoping for Trout. Next best thing, he should be No. 2 as you have him. Liking Neto 3 or 4.
Hoping CMo breaks camp. Ball is more explosive off his bat but yes, needs to make regular contact. Moncada to me is recycled. Cannot get excited here Just another Cuban trying to hit home runs and point to the sky. Team needs athletes on the bases.
“Just another Cuban trying to hit home runs and point to the sky”
made me laugh more than it should have lol.
Me too.
The Super Halo Bros did a deep dive that showed Ward is our best lead-off guy based on past performance, even though his speed profile isn’t perfect.
Bloop singles that fall just beyond the reach of infield. Plus walks, imagine that from the Incredible Hulk and King Kong.
No 400 fters or frozen ropes off the wall.
Neto’s slash line last year, even with his 23 HR’s, was .249/.318/.443. But the Angels were so bad, that his SLG% was 2nd on the team behind Trout. Because of his low OBA, I would support batting him 5th. Based on last year, 2 of Schanuel, Soler, or Rengifo should be in the top 2 spots. The line up below makes the most sense based on last years numbers for OBA and SLG%. Trout is really the only true middle of the order hitter on the current roster.
Rengifo
Schanuel
Trout
Soler
Neto
Ward
I agree Roy but I believe Wash is reluctant at this time to put O’Hoppe into the middle of the lineup after last years disappointing attempts to put him there . Bit as the season goes on you very well may see him and Neto get trusted with more middle of the lineup roles.
Hard to argue with Wash when you look at the #s.
Left is O’Hoppe
Right is Neto
I was thinking Neto started to hit well up in the line-up, got fact-checked quickly
He performed pretty well in the 2 spot! It’s not like he had premier protection behind him either.
Look at his clutch, high+medium leverage situation, and wRISP #s from 2024. They all grade out pretty freaking stellar.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=netoza01&year=2024&t=b
I think Neto would be a kickass #4-5 hitter.
Here is a thought, if Neato has a year with the bat again, move him to third and draft a SS with the #1 pk. With so many needs it’s a tough choice as we need everything including a 3B. So we could a two for with this move.
He’s too good defensively to move off SS. I know 3rd has been a black hole forever, but the answer isn’t Neto.
Some experts think he’s a Superior 2B masquerading as a SS. I’m no expert, but I’m happy to leave him there.
As Trout’s home runs typically come with the bases empty, he is a good candidate. Let’s get him locked in, early.
Halo baseball back tmrw?
Halo baseball is back tmrw!!!
Brewers gonna do the Brew thing with Margot…..
eh
They already have Chourio, Frelick, Mitchell and Yelich.
Maybe he’s insurance if someone goes down, but I doubt he will be impactful
They love OF that can cover some ground
Early in spring training in 1973, the Angels next young superstar gave me a broken bat and two baseballs ⚾️ ⚾️ after his BP one day in Palm Springs. I was twelve and it was one of the greatest moments of my Angel fan life to that point.
Today, it was a blast to see Bobby V at the stadium and share that story with him.
That’s awesome!
My dad and I talked to Bobby V briefly at spring training last year. Was a cool guy.
I’m sure you could consider ZZ Top’s beards Well-Groomed.
https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/yankees-amend-long-standing-facial-hair-policy-will-now-allow-well-groomed-beards-143228075.html
Giffy wasn’t at Tempe Diablo today. Just sayin….
trading 👑 Luis, CMo to usurp 2nd ?
It’s poetic that the trade that allowed the Neto O’Hoppe bromance to exist is the same trade that broke up the last famous Angels bromance of Adell and Marsh.
Why not invite Schanuel in and make it a Throuple?
😆
+1 for Severance reference
Interesting read regarding the MLB and ESPN negotiations. Never really see networks ask major sports partners to take pay cuts for continued partnership, usually it’s the other way around.
I’m not sure where they really go. TNT? Fox Sports? If they try the streaming avenue like Apple+, viewership will die.
I truly think this is MLB’s biggest issue right now. I can be completely exaggerating this but I also don’t think streaming will bring in enough revenue to gap any losses from TV deals. Certainly MLB and teams go after multiple revenue sources and TV deals will always be a part of revenue, but when one customer says they will pay less, or nothing at all, your other customers will also.
I agree. It could lead to better options for fans though.
It should lead to better options for fans, but I’m not counting on it. The gross surplus of greedy bastards will prevent it happening. The leagues saw this coming and that explains the mad rush to get in bed with the gambling “community”. We need a political solution to the present insanity.
I think MLB is facing a real revenue crunch. For 30 plus years, the teams, cable providers, and RSNs have been getting non-sports fan cable subscribers to pay for RSN subscriptions and getting local sports fans to pay for cable packages, while paying the teams for the rights to the games.
the problem is that the non-sports fans are leaving this model in droves and are going the streaming model. That means that fewer non-fans are indirectly giving money to MLB which is why the RSNs are going bankrupt as their subscriber base is becoming less than what they paid for the rights.
Most of what they’ve been doing is to try to keep getting as much non-fan revenue as possible.
im not sure that raising prices will necessarily work to increase revenues as the increases may turn fans off.
Players will see a lot less too going forward.
I think you’re right. as teams face revenue declines, more teams will have tighter budgets. The Yankees and Dodgers may be able to keep getting enough, but not every team will.
ESPN is actually a hassle for streamers because it’s not a stand alone. You have to pay for other crap to get it. And it sucks. But Manfraud shot himself in the foot with this.
Feeling good, huffed a little (Not a little) Hopium…”…feelin’ groooo-ovy!!”
all we know for sure is that we’re gonna root for the Angels to win every game
Feeling some Good Vibrations
https://x.com/historyinmemes/status/1889798966167875980
Classic…those fellas could sing.
But Apparently they couldn’t play that well because their albums’ best instrumental work was done by The Wrecking Crew.
A good documentary on Max is Yacht Rock
Stream Music Box: Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary on Max
https://play.max.com/movie/a06a30f0-9552-46e5-8827-510fb41eb1fb?utm_medium=sharebutton&utm_id=9701E4F8-25C1-4C29-B977-15EB8EBB175C
The Wall of Sound playing the music, they were the best ever. The Beach boys in my top five of all time too.
Dude…always huff the max that you can!! `;~}}
Official 2025 Tag line
“The 2025 Los Angeles Angels. HUF THE MAX!”
Todays pictures – first workout at Diablo in 2025
All the footballs being thrown around is giving me a flashback to the 2024 NFL season for the Cleveland Browns. They had a historically bad season at QB…. Does anyone look better than Deshaun Watson, or the 3 or 4 clowns that played after him?
i know a guy, great CERA, and he had a QB scholarship to Florida State
https://www.flickr.com/gp/140319829@N02/4m0001616q
Football pics are objectively hilarious
Maybe Trout keeps getting hurt because of his ridiculously long pants?
Neto’s knickers didn’t help him…