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LA Angels Wednesday News Crash: 1 little slip…

August 6, 2025

Good morning Angels fans! Have some links.

Angels News

The Angels lost to the Rays last night after a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad 4th inning by Soriano. But hey, at least Jo Adell looks great!

Luis Garcia pitched in the game and hey, that is the wrong Luis Garcia! He did well though. As someone who shares his first and last name with someone (my dad), there is a reason why I say John HENRY Weitzel.

While this year has been pretty mediocre overall, the fans have done their best to have fun. Like the Angels in the Outfield that have been happening this season.

The Heart and Hustle Awards were announced and Neto won for the Angels. Not overall, but for the team. Still, it is an honor, and one that was chosen correctly.

Around Baseball

Oh yeah, the NL winners of the Heart and Hustle Awards. Look, it is alternate universe Angel Andy Pages. I hate Arte so much…

Rockies have officially clinched a losing record. Will the Angels join them? Prolly. Will the Yankees? Not likely. Their fans are panicking though. As are Mets fans.

Meanwhile the Brewers are going on a run not seen since that one time they got CC Sabathia. Peaking too soon is a real danger, it is still early August.

An All Female Broadcast Booth for the Red Sox? It is likelier than you think.

Make A Wish is a heartwarming service, even if it is the Rangers. Get well kid.

Wait, wait, wait… the Pirates may extend a player?! Skenes may be locked up long term… or at least buy out his arb years so that everyone is happy.

20 active players have 100 career pitching wins. Nathan Eovaldi is the 20th, can you name the other 19? No one is getting 300 again.

Anything I missed? Post below for upvotes!

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Legend

Twebur

23 days ago

Victor Mederos is not getting enough attention this year, running a 3.55 ERA over 83 innings in the PCL where average ERA is 5.48 — re-worked a lot of delivery/arm action while dropping arm slot 10° over the last year, also added a truer sweeper to arsenal (L: 3/2024, R: 8/2025)

https://x.com/taylorblakeward/status/1953148988280193519?s=42

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

He should get a couple of shots down the stretch.

Be nice to see that sweeper at sea level. It could be a real game changer.

Legend

Twebur

23 days ago

Jen Pawol gets the call!
This weekend, the Minor League ump will become the first woman to umpire in a regular season MLB game:

https://x.com/milb/status/1953145764349084070?s=42

Super Member

RexFregosi

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

Cool

like Jackie, she will be under a microscope and will have the most visits ever for https://umpscorecards.com/

Hope this works out well for her.

Today, there are eight full-time female refs in the NBA.
Three in the NFL. None in the NHL.

Super Member

YOUknowulovetheIE

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

Every time I’ve watched a female ref the last few years the players go absolutely wild on them when they mess up.

Super Member

Angelz4ever

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

Great!

Legend

Twebur

23 days ago

Neto?

BREAKING: Outfielder Roman Anthony and the Boston Red Sox are finalizing an eight-year, $130 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The deal, which is pending a physical, includes a club option and will keep Anthony under team control through 2034.

https://x.com/jeffpassan/status/1953132020860645521?s=46

Super Member

tanana40

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

Anthony’s WAR this year is 1.8 and he has only 190 plate appearances. He looks like he will be a very good player but….. Neto has a WAR of 4 this year and career WAR of 10.7 in 1342 plate appearances. Zach would get himself a payday with an extension (or so it would seem).

Legend

FungoAle

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

The Roman Empire … good one

Super Member

YOUknowulovetheIE

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

When was the last time the angels extended one of their younger players with a fat contract? I feel like it’s been awhile.

Super Member

tanana40

23 days ago

Reply to YOUknowulovetheIE

Maybe David Fletcher?

Legend

FungoAle

23 days ago

Reply to tanana40

Got bit hard on that one

Super Member

tanana40

23 days ago

Reply to FungoAle

Yep, that’s the negative flip side of extending young players.

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

23 days ago

Reply to FungoAle

All five years of that deal cost less than what Rendon has made thus far this year.

It obviously didn’t work out, but the risk wasn’t all that great.

Super Member

tanana40

23 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

and that is a good point. Fletcher got $26 million over 5 years.

Super Member

YOUknowulovetheIE

23 days ago

Reply to tanana40

I was thinking walsh, but both ended up being poop after they got paid.

Super Member

Angelz4ever

23 days ago

Reply to tanana40

Hey, hey, hey, language pal!

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

23 days ago

I can’t count how many credit reports I’ve seen where a kid’s account shows up on dad’s report or vice a versa.

You’d think the Angels production crew would have Luis Garcia from last year tee’d up for the broadcast, though.

Legend

Twebur

23 days ago

Will the Thrill…… When will the pendulum swing back to less K’s, higher BA’s? The pendulum always swings back.

https://x.com/BBGreatMoments/status/1952561493297205538

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

When I was really small I loved Will Clark. I wanted to hit like him so bad…. but I didn’t. Perfect example of the Hall of Very Good. 56 War ay 1B. If he hadn’t have gotten hurt four of his last 5 years he’d have passed 60 WAR, 300 HR and 2500 hits and would likely be a veterans committee entrant. That 137 career OPS+ is nothing to sneeze at.

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

23 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Also loved Will Clark. Had his poster on my wall between Abbot and Joyner for a while there. His swing was just beautiful. In most eras, Will would have had the sweetest swing in the game. But he played in the era of Griffey Jr.

He also played right before the steroid era so his numbers aged like milk. For when he played, he was incredible.

Legend

FungoAle

23 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

First game, first AB and his first swing produced a home run against Nolan Ryan in the Astrodome. Will Clark, The Thrill.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

23 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Many players are in the Hall with much lower credentials, but I agree, he was very good.

Super Member

BannedInLA

23 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Will the Thrill. I liked him a lot. I also liked Andy Van Slyke for some strange reason.

Last edited 23 days ago by BannedInLA

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to BannedInLA

He was my favorite Pirate when I was a kid. Really liked him too. Killer Bs be damned.

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

23 days ago

Reply to BannedInLA

For some strange reason? Dude was a stud on a team full of studs. He played CF and was flanked by Bonds and Bonilla. Insane outfield.

Legend

FungoAle

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

He. Is. Right.

Super Member

tanana40

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

Well, Will is certainly passionate about this.

I think that hitters try to hit homers all the time regardless of the situation because that is what they are rewarded for. As soon as teams start rewarding .300 hitters who are good at situational hitting, things will change but until then, I am not sure it is correct to say that the players are just selfish.

Last edited 23 days ago by tanana40

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

23 days ago

Reply to tanana40

Agreed.

I appreciate slugging percentage and dingers. But there are so many scoring opportunities left on the table when guys K trying to hit them.

I love OBP, but a walk doesn’t move a guy from first to third or score a guy from second base.

There are so many times a single is needed and guys simply don’t go for it. The two strike approach has disappeared from the game. That’s the approach needed in a lot of situations.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

23 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Funny, Mickey Mantle who obviously played a long time a go said that he always tried to hit the ball as hard and far as he could, every AB. He did bunt for hits however.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

23 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

I do agree that fundamental team baseball and situational hitting have become almost non existent. Darin Erstad was the master of hitting a ground ball to 2B when a runner was on 2B to move them over.

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

23 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

No, walks don’t but on the other hand they don’t run the risk of producing an out like a fielder’s choice or double play. It would be boring to watch a team of 9 players like Eddie Yost but not making an out nearly 40% of the time is valuable.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

23 days ago

Reply to Born_in_59

That is one of the complaints I have. As Bill James pointed out, baseball doesn’t have a clock but each team is limited to 27 outs, and the more often you make them, the fewer opportunities you have to score. The Angels, as currently constructed, make way too many outs, so the production they get is very costly.

Legend

angelslogic

23 days ago

I have made and deleted two memes involving Bo Porter out of my disgust for his decision making. I don’t want to be cruel, but he ain’t got what it takes to make decisions at third base. Period. End of discussion.

Trusted Member

Kevin

23 days ago

Reply to angelslogic

Noted. How about the manager? How many consecutive hits and runs in one inning does it take to come out and get the ball? I would have thought sometime long before it happened last night.

Legend

MarineLayer

23 days ago

Reply to Kevin

The manager said it was a “bad send” but isn’t doing anything about it. No accountability. So Angels.

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

It’s likely that the team isn’t, in reality, going for it. In which case they were probably trying to let the pitcher get his act together.

Super Member

TrojanBoiler

23 days ago

Reply to angelslogic

I said during the game thread last night that I know there’s been a lot of debate and general bitching about the coaching but I don’t see how anyone could be in favor of keeping Porter at third.

He is absolutely horrible and has no idea what he’s doing out there. And unlike the hitting coach where we don’t really know what’s being coached and what players are or aren’t doing, Bo Porter’s decision making is indisputable and obviously bad.

Super Member

RexFregosi

23 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

Bo’s an asset to the organization, but 3b Coach probably isn’t the right fit. I would take him as manager over Ray though in a heartbeat. He’s done it before in Houston and now has 10 more year’s experience.

Him and EY are Wash’s guys. If Wash isn’t coming back, I don’t expect those two back next year.

Legend

MarineLayer

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

The three of them should retire and enjoy their golden years in a nursing home.

Legend

Twebur

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

Who’s great idea was it to switch Bo and EY a few months back, and why? Maybe reverse it back. Don’t remember if EY was just as bad a 3rd base coach? Or, are they are both awful?

Legend

FungoAle

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

EY sucked, thought it was good that he was moved to first. Well, looks like that did not work. Porter is his equivalent.

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

I was surprised by Ray Ray over Porter a bit. But I also don’t care all that much since Napoleon couldn’t get this team 5 games over 500.

Legend

FungoAle

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

Sweep out the barn. Get someone in here that coaches to win and can set the tone for these players to play smart baseball.

Trusted Member

admkir

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

Porter has experience? Isn’t he the one that got an entire umpiring crew suspended when he convinced them that he could replace a pitcher without him throwing a pitch because of a pinch hitter. The only reason the game was not protestted was because the Angels won.

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

THIS. Exactly. For all I know Barry Damnright with Jose or Other Washington is watching video, reading reports, and telling Logan O”Hoppe exactly what need to get done and Logan just isn’t doing it.

I feel almost 100% sure someone has explained bunting to Rengifo.

But THE COACH decides to send the runner. It’s a thing he actually does independent of the player. Porter does not do it well, I can see it with my eyes when he blows it.

Trusted Member

milehigh

23 days ago

Reply to angelslogic

Looking at the video my reaction was that Logan slid too soon. Needed another step.

Super Member

YOUknowulovetheIE

23 days ago

Reply to angelslogic

Wasn’t he the 1st base coach at the beginning of the year?

Legend

Twebur

23 days ago

Sammy Peralta was named the PCL pitcher of the month for July
21.1 IP
2.11 ERA
21 SO
3 BB

https://x.com/jared_tims/status/1953115626714575089?s=42

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

UNPOSSIBLE! These numbers are fake news!

Legend

Twebur

23 days ago

Denzer Guzman was named the Southern League player of the month for July
.333/.440/.580
199 wRC+
9 2B
1 3B
3 HR
19.0 K%
13.0 BB%

https://x.com/Jared_Tims/status/1953116005913510122

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to Twebur

Also UNPOSSIBLE! Unless he was traded to another org and no one told us or him.

Super Member

RexFregosi

23 days ago

Slate Alford wants out of San Bernardino ASAP.
5 for 9, SLG% 1.414

Already time to move on up?

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

He was playing against older guys in college. He should rake at this level.

However, he wasn’t playing 6 games per week in college. I’d let him ride out the last month of the IE season. Let him adjust to the schedule first, then tougher pitching next.

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Only guessing. But I think that’s it. “Keep your swing warm kid” type month. Get some more video so he can work in the off season. Real testing starts in Bama this spring.

Super Member

RexFregosi

23 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

yes agree with you both. It’d also be hard to go from

Georgia>Tempe>SoCal>TriCity in a month.

The most natural level for a SEC drafted player would be AA, so this is just get some reps in.

Legend

FungoAle

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

San Bernardino, I hope all the players get out. Where in the hell do they sleep at night? Hope they have good homestay away from the stray bullets.

Super Member

Angelz4ever

24 days ago

So, the fourth is not with Soriano?

Trusted Member

Kevin

23 days ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

🤣😂 I see what you did there.

Legend

steelgolf

24 days ago

Please Pirates, lock up Skenes for 10 years so the Yankee and Dodgers fans heads explode.

Super Member

Angelz4ever

24 days ago

Reply to steelgolf

LOL, the Pirates ain’t gonna do that, they are so d@mn cheap.

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to steelgolf

I will seriously get a little misty of Nutting does something like this. Honks have NO IDEA how much more soul crushing it is to have the Pirates farm system year after year and Nutting for an owner. Those fans are all heroes and survivors with an incredible journey to share with others.

Them knowing they’ll likely get to have Skenes to root for long term…. it would mean A LOT to them.

Editor

Super Member

Turk's Teeth

24 days ago

Baseball Prospectus playoff odds: 0.6%
Fangraphs playoff odds: 1.1%

Yanks have fallen below 80% but feel like they’re in freefall.

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

24 days ago

Reply to Turk's Teeth

I don’t think there’s the proverbial snowball’s chance, but if the Angels snuck into the wildcard ahead of the Yankees, I’d be crowing about it through next year’s playoffs.

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to Born_in_59

I’d be so happy. Even as we get bludgeoned by the Sox or Blue Jays. And also finish 4th the next year. But I’d sure as fk enjoy those weeks in September 2025 for sure. Especially if the Yankees fall out….. golden.

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

24 days ago

The wait is over! Peraza got his first hit as an Angel last night. Would have been nicer if Bryce hadn’t hit into a double play behind him.

Legend

Fansince1971

24 days ago

Health has played a huge role in the Angels’ success this year and, yes ,I sad ‘success’. This year has been a success thus far for this club.

Health also played a major role in the Angels’ failure last year. If they had stayed as healthy as this year they likely would have won more than 70 games.

Health is a WAR generator particularly for an Org without depth. Lose a starting pitcher and you not only lose his WAR but are subject to the minus WAR of the replacement. Same with position players.

If this team stays as healthy as it has been for the rest of this season, it will be a good representation of what the maximum potential of this squad, as built, truly is. Sure players like Neto , Schanuel, O’Hoppe and Soriano can get better but the health factor is unlikely to be better than this year.

Super Member

RexFregosi

23 days ago

Reply to Fansince1971

well imagine if we had a healthy productive Anthony Rendon this year.
Mike’s knees? That’s $75 million for this year for those two.
CMo and Neto also out weeks. Moncada has been banged up and Soler is out now.

The narrative that we’ve been very fortunate health-wise is limited to the Pitching staff, and yes I agree we’ve been fortunate, but a healthy Stephenson would have helped to.

Legend

Fansince1971

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

Rex – the analysis I am suggesting does not have include the fantasy of a healthy AND productive Rendon or if the team still had a 25 year old Mike Trout. Those are sunk costs and are what they are. The analysis I am suggesting is factoring a very healthy overall season thus far with relatively few injuries by comparison to prior years. I think what we are seeing is about the zenith of the current roster.

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to Fansince1971

Yup. I am, actually, really happy they finally had a healthy season. But even if they get better, if this is the high point of production for this roster, we are the Pirates having a fun season.

Super Member

RexFregosi

23 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Unbelievably healthy Pitching staff!!! Yay!

Narrator: It’s roughly 28th in the league in FIP.

Super Member

RexFregosi

23 days ago

Reply to Fansince1971

Steamer predictions of Trout (5 fWAR) and Rendon (1.4 fWAR) seemed reasonable in January. But if you want to ignore them, ok.

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

Why do we keep talking about CMo like he has any positive value right now when it comes to winning?

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

23 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Because he looks more like legitimate 2B than anyone else the team has run out there this season. Sometimes sucking less than others is a positive.

Super Member

RexFregosi

23 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

because he’s a winner?

Trusted Member

Kevin

23 days ago

Reply to Fansince1971

You have some solid points here. Of course, Joyce, Stephenson, and others have been hurt at times. But I get the gist and you may be right.

Legend

Fansince1971

23 days ago

Reply to Kevin

It’s relative health. Over 162 games there are always some injuries. But overall this has been a very healthy year for the ballclub

Legend

steelgolf

23 days ago

Reply to Kevin

Stephenson, hurt at times? Has even pitched 2 innings for this team?

Legend

FungoAle

23 days ago

Reply to steelgolf

Just that name alone, someone should take the fall for recommending him

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to Fansince1971

I know. I bang this drum too much. And apparently it’s based on nothing since I never look at stats.

I actually DO think the team will get better. I think Nolan and Adell can avoid long slumps to start next year for example and end up with 800+ OPS. Neto can even get better. Logan is still young and can obviously get better. Detmers might start. Maybe CMo will click.

Plenty of things can be elevated from this season.

But right now, as it stands, we basically have the same offensive output as the Twins and Marlins. It’s not TOTALLY dire. The Reds and Rays are barely better. The Padres are much worse.

But those teams rank 8th, 4th and 3rd in team WHIP on the pitching side. We are 28th.

Sooooo… yeah. we aren’t just “Arte ups the payroll a bit” away from getting into the play offs. Keeping Ward was tits on a bull. Not trading Jansen because we wanted a baseball virtue signal instead of prospects was really dumb. Know what a slight payroll bump will look like? Paying those two. Even if our guys all improve AND stay healthy it’s a better team, but it’s not a GOOD team. It will be a slightly less middling offense with a still weak pitching staff unless magic ensues.

Trusted Member

toad2065

23 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Let magic ensue! I’m signing up.

Legend

FungoAle

23 days ago

Reply to Fansince1971

Angels have been pretty damn close to injury free

Super Member

RexFregosi

23 days ago

Reply to FungoAle

yes.
with the exception of two players getting $75 million.

Legend

FungoAle

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

Those two guys really were not expected (at lease by me) to produce in alignment to their previous highs so not sure there was a impact to wins and losses

Super Member

RexFregosi

24 days ago

Sign Framber.

Trusted Member

milehigh

23 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

Would be quite surprised if he doesn’t resign with Houston.
Not sure how much money Arte has the next three years.

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

23 days ago

Reply to milehigh

Why? he’s gonna cost a ton and be 34 years old by the time we have a line up that hits behind him. Right now we need MOAR KIDZ, which we got on the pitching side. Now we need some young bats, at least three of them, and then maybe a veteran or two.

This is a time period where we need more Hendricks. Maybe some Nestor Cortes (STATS!), Aaron Civali (STATS!), Chris Bassitt (STATS!). Hell they may be too rich for our blood. I’d try Austin Gomber (STATS!) outside Coors Field. Or even the great Steven Matz (STATZ!).

Guys who will give us several starts of semi-low ERA innings for not a ton of money and years. And GASP! can be traded if they are really good suddenly.

Trusted Member

Terry

24 days ago

In past 46 games Yankees are 18-28. The Rockies are 18 -28.