I have other questions as well. Are we investing in the minor leagues and player development? Are we investing in improving scouting both in quality and quantity?
The Angels don’t have to show their poker hand but some idea about long term direction
and how the team has decided to invest its money would help keep the fanbase. Otherwise, the team just seems clueless.
Clearly everyone is happy now that ownership hasn’t forced a Platypus out on stage to mouth a bunch of words about “competing”. Remember how that was always the most offensive headbutt to the ovaries for so many of us? I do.
Now they just got nothin say nothin.
Of course, this is also a crime against the fandom. Though, if some GM were to go crazy and actually come out and say “we just aren’t even trying to win right now, we’re out of money” then he’d be a terrible human being who gave up and lacks fire and grit and is stoopidz.
The present direction appears to be down. The team had gotten rid of its number 4 hitter, allowed its third base options to leave, watched its quality closer sign elsewhere for about the same money he was paid last season, and made a trade for a mediocre OF. At best, they are treading water after a nine loss season. More likely, they are bottoming out. Their additions are mostly from the bargain basement barrel. They are tire kickers and looking for deals or buying scrap heap fixer uppers and hoping for success. We will see if some luck allows them to win games. I know the offseason isn’t over but it presently looks bleak.
I’m enjoying your articles.
Too bad the subject matter is such a bummer right now.
Thanks. I wish I could come up with more fun articles.
NO>>>>THEY DON’T
Excellent summary Jeff. As everyone mentions, it is a bit depressing that they appear to have completely given up. As someone stated below, they will just continue to get worse year after year. I don’t understand why Arte continues to make it harder to make money.
This just in:
Efraín Contreras, the talented 24-year-old pitcher, has made a significant leap in his career by signing with the Los Angeles Angels.
Winter Mexican League. Well that’s one inexpensive place to fill your coffees if you don’t really have a budget.
Too bad we don’t have anything of worth to trade for the Doyer’s Ryan Ward. Of course, that would be planning for the future and, well, we all know that would be a direction.
Good article Jeff. The answer to the question is a resounding “no”. This team has been directionless for over a decade. We used to call it “stuck in the middle” around these parts. No big free agent investments to try to improve the team (such as top pitching) and no focus on building/improvement of the farm/scouting/player development. The focus has been the amorphous and generalized “compete” which appears to have now finally been abandoned.
This team is listless and going nowhere fast. It’s tough to be a fan.
I believe the Arte direction is to refrain allowing his GM from issuing significant or long term contracts to FAs given the state of the roster that the GM has assembled. Any you know what, makes sense. Why throw good money after bad. The Angels will just need to prospect their way out of this 8-year rut.
More like a 11 year rut, we last had a winning season in 2015.
What is the over/under on attendance this season? 2.3 million?
The over/under on K’s? 1,500?
The over/under on team ERA? 4.9?
The over/under on team BA? .232?
Depends.
Will Rengifo play in most of the games (501 AB in 2026, like he got in 2025)?
If so, then:
Ks rise to 1600
BA rises to 0.233
Errors increase
Thousandfold increase in my angst as I watch Angels games
Rengifo is not currently on the roster, so you may be saved.
Yes, a very good article from Jeff.
For the first time ever, I’m not the least bit excited for the upcoming Angels season. And that really bums me out as a life-long fan.
Agreed. And I’m far from a guy who needs a World Series or bust team to buy in.
I’d be on board with a full rebuild.
We just have neither and it kind of sucks. The one good thing is tickets will be super cheap.
Same. I just need a hint of hope to watch every game I can, and there isn’t any this year.
I would be 100% on board for a complete teardown, but as it’s been said here countless times, the leadership of this organization shouldn’t be trusted with that tall task, and apparently, they aren’t interested in doing so. As long as people show up to the ballpark, the money continues to flow, and Arte is happy.
Good article Jeff. What’s so weird this year is that they’re not even looking for bandaids on the position player side. On the pitching side, they at least got Rodriguez and are taking a flyer on Manoah and they picked up Rasmussen and Yates. While I don’t know (and am not optimistic) that any of those movers will work out, at least there’s movement.
on the position player side, we currently have the same deficiencies, but have lost Moncada and Rengifo, but picked up Vaughn Grissom. I just don’t get it.
i want a watchable product on the field and right now, I’m not sure we’ll have that.
the lineup looks significantly worse than last year as of right now and that’s saying something.
Agreed.
Third base was an obvious spot to upgrade and had a ton of options. Not a single one was taken.
Center field is still a mystery unless they really want to run Adell back out there and that was a disaster. Adding Lowe just further crowds the picture.
Is Grissom going to be the starting second baseman? If so then the team clearly isn’t looking to contend and should sell more pieces.
The easiest explanation is usually the best. The budget has been reduced and Perry has been instructed to focus on short term, low cost deals. Everything is consistent with this. I dont think there is any interest in signing free agents of note that are expensive and require long contracts. So that greatly reduces the options.
Going South at warp factor 10.
That’s the direction. Downsizing is a direction. Cutting payroll is a direction.
Not much purpose though beyond that, except to just save money.
Unfortunately Jeff, Arte is holding 7-2 off-suit and trying to bluff the fans.
I think Arte’s vision is clear…
“Sideways” is a direction 🤣
Another very good article!
Spot on again. You can’t polish a turd.
I’d be happy with sideways, but they seem to be OK with their first 100-loss season.
Arte is becoming baseball’s version of a slum lord.
Arte is becoming baseball’s version of a slum lord..
Great analogy Rex!
Sideways is the worst direction.
Either aim upwards now by spending money (and at this stage I don’t see enough players to buy nor money to buy them)
Or aim upwards by acquiring a dozen or so highly rated guys and see what sticks.
I don’t even think it’s sideways. It’s even worse because it seems like it’s get worse by attrition. If they were going sideways, they’d have found this year’s Moncada.
i don’t know what to watch for this year. I guess it’s to watch Neto.
Do the Angels Have a Direction?
I’m starting to get a feel for the Angels On SI publisher and they are telling me to use my voice as well as provide data and analysis. So here’s one I think you’ll enjoy.