Do teams actually play better after the Manager gets fired? Fangraphs looks for the answer.
The Angels DFAd Nick Sandlin and called up Sam Aldegheri.
This article is about whether Jose Soriano can “bounce back.” Poor struggling guy. He’s only the AL Pitcher of the Month. He’s the first Angel to win that since Ol’ Shoey did it in 2014.
Left-hander Cionel Perez cleared waivers, was outrighted, and elected free agency. Andrew Chafin just opted out of his deal with the Reds. The Red Sox selected the contract of left-hander Alec Gamboa. The Astros designated outfielder Daniel Johnson for assignment. Another outfielder, Greg Jones, was DFAd by the Brewers. Randal Grichuk is signing with the White Sox. The Orioles are signing Lou Trivino to a major league deal.
Tarik Skubal is having elbow surgery. It looks like he will be out two or three months.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
And the reason Moncada needs more ABs on this going nowhere team is?
Moncada and Lowe in the lineup. Peraza on the bench.
Crazy
Neto batting leadoff
Crazy
Neto is having a worse season than Trout at home, if you can believe that.
.180 avg .286 obp (trouts numbers are better with a runner on) 23 Ks
Got to keep the veterans in there.
WTF
You cant sit on the bench and hit your way out of a slump…. or something..
It’s hard to win when you don’t even put your best players on the field
Can it get worse? Yes
The Angels say that top prospect Tyler Bremner was removed from his Class-A start because he’s been sick and dealing with fatigue.
https://x.com/i/status/2051736836498923848
I was watching it live. Didn’t look injury related.
He’s been sick (they already pushed back his Sunday start) and they had him on a limited pitch count, with a reliever warming up well before they pulled him. Despite 3 Ks, command suggested some fatigue, likely a precautionary pull.
That’s a relief but you must understand my skepticism with this org and injuries
The Angels are not the most transparent org in terms of injuries, and that doesn’t help with fan alarmism.
But just watching him pitch, I saw little of immediate concern. His FB was at 95 but was drifting outside, and his slider was missing low a bit – both suggestive of him not pitching at 100% exertion. Flores went to the mound a couple times b/c he wasn’t consistently hitting his spots, despite K’ing three.
I think that’s why they said let’s not push this – and just took him out. He was still getting plenty of whiffs on the high FB, and one or two on the slider when he landed it low in the zone.
I suspect they want to keep him on his regular schedule, but cut it short today so as not to overcorrect and endanger himself. YMMV.
I don’t trust the choice of this player by Minasian.
What can we do as fans to force Arte to sell? NOTHING! Let’s be honest.
Come on guys – he has made BILLIONS of dollars owning this team. He has run the team his way and still made so much money, we normal folks can’t imagine.
You think your actions will force him out? Put yourself in his shoes – if you owned a business and it made you billions in profit (and only going up) would you sell just because the public was not happy with your decisions? NO way.
We are stuck with a billionaire who does not want to invest or sell. There is no path to victory for us or the team.
The organization made money for a number of years but not so much recently. Arte said he’s losing money now other than the club value.
Making money as a business is relative and means you pay taxes. Use some of the money to legally sponsor that yacht, house, etc and you’re all good!
Movie companies purposely green light shit scripts. It keeps people employed and that taxable bracket down.
Arte wanted to sell a few years ago, so its not like there’s a 0% chance it can happen.
We all love the team/franchise, so simply doing nothing while watching year after year of shit isn’t an easy pill to swallow, no matter how much all-caps you use.
The point is if you owned this team, you would not sell no matter how much people complain. He is making money! Sorry for using all caps ON THREE WORDS before. Good nit pick though.
No reason to apologize, was just saying that you enlarging words isn’t going to convince us to stop feeling the way we feel. But thanks for the pep talk, where would we be without your wise words?
I believe it is highly unlikely that Arte has made BILLIONS from owning this team. The estimate from 2024 is that the Angels earned operating income of $36m. That means EBITDA. So much less is really earned. If Arte has earned BILLIONS then the franchise should be valued quite a bit higher.
But for the cheap price of $1500 you can buy this report on the 2024 season of MLB.
https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/6116057/the-business-major-league-baseball-mlb?utm_source=BW&utm_medium=PressRelease&utm_code=tkw2gt&utm_campaign=2090014+-+Major+League+Baseball+(MLB)+Business+Analysis+Report+2025+%7c+Revenue+Streams+Driven+by+Nike+Deal%2c+Broadcasters%2c+Jersey+Patches%2c+and+Stadium+Naming+Rights&utm_exec=chdomspi
Moreno became a billionaire by selling his billboard company for $8 billion in 1999. Most of net worth now is tied up in the value of the franchise, so he hasn’t made billions on the team…yet.
Wealth vs cash flow is our only hope. The franchise value has gone up but is his wallet currently fat?
Sandlin DFA’d.
Always a healthy sign when your GM has to DFA/release 5 bullpen arms by the start of May.
Who was added?
Taco Tuesday on Cinco de Mayo for the cultural win! Get your [green and white] red on!!
Our Italian starting pitcher today it looks like.
Brady Anderson hasn’t helped. Still mystified why they hired him with no relevant experience.
I am curious what we could do as a fanbase to make it more likely for Arte to sell.
I have thought for at least the last 2 years that staying away and not buying tickets or concessions would have an impact. But in this global/experience based economy, there will always be a lot of people who attend games – families include it as part of their Spring and Summer Disneyland sojourns. So, I am growing less certain that the “stay away” and dont give Arte money approach actually will have an impact.
I still believe not purchasing season tickets has an impact, but I do not think many on this Board make that kind of investment.
And it is unlikely that any of us are multi-billionaires who could WOW Arte with an offer 😀
So, beyond not buying season tickets, what rationally could be done as a fanbase to motivate Arte to sell? Or is he an immovable object who is essentially ignores any efforts we might make as a fanbase?
Hmm, too bad the Halo can’t get an outfielder like Mickey Moniak for Lowe. I mean Moniak is only batting .333 (.327 in games away from Denver). Or even a Taylor Ward for Lowe. Perhaps they could pick a solid starting pitcher for Lowe, or an ace reliever.
Neither of these trades is aging well. In fact, none of the trades Minassian has made are aging well. At some point, you have to recognize the common denominator and acknowledge what the real problem is.
That said, as has been mentioned before, there’s no guarantee that a different GM would perform better, especially under the current ownership. Just as there’s no guarantee that new ownership would automatically lead to improved results.
Moniak is doing very well. But you must remember it would have never happened as an Angel. Between “the curse” and no regular playing time he never would have developed here.
Arturo is still the owner. Minasian is still the GM. We still suck as a result of that.
Because there’s not much to look forward to this year for this time, this is a nice fluff piece on Trout’s resurgence. It’s been good to see him back to his vintage self, rather than the player who ended last season with the worst numbers of his career.
It’s really interesting how his numbers are much better on the road than at home. Could add more fuel if he feels like it’s time to waive that no-trade clause.
Based on this article, as much as Trout is a very gifted athlete, it looks like he also didn’t take good care enough of his body as he was entering his 30s.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48677767/mlb-2026-mike-trout-angels-changes-offseason-return-vintage-form
I don’t see the resurgence. Certainly not when I go to games, he’s been horrible at home… in fact the last 7 years his high leverage situational hitting has been shit too.
At this point, Trout reminds me more of Joey Gallo with a bit of speed than the guy who is getting in the HOF based on a body of work in the distant past. I still love him and appreciate his loyalty but no longer a difference maker.
Joey Gallo’s career K rate hovers around 38%. Mike’s highest rate ever was 32% (last year). He’s now back to his career averages of around 20%
Gallo’s career walk rate hovers around 15%. Trout, even at a “diminished” capacity, is still at 20%+
He’s probably no longer the hitter that he was from 2012-2019. But to say that he’s just Joey Gallo right now with some speed is kind of unfair.
I don’t Trout getting any better than now, he’s knocking on the door of 35 years old, and young stud pitchers are routinely blowing fastballs by him. I doubt he will be traded, his trade value is moderate at best. He’s a future hall of famer,.but not nearly that level again. Let’s face it, the Angels don’t have any hugely valuable players to trade. Not one.
To be fair, Trout is actually perming at a HOF level as a hitter right now.
.252 batting average, one RBI is half the teams home games? That’s HOF material?
.250 / .422 / .532
168 OPS+
1.7 WAR
There are so many tasty things to complain about with the 2026 Angels, why choose Trout?
He is currently one of the top 5 hitters in the American League via WAR and OPS+ and 168 is higher than most HOFs.
They want him to be batting around 2.0000 and hitting 2 HRs a game.
Honestly, the way Trout’s numbers are like a 1000% better in road games than home, he may eventually think he’s better off playing anywhere else than Anaheim.
It is true his home numbers are terrible and his road numbers are off the charts but the average of both has been really good so far. Up until a day or two ago, he was leading the league in runs scored and walks with an OPS+ of 175, and he’s been very consistent never dropping below the 160s. He’s also on pace for an 8 WAR season.
He should just take that trending 8 WAR number somewhere else. Imagine a team hovering around the wild cards, and Trout bringing in that 2-3 WAR from July to September ultimately being the difference in making the playoffs.
We are 1-9 in our last 10 games. The highest paid player can take a shot or two while the others (Arte, Perry, Suzuki) check their wounds.
Im digging Trout this season. On a good team, Mike’s 2026 stats would be even higher. Imagine, Mike and his “disappointing” stats if he was sandwiched in between Shohei and Freddie Freeman
Numbers at home are actually worse: ops .621 avg .189 21 Ks slg .283
Also if what he’s doing now is still HOF material, it just shows you how far the bar has dropped for hitters the last 10+ years.
No Bar has dropped. In the history of Baseball there are only 12 players with a career OPS+ higher than 169, which measures performance against the league and accounts for park factors as well. Trout’s for this year is 168, and 169 for his career. Real numbers go up and down relative to the league and current real numbers are historically low because of depressed offense. But relative to the league, his current OPS+ is better than all but 12 players career numbers and that includes 3 players from the Negro Leagues that were added in the last 2 years. Otherwise, it would be only 9 players. Relative to the league he is currently performing at an elite HOF level. Yes there is a huge difference between his home and away numbers. He has poor numbers at home and video game numbers on the road. And I am not disputing or critisizing anyones opinion as to whether they are impressed or unimpressed, or whether or not his current performance is HOF level, just that the facts are what they are.
I’m not criticizing Trout, he’s still a good player, but several on this site have been indicating he should be traded. My point his trade value is not great, considering many factors, including his age, injury history, contract and production. Yes, his production. Other than walks, his production is what? 10 home runs? He’s hitting. 250, with more strikeouts than hits this season. It doesn’t matter, the rest of the team is rather pathetic. Trout, even in his MVP seasons could not save this disaster.
I don’t disagree
Who says he has trade value?! His trade value disappeared in 2018.
I want him traded so he can finally go to a team who has some fighting chance for the playoffs, play some meaningful, competitive baseball in September, and experience being in the playoffs in the last few years of his career.
Like you said, his stats mean nothing and are wasted here anyway. So he should ask for a trade, end this futile partnership once and for all, and play where his numbers would matter and/or be appreciated.
Agreed. He has the monster series in New York, other that that, meh.
Now I want him to be traded so everyone here can truly bitch that this entire team, every single one of all of them, is trash
You’re impressed by Trout, I’m not and haven’t been. Maybe if I was in NY or Miami earlier this year.
A quick look at my ballpark app check in for 2024-2026 has me at 26 angels games. Trout has hit a home run in one of those. No walk offs, nothing really done to impact the game from my standpoint (did have a 3 BB game in there) so I’ve just been left unimpressed. I remember and appreciate ‘12-‘19 but since then there haven’t been quality seasons or anything to remember in person.
Regardless, Trout is currently the 5th best hitter in the AL via WRC+ at 162
Wrc + @ home 75 ‘26
‘22 (last really good season) home v road splits were total opposites like this year just swapped
The league standards have certainly diminished.
Yesterday’s attendance: 26,262. The only thing that will keep their attendance up is travelers in the summer and high followed opponents. I expect they will drop significantly this year.
I posted here prior to this season, the Angels attendance will probably drop below 2 million paying customers. I guess if people can get tickets for a buck or two, that will pump up the numbers
Still amazes me that 26,000 people fight traffic and make their way to Anaheim to spend buckets of money on a Monday night to watch this crappy Angels team play the White Sox. This underscores the point I made above. I am not sure any type of “stay away” protest will have any impact. The population base and money in OC is just too great to try to fight Arte by not spending money.
Maybe we need to start thinking about pumping up the value of the franchise by spending money to make it more attractive to buyers. But giving Arte my $$ is a tough pill to swallow.
My sister and her family went to the NYY game last night, sent me a video of Judge’s HR. You be surprised how many empty seats there were. Maybe late arrivals, maybe enjoying the stadium/access to food/bev etc etc.
Is Soriano injured? On his previous start, he blamed stiff neck. What’s the culprit this time?
It’s time for Neto to have a day off, or two. It’s not like the team can’t afford more losses. So I’m sure they can afford him sitting down.
He is probably kind of exhausted from carrying around the weight he has been shouldering. I don’t mean to minimize the efforts of Detmers or Kochanowicz. I am pleasantly surprised by those guys. Kikuchi not so much.
Jack is currently our best pitcher for the last 3 starts. Turks mentioned this yesterday but Soriano is a ground ball pitcher and he had been having very good luck with their location up until yesterday, and he is not helped by our defense, which of course Perry did nothing about after last year.
It’s hard to look past the “hitting” issues, but both Frazier and Neto contributed memorable but questionable defensive plays yesterday. It’s always someone.
Moncada
108 PA
.176 / .306 / .308
35.2% K rate
Lowe
99 PA
.154 / .204 / .294
28.3% K rate
–0.7 WAR
Their breakouts are coming any day now 🔥🔥🔥
Thankfully we had enough depth in the bullpen to trade a good reliever for Lowe.
At the time I thought trading Burke was a logical move, and still understand the thought process behind it. Problem is Perry has no ability to identify talent and we got left holding Josh Lowe.
But Moncada is a Gold Glove quality defender, right?
I’m ready for them!
Those guys are perfect tank generals on one year deals. I salute them 🫡
Maybe we can find a new reliever on Zip Recruiter.
Bahahahahahaha
Scafin
Let’s see, The Angels may have broke Soriano and cratered his trade value, while the offense can’t hit. They should go on a mini win streak at the beginning of September and then end the season being swept in 2 series in a row. Sound familiar?
TrAdition
Like no other.
One thing is certain – they will blow it with Soriano. No doubt. 100%. Absolute certainty.