Over the weekend, the Angels signed Sammy Peralta to a minor league deal. Late Friday, they dumped Perry Minasian. I think there must have been a dispute concerning the strategic trajectory of the team. He who has the gold makes the rules. John Mozeliak revealed some details concerning his hiring by the Angels. Mike Trout’s rehab is going well and he expects to be ready for the All Star Game. Jose Siri is back from the paternity list and the Angels have optioned Christian Moore down to Salt Lake.
The Giants activated Heliot Ramos from the injured list and designated infielder Buddy Kennedy for assignment. The Tigers activated right-hander Jack Flaherty from the IL. The Chicago Cubs designated right-hander Vince Velasquez for assignment. The Orioles activated both Adley Rutschman and Dylan Beavers from the IL and designated catcher Sam Huff for assignment. The Guardians activated Chase DeLauter from the injured list. The Red Sox activated Romy Gonzalez from the 60 day IL.
The Orioles claimed right-hander Yosver Zulueta off waivers from the Cubs. The Tigers released left-hander Konnor Pilkington.
Nick Madrigal just got a minor league deal with the Rays. The Braves re-signed Carlos Carrasco to a minor league deal. The Mariners snapped up Buddy Kennedy for cash. The Padres re-signed Nick Solak.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
I had a strong feeling that GrayRod was going to be bad. He hasn’t been entirely awful, but Lord, he isn’t good.
https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/baltimore-orioles-made-right-call-on-grayson-rodriguez/
It’s a Platypus Trade, not a good trade but we didn’t expect it to be, a guy who really didn’t play much for a power hitting LF’er.
This trade isn’t going to be able to be judged for 3 more years. Grayson is under control for 3 more years and does not cost a lot. Any one of those years could make the trade even and multiple years would make it work for the Angels. Ward had one year left and the angels weren’t going to win this year anyway so Ward was of little value, and trading him saved them $12M and also gave them the opportunity to see other players. The fact that they misused the opportunity by signing Brandon Lowe is a whole other screw up. Now, whether or not the Angels could have received better value this year at the deadline from a contender for a Ward rental is a legitimate argument, but entirely hypothetical, and there is really no way to judge it. The clubs are in different places and it was a good trade for both of them. If Grayson turns out to be a bust, it matters little.
All I did was judge the trade as well as anyone can and that being now. As far as Ward’s value now or over the Winter is irrelevant if there was other offers subjected by our GM to other clubs but he chose the Orioles deal over others and we are not privy to that information, so yes, we can judge the trade today based on what is known and not wait 3 years, and I acknowledge more will be known then. I too believe Ward was not a value to the Angels but power hitting LFers are rare and I would think that more than the O’s were interested.
Since GrayRod didn’t even pitch last season, it was an insane longshot to start. Sure, the Halos have a few more years of control, but they basically got another Robet Stephenson. Yippee
I agree. But I will admit – while it was a gamble – it had (and still has a little) upside for being a big win. Granted – it hasn’t happened – and as of now – the Orioles won.
Exactly how I see it.
Taylor Ward was a salary dump. His value was limited so the choice was to go with an underwhelming return or take a lottery ticket. Minasian took a lottery ticket that still has three years of possibility on it. Can’t fault the guy on this one.
This is why you’re the writer – much better said.
Monday-Monday just love this day ❤ …The Senator’s vote/blood count is up and he’s feeling fine 💪 … Starting the week off with no PTP and coming off a win 🎉 …Lowe got high yesterday 🎳 …Things all around are looking up and the sun 🌞 is shining…Now we could finish the week as a presence to be reckoned with lots of 🚀 💥 💯 Fireworks- 🍢 🍔 🌽 🍨 🍺 🇺🇲
Record holder…. Joey Chestnut ate 75 hot dogs in 10 minutes Coney Island in 2020. 🌭
The biggest 4th of July parade in SoCal every year currently is held appropriately enough on Main Street in downtown Surf City USA, Huntington Beach. 🇺🇲
Yep, used to ride my bike through it as a kid.
So….. no word yet on Perry signing on as a “ special assistant” in The Giants organization?
Has he made any statement yet?
It would be a valuable tidbit of information to know who the Angels want to draft. On second thought…
SF? I see him hooking back up with the Braves and AA.
That is another possible landing spot.
Been camping in the Sequoias the past several days, so not fully up to speed on the Perry firing. Has anyone mentioned that the tarps off/”sell the team” chants at the games may have had a hand in the firing? I don’t pay attention to every team’s media, but it seems to me the Halos were getting prolonged attention from it. It obviously isn’t the only reason, but perhaps those chants forced Arte into doing SOMETHING to appease the chanters?
IMHO, I don’t believe so. As Moz mentioned this process had been going on for “several weeks”. I think this is all prior to any chants.
Nobody has mentioned it in the media.
However, I know for absolute fact the executives hear the chants. I was standing and talking to Molly one night during the chants and I told her those articles/tweets were getting a lot of traction.
Her and Adam both said they understood and Molly said something to the effect of her goal being to end them.
“The rebellion must be crushed.”
This got a genuine laugh out of me.
I had not considered that angle.
I hope she can end them. Only one way to assure it.
Insightful, and perhaps Molly want’s what we all want. The cheers aren’t just related to winning and losing but more to the fact that the organization has been a disaster for a long time. Start to do things that make sense and things will clear up.
Time to make a different account so you can drop insider info without exposing yourself 😅
Good idea.
I’m not all that much of an insider but I’m enjoying where I am.
The Tarps Off?
100% had an impact on his employability- no doubt.
According to the link, it sounds like the Angels intend to sign another GM with no GM experience. I really wish instead he would perform a Dick Cheney type search, then hire himself for the job.
Doesn’t seem like he wants the heat of a GM position but will gladly stay on in some capacity to collect an Arturo paycheck.
It’s the angel way
It’s the old “bring in a consultant” trick! As we all know, a consultant is a guy from at least 500 miles away with a briefcase, who will come in and make enough “wise statements” to stir things up and then leave town and cash a large check before anything gets better. If it ever does! I don’t see this as a positive change. It’s more of an admission that the Angels have nobody who knows how to run a baseball operation. Sell, Arte, and save us all from our despair!
This is 100% an admission that they have nobody who knows how to run a baseball operation. And I see that as a good sign.
Rather than having unqualified people lead yet another search for a GM they are letting Mozeliak take point.
The key is whether Arte will listen to the input then fund a baseball ops department to the same level as the Cardinals.
Perhaps I’m reading a different link than the one you’re referencing, but I’m having trouble seeing how John Mozeliak’s quotes suggest they intend to hire a GM with no experience.
Me too….. would love it if Moz stayed. It seems he does not want to do a long term thing, but what if he brought in an inexperienced guy as Assistant GM and trained him while he himself performed the role for two years ?? That would be fabulous.
Being unable to watch yesterday’s game it was still cool to still in touch w/ MLB gameday and sort of seeing the Grand Slam, exciting leading up to it. But the other surprise was the pitching that was stellar. I am aware of being redundant, this team is making baseball fun to watch. Amazing how many players were not on the opening day team.
What the article about Mozeliak tells me is the same people are going to be pulling the strings on the draft. He’s been out and has to use the existing groups input. Whether he will trust the nerds or the scouts will soon be seen. He can get up to speed on the first few rounds – but with the draft right around the corner – it would seem hard to get deep knowledge on later rounds. I do like that he’s a baseball guy that came from a good org. I’m guessing they wanted someone else to handle the draft after so many misses under Perry’s watch which is why it happened now.
I really like this quote from the Moz article:
“Rather unusually, Mozeliak hadn’t yet met with Angels owner Arte Moreno as of Saturday, nor was Moreno involved in the hiring process. Mozeliak’s hiring has been in the works for some time, however. Agent Steve Hilliard is a mutual friend of both Mozeliak and Angels president Molly Jolly, and it was Hilliard who linked the pair up weeks ago as the Angels were quietly exploring replacing Minasian.”
Moz has zero reason to obfuscate the situation, and I believe him when he says he’s not met with Moreno. This is positive.
Maybe Arte is adapting his approach to baseball operations, and maybe Molly Jolly’s promotion was the best decision Arte has made during his tenure as owner.
Since my cancer diagnosis, surgery and now recovery, I’m focusing more on positivity. I’m very willing to give Jolly and Moz the benefit of the doubt and support the changes. I very much like what I’m hearing thus far.
Best of luck on a full recovery Bluto.
Thank you very much. 5 days post-op and I’m feeling very good.
God be with you Senator. We wish you a speedy recovery.
Thank you very much!
My best wishes to you.
Thank you!
Even if Arte was not involved in the actions, I have to believe he made it clear to Molly that she had permission to fire Perry if she wanted and replace him with the candidate of her choice. There is no reason or advantage to fire Perry at this time unless you are hoping for better draft results and possibly doing something different at the trade deadline. I have to believe she does read the papers so to speak, and was certainly aware of the bad PR and comments about Perry’s record with the draft. This at least provides some stability and transition while allowing some time to do a decent search for a new GM as opposed to Perry simply being instantly gone the day after the season ended. Without any changes to the draft or the trade deadline, firing Perry is nothing more than symbolic and does possibly help draw attention away from Arte.
Jolly apparently is not Jackie nor Jeanie. Impressive move.
Bluto- you got this. Every day you will be stronger than yesterday.
Thank you!
Best wishes and a quick recovery, Senator!
Thank you!
Prayers Senator. That is crazy. Hope you fully recover.
On the topic at hand it is very notable that Arte was no at the press conference, either. This is a new front office hire. Owners are typically at those press conferences.
I was diagnosed a few months after retiring. The most surreal moment was the first time I walked into a facility with “Center Center” in its name. It got very real.
It’s been an introspective journey that has taught me much about myself. I’ve grown from the experience and am on the path to a positive outcome.
Thanks very muvh!
Man, I wish you nothing but the best on your full recovery 🤘
Thank you!
Also, my best to you!
Thank you!
Best of luck to my virtual anti-Minasian buddy. It’s been years for us banging the drum on taking the soft gloves off regarding Perry’s performance. Too many apologists blaming Arte. Seemed like only 2-3 of us out there. It’s finally happened, rejoice! Hang in there.
Thank you!
Too bad about Madrigal. I was hoping he’d pass waivers and go back to AAA. I know he’s not an integral part of the future for the Angels, but for his short time here, he reminded me of Maicer Izturis. He’d fouled off a lot of pitches, slap hit his way into bases and have the ability to play all around the infield. He couldn’t have gone to a better team than with the Rays.
Depending on the breaks, he could get called up and find himself in the playoffs.
The Rays are a very good fit for him. They’ll tune his skills while playing for a winner. I’m happy for him
Just to be clear; when I bemoaned Perry’s signing of Madrigal in lieu of bringing up Christian Moore it was not because I dislike Madrigal as a player — I actually agree with you here, his approach is one we need more on our team, that is contact and putting the ball in play over an “all or nothing” swing approach. That said, I feel like the time was right for Moore to be promoted, in fact he needed to be promoted at that time. It was an important decision for Moore’s development that Perry bungled.
Our record suggests that we let the kids play. Why are Soler, Lowe, Siri, Walton playing when we need to get Moore, Rada, Paris or Teodosio some playing time? Even if they are playing ok (like Walton), I can’t see any of them as a long term solution (Walton is 32 and having a career season, this isn’t sustainable is it?)
I am happy we let Mancini and Madrigal move on.