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LA Angels Tuesday News Crash

August 18, 2026

Mike Trout is on a historic chase for a tenth Silver Slugger. Here Jeff looks into what John Mozeliak’s previous manager hires might tell us about the future.

Fangraphs gave us this nice article about the journey of Angels farm hand Nicolo Pinazzi. While we are talking about prospects, here is Jake Munroe. This is their article about Ben Joyce’s splinker. I didn’t notice this yesterday. The Angels claimed right-hander Trevor Martin off waivers from the Rays. He’s been sent down to the minors. The Angels selected Michael Fulmer up to the big club on Saturday.

The MLB owners approved the sale of the Padres.

Troy Glaus and the Angels own one of these top ten clutch moments in baseball. Howie Kendrick also appears on the list, but not for something he did as an Angel.

Boo hoo! The Dodgers have bullpen problems. People are starting to get a little grumpy in Dodgerland.

The Reds designated reliever Ron Marinaccio for assignment. Speaking of Reds, Hunter Greene just had Tommy John surgery. He won’t be back until 2028.

The Rangers designated left-hander Marco Gonzales for assignment. The Mets designated infielder Gabriel Arias for assignment. The Atlanta Braves designated relief pitcher Danny Young for assignment.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

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Trusted Member

Marcotor

10 hours ago

Please FSM let it be anyone but Pujols.

Legend

Fansince1971

12 hours ago

So I think the progression was like this.

1. Arte decides he is always going to compete via free agency so player development infrastructure money is sacrificed in favor of free agency signings.

2. The team continues to lose 60% of its games so Arte decided it’s not worth spending so much money. He does not increase and eventually cuts the budget.

3. Perry is asked to keep the team “competitive” but the budget is reduced. This leads to drafting players and rushing them to the Bigs. Free agents either don’t want to play in Anaheim or are unaffordable due to budget restraints. The ones who do sign here are middle to lower tier.

4. Arte never restores the player development infrastructure and keeps reducing the budget. Perry’s free agency choices are reduced further and the draft continues to be focused on filling MLB holes rather than building the minor league system.

5. Perry actuall did okay under these less than ideal circumstances.

6. We must wait and see to determine if Moz will be allowed to spend and rebuild an Org focused on player development and scouting at all levels.

My opinion – if we are looking for someone to blame, Arte > Perry.

Last edited 12 hours ago by Fansince1971

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BannedInLA

15 hours ago

Today’s lineup:

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 hours ago

Edwin Diaz has suffered a case of Dodgers Disease and is going on the 15 day IL with symptomes of hardtoproveheishealthyness of his arm area.

Last edited 15 hours ago by gitchogritchoffmypettis

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Eric_in_Portland

15 hours ago

re: Perry

Our team wins 40% (approximately) of games played, losing 60%. We all knew Perry wasn’t up to the job for whatever reason. It makes sense that overall he was terrible but at the same time, sure, 40% of his decisions were good ones. There’s no reason to think *everything* he did was a mistake.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 hours ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

Yup. I’ll even accept things looking 75% crap for a season or two if you’re trying something weird. But after a few years you gotta be more 60/40 or you just aren’t good enough even if some stuff was really good.

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

15 hours ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

The worst MLB teams usually win just under 40% – bad example. If there were a manager’s Mendoza line on hits and misses, they might call it the Perry line.

Trusted Member

Texan44

17 hours ago

This may be a waste of anyone’s time, but I thought it was timely for Angel’s fans. He started with 3 top flight players that I don’t see Moz having currently. But a lot of similarities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l2kLzzXa9U&t=16s

Super Member

TrojanBoiler

15 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

Great video clip! This is extremely relevant to the Angels’ current situation.

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

15 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing. Just looking at the Baseball America list of scouts – the Astros scouting group is at least half again bigger than the Angels. Even if Moz has a vision, Arte better get out his checkbook.

Editor

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Jeff Joiner

13 hours ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

Will be very interesting to see how much Mo can get Arte to increase scouting and development. As of now Mo is under contract for 3.5 months and really can’t start poaching people for another 1.5 months.

The message he is sending is that the Angels have resources but need to allocate them logically.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

13 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

Very true. Unfortunately, some of the methods that the Astros used to kick start the process are no longer available, like tanking every year for 4-5 years.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

18 hours ago

My dream.

The Angels spend big this winter. They make some big move like poaching Bryan Leslie and Nick Childs from the Brewers. Put them in charge of the entire pitching area of the franchise. Have them partner with Leveque. Have those three guys be in on hiring an MLB pitching coach eventually along with MiLB pitching coaching.

Or do the same with Ryan Pennel and Alberto Bastardo out of Tampa Bay.

Hire away a couple guys like Mike Ford from the Rays, Matt McGrath from the Doyers, Rene Rojas and Kyle Brennan from the Astros to set up a whole A Ball to MLB hitting development system and hire MLB hitting coaches.

Just put the word out. “We suck, but we have resources. We are gonna build a system based on the teams that do things right and pay good money to do it. It may take a couple years, but the Angels will look to develop into The Rays with money.”

I think it would work. What’s more, I think it would generate interest in what the team is doing while they are building it. Especially if there is kind of a narrative flow to a prospects development, where the MLB club is able to talk about a guy from the DSL through his MLB debut, who he is working with, how he has changed, build a sense of “coming soon” as young players advance. Keep that going even after the Angels are good again. Be the team that highlights it’s MiLB rosters actively.

I think the org’s down years would be less down this way and they’d make a little more money collectively if fans were a little more aware and invested in say Grindlingers development and TGAs timeline to MLB readiness etc. Try to be the org that makes scouts and development staff sorta kinda stars…. like horse trainers. And PAYS them, so that the best want to work here.

Man I would dig that. Work to be the Brewers with an extra 100M in payroll to spend.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

17 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

I agree and I would like that

Editor

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Jeff Joiner

16 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

When Mozeliak lost a key minor league development guy in St. Louis he poached an up and comer from Cleveland who excelled in developing pitching.

I’m with you, we need to create an organizational identity from the complex league to the big league. Perry got the lab built, Mo needs to find the guys to utilize it.

Mcllvaine and Mo seem to be on the same page in targeting contact rate. Great. Let’s make sure there isn’t a coach in High A preaching launch angle and uppercut swings if we are mimicking the Brewers offense.

Develop a stable of solid pitchers and a lineup that makes contact. Splurge some free agent money on dingers from time to time.

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

15 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

I had an awesome talk a few years ago with Clint Hurdle – when Washington wanted to hire him – Arte wouldn’t pony up. That’s why he didn’t end up on the bench. Hurdle told me it was a very reasonable ask, and couldn’t believe they wouldn’t do it. It will require a new Arte or new ownership to make it happen. Perhaps the little guy has some macho side and is fed up with men calling out his name with their shirts off. One can hope. #tarpsoff

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

20 hours ago

I didn’t imagine that Trout would be in line for a Silver Slugger this season, but there are about 4 center fielders in the AL with a positive OPS+. Trout and Buxton are in the lead with Rafaela not far behind.

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RexFregosi

18 hours ago

Reply to Born_in_59

Good article on this Jeff. They pick 3OFs regardless of position so he’s definitely in the running for one of them.

Editor

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Jeff Joiner

16 hours ago

Reply to RexFregosi

Thanks.

Trout delivering a storyline in a lost season is par for the course.

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Fansince1971

13 hours ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Trout is about as deserving of a Silver Slugger award as you are. This is a tribute to the mediocrity that these awards have become.

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BannedInLA

15 hours ago

Reply to Born_in_59

I think it speaks to the overall downturn in batting averages league wide.

Trout is batting .242 and only has 20 homers. These numbers don’t (or shouldn’t) qualify as “Silver Slugger” material And I love Mike Trout.

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

14 hours ago

Reply to BannedInLA

Even though I know batting average is considered overrated these days, I find myself wondering how someone who doesn’t even get 1 hit in 4 at bats qualifies as the best hitter at their position. Still there is nothing wrong with Mike’s OBP or SLG. At this rate, Rada might be an average hitting center fielder in the major leagues.

Editor

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Jeff Joiner

21 hours ago

Trey Mancini retired today.

Easily my favorite interview I’ve ever conducted. Absolutely epic dude.

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

21 hours ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

He was such a likable player. His energy will be missed.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

20 hours ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

I was a little bummed he didn’t work out here. I would have been so cool if he’d had a Rocky style comeback with us. Such a great guy.

Trusted Member

milehigh

20 hours ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Still puzzled why Mancini was let go and Lowe kept on and still is playing.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

20 hours ago

Reply to milehigh

Are you really?

Could I interest you in opening a Five Guys franchise?

Trusted Member

milehigh

20 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

No, not really puzzled or surprised. Our manager is intimidated by players who do well. Can’t have that, might win games.

Editor

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Jeff Joiner

20 hours ago

Reply to milehigh

Schanuel came back from injury so that only left DH and Soler was making much more money.

The smart move would have been to DFA Soler but we all know money talks.

I’m pretty confident Mancini could have put up Soler’s slash line while also being a great influence on the young players. But keep in mind Perry was still in charge and Soler was Perry’s mistake.

Trusted Member

Texan44

16 hours ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

In EVERY situation, every GM makes sure that not only does money talk, money plays. Every GM has his ego to show. Perry was not alone.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

I like how every dude on this site is like “If I blew a semi-large chunk of money on some piece of equipment for my department and it didn’t work the way I intended after a couple of weeks I would just announce to the world that I was throwing it away and then I’d toss it. Bosses be damned!”

Of course, we’d have to, you know, be in charge of something…. then actually have the balls we demand of the rest of the world…

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

18 hours ago

Reply to milehigh

Is that really why?

Could I interest you in joining a new political party I am inventing?

Editor

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Jeff Joiner

20 hours ago

Reply to milehigh

I know for a fact the Angels released him to give him an opportunity to latch on with another club. The door for him to return on a minors deal was always open.

Was told that directly from my main contact with the team.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

22 hours ago

1) I could read about Jake Munroe’s hips all day.

2) Let’s see if ex-professional hottie and composer of the magnum opus Naked 2: universal fire will spend huge piles of her husbands money to “Do What Takes It” and take the Padres on a personal journey to win the trophy AND forgive themselves and become lionesses and shit.

3) Can anyone here explain to me how Arte Moreno and Mike Scioscia have teamed up with Perry to ensure that Hunter Greene is NEVER healthy? That kid is snakebit and it’s got to be Arte’s fault right? Or maybe he just doesn’t really even like playing baseball. Maybe he’s a real jerk of a man…. true evil.

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

21 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Read her bio. Irony? She’s the one married to a Jose Feliciano – but she is the one to have recorded Light My Fire.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

20 hours ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

My lady pal, who’s more into football than MLB, was like “Why the fk is this guys wife listed as buying the team along with him? It’s like saying my dog bought my new car with me because he was there.”

I told her that I don’t know. Maybe she was working with him day and night building his billions of dollars. She said “You know.”

Editor

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Jeff Joiner

19 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Just looked it up. They got together in college, long before he was rich.

I think I would want to share the shine with my wife in that situation, too.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

18 hours ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

I have no idea how to be a billionaire buying a baseball team. I can see why some think it’s a little bit weak sauce having to tack your wife onto this whole thing with very little cred to back the claim. Like Paul McCartney’s incredible meh band Wings.

On the other hand, who cares? I have no way of knowing, but I bet Feliciano himself really only controls a fraction of the money and power behind owning this team.

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LeonWagner27

18 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Linda wasn’t a musician, but I liked her and Denny’s back up vocals. She was in the band mostly to be mom so Paul could take his kids out on tour with him, keeping the fam together. Also, can’t be too dismissive of Wings when they knocked out such bangers as “Magnito and Titanium Man” and “Morse Moose and the Grey Goose.”

Last edited 18 hours ago by LeonWagner27

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

17 hours ago

Reply to LeonWagner27

Won’t you listen to what the man said?

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 hours ago

Reply to LeonWagner27

I not only CAN be but AM very dismissive of Wings.

Newbie

LeonWagner27

14 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

But without Wings, Weezer wouldn’t have a logo.

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Pineapple12

1 day ago

Angels vs Astros
A’s vs Royals
Rockies vs Dodgers
*Giants are ineligible for the lottery*

Good tests for Klassen, Urena, GRod pitching in Houston against a playoff hopeful

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HalosFanForLife

22 hours ago

Reply to Pineapple12

We got this.

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Senator_John_Blutarsky

21 hours ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

Klassen and Urena: absolutely. GRod worries me, but it’s positive he’s getting innings against a good team.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

20 hours ago

Reply to Senator_John_Blutarsky

Those three guys. Plus Joyce and Fermin. I want them to get innings against MLB all they can. The Angels will hopefully develop a more comprehensive pitching development/coaching system while the lock out happens. They can use what they learn at the end of this year and apply it when the lock out ends with these guys.

Those guys plus Detmers if he is still around could all be very solid arms for our club if they just coach them up well. Just because we are gonna spend some time sucking and then have the lock out doesn’t mean we can’t make use of the time.

Editor

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Jeff Joiner

19 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

The comprehensive pitching model will include sending down every pitcher who has an option so they keep pitching during the lockout.

Klassen, Urena, Joyce, Fermin, Murphy, Natera, Bachman, Johnson, and I’m sure others will be Bees again in six weeks.

Trusted Member

jco

18 hours ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Jeff, everything I’ve read and googled for says that if there’s a lockout, then everyone on the 40 man roster would be locked out whether or not they’re in AAA. You’ve obviously got better access than me to this type of information, so is there something different?

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

18 hours ago

Reply to jco

I think he means that. Teams will option guys off the 40 man if they can without exposing them to the Rule 5 draft.

Trusted Member

jco

18 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

But players can’t be optioned off the 40 man roster, only the 25 man roster. To be removed from the 40 man roster, they have to be exposed to waivers in one way or another. There’s no way that Klassen, Joyce, Urena, etc would pass through waivers.

Trusted Member

jco

18 hours ago

Reply to jco

I should say they can be optioned off the 26 man roster (28 in September).

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

17 hours ago

Reply to jco

Sportslawblogger may not be an authoritative source, but “Minor league players not on 40‑man rosters (MiLB contracts) are not part of the MLBPA and can continue to play for their minor league teams as scheduled”. So I think jco has it right.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 hours ago

Reply to Born_in_59

a player can be dropped off the 40 man without the waiver wire if he has option years still right?

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

14 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

You may be on to something. According to Sports Scouters “If a player has remaining option years, a team can option him to the minors, which removes him from the 40‑man roster. This is different from DFA because it doesn’t require waivers and doesn’t open a 40‑man spot immediately — it’s a direct move to the minors”. Not sure those kicked off the 40-man will appreciate it though.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

13 hours ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Unfortunately not. options allow for movement between the majors and the minors but the player remains on the 40 man. Removing a player from the 40 man exposes them to the other teams via waivers unless they are serving a suspension, being traded or DFAd, or on the restricted or disqualified lists. Active players cannot be removed from the 40 man without exposing them to waivers.

Editor

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Jeff Joiner

15 hours ago

Reply to jco

You’re right. I better unschedule something I was about to post on SI before I look stupid.

However, if the Angels do option a bunch of these guys off the 26 man roster they can still work out at the team facilities until the lockout and avoid accruing service time during it. The Angels can get extra years of control over them.

Last edited 15 hours ago by Jeff Joiner