Playoff baseball has been incredible this past week. Every ALCS game has been a nail biter and excitement of the NLCS is too much to bear at times; at least if you despise the Dodgers as much as I do. It would be awesome to join the fray of World Series hopefuls sometime soon and I think with some Kroenke magic we just might do so before the end of this decade.
Out in the desert, Nimmala and Munroe keep giving us reasons to dream. Stacked against the best prospects in the game, they delivered big time.
And don’t just take my word for it, the experts are also on board.
What is interesting to note is that Franklin Arias has long been rumored to be Mozeliak’s target in a Neto to Boston swap. I still think he overshot there and I would have been stoked to land the package Baltimore landed for Adley Rutschman, but I need to move on.
But before I do, let’s take a look at last year’s first round pick Jared Grindlinger who could be starting his senior year in high school but decided to come out a year early. So far the kid is looking special.
Those prospects are quite a ways away from the show. Well, perhaps not too far for Munroe. But there are a few guys who could play some significant roles in 2027 for the Halos.
And with the Angels season in the rear view mirror, it is time to do an autopsy and look for ways to improve the record next year.
First up, the obvious problem. The Angels strikeouts absolutely killed the team last year and are clearly the biggest problem the team needs to solve. Can’t lead the league in K’s and expect to win.
With that being said, let’s take a look at a couple of free agents who can help solve that problem.
Defense is also a huge problem, but a platoon of Wade Meckler and Tyrone Taylor would improve the team on both sides of the ball.
That’s a solid defensive outfield, drops probably 300 K’s from the lineup, and should be a solid infield defense. The defense would improve a lot if Ron Washington was brought back as infield coach and bench coach. I like an old school guy to blend with the data (and Wash is good with data) but most importantly he sets a tone.
If not Washington, we need somebody like him to create a defensive philosophy and plan for the minor league development. Trying to teach at the MLB level is tough. Let’s start with rookie ball.
Speaking of old school guys, Trout is now one.
But, I can not state this enough, it is imperative the Angels do no sign a player with a qualifying offer attached. The farm is just now getting respectable and we need to add to it in every way possible.
In case you don’t know, here is every Angel who will be a free agent this off season.
As of now the Angels are on track to have their lowest payroll in over 13 years. Not sure if this was a tactical retreat by Arte but it represents the opportunity for a full organizational reset.
As of now I am expecting Kroenke to OK some spending as long as it does not impede the long term goal of the franchise. Look for some 2 to 3 year deals but nothing outrageous and probably attempts to extend Detmers and Neto. Just my hunch.
But I also think the Kroenke purchase spells the end of the Albert Pujols as manager story.
Try not to blow away today and please link what I missed. I have a free weekend for a change and will enjoy it with my son. Hopefully there is no NLCS to watch but as I type this the game in LA is just underway.
