The Angels have a new TV deal with FanDuel Sports Network (OC Register version). (Daily Breeze version). (MLBTR version).
Both Niko Kavadas and Samy Natera Jr. had a good game at the Fall Stars game. Natera worked his way past a one-out single to end his one inning with three strikeouts.
Sports Illustrated thinks Anthony Rendon is not even in the Angels plans any more. I guess they might be right about that. Perry Minasian says he is looking to improve the whole team. Maybe some chaff could get jettisoned. There is room for improvement, but MLB.com thinks the Angels as currently constituted could be good for 33.5 WAR.
As most of you probably know, Zach Neto just had a shoulder surgery.
The Yankees are reportedly interested in Carlos Estevez. The Marlins hired Clayton McCullough as their manager and Pedro Guerrero as their hitting coach. Reggie Jackson stepped down from his front office position with the Astros.
Former All Star pitcher Bud Daley passed away at the age of 92.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
Javelinas at Rafters…LIVE!!
https://www.mlb.com/arizona-fall-league
Dogs at Sox 2:30 first pitch.
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/desert-dogs-vs-solar-sox/2024/11/11/787611/preview
Oops…we got beat 7-3.
Next game 11/12 12:30.
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/solar-sox-vs-scorpions/2024/11/12/787564/preview
I believe that any ownership groups buying a team in today’s MLB or NFL is going to have modern day business plan (whatever that entails). No more old school mom and pop owners that don’t realize what it takes to give your organization a chance to not only win, but be competitive over the long hall. Front offices throughout major league pro sports are stacked with highly educated, analytical people. You have no chance if you don’t at least have that base. The margins are shrinking, parity rules…..but if you have an under-staffed/less-than Ownerrship/Front Office, you need a miracle to win. And if you do, it won’t likely last unless you’re incredibly lucky.
I do think that Perry could definitely be part of the group that could get us back to league average/normal with a chance to compete, but that would require new ownership. Or an influx of money and brain power with a new emphasis on an organizational rebuild. That costs money and dedication. We all know it’s much harder in the MLB when the your the A’s/ Pirates/ Angels/ Tampa/ chasing the Doyers, Mets, Yankees.
Redskins had one of the worst modern day owners…..new owners are more than just lucky in landing a franchise QB IMHO. New culture, lots of smart people, lots of money.
Unless Osama bin Moreno sells, we will never have what it takes to win consistently.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/11/09/jayden-daniels-commanders-merchandise-tickets/
See, I figure that’s the case too. With what teams cost. Unless you’re Kronkie or what ever. But the fact is a lot of teams are owned by GROUP and they still suck. The A’s. The Marlins. Literally a dozen more…. not mom and pop single owner, but still shitty.
The sad fact is, a “business group” is very often times in it to maximize profits. And with what a busted ass FA contract costs now days, in most markets, it’s better to waste as little money as possible while letting the team’s valuation increase. The massive money to be made buying a championship in La or New York just isn’t there for a team in Phoenix… or even the secondary team in Chicago.
I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. WHEN Arte sells, it will be to people who expect to make money. These people will not be finding a dozen magical new ways to make hundreds of millions of new dollars per year. They will likely be less stupid than Arte spending what the team makes, but the team will still basically be making the same ballpark figure year in and year out that it does now. So they may spend more on scouts and the farm because it’s smart. But it won’t be 200% more. And the payroll is just as likely to go down a little as up. It’s not gonna be ranked much higher than the team value rank…. as it has been with Arte. May go down with fewer stupid contracts. May also go down cause it makes the GROUP more money. Sure, they’ll likely do the “introductory spending orgy” like John Henry did with the Red Sox. But ten years later? #7-9 payroll.
We’ll have to see what NewOwnerzTheUnicorm does is places like Baltimore long term.
Wander Franco arrested again. This time guns involved.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/rays-wander-franco-arrested-dominican-republic-gun-drawn.html
The guy’s a train wreck.
He needs a serious intervention.
Knowing how early and often young Dominicans are observed/scouted by supposedly smart baseball people, I am stunned that no one apparently picked up that this kid is seriously flawed as a human being. And the Rays compounded that mistake badly as he progressed through their system. Astounding lapse by an organization.
I doubt scouts are looking beyond can the kid, hit, field and throw and can I get him signed to a contract. Though I wonder with the money invested in these baseball academies, why don’t they staff medical personnel including a child psychologist?
It’s tough to right off a 16 year old as a flawed human being. If we did that here it would likely solve school overcrowding….
Some plucky Orioles fan went out and linked each of this winter’s Top 50 International Prospects with the MLB team thought to have deals in place. Cutting to the chase: pretty typical Halos strategy in 2025… they are linked to only one of the Top 50 (Venezuelan catcher Gabriel Davalillo) with the remainder of their $6.3 million pool presumably earmarked for down-ballot prospects. https://forum.orioleshangout.com/topic/54913-2025-international-%E2%80%9Cj2%E2%80%9D-class-jan-15-dec-15-2025/
If you’re wondering about Roki Sasaki… me, too. Teams can also use their remaining 2024 pool on him, correct? The Dodgers have the most to spend. https://www.recorderonline.com/sports/national_sports/mlb-2024-remaining-international-signing-bonus-allotment-list/article_19c86708-dbe9-520b-8b6a-719252a9534d.html
Seeing the name Pedro Guerrero brings back a fond memory at Chavez. Freeway Series game sometime in the eighties. We scored front row right at first base seats for a Sunday day game. Guerrero hits a mammoth home run to right field. As he is coming up the first base line I yelled, “Too bad it doesn’t count Pedro!!” You should have seen the double dagger look he gave me. Trolling latrine players and fans…GOOD TIMES!!
That’s awesome
No love from si.com!!
Projected 2025 AL West Standings
1. Houston Astros (91-71)
2. Seattle Mariners (87-75; wild card)
3. Texas Rangers (85-77)
4. Oakland/Sacramento/Las Vegas Athletics (71-91)
5. Los Angeles Angels (64-98)
https://www.si.com/mlb/angels/angels-news/angels-predicted-to-have-worst-record-in-al-west-in-2025-01jcbp48j21w
They have The Angels improving by 1 win in 2025? 😆. Wow, that is harsh.
Harshly optimistic 🙁
Could be worse, they could have had us 62-100
At least that gives us a goal.
Glass half full!!
That requires only a Mini Tank.
https://x.com/ClownWorld_/status/1855397879466344569
I want one!!
Given that Neto is already injured, Trout will be injured, and Rendon doesn’t contribute beyond counting down the days until his contract ends, 64 wins might be generous…..
Yes, it’s both deserving and accurate. Soler was a step in the right direction but I’ll believe Perry when I see the actions. This team needs a lot.
Angels fans are going to love Soler…one week out of every month. Dude is as streaky as they get.
Perry is on it, said Trout is coming back for a monster year. How many Trout solo home runs will it take to get from 64 to 70 wins?
KIIDDDZZ! And then moar kids. We’re gonna hurt either way. Might as well do our best with it.
We won 73 when we had Ohtani and little has changed. A decent year from Soler and a healthy Trout, which hasn’t happened in 5 years, would help move us in the right direction but the pitching is still very weak and we still don’t have much offense. We were nearly at the bottom in all of baseball for both runs scored and runs prevented. For longer than 2 years, the only things we know we have position player wise are a catcher, a shortstop and Trout, and at some point Moore either at 2B or LF.
I think the Angels have a real shot and passing the Sacramento As.