Here is a little video montage of the Angels best catches of 2024. See why Jo Adell was a Gold Glove finalist. In this article, the Angels get a C grade for the Kyle Hendricks signing, a B grade for Kevin Newman, an A for Travis d’Arnaud, and an A for Yusei Kikuchi.
I seriously hope the Angels are not in on the Juan Soto sweepstakes. Yes he would make the club better. I just don’t want to see the Angels be saddled with any more ridiculous contracts. Scott Boras has managed to drive the floor on this up above $600 Million. The Mets signed Frankie Montas. It’s a two year deal at $17 Million per year with a player opt out after 2025.
Hyeseong Kim just posted. That opens a thirty day window for Perry to get ‘er done. Right handed pitcher Koyo Aoyagi has also been posted. His negotiating window is 45 days.
The Phillies are looking for top major league pitchers in exchange for Alec Bohm so I guess we can forget about him.
Rob Manfred says, “there was a little buzz around [the golden at-bat] at an owners meeting.” Charles Sutton says, “There must have been more than just a little buzz, if you get my drift.” Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow says, “No, it’s not brilliant. I think it’s a stupid idea. With two O’s stoopid … I just think it’s absurd.”
Former big league right-hander Al Fitzmorris passed away at the age of 78. He spent some time as an Angel.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
Maybe there’s more to Newman than meets the eye…
Tsunami (SF coast up to OR Coast) warning after a 7.0 off Eureka CA.
Tsunami warning called off.
Never mind…
–Roseanne Roseannadanna
Emily Litella.
Rosanne Roseannadanna was “If it’s not one thing, it’s another.”
You are correct.
-Baba Wawa
Cowwect.
Hi, CtPGers. Long time no hear from me! I have not been as frequent of a read-only participant as I would have liked to have been, but life happens, right? I can honestly say that the only reason why I am Dodgers fan now is you can guess who. I still love the Angels and CtPG. I have noticed that the Angels signed his Senpai, Yuseki Kikuchi. I have no opinions on Yusei except that he will do his hardest to win. Whether he will win games for Angels is a totally different matter.
So, I have returned to Japan four times this year, and I hope that CtPG would allow me to talk about the MLB Japan Series, though it has nothing to do with the Angels which officially starts Dodgers and Cubs season in Tokyo Dome on 3/18 and 3/19/2025. I got info on the tickets. If you are lucky enough to hold Mastercard that was issued in Japan, you are eligible to purchase tickets, which is to start 12/6 Japan time, which is just about right now. Otherwise, you have to go thru what is called Lawson Ticket starting from 12/9 Japan time, and you need to become a member. For regular member, it is free; however, if you pay about $30 annual fee, you would be a preferred member, and your chance of getting the ticket increases. As you can imagine, LOTS of Japanese people want to get hold of these tickets, so you will be entered into a lottery, and I estimate that the chance of getting the ticket will be less than 5%.
The price of the ticket is as low as $40 in the outfield if you are a middle school or high school student, but the most expensive is a group of 12 tickets, which are $20,000 at today’s dollar yen ratio. Divided by 12, it will be $1800 per ticket. I forgot to add that this particular tickets are only for business account holders only, and the lucky ones will be wined and dined. I will enter the lottery, hoping to get a reserved seat for 6 games, which include four preseason games and the two ‘real’ games, and if I win the lottery, I will be paying about $1500 for that. I can get as many as 4 tickets if I win the lottery, and if anyone is interested, let me know.
I will be participating in PtCG much more frequently now that things have calmed down in my life. I will be opining on anything to do with Ohtani, Kikuchi, and yes, Roki Sasaki. I will also be interested in if anyone advocates 6 man rotation and draft system that includes both American and international players, kinda like what NBA does.
People here are often avidly interested In baseball. The griping about other teams is usually good natured. Will the Cubs play Matt Thaiss? Who knows. The Dodgers will surely play Ohtani. That’s a no-brainer.
Thank you for allowing me to say something about Japan MLB series.
Assuming that Sho has no further problems with his shoulder, he will be the starting pitcher for the game #1 and Yamamoto for #2. That is what Japanese people want. Cubs will be using Shota Imanaga in one of the two games, who surprised me how well he did though he petered out towards the end of season, Japanese fans will be excited to watch Sho and Yamamoto will pitch against Seiya Suzuki, who I think is the second or third best active Japanese hitter after Sho and Masa Yoshida of Red Sox.
Dodgers have said no way Ohtani participates. So we will see.
Kiyoooooo
HI, Pineapple! So glad that you are still active here and cheering for the Angels. I was able to visit the Big A when Dodgers played there in September. Was wild in that Dodgers fans outnumbered Angels fans; I was pleased to see that many Angels fans were still courteous to Sho though I did hear few boos. I must say Dodgers fans were obnoxious as hell.
You are always welcome to come here and discuss baseball in any form, US or Japan.
In fact, I’m planning a trip to Japan and might hit you up for advice on attending an NPB game or two.
We maybe visiting Japan as well. It might even happen later this year (assuming the Angels get eliminated by late summer as usual) Its always been a dream of mine to experience an NPB game so I would be honored to receive your advice Mr. Chan
Mr. Cowboy, you have always been my favorite CtPGer because I could never bs you. I always triple check facts before I click. So, it is essentially the same offer that I extended to Jeff. If you happen to go there in May or September, I may be in Japan then, and I would be honored to accompany you to any NPB game that you desire. We will have great time discussing baseball and have you try some of the best Japanese cuisine and alcoholic beverage.
Jeff, it would be an honor for me to assist you in visiting Japan. I will be going back and forth for my dream, which is to bring a 11-12 year old team from my town to Japan. My plan is to have that happen in 3-5 years; my son coached a team in Hokkaido, northern island, where Sapporo is the capital, and Nippon Ham Fighters play there. I have been to their stadium this summer, it is a dome stadium, definitely MLB style. As you recall, Sho played for Ham Fighters about 5 or 6 seasons there he vaulted for MLB. If it turns out that you are going May or September, I may be able to accompany you and whoever come with you. Please don’t hesitate to ask me about where to stay, where to visit, and whatever you may want to know.
I will be going there in 4 years for my son’s high school graduation present. My wife is half Japanese but doesn’t speak Japanese. The one thing we will do as a family is go to a Japanese league baseball game. This summer we are heading to Cooperstown to the baseball hall of fame, then to New York City for a few days, I may catch a Yankees or Mets game.
Glad to hear you are doing well!
The A’s are spending money!
A pig just flew by my window!
Wearing a Sacramento A’s hat?
Meet the new Hat. same as the old hat
It’s Athletics. Just Athletics. They can pop up anywhere….
Their fans are Athletic Supporters.
They better sellout that 10,624 stadium on an every night basis.
…or they better get gambling advice from Ippei to improve cash flow
God. Severino’s contract is the biggest in team history……. surpassing Eric Chavez’s contract from 20 years ago.
Kikuchi deal looking better and better everyday.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/athletics-to-sign-luis-severino.html
You know its drunken sailor spending spree time when the A’s are finally spending money. I think there’s a QO comp pick attached to him.
and they gave him a PO !!!! 😂
And I’m sure he will be PO’ed after a losing season in a minor league park.
Here’s a thought on a Ward trade approved by the Simulator:
Angels trade Ward (12.5 on the Trade Simulator) to Milwaukee for 3B prospect Brock Wilken (6.5 on Sim) and lefty starting pitcher Robert Gasser (6.6 on Sim).
Both players rank at 50 and are the #6 and #8 prospects in the Brewers’ highly rated system.
BUT, would the Brewers go for it?
You just have to ignore that question. I am always surprised by which prospects get added to the 40 over the winter, who they are and are not willing to trade, etc. But if a guy is not a top 5 prospect for a team or a top 50 prospect over all he is probably not all that hard to trade for if you have something the other team wants.
And the Brewers do really want offense.
I had Wilken in one of my trades for an IIWPM I’m not really bothering with because Perry already did so much Perry. I like him. But he has a problem I found when I looked all over the MLB Farms for a 3B prospect. Namely, there are about 4 of them that are sure to stay at 3B. And all of them are really high value prospects. The rest all have “maybe they should move him to 1B or the OF” tacked onto them.
Wilken is one of those guys. I still like him. I’d roll the dice. But he may not stick at 3B.
In the end, in my search for trades that lead to 3B guys in our farm, I settled on Jack Brannigan from Pitts farm. I also started looking for solid SS prospects blocked by other much bigger prospects in the system or MLB level. Or guys who are adding size and may move off SS, but have the arm to play 3B.
You know, the “Has raw power and the arm” guy who is always 20 years old and the #17 prospect in a good farm? If we got two of these type guys to add to Fontenelle I’d be happy.
Yep – I did the same analysis. Was looking for 3Bmen who had the best chances of sticking but were not Top 5 organizational prospects and therefore might be acquirable. Ultimately I landed at the Brewers as the best trade partners for Ward. The Brewers realistically might actually do this trade too.
The issue is, Angels wont dump Ward for rewards 2-3 years away. They will want some MLB ready talent.
I don’t have access to the trade simulator. I’m reading in mlb trade rumors that Cleveland is shopping Josh Naylor. I’m wondering if a package of Schanuel and Moniak and maybe a minor league pitcher could net Naylor.
Josh Naylor comes in with a value of around 8.6 on the Sim.
Schanuel has a much higher projected value on the Sim (26.8) so that trade would be significantly lopsided towards Cleveland per the Sim.
Trade Schanny now!
I agree that his value may never be higher
If Arte stopped at around $450m on Ohtani last offseason, I can’t see him meaningfully enter the Juan Soto sweepstakes.
Source?
There was more written on it including quotes but this is a good start.
https://x.com/brwalkoff/status/1770559188789264682?s=12&t=VjfO6v3EoAZhWPfo2DgDBw
Sigh.
No the source that the Angels have shown interest in signing Soto.
I dont know anyone who has advocated with any seriousness that Arte should enter the bidding.
It doesn’t really make sense. The Angels need a competent starter and at least one competent infielder either at third or second. (I think Newman is a backup plan.) Outfielders they have.
Newman is our utility guy now…. which I like a lot. But he’s not gonna block any prospects or “be the answer” anywhere unless he goes full Max Muncy.
I don’t think the Halos should even sniff Juan Soto’s jockstrap. They should not be involved. Beyond the obvious reasons I always worry about Arte’s rebound reaction when missing out on a free agent.
Soto tired of winning?
I know we aren’t
So the Phillies are looking for top major league pitchers for Bohm? Great we’ll trade em Detmers and Suarez . That’s 2 pitchers right there with a ton of quality major league experience .
Lets Get it done Perry
I wouldn’t mind Bohm’s bat in the lineup, but his glove is a serious step down from Rengifo’s.
Ha! I’m sure Wash would fix him.
BTW according to The Fielding Bible, Alec Bohm improved his defense dramatically last year yielding a league neutral 0 Defensive Runs Saved in 1,096 innings at the hot corner last year. Conversely in 368 innings in 2024 , Luis Rengifo yielded a -2 DRS at 3rd Base even with Wash’s tutelage so not sure thats would be a step down at all.
I hate you and your lying easiliy Googled math stats.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0v6eN9XDtQ
Love me some Jack Jones. He was very underrated.
I did notice that, but his previous years were terrible defensively. He might have developed into a better fielder, or it could be an up year and he goes back to being terrible again. Even Miguel Cabrera had a season where he wasn’t as bad fielding third as usual.
If Adell’s defense can be fixed…and he was a finalist for a GG last season, anything can be fixed, spayed or neutered.
Does that include our least favorite captionless-photo poster?
Shh… or he may come back early.
Yes!
The Phillies aren’t getting any cheap MLB arms for Bohm unless it’s a pen guy who they think they can convert to starter.
There are at bats that live on well after the event, like Trout facing Ohtani in the WBC final. This golden-bat idea sound to me like an attempt to manufacture more of these memorable at-bats that can be marketed, rather than make the game more enjoyable. And for once, I’m in complete agreement with what Mike Krukow says, it is indeed “two O’s stoopid”.
Exactly. It’s lame as fk.