Evaluating the Conger/Sappington Trades

[Second Base]

My analysis of the trades is available over at MWAH now.

http://monkeywithahalo.com/2014-articles/evaluating-the-angels-early-trades.html

[Angel Oracle]

I can see Ramos being rejuvenated some by being reunited with his former LB State rotation teammate from a decade back in Weave.

He has had solid success vs lefties, and some success vs righties as well.

 

What FB/changeup oriented starting pitchers can Tropeano be comped to?

Edited November 7, 2014 by Angel Oracle

[ukyah]

i've actually changed my opinion on the ramos trade. i had a bit of an epiphany about it really. ramos isn't particularly good as either a reliever or a starter, but he's an improved version of rasmus, in the sense that he can actually go the six+ innings. he's an emergency valve for the angels. the angels are going to use him as a situational lefty, thereby limiting some of his weaknesses as a reliever. not that he's particularly bad against righties, which he's not, but rather limiting his batters faced. he has a history of being a starter, so if the angels need an absolute emergency starter, they have one readily built in to the pen who isn't just a classic mop up man.

[Second Base]

I can see Ramos being rejuvenated some by being reunited with his former LB State rotation teammate from a decade back in Weave.

He has had solid success vs lefties, and some success vs righties as well.

What FB/changeup oriented starting pitchers can Tropeano be comped to?

His fastball, breaking ball, amazing change up and excellent command make his structurally similar to Mike Morin, except Tropeano can go 6+.

[Brent Maguire]

I can see Ramos being rejuvenated some by being reunited with his former LB State rotation teammate from a decade back in Weave.

He has had solid success vs lefties, and some success vs righties as well.

 

What FB/changeup oriented starting pitchers can Tropeano be comped to?

Not sure that there's a comp for Tropeano per say but he seems like he can be a 180-200 inning back end guy who can provide a 3.80-3.90 ERA. He's probably not going to be flashy but he can be a below league average innings eater, potentially a league average guy. If he follows the route of recent change up/splitter specialist guys who were undervalued prospects but pitch well in the majors(like Shoemaker), you could see him become better than we're expecting. 

[Second Base]

For Tropeano, the key for him will be location and pitch sequence. His fastball is just good enough to play up, but only if he uses his change up effectively. His curveball is just good enough as long as he keeps it low, in the strikezone, but must use it only enough to keep hitters off his change up and fastball.

It may seem like a tight rope act, but if done right he can be effective. You saw Shoe pull it off past year and hundreds of pitchers do it in the past. It's not in style anymore, the new fad is 95+ fastball and a killer slider. It's a big reason why we see so many pitching injuries now.

[Docwaukee]

One thing that I feel comfortable with is the Angels team of guys that scout high minors and early mlb guys who are undervalued.  Not only on the other teams but on the halos as well. 

 

Dipoto and his staff have done fairly well in bringing in solid players for major league talent.

 

I think Tropeano is gonna be better than people think.  I also think Carlos Perez could end up a fringe starter.  If his defense is as good as billed, he could really help us.  He wasn't exactly a offensive powerhouse in the minors, but he's got a .752 minor league ops and he's still quite young.  

[Troll Daddy]

Astro gave up a pitcher and a catcher for what fans here call a BUST.

Sorry if I don't have to much faith with our new acquisitions or Conger was underrated around here.

Btw location and pitch sequence is key for every pitcher. I do like his last name ... Tropeano

Edited November 10, 2014 by Troll Daddy

[Docwaukee]

Astro gave up a pitcher and a catcher for what fans here call a BUST.

Sorry if I don't have to much faith with our new acquisitions or Conger was underrated around here.

Btw location and pitch sequence is key for every pitcher. I do like his last name ... Tropeano

I wouldn't necessarily lump everyone into the 'conger was a bust' clan.  

 

his offense didn't develop as expected but he has value.  the halos decided that they needed cost controlled starting pitching more than they needed a backup catcher.  I trust our scouting department to evaluate bringing in young talent.  

 

Considering that Hank ended up being a defensive minded C, maybe they felt like they have that covered by getting Perez and having Bandy in the minors.  

 

Mike Trout, a lock down pen, and solid starting pitching is my recipe for success going forward.  To me, the key to 2015 is going to be when Richards comes back.  

[James]

AO being positive? Yeah must be a LB State Alum!

[NachoPop]

Is Ramos likely to stay stretched out and get a spring start? Leave the 5 spot up for competition between Santiago, Trepeano, Ramos, Rasmus, ... ?

[Second Base]

I expect Ramos to be exactly what Dipoto described. A lefty specialist and multiple inning cog. That means if Richards isn't ready on Opening Day we'll see Santiago in the 4th spot and Tropeano or Rasmus at 5.

[Angel Oracle]

For Tropeano, the key for him will be location and pitch sequence. His fastball is just good enough to play up, but only if he uses his change up effectively. His curveball is just good enough as long as he keeps it low, in the strikezone, but must use it only enough to keep hitters off his change up and fastball.

It may seem like a tight rope act, but if done right he can be effective. You saw Shoe pull it off past year and hundreds of pitchers do it in the past. It's not in style anymore, the new fad is 95+ fastball and a killer slider. It's a big reason why we see so many pitching injuries now.

Which is the one reason why, if Arte HAS to sign either Lester or Scherzer, it needs to be Lester who has the bigger arsenal of pitches vs Scherzer being one of those 95+/killer slider guys.

[Second Base]

Not to mention that whole draft pick compensation thing. Surprisingly, the Angels could theoretically sign Lester and remain under the luxury tax cap. They're 9 million under right now, if they trade Howie that could potentially put them 19 million under.

Not sure 19 mil would get it done, but it could. If not, release Beckham and that puts them 24 under. I wouldn't pay 24 for Lester but I'd pay 18-19.