Orange County Register: Angels Notes: Arte Moreno willing to exceed luxury tax threshold

[AngelsWin.com]

ANAHEIM – Despite a perception to the contrary, Arte Moreno insisted again on Monday that the luxury tax threshold is not firm barrier to his spending.“If it’s the right player, in the right situation, I will do whatever,” the Angels owner...

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[ScottT]

Good to hear. I always suspected his unwillingness to do so was a bit overblown.  What he probably doesn't want to do is go way over the threshold three years in a row... like the Dodgers.  They are paying a crazy amount in tax.

[Amazing Larry]

He and Eppler need to figure out a way to bring in some high quality talent while only going over the threshold for one or maybe two seasons only.

Then again, it's not my money.

Edited October 6, 2015 by Lawrence

[Guest]

Excellent news. We rag on Arte a lot here, but he's a lot better than most owners out there–at least he's willing to spend money to win. 

[tdawg87]

Give Sosh a 5 year extension pls

[laagamer]

PRAISE THE LORD

[Stradling]

I think this was always the case. It's great to hear him say it though.

[tdawg87]

To be fair, he can say anything he wants. Lets see if he actually does it. Cespedes, Price, Zobrist, O'Day. Plenty of guys on the market this year that could drastically help the team going forward.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Angels will be all in on Cespedes at the very least.

[beatlesrule]

Excellent news. We rag on Arte a lot here, but he's a lot better than most owners out there–at least he's willing to spend money to win.

I only rag on him for his love of Scioscia and for dumb signings like Hamilton. He has every right to not want to go over the luxury tax but he needs smarter employees for that to occur. The Angels are his plaything after all so let's see if he does indeed go over the tax or hires better scouts and talent evaluators instead.

[Troll Daddy]

I'll take the other limb and say that Arte goes all in on a #1 pitcher ... something the team is sorely lacking.

Edited October 6, 2015 by Troll Daddy

[totdprods]

Obviously, there's more factors that go into it, but could the unwillingness to spend be attributed to a GM as much as an owner? And I'm not necessarily speaking about Dipoto/Arte, just overall.

Wouldn't you want to try and accomplish as much as possible as cheaply as possible as a general manager? For your own reputation and future opportunities?

Just saying that maybe Arte has long been willing, but Dipoto didn't want to spend. Especially after some shell shock with what happened with previous FAs.

[Angels_Make_Me_Drink]

My guess is that he forks up BIG money for Price or Greinke. Do it!

[Redondo]

 

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Angels will be all in on Cespedes at the very least.

 

 I can see that happening

[Ohtaniland]

“I’m going to let "Billy and his people" and

 

"Mike and his people" go through that,” Moreno said.

 

 

 

I would've preferred to hear Arte say "I'm going to let Billy and Mike work together on a plan."

 

 

 

[Angelsjunky]

Who are Mike's "people?" Aren't they supposed to be the coaching staff? What do they have to do with free agent signings?

[Ohtaniland]

Who are Mike's "people?" Aren't they supposed to be the coaching staff? What do they have to do with free agent signings?

 

I think "Mike's people" are the Dodgers. 

[JAHV76]

They could save about $3M by not retaining Salas and Ramos. Anyone else done with watching both of them pitch?

[Stradling]

Who are Mike's "people?" Aren't they supposed to be the coaching staff? What do they have to do with free agent signings?

Forget about it being Mike for a second. Don't you think a manager should have some input on a guy coming into his locker room? A GM can get a feel for a guy but I would think a manager could probably see him closer. Obviously not the stats but how he carries himself, perhaps even get a feel for the kind of team mate he is. Once again I'm not advocating giving him veto power but at the very least a voice. So if that's the case I would say Mike's people would be his coaches and for the same reason. Also all of these guys have ties to other teams through ex team mates and connections they've made over the years.

[Pujols4MVP]

 I can see that happening

 

and the Angels have a history of signing FA OFers in recent history:

GMJr, Hunter, Abreu, Hamilton.

For most of their years with the Angels....Hunter & Abreu were good contracts.

The other two were big strikeouts...so they were 2 for 4 on signing OFer FA's.

 

I consider O'Day a priority for RP.

Dont care how he does it, he just confuses the snot out of hitters.

Having a guy who throws like O'Day makes the overhand relievers even better.

Edited October 6, 2015 by MikeScioscia4MVP

[Ohtaniland]

Forget about it being Mike for a second. Don't you think a manager should have some input on a guy coming into his locker room? A GM can get a feel for a guy but I would think a manager could probably see him closer. Obviously not the stats but how he carries himself, perhaps even get a feel for the kind of team mate he is. Once again I'm not advocating giving him veto power but at the very least a voice. So if that's the case I would say Mike's people would be his coaches and for the same reason. Also all of these guys have ties to other teams through ex team mates and connections they've made over the years.

 

It almost seems like Scioscia is expecting Eppler to make changes that they might not be in agreement with.

 

Scioscia said he isn’t yet sure if all his coaches will be returning, although he would like them to be back. “I think our major league staff is incredible, but there will always be adjustments that are made when a new GM comes in,” Scioscia said…

[Stradling]

and the Angels have a history of signing FA OFers in recent history:

GMJr, Hunter, Abreu, Hamilton.

For most of their years with the Angels....Hunter & Abreu were good contracts.

The other two were big strikeouts...so they were 2 for 4 on signing OFer FA's.

I consider O'Day a priority for RP.

Dont care how he does it, he just confuses the snot out of hitters.

Having a guy who throws like O'Day makes the overhand relievers even better.

I agree about O'Day. I don't think Arte wants to blow up the luxury tax for Zobrist and a guy like O'Day, but would over what they view as an impact bat or arm.

[UndertheHalo]

I think this has always been the case.  Some folks here just love to assume to the worst, despite all the evidence suggesting otherwise.

[Tyler]

Arte seems like he will sign a big time player this offseason in order to save some face for the past few years of dysfunction.

 

Let's hope it's on the right player (Price) and not the wrong guy (Upton).

[Angel Oracle]

Has Arte Moreno learned some valuable lessons?

If so, there may be hope yet.

I would say 1.5 out of 4, because Abreu struggled after re-signing with the Halos following the 2009 season.

[NrM]

This might be the best free agent class we'll see in the next 5-10 years, so now would be the time to go over.

 

The 2017 free agent class is terrible.

Edited October 6, 2015 by Poozy