Jeff Fletcher: Angels To Meet With Freese's Agent This Week

[VariousCrap]

Angels general manager Billy Eppler said he plans to meet with David Freese’s agent during the GM meetings this week.

 

 

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/week-691306-david-fla.html

 

 

 

[VariousCrap]

And for the record, if the Angels could sign Freese for something around 3/27, I think it makes sense to bring him back.

[totdprods]

Definitely agree if those are the terms. He has his downsides but he's been decent and definitely plays well in the clutch. It'd be an affordable solution that we could set early in the offseason and focus elsewhere. It'd take pressure off needing to improve 2B and C.

[ukyah]

if you sign freese, then you might as well accept that you're going to be seeing a lot of kubitza or cowart over there because freese isn't staying off the disable list.

[wopphil]

My only concern with Freese is that if we sign him it means we probably aren't players for the big boys (Hayward, Upton, Gordon).

[totdprods]

if you sign freese, then you might as well accept that you're going to be seeing a lot of kubitza or cowart over there because freese isn't staying off the disable list.

If they continue to develop, that's fine, that's what a good farm system should be able to do - fill inadequately when someone from the big club is down.

One of them has to at least develop into at least decent fill-in right? Aren't we due? :/

[VariousCrap]

My only concern with Freese is that if we sign him it means we probably aren't players for the big boys (Hayward, Upton, Gordon).

 

 

Why?  Freese is going to most likely be affordable.  Why would that keep the Angels out of the Heyward/Upton sweepstakes?

 

My thinking would be: The Angels could decide to sign Freese for lets say 3/27-3/30 and then keep Johnny G at 2B.  After that, they'd have the money to not only sign Heyward, but they could also improve both SP and BP.

[nate]

Problem is I think he will get 4/45 or 4/50 and I don't think he is worth that.

[Angel Oracle]

Cowart has spent 5.5 seasons in pro ball after HS, and Kubitza has spent 4.5 seasons in pro ball after college.    At some point, a decision will have to be made.

[totdprods]

My only concern with Freese is that if we sign him it means we probably aren't players for the big boys (Hayward, Upton, Gordon).

I disagree; it may mean we only acquire one other player via FA, but I can see Arte going over tax for a year.

If there was a year to spend, this would be it. Good chunk of money coming off next couple of offseasons, and a thin class next year should eliminate some need from spending next season.

[Troll Daddy]

The only players for the big boys is on the message boards.

 

 

not going to happen

[Troll Daddy]

No way we start the season with the kids on third base.

 

 

fingers crossed

[nando714]

No way we start the season with the kids on third base.

fingers crossed

1 season we started with Trumbo at 3B

So yes I could see us starting kids there

[DoubleOffTheWall]

angels win when freese plays, bottom line. 

[Chuck]

3 years, 30 million. 

[halosfan1970]

if you sign freese, then you might as well accept that you're going to be seeing a lot of kubitza or cowart over there because freese isn't staying off the disable list.

 

It looks like Freese played in 134 games in 2014 and 121 games in 2015. He's averaged 134 games over the last four years. He went on the 15-Day Disabled List once each in 2014 and 2015. Both DL stints were for a fractured finger following being hit by a pitch.

 

The narrative that Freese is injury prone is nice but completely unsupported by fact.

[Inside Pitch]

Freese is worth 30-35. I think the Angels might have an edge knowing how valuable he actually is. 

 

Please stay away from the big boys. This team is not 1-2 players away. More like 8-10.

 

Really?  8-10 players away?  If that were the case then spending 30-35 on Freese would be beyond stupid.   If you're that far away you don't pay top dollar for mediocrity, you sell off.

[Inside Pitch]

It looks like Freese played in 134 games in 2014 and 121 games in 2015. He's averaged 134 games over the last four years. He went on the 15-Day Disabled List once each in 2014 and 2015. Both DL stints were for a fractured finger following being hit by a pitch.

 

The narrative that Freese is injury prone is nice but completely unsupported by fact.

 

Except for the whole only having played in more than 140 games once in his entire career.  

Edited November 9, 2015 by Inside Pitch

[Second Base]

Why bother?  Kubitza's already better than him. 

[Angel Oracle]

Just don't expect much power wise from Kubitza, only 7 HRs in over 400 at bats for SLC in 2015, although he also had 43 doubles.

But he does supply much needed OBP potential, as does Cowart, if the BA is at least .260.     

[ukyah]

It looks like Freese played in 134 games in 2014 and 121 games in 2015. He's averaged 134 games over the last four years. He went on the 15-Day Disabled List once each in 2014 and 2015. Both DL stints were for a fractured finger following being hit by a pitch.

 

The narrative that Freese is injury prone is nice but completely unsupported by fact.

 

 

that's a perfectly fine retort, but i don't think your conclusion was as definitive as you made it out to be. the top 10 3b played an avg of 152 games this year. david freese? 121,134,138,144. he has a history of back problems and next season is his age 33 season. if we sign him to a conservative 3 or 4 year deal as MANY on here are advocating, then we will be paying a 33-37 year old 3b with back problems and poor fielding. it defies any reasonable expectation that he would increase his number of games played over those years. so yes, you will need another starting 3b for at least 35 games a season, if he didn't decline or get hurt at all over those age 33-37 seasons. sound likely?

[Angelsfirst]

I really hope they find a way to bring him back. Some of the potential figures being discussed in this thread sound about right. The offense had something going for a few games at the end of the season and I believe Freese was a big part of that.

A guy who keeps his head and makes good decisions in big spots is invaluable. He's the type of player that will take the walk to keep a rally going. I truly believe he was an integral part of this offense and team last season. If I remember correctly the teams W/L record was way better last year with him in the lineup.

[Redondo]

I'm tired of the Angels giving big money to older players. I know we don't have an elite prospect in line, but we need to start playing the younger players and quit throwing money away.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

angels win when freese plays, bottom line. 

 

The team definitely plays better when Freese is out there. You can't attribute it all to his play, but they seem more in sync.

[Angelsfirst]

Freese is worth 30-35. I think the Angels might have an edge knowing how valuable he actually is.

Please stay away from the big boys. This team is not 1-2 players away. More like 8-10.

I agree with everything you said in this post, except for the 8-10 players part. I think that if we shore up 3rd with Freese, we're a top of the order speed guy and a middle of the order bat away from having a significantly better offense.