So I'm pretty sure the Angels will be going after Heyward

[DailyHalo]

I almost completely agree with you. The only thing is when you get paid, your no longer underrated imo.

[DailyHalo]

Your right, I just used the wrong words here. We definitely should not be patching holes but rather looking for longer term solutions.

Edited November 23, 2015 by DailyHalo

[AngelsLakersFan]

I din't say they were going to play for the Angels, I said they are all either a better defender, younger, better all around player or more importantly a cheaper option (opposed to a 200M+ Heyward). The best part is I think we have two players that are already better than him, as mentioned, so luckily the Angels hopefully wont be a major player in the Heyward sweepstakes. Every player and person in general has some sort of red flag. You at least throw around the idea of Dexter Fowler because he plays good defense, gets on base, has some pop, is a top of the order type bat and again the best part is he will cost pennies on the dollar compared too the other FA's.

 

We need to consider both value and actual production. Fowler is going to cost a draft pick. He's spent his entire career in hitters parks. He's a bad defensive centerfielder. Fangraphs Steamer projects expect 1.7 WAR next year. He will do worse with the Angels, as he will lose value moving to the corner outfield, and he will lose value moving to a pitchers park. 

 

Yes 1.5 war is a huge upgrade for us BUT WE NEED TO DO BETTER. How many years will it be before we are already looking for a new left fielder? 2? 1?

[DailyHalo]

He isn't perfect but he also wont cost as much. You sign him to a 4-6 year deal at 12-18M per. Fowler leaves some to be desired for sure, especially in terms of games a year. I believe Dexter is a safer bet than Heyward but Jason has more upside (But you would also be paying for it). I'm sure the reality is we wont be getting either one though.

Edited November 23, 2015 by DailyHalo

[beatlesrule]

Angelslakersfan, sorry to nitpick but it's Heyward with an e.

[Docwaukee]

We need to consider both value and actual production. Fowler is going to cost a draft pick. He's spent his entire career in hitters parks. He's a bad defensive centerfielder. Fangraphs Steamer projects expect 1.7 WAR next year. He will do worse with the Angels, as he will lose value moving to the corner outfield, and he will lose value moving to a pitchers park. 

 

Yes 1.5 war is a huge upgrade for us BUT WE NEED TO DO BETTER. How many years will it be before we are already looking for a new left fielder? 2? 1?

or spend less to get 1.5 WAR from LF.  

 

Rajai Davis had 1.8 WAR in LF last year over 370 plate appearances putting up a wRC+ of 101. Making him 3.3 WAR better than Matt Joyce.  

 

We had -1.4 WAR as a team from LF in 2015.  

 

Here is an interesting question:

 

What is more important?

Adding one fairly dynamic player who bats in the middle of the lineup and gives you 4 WAR or spreading the upgrades out over multiple positions.

 

In other words, what's better?

Cespedes/Upton, Giavotella, Cowart/Kubitza

or

Parra, Zobrist, Freese

 

I don't really have the answer obviously, but I think it can be argued either way.  Frankly, I lean toward the latter as it doesn't put all your eggs in one basket.  

[Docwaukee]

btw, there is no way I am giving up a pick for Dexter Fowler.  I also have issue with paying extra for player who can play a premium defensive position and then putting them at a less demanding spot.

 

The extreme example is like trading for Simmons and then having him play 2b.  

[DailyHalo]

Hypothetically, the top one gives us more flexibility financially and the bottom one has a more established group but will have a much shorter window.

[ukyah]

He isn't perfect but he also wont cost as much. You sign him to a 4-6 year deal at 12-18M per. Fowler leaves some to be desired for sure, especially in terms of games a year. I believe Dexter is a safer bet than Heyward but Jason has more upside (But you would also be paying for it). I'm sure the reality is we wont be getting either one though.

 

 

you seriously think giving up the first round pick and handing dexter f'ing fowler a contract for 4-6 years is a good idea? also, you suggest paying him between 50-100 million dollars?

[Mark68]

If you're going the cheap route (without the draft pick), then Nori Aoki isn't a bad option.

[DailyHalo]

you seriously think giving up the first round pick and handing dexter f'ing fowler a contract for 4-6 years is a good idea? also, you suggest paying him between 50-100 million dollars?

I'm thinking 4 years at 60M or 5 at 75M range at the most (for us at least). We will be losing picks all winter, I'm sure. We are not going to rebuild this team at first by methodically getting draft picks every year. We'll have to trade players to restock the farm but were going too need those players on the team for now. The farm is just going to have too wait another year for any major changes, since were trying to compete. You cant have a reliable Farm system if the philosophy/direction is constantly changing. We have way to much invested in the current team too be worrying about how prospects are going to pan out 5 plus years down the road. I know we all got greedy for a few years there when everyone we brought up contributed but now trading for a few AA/AAA type players, is more plausible than going after individual draftees. 

Edited November 23, 2015 by DailyHalo

[Jeff Fletcher]

I asked Eppler specifically several times (before and after the Simmons deal) if we should infer that he's more interested in defense.

He said he's not.

My impression is he wants the best of both. But it's not like he would turn down a big slugger who can't play defense.

[DailyHalo]

I asked Eppler specifically several times (before and after the Simmons deal) if we should infer that he's more interested in defense.

He said he's not.

My impression is he wants the best of both. But it's not like he would turn down a big slugger who can't play defense.

.......Hopefully your not talking about someone like David Freese! What does he say about the pitching front?

Edited November 23, 2015 by DailyHalo

[beatlesrule]

Until Eppler says he is not going after Heyward and wants no part of him, I believe he is the number 1 target and makes perfect sense for this team.

[ADHB]

Contrary to what Fletcher is reporting, Jon Morosi says Angels would consider Heyward.

 

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a-bit-outside/baseball-joe/blog/angels-aren-t-ruling-out-pursuit-of-heyward-112315

[AngelsLakersFan]

Angelslakersfan, sorry to nitpick but it's Heyward with an e.

 

Sorry, my auto correct changes Heyward to Hayward every time I write it, and sometimes I forget to change it back.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Until Eppler says he is not going after Heyward and wants no part of him, I believe he is the number 1 target and makes perfect sense for this team.

Youve been here long enough to know thats just not how we do things.

[Second Base]

Basically what I got from that article is that the Angels are considering the possibility of considering making an offer to Jason Heyward.  

 

Hard hitting news there JP.  

[Hollyw00d]

.......Hopefully your not talking about someone like David Freese! What does he say about the pitching front?

He may be talking about Chris davis

[Brent Maguire]

He isn't perfect but he also wont cost as much. You sign him to a 4-6 year deal at 12-18M per. Fowler leaves some to be desired for sure, especially in terms of games a year. I believe Dexter is a safer bet than Heyward but Jason has more upside (But you would also be paying for it). I'm sure the reality is we wont be getting either one though.

Are you saying Fowler and his contract are safer than Heyward and his contract or Fowler himself is a safer bet than Heyward just based on performance? 

[totdprods]

or spend less to get 1.5 WAR from LF.

Rajai Davis had 1.8 WAR in LF last year over 370 plate appearances putting up a wRC+ of 101. Making him 3.3 WAR better than Matt Joyce.

We had -1.4 WAR as a team from LF in 2015.

Here is an interesting question:

What is more important?

Adding one fairly dynamic player who bats in the middle of the lineup and gives you 4 WAR or spreading the upgrades out over multiple positions.

In other words, what's better?

Cespedes/Upton, Giavotella, Cowart/Kubitza

or

Parra, Zobrist, Freese

I don't really have the answer obviously, but I think it can be argued either way. Frankly, I lean toward the latter as it doesn't put all your eggs in one basket.

I'd be okay with each route to a degree, hard to say for sure because there's going to be too many other reaction moves made regardless of the route, and those would determine how I feel.

It's almost a given we have to deal a SP this offseason, no matter which way we go from this. And of course we will sign some folks on minor league deals so that may tip one moreso.

[Mile High Dreams]

Moroni says were in on Heyward

[Mile High Dreams]

Yes I intended to spell it that way

[DailyHalo]

Are you saying Fowler and his contract are safer than Heyward and his contract or Fowler himself is a safer bet than Heyward just based on performance? 

I believe Fowler will gives us the most value for the money, his contract is a safer bet imo. Heyward is the better player but I just feel he wont be worth the payday. What he'll give you, for the money can be used on multiply areas. 

Edited November 24, 2015 by DailyHalo

[Blarg]

Fowler has a high strikout rate for a guy with little power. His career is a roller coaster of up and down seasons of production, fluctuating from a good 120 ops+ to nearly replacement level. I have a hard time seeing any long term value out of the guy other than being just good enough to play. The Angels could really use more above league average players rather than the latter.