If we had signed a big name LF?

[zenmaster]

What would we be complaining about right now?
 

 

2b?
Pen?

Having to pay luxury tax?

Pujols?

 

[ABC]

not a very zen thread

[eaterfan]

Yes. And probably SP too.

[Stradling]

Each other.

[floplag]

for me, pen.   i dont think we did enough to solidify that as we could but thats about it for me. 

[Jay]

We'd be talking about how ironic it is that Aybar was traded to a better team than the Angels.

[IEAngelsfan]

There's always something to complain about on this board.

[Stradling]

We'd be talking about how ironic it is that Aybar was traded to a better team than the Angels.

Haha, right on nate.

[ksangel]

That the Angels gave up the 17th pick in 2016 draft and these are the quality of players taken with the 17th pick of near that pick.

 

AJ Pollock

Shelby Miller

Christian Yelich

Zach Lee

Sonny Gray

Cory Seager

Michael Wacha

Marcus Stroman

[bloodbrother]

Don't forget about CJ Cron. He was taken right ahead of Sonny Gray at 17th overall

[tomsred]

Don't forget about CJ Cron. He was taken right ahead of Sonny Gray at 17th overall

 

By pound we got a lot more for our money.

[Jay]

that it was a massive overpay

[halosfan1970]

not a very zen thread

 

Zen looks favorably on vegetarianism.

[meat]

No staff ace.  I don't believe Richards is that guy, and it's pretty much a prerequisite for WS contenders.  I hope I'm wrong about Richards, but I don't think so.

[yk9001]

The complaining wouldn't start until about April 19th, when that SOB still hadn't hit his first home run as an Angel.

[QuinlansMinion]

Nothing. I would be happy that we are serious about winning. This would be a pretty deep lineup

Escobar

Calhoun

Trout

Upton/Cespedes

Pujols

Cron

Simmons

Perez

Crappy 2nd basemen

Combined that with an above average rotation, a decent pen with a solid set up and closer. You might have something there.

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

First time Hamilton goes yard against the Halos in SPT?

[Chuck]

The ads here. 

[DailyHalo]

My Off-season Plans (In Order):

 

1.   Health                                               - Check                                        

2.   Left field                                            - 

3.   Front-end Type Starting pitcher         -

4.   3rd Baseman                                   - Check

5.   Trade Additional Starting Pitching     -   

6.   Power Bullpen Arm/Solid Lefty         -

7.   Shortstop                                         - Check

8.   Farm                                                - 

9.   Bench                                              - Check

10. Second Base                                   - 

 

So far the off-season is looking a little incomplete. I could have thrown a few more categories in there but these are the most important ones I could think of for THIS off-season. A few of these moves still have/need time too develop. IMO, the draft is going to encourage a lot of fans and a few trades can always be brewing. Some of these moves are easier than others but I see a lot of unchecked boxes but the ones we did check, are very solid players. Personally, we should give Johnny another season to lose the position. He isn't necessarily an all-star but we also have bigger holes to fix. If something comes to fruition, then so be it but Johnny has more to prove IMO.

Edited February 1, 2016 by DailyHalo

[Ransom Ballard]

I don't even like Escobar at 3rd base to be honest. He was really bad defensively last year. I would rather put Escobar at second base and try Cowart at Third Base. Giavotella can't field a baseball. I'm not saying Escobar would be a good defensive second baseman, but I think he has a better chance to be a better defensive second baseman than third basemen. He's proved he can't play third.

Should had thought about that before trading for him.

[QuinlansMinion]

I don't even like Escobar at 3rd base to be honest. He was really bad defensively last year. I would rather put Escobar at second base and try Cowart at Third Base. Giavotella can't field a baseball. I'm not saying Escobar would be a good defensive second baseman, but I think he has a better chance to be a better defensive second baseman than third basemen. He's proved he can't play third.

 

Exactly right.  If were going all in on this whole defense thing, why put crappy defenders at 3rd and 2nd?

[DailyHalo]

......He'll be a better defender than David "anti" Freese. There's a reason why our former third baseman, who was supposed to be leading the third base market, is still out in the cold. The best part is that Escobar is cheaper than Freese and gives Cowart one more year to develop, if need be. He could possibly even take over this year if Johnny s**t's the bed. Personally I don't see anything special in Kubitza and could be a nice piece in a trade.

Edited February 2, 2016 by DailyHalo

[halosfan1970]

......He'll be a better defender than David "anti" Freese. There's a reason why our former third baseman, who was supposed to be leading the third base market, is still out in the cold. The best part is that Escobar is cheaper than Freese and gives Cowart one more year to develop, if need be. He could possibly even take over this year if Johnny s**t's the bed. Personally I don't see anything special in Kubitza and could be a nice piece in a trade.

 

Is there something even approximating a coherent point here?

 

Both David Freese (121 innings) and Yunel Escobar (139 innings) played 3B exclusively in 2015. Based on UZR/150, Freese rated +0.6 (average) and Escobar rated -9.8 (poor.) 2015 was Escobar's first MLB season at 3B since he played 22 games there in 2007, so comparing statistical performance between the two prior to 2015 isn't possible. However, based on this full season, Freese is a significantly superior defensive 3B compared to Escobar.

 

Escobar is a less expensive contract than Freese. Escobar is a better base runner than Freese. Escobar is a higher OBP bat than Freese (Freese is a better SLG bat.) Escobar in no way projects to be a better defensive 3B than Freese.

[eaterfan]

Is there something even approximating a coherent point here?

 

Both David Freese (121 innings) and Yunel Escobar (139 innings) played 3B exclusively in 2015. Based on UZR/150, Freese rated +0.6 (average) and Escobar rated -9.8 (poor.) 2015 was Escobar's first MLB season at 3B since he played 22 games there in 2007, so comparing statistical performance between the two prior to 2015 isn't possible. However, based on this full season, Freese is a significantly superior defensive 3B compared to Escobar.

 

Escobar is a less expensive contract than Freese. Escobar is a better base runner than Freese. Escobar is a higher OBP bat than Freese (Freese is a better SLG bat.) Escobar in no way projects to be a better defensive 3B than Freese.

 

I'm not going to argue that it should be expected that Escobar will be better but Escobar was learning a new position last year. He should certainly improve. Having been a solid SS for several years suggests he has the skills to play a decent 3B. I would like to see Cowart get a shot there though. I think he will be the best defensive 3B option we have and maybe the bat will surprise. Escobar would likely be a big improvement over Gia defensively and has a shot to be a big offensive improvement too.

[Inside Pitch]

I'm not going to argue that it should be expected that Escobar will be better but Escobar was learning a new position last year. He should certainly improve. Having been a solid SS for several years suggests he has the skills to play a decent 3B. I would like to see Cowart get a shot there though. I think he will be the best defensive 3B option we have and maybe the bat will surprise. Escobar would likely be a big improvement over Gia defensively and has a shot to be a big offensive improvement too.

 

ST may end up settling where he plays...   If any part of the Cowitza duo plays well, we may in fact end up seeing Escobar at 2B.