Angels acquire 2B Brandon Phillips from Braves for C Tony Sanchez

[DailyHalo]

Well we've improved our chances of making the playoffs today. It might not have been pitching but our offense is much improved. We still have more RH hitters than I'd like but the remainder of the season is going to be interesting  and I hope these moves put us over the top in the wild card.

[tdawg87]

2 black dudes in the same day? This is basically the greatest day in Angels history.

[Billy_Ball]

From Danny Espinosa to Kaleb Cowart to Brandon Phillips...2nd base keeps getting better this season.

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

8 hours ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

Right now in a one game playoff, it would probably be bridwell....hes been great, but in that atmosphere id rather have more experience.

If Heaney can continue to throw his curve ball for strikes like in his last start, the rest of September he might be a candidate to pitch that one game wild card play in. It's too early to tell who will have the hot hand come post season.

[eligrba]

9 hours ago, Scotty@AW said:

Verlander has an entire career of success.  I asked you to look at his most recent year, and his last ten starts.  That isn't exactly cherry picking. 

Completely ignoring the truth won't help your argument either. 

Angels signed a first baseman who also had an entire career of success.  I am not convinced that it has worked out as planned.

[California Cajun]

What a tedious read!  Glad the Angels got the players they wanted.

[Blarg]

10 hours ago, JarsOfClay said:

Cherry picking stats doesnt help your argument.

Being an idiot doesn't help yours.

[Angel Oracle]

It's a shame he will likely either retire or go back to Atlanta after the season.   Otherwise, he would be a good 1 year option for 2018.

Anyone remember his bro playing in the org?   Always had some promise, but wasn't able to get to the bigs.

[Angel Oracle]

11 hours ago, eaterfan said:

 

The point is that Verlander is at the age where the excuses become more and more and you have to squint harder and harder to make his numbers look like they used to. He's still owed a lot of money.

Two years with a team option year isn't bad though.   Astros made a good acquisition.   Those prospects were seeing a tough lineup to crack anyway, one without much aging in it.

He's been dominant his past 9 starts (sub 2.50 ERA).

[DMVol]

7 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

It's a shame he will likely either retire or go back to Atlanta after the season.   Otherwise, he would be a good 1 year option for 2018.

Not sure I'd rule out 2018....if he really enjoys his time this month (and hopefully into October), since you're only talking about one year, he might be ok with it....obviously it would also depend on what Eppler thinks his options are at 2b....if he has something more long term in mind, you probably don't consider Phillips on a one year deal, even if he really enjoys his time with the team and would like to stay.....

[Docwaukee]

8 hours ago, tdawg87 said:

2 black dudes in the same day? This is basically the greatest day in Angels history.

-Adam

 

[Angel Oracle]

11 hours ago, Scotty@AW said:

Look at his last 10 starts.  Look at his last 5 starts.  Look at his last year numbers.  Verlander is a freakin' awesome pitcher and is as effective as he's ever been.  Just because he's going to our rival and the Angels won't get him doesn't mean I'll lesson who he is, what he's done and what he's currently doing right now.

But that's fine.  We'll put Richards or Heaney against him in the ALDS and cruise to the Pennant. 

+1 to the first thing

I wouldn't put it past GRich and Heaney to pitch well in a one game WC though.

[Angel Oracle]

15 hours ago, fan_since79 said:

There is the 19 GIDP this year though...

 

And the 19 BBs in 500 at bats

But otherwise, dang good acquisition for the stretch drive

[Angel Oracle]

Only need 4 starters in the post-season.   Heaney, Skaggs, GRich, and NoStuffCo.

Look who the Cards had in 2006, including Mope.

 

[JarsOfClay]

5 hours ago, Blarg said:

Being an idiot doesn't help yours.

Why dont you post your opinion then fatass?

Too much of a coward?

[Farmbuildingfan]

As promised. I  now mostly retract my frustration with a 36 year old acquisition since it  basically did not cost  anything.

I cannot retract it 100% until I see that Cowart is still an Angel next year and that Phillips is not his "permanent replacement"  after Cowart is soon traded.

With Simmons as a notable exception, I have this fantasy that the Angels will someday  acquire position players who are under 30.

 

[Billy_Ball]

Still younger than Chase Utley.

[Billy_Ball]

19 hours ago, Angel Oracle said:

It's a shame he will likely either retire or go back to Atlanta after the season.   Otherwise, he would be a good 1 year option for 2018.

Anyone remember his bro playing in the org?   Always had some promise, but wasn't able to get to the bigs.

I have to google that one.  The only players I remember that had the last name "Phillips" in the organization were Tony "Ivanhoe Motel" Phillips and former 1B prospect J.R. Phillips.

[Jay]

On 8/31/2017 at 8:49 PM, nate said:

I mean, Houston was already the worst city in America before last weekend...

I heard real estate is cheap though.

 

[tdawg87]

21 hours ago, Farmbuildingfan said:

As promised. I  now mostly retract my frustration with a 36 year old acquisition since it  basically did not cost  anything.

I cannot retract it 100% until I see that Cowart is still an Angel next year and that Phillips is not his "permanent replacement"  after Cowart is soon traded.

With Simmons as a notable exception, I have this fantasy that the Angels will someday  acquire position players who are under 30.

 

How often are players under 30 even available? Most free agents will be at least 29-30 when they hit the market, and if they're younger you can expect to pay a ridiculous price (See Jason Hayward). 

[tomsred]

41 minutes ago, tdawg87 said:

How often are players under 30 even available? Most free agents will be at least 29-30 when they hit the market, and if they're younger you can expect to pay a ridiculous price (See Jason Hayward). 

That's a really good point.  Teams jump through hoops and generally overpay if you're a free agent under 30.