The Angels need an arm ahead of Richards in the rotation

[Chuck]

Whether a FA signing or trade, we need a top of the rotation starter to lead the rotation ahead of Richards. 

I do not think that Heaney, Skaggs, Shoemaker and Bridwell should be solely counted on to fill out the rotation. 

Let one of those 4 compete for the final 3 spots in the rotation. 

[totdprods]

And how exactly do we acquire someone of that caliber? We either guy the farm or clog the payroll. 

We just don't have the ability to nab a #1-type pitcher this offseason without Eppler really breaking from his usual MO. 

I agree that we need one but I can't see a realistic path to it. I still think our most realistic approach is hoping for a rotation akin to the '02 Angels or '05 White Sox or '15 Royals - four or five dudes making 25+ starts at a level roughly equivalent to what a #3 type SP would give you.

The offense really needs help too and that is going to cost some money and creativity, especially if Upton re-signs.

[Angel Oracle]

We know that one team won't be competing for a while, as Dipussy is destroying the M's like he did the Halos.

Beware of slick talkers who sound great but in reality suck as a GM!

[GrittyVeterans]

Clog the payroll? Hamilton's 25 million is coming off the books this offseason. Use that money

[Chuck]

6 minutes ago, totdprods said:

And how exactly do we acquire someone of that caliber? We either guy the farm or clog the payroll. 

We just don't have the ability to nab a #1-type pitcher this offseason without Eppler really breaking from his usual MO. 

I agree that we need one but I can't see a realistic path to it. I still think our most realistic approach is hoping for a rotation akin to the '02 Angels or '05 White Sox or '15 Royals - four or five dudes making 25+ starts at a level roughly equivalent to what a #3 type SP would give you.

The offense really needs help too and that is going to cost some money and creativity, especially if Upton re-signs.

We will have $$$ and honestly if Arte wants to win he's going to need to go above the luxury tax.

Oh and, it's still not my money..

[totdprods]

4 minutes ago, GrittyVeterans said:

Clog the payroll? Hamilton's 25 million is coming off the books this offseason. Use that money

If Upton stays that money is already spent.

[totdprods]

Just now, Chuckster70 said:

We will have $$$ and honestly if Arte wants to win he's going to need to go above the luxury tax.

Oh and, it's still not my money..

Do we have enough money to secure a #1 SP, Upton, 3B, 2B, a UT IF, 4th OF, and pen depth, at a minimum? Upton and an ace alone will cost upwards of $50m a year, and anything reasonable at 3B and 2B will cost another $15-20m. 

[Chuck]

Just now, totdprods said:

Do we have enough money to secure a #1 SP, Upton, 3B, 2B, a UT IF, 4th OF, and pen depth, at a minimum? Upton and an ace alone will cost upwards of $50m a year, and anything reasonable at 3B and 2B will cost another $15-20m. 

If we keep Upton, sign Moustakas and sign or trade for a true #1 or even solid #2, I'm fine with them getting creative in a trade for a 2B or give the job to Fletcher. I'd like for them to trade for Panik.

[totdprods]

3 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

If we keep Upton, sign Moustakas and sign or trade for a true #1 or even solid #2, I'm fine with them getting creative in a trade for a 2B or give the job to Fletcher. I'd like for them to trade for Panik.

With Upton in the fold, as I mentioned in another thread, I think suddenly a Moustakas and Upton outcome is in the cards and would sufficiently boost the offense - but it probably handcuffs what they can do with the pitching, so you're just rolling the dice on everyone staying healthy and pitching decent. Not the worst plan for '18 but still a bit risky for my taste.

I do agree that with Upton and Moustakas, you can get away with a replacement level player or one-year flier vet at 2B, and bank on guys like Cron and Valbuena holding down first, with hope that Calhoun plays up again. Very realistic scenario that could be a good offense.

I just have a hard time seeing Eppler shelling out a mega-contract for Darvish, Arrieta, etc. - it's not his style and those huge SP contracts have a terrible success rate. The risk is just not worth it.

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

37 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

Whether a FA signing or trade, we need a top of the rotation starter to lead the rotation ahead of Richards. 

I do not think that Heaney, Skaggs, Shoemaker and Bridwell should be solely counted on to fill out the rotation. 

Let one of those 4 compete for the final 3 spots in the rotation. 

Tropeano

[Mark68]

If Upton stays, given the need for a frontline starter, Moustakas is not in the cards. Eduardo Nunez would probably be more affordable as someone who could play 2B or 3B.

That leaves money for Arrieta, Lynn, or Cobb.

I still think they should try to sign Otani. I don't care how many of you think it's unrealistic he'd come here. They need to at least make the effort.

[arch stanton]

When you sign an expensive starter you're always one pitch away from having an expensive hole in your rotation. I'd rather get a mid level starter and work the pen. If they have tradeable assets they're better used on a 2B

[tomsred]

25 minutes ago, arch stanton said:

When you sign an expensive starter you're always one pitch away from having an expensive hole in your rotation. I'd rather get a mid level starter and work the pen. If they have tradeable assets they're better used on a 2B

I agree Arch, keep working on improving the pen.  Also, I would like two middle tie starters who can go a full year like Nolasco, but with better results.  

[JustATroutFan]

I guess the Angels could take a look at both Arrieta and Darvish this offseason. But both guys have been inconsistent this year so they must take into consideration if they throw a big contract at one of them. And don't forget age, neither guys are young entering free agency.

[greginpsca]

2 hours ago, totdprods said:

Do we have enough money to secure a #1 SP, Upton, 3B, 2B, a UT IF, 4th OF, and pen depth, at a minimum? Upton and an ace alone will cost upwards of $50m a year, and anything reasonable at 3B and 2B will cost another $15-20m. 

And then you still have a bullpen to rebuild. 

[ettin]

2 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

Whether a FA signing or trade, we need a top of the rotation starter to lead the rotation ahead of Richards. 

I do not think that Heaney, Skaggs, Shoemaker and Bridwell should be solely counted on to fill out the rotation. 

Let one of those 4 compete for the final 3 spots in the rotation. 

I agree with this 100%. It is a primary focus in the upcoming Annual Primer. There are a small handful of options out there.

[Troll Daddy]

Trade Trout for the best young players on the planet and save $30M dollars ... and get a elite young starter in the trade 

[Docwaukee]

7 minutes ago, Troll Daddy said:

Trade Trout for the best young players on the planet and save $30M dollars ... and get a elite young starter in the trade 

Trout is the best young player on the planet.  

[ettin]

21 minutes ago, Troll Daddy said:

Trade Trout for the best young players on the planet and save $30M dollars ... and get a elite young starter in the trade 

Wrong forum. Again.

[Bull58]

Arrieta, ARTE SPEND THE MONEY!

 

Unless you lost it under the same mattress you lost the money to resign Torii and instead get Hamilton. Then you'll probably get someone like Francisco Liriano.

[VariousCrap]

I think the Angels should stay away from the high end guys like Darvish and Arrieta.

Lynn is the way to go IMO.

[Bull58]

7 minutes ago, VariousCrap said:

I think the Angels should stay away from the high end guys like Darvish and Arrieta.

Lynn is the way to go IMO.

Now that's a good point because Lynn is very consistent. We may be able to get him for $9M. It's like replacing Nolasco with the same price but with someone who can actually pitch.

[tdawg87]

9 minutes ago, Bull58 said:

Now that's a good point because Lynn is very consistent. We may be able to get him for $9M. It's like replacing Nolasco with the same price but with someone who can actually pitch.

Lynn will easily get 18 million a year, at least. Probably over 20 mil.

While he's definitely an upgrade, if the Angels are going to spend that kind of money, they should definitely go after Arrieta IMO. Lynn's peripherals this year scare me.

Career worsts in FIP, HR/9, BB/9, K/9, and K/BB.

They'll all be huge risks though.

[DMVol]

We can win with solid starting pitching, we don't have to have a top of the rotation guy.......the pitching has been decent in Sept...the offense has been the problem...lots of weak links in the lineup...and they're all likely back next year....

[Slegnaac]

If they spend high on FAs this off season, how does that impact their ability to offer a deal to Trout in the future?  Or should they not worry about that?