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OC Register: Leaving winter meetings, Angels search for flexibility in final spots


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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — After day after plugging the most gaping hole in the Angels everyday lineup by getting Ian Kinsler, a sleep-deprived Billy Eppler prepared to leave the winter meetings on Thursday with more work ahead.

“There are some more boxes to check,” the Angels general manager said, describing the remaining pieces to find for his position player roster.

The search could be even more complicated by the Angels’ likely decision to use a six-man rotation. That eliminates one bench spot and creates a greater need for positional flexibility.

“We are trying to stay open minded with position players we add to the roster, and really putting a premium on flexibility,” Eppler said. “If we can acquire a guy who can play infield and outfield, that would be nice.”

Assuming the Angels have only 12 position players, at least nine of the spots are taken: catcher Martin Maldonado and his backup (Juan Graterol, at the moment), infielders Albert Pujols, Kinsler, Andrelton Simmons and Luis Valbuena, and outfielders Justin Upton, Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun.

That doesn’t include C.J. Cron, because he could be traded, depending on which skills the yet-to-be-acquired players bring.

At a minimum, the Angels still need someone who can back up both middle infield spots and a fourth outfielder who can play center. In a perfect world, they could be the same player.

“There’s not a lot of those players in baseball,” Eppler said, hinting that “sometimes you can create them,” presumably by teaching an infielder to play center. The Dodgers did it with Chris Taylor and the Seattle Mariners are attempting it with Dee Gordon.

Otherwise, there are endless permutations for the players they could still acquire.

They have been connected to Mike Moustakas, Todd Frazier and Chase Headley. Moustakas only plays third, but Frazier and Headley can play both corners. If they want to get even more versatile, they could look at players like Zack Cozart, Eduardo Nunez, Jose Reyes, Yangervis Solarte and Freddy Galvis. They can all play both middle infield positions and third.

As for the pitching staff, while Eppler wouldn’t rule out further additions, he said he has nine starters he’s comfortable starting a big league game: Garrett Richards, Shohei Ohtani, Andrew Heaney, Tyler Skaggs, Matt Shoemaker, Parker Bridwell, Nick Tropeano, JC Ramirez and prospect Jaime Barria. They also have a bullpen with few relievers who can be optioned, so they’d probably like to add relievers who have the flexibility to go between triple-A and the majors.

Most of the work has been done, keeping Justin Upton and adding Ohtani and Kinsler.

“I’m liking the groundwork that has been laid,” Eppler said. “I feel we’re bringing in guys who have performed in big environments, played on teams that have had some pressure. That pressure is a privilege, from our standpoint. I like the look of our club. I like the character of our club. Let’s see where it falls.”

INVESTIGATING THE LEAK?

Major league baseball will reportedly investigate the source of the leak that led to the publication of information from Ohtani’s medical report, which was provided to all 30 clubs during the process that led to him signing with the Angels.

Yahoo Sports obtained a copy of the report, which showed that Ohtani had been diagnosed with a first-degree sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament. Eppler said the Angels were aware of the condition, and they don’t believe it’s serious. Ohtani is currently throwing in Japan and is expected to be unrestricted when spring training begins.

ALSO

The Angels selected right-handed reliever Luke Bard from the Minnesota Twins in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft. Bard, 27, posted a 2.76 ERA with 99 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings last season, at Double-A and Triple-A. “He’s got power stuff, a plus secondary pitch, the ability to miss bats,” Eppler said. “We’re going to give him the opportunity to make our club.” If the Angels keep Bard, he will have to be on the major league roster all season, or else offered back to the Twins…

The Angels also selected shortstop Riley Unroe, from Tampa Bay, and right-hander Matt Ball, from Texas, in the minor league portion the Rule 5 draft. They do not need to be in the majors. The Angels lost right-hander Damien Magnifico to Pittsburgh.

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4 hours ago, AngelsWin.com said:

“I’m liking the groundwork that has been laid,” Eppler said. “I feel we’re bringing in guys who have performed in big environments, played on teams that have had some pressure. That pressure is a privilege, from our standpoint. I like the look of our club. I like the character of our club. Let’s see where it falls.”

that's a really nice quote by eppler. i really enjoyed his wording of, "that pressure is a privilege".

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4 hours ago, AngelsWin.com said:

Major league baseball will reportedly investigate the source of the leak that led to the publication of information from Ohtani’s medical report, which was provided to all 30 clubs during the process that led to him signing with the Angels.

not to be a rumor monger, because i don't believe that's actually in his character. but just for the soap opera-ishness of the story, i so badly want it to be jedi or someone in the mariner FO that leaked his medical report.

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I'll say it again, Jurickson Profar would solve a lot of depth issues we might run into.

1. Plays 2B, 3B and SS and is pretty good defensively.

2. Could platoon with Valbuena as he hit .387 against lefties last year in AAA.

3. Former top prospect that has some OF experience.

4, Rangers currently have a roster crunch on the infield, so they might lose him anyway.

5. Still has the kind of upside where he can grow into a starting role and be successful.

6. Is close friends with Andrelton Simmons and could flourish in a role that works in conjunction with SS like 2B.

If we offered even a decent pitching prospect like Jesus Castillo it would get the job done. Maybe a lesser one with reliever upside like Jake Jewell or a 4th OF like Brennon Lund.

 

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1 hour ago, Scotty@AW said:

I'll say it again, Jurickson Profar would solve a lot of depth issues we might run into.

1. Plays 2B, 3B and SS and is pretty good defensively.

2. Could platoon with Valbuena as he hit .387 against lefties last year in AAA.

3. Former top prospect that has some OF experience.

4, Rangers currently have a roster crunch on the infield, so they might lose him anyway.

5. Still has the kind of upside where he can grow into a starting role and be successful.

6. Is close friends with Andrelton Simmons and could flourish in a role that works in conjunction with SS like 2B.

If we offered even a decent pitching prospect like Jesus Castillo it would get the job done. Maybe a lesser one with reliever upside like Jake Jewell or a 4th OF like Brennon Lund.

I doubt the Rangers would do a trade with the angels especially not for a guy with upside like Profar.

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9 hours ago, Scotty@AW said:

I'll say it again, Jurickson Profar would solve a lot of depth issues we might run into.

1. Plays 2B, 3B and SS and is pretty good defensively.

2. Could platoon with Valbuena as he hit .387 against lefties last year in AAA.

3. Former top prospect that has some OF experience.

4, Rangers currently have a roster crunch on the infield, so they might lose him anyway.

5. Still has the kind of upside where he can grow into a starting role and be successful.

6. Is close friends with Andrelton Simmons and could flourish in a role that works in conjunction with SS like 2B.

If we offered even a decent pitching prospect like Jesus Castillo it would get the job done. Maybe a lesser one with reliever upside like Jake Jewell or a 4th OF like Brennon Lund.

 

Has played in the OF as well and Im sure he could learn and be decent in Center.

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9 hours ago, JarsOfClay said:

I doubt the Rangers would do a trade with the angels especially not for a guy with upside like Profar.

That's why I think ultimately something like Cron for Profar is more feasible. Rangers need a strong right-handed bat option at first as they work in guys like Guzman and Calhoun and to platoon out there with Gallo as they rotate guys around. Cron brings a level of proven 1B production that they need with potential for a lot more, but even if he remains the same it's a plus for them. There's a greater chance it bites the Angels in the ass than Texas, which unfortunately is what you have to offer to make it happen.

Cron could become quickly obsolete on the Rangers with their 1B minors depth though so it may only be a stopgap for them and only a temporary headache for the Angels.

Scotty has already made out the case for Profar and I agree that he'd be a great fit. You can replace Cron's spot on the roster with Headley or LoMo or Moreland, someone who may not have the upside or power as Cron but is at least more balanced and versatile.

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1 minute ago, Blarg said:

You need to get over your Profar obsession. 

While I agree with you, he is kind of the perfect pick up as long as we have a guy at AAA that can come up and play some SS when Profar gets hurt and Simmons needs a day off.  If you were to trade for Profar it frees up money to sign an arm or two.  

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8 minutes ago, Stradling said:

While I agree with you, he is kind of the perfect pick up as long as we have a guy at AAA that can come up and play some SS when Profar gets hurt and Simmons needs a day off.  If you were to trade for Profar it frees up money to sign an arm or two.  

that's what makes nunez the perfect fit here. Platoon with valbuena all over the diamond while being able to free up days off for simmons and kinsler. He has speed, can lead off, and plays multiple positions on the cheap.

Every last penny after that should go into the rotation and pen. With that signing they should easily be able to afford the likes of lets say Lynn, Reed and Watson.

Ohtani

Richards

Lynn

Skaggs

Bridwell

 

Nunez

Kinsler

Trout

Upton

Pujols

Calhoun

Ohtani

Simmons

Maldonado

 

 
R 1 Cam Bedrosian
  2 Blake Parker
  3 Jim Johnson
  4 Keynan Middleton
  5 Jose Alvarez
  6 Blake Wood
  7 Addison Reed
  8 Tony Watson
  9 Luke Bard

 

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13 minutes ago, Stradling said:

What am I missing with Nunez?  He’s only a year younger than Cozart and his WAR was 4.9 last year, while the CAREER WAR for Nunez is only 3.8 and that’s a span of 7 seasons.  

His speed. His flexibility around the diamond and his career OBP above .300 compared to Cozart. Oh ya and cheap. We don't need a stud at 3rd with the likes of Simmons having seemingly infinite range. We need someone to get on base and provide decent enough defense for the middle of the order to drive in. You have gold glovers up the middle from the catching position to center. 3rd base just needs to be serviceable. I'd much rather spend the money on pitching.

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2 minutes ago, Angelsfan1984 said:

His speed. His flexibility around the diamond and his career OBP above .300 compared to Cozart. Oh ya and cheap. We don't need a stud at 3rd with the likes of Simmons having seemingly infinite range. We need someone to get on base and provide decent enough defense for the middle of the order to drive in. You have gold glovers up the middle from the catching position to center. 3rd base just needs to be serviceable. I'd much rather spend the money on pitching.

So if we just need serviceable then you will be fine with Valbuena?

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1 minute ago, Stradling said:

So if we just need serviceable then you will be fine with Valbuena?

Yes. He will not be nearly as bad as he was last year. Lets say he comes up to .250 average .330 OBP and plays a decent 3rd while also manning 1st on off days for Albert but we can get someone like Lynn/Cobb/Reed because of it I'm more than fine with Valbuena.

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1 minute ago, Angelsfan1984 said:

Yes. He will not be nearly as bad as he was last year. Lets say he comes up to .250 average .330 OBP and plays a decent 3rd while also manning 1st on off days for Albert but we can get someone like Lynn/Cobb/Reed because of it I'm more than fine with Valbuena.

Yea, I said that in another thread.  But I actually believe the only way Valbuena is our everyday third baseman going into next year is if they sign a big money starter.  

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Just now, Stradling said:

Yea, I said that in another thread.  But I actually believe the only way Valbuena is our everyday third baseman going into next year is if they sign a big money starter.  

Which I would actually love. you cannot compete with Verlander and Keuchel with only Ohtani, Richards and a bunch of question marks in terms of arms being attached. Lynn has been the definition of consistent outside of the Tommy John and he's another year removed from it. Solid number 3 stuff. I'd be ok with Darvish but I'm not sure I'd spend 20+ mill on him. My happy place is around 15 mill per for a starter which should net one of Cobb or Lynn. If it can get Darvish great. Spend the other 10-15 on a closer. If that means Reed or Davis cool.

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