2015 Decisions by Angels & Orioles Bears Fruit Today

[TroutBaseball]

In 2015 the Angels and the Orioles made different organizational decisions. Both were coming off great seasons and hoping to return to the playoffs. The Orioles decided to double down and spend as big as possible and deplete their farm system (same thing in 2016). The Angels played it conservatively and accepted missing out on the playoffs for the next three years.  The Angels have the hope of a future moving into 2018, the Orioles do not.

This could entirely be explained by the extension Trout signed in 2014. The Angels knew they had time in the future, the Orioles knew they would never resign Machado and had to go for it immediately.  It didn't work out for the Orioles. The tragedy of that will probably be based on whether it takes them more than 3-4 years to contend again. If the Angels contend this year and start bringing in talent next year it would seem they made the better decision. An 80-win Angels team would be a different story.

[Angel Oracle]

O's may eventually fall back in about two years to not far from where they were in 1988 (0-21 start).   That is a messed up franchise, might as well be the Tiggers. 

[Support The Local Team]

Did the Orioles not give Davis the massive contract AFTER the failed drug test?

[ettin]

On 1/3/2018 at 10:21 AM, TroutBaseball said:

In 2015 the Angels and the Orioles made different organizational decisions. Both were coming off great seasons and hoping to return to the playoffs. The Orioles decided to double down and spend as big as possible and deplete their farm system (same thing in 2016). The Angels played it conservatively and accepted missing out on the playoffs for the next three years.  The Angels have the hope of a future moving into 2018, the Orioles do not.

This could entirely be explained by the extension Trout signed in 2014. The Angels knew they had time in the future, the Orioles knew they would never resign Machado and had to go for it immediately.  It didn't work out for the Orioles. The tragedy of that will probably be based on whether it takes them more than 3-4 years to contend again. If the Angels contend this year and start bringing in talent next year it would seem they made the better decision. An 80-win Angels team would be a different story.

Respectfully I do not believe this statement is how the Angels front office viewed it at all. They may not have had the firepower to get it done but I do not believe there was ever a year or moment where they were not trying to win and accept "missing out on the playoffs'. It was a matter of circumstances and actual results not of a direct desire by the front office to boot those seasons and not compete.

[Angel Oracle]

2 hours ago, ettin said:

Respectfully I do not believe this statement is how the Angels front office viewed it at all. They may not have had the firepower to get it done but I do not believe there was ever a year or moment where they were not trying to win and accept "missing out on the playoffs'. It was a matter of circumstances and actual results not of a direct desire by the front office to boot those seasons and not compete.

And in fact they WC contended to the last day of the 2015 regular season, and finished just 5 games back of the Twins in 2017.   Seems like despite the massive LF/2B/injured pitchers issues, they were still able to stick with the plan to contend while building a solid farm system.

I.E.W.T. (In Eppler We Trust)

[Chris]

Had a bad feeling for the Orioles when they signed Chris Davis and Trumbo to new deals.  You only need one costly, aging, slugging 1B not two. 

[Fish Oil]

I've been reading a little about the Orioles lately. That franchise seems to be in deep trouble and appear to have no coherent plan moving forward.

[Angel Oracle]

27 minutes ago, Fish Oil said:

I've been reading a little about the Orioles lately. That franchise seems to be in deep trouble and appear to have no coherent plan moving forward.

How long before they fire Showalter, even though he isn't the GM or farm director?

[Fish Oil]

7 hours ago, Angel Oracle said:

How long before they fire Showalter, even though he isn't the GM or farm director?

This is both Showalter and Duquette's last year under contract. I don't know if either will be fired before then, but will they be renewed?

[Chris]

1 hour ago, Fish Oil said:

This is both Showalter and Duquette's last year under contract. I don't know if either will be fired before then, but will they be renewed?

Figure at least one goes, maybe 1 stays