[Fangraphs] This Might Not Be The Angels Year

[Angelsjunky]

Pretty good summation of the situation. Nothing really new to us forum stalwarts but it lays out the dillemma of "buy, sell or hold" pretty well.

Right now the plan has to be to hold, at least until the ASB. We're 41-41 right now with 15 games until the ASB and 26 games until the deadline. The worrying thing is that the Angels have played at a .424 clip since their hot 13-3 start, with no signs of pulling out of it, including 6 losses in a row (and Trout slumping again). 

So you have two clear milestones: the ASB and the trade deadline. If the team continues to slump to the ASB, so goes 5-10 and is 46-51, then I think Eppler has to start thinking about shedding some parts and trying to get some prospects. Maybe Kinsler has some value, and if GA is healthy then he could net a nice little package and still be resigned in the offseason.

If they play around .500 ball to the ASB, you stay in a wait and see mode. Like last year. 

Now if the Angels turn around and go into the ASB hot, then you have to start thinking about adding some relievers. You still play wait and see, but let's say the team is up 5 games over .500 and the Mariners start regressing to the mean.

Anyhow, we shall see.

[GrittyVeterans]

If you trade Richards, he’s not going to come back in Free Agency unless you overpay. The only way they trade Richards is if he’s not in the teams plans for the future

[laagamer]

Remember the cinema classic Dodgeball, by any chance?

You see, if you never set any goals in life, then you can never fail. 

I'm really enjoying watching the Angels this season. 

[Lou]

Well, I guess that makes sense, in a really sad way.

[Angelsjunky]

I heard a psychologist talking on NPR a couple years ago who said that the secret to happiness is...ready for it?....

low expectations. 

 

[JarsOfClay]

We say they should sell every year since 2015, but they never do. And it costs the team a chance to fix holes in the bullpen and bench for next season.

They have to decide if they actually want to win next year, or keep the illusion going till the last game of the season.

[mulwin444]

4 hours ago, GrittyVeterans said:

If you trade Richards, he’s not going to come back in Free Agency unless you overpay. The only way they trade Richards is if he’s not in the teams plans for the future

Well, he's not coming back in free agency even if he's not traded unless they overpay so not seeing how that would hurt either way.  

[fan_since79]

4 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

I heard a psychologist talking on NPR a couple years ago who said that the secret to happiness is...ready for it?....

low expectations. 

 

Then I must be the happiest man in the world.

[Stradling]

5 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

I heard a psychologist talking on NPR a couple years ago who said that the secret to happiness is...ready for it?....

low expectations. 

 

Of course you did (just kidding)

[T.G.]

"This might not be the Angels year"

Ya think?

[Glen]

Thank god we have stats to reinforce this outside-the-box thinking or I'd never believe it.

[T.G.]

I like how definitive the statement is.

[Docwaukee]

being 1-11 vs NY and Boston has kicked us in the nuts for sure.  being .500 vs. them would put us 5 back of seattle and in striking distance.  Even salvaging one game from each series puts them even with Oakland.  But maybe that keeps us from appropriately selling at the deadline.