Eppler is aggressive in November

[Second Base]

November 2015 - Starts the offseason off with bang by trading Erick Aybar, Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis for Andrelton Simmons and Jose Briceno. 

November 2016 - Starts the offeason with a bang by trading for Cam Maybin, who was coming off a career year.  Expectations were high. 

November 2017 - Starts the offseason with a bang by immediately signing their biggest free agent (Justin Upton) to a 5 year contract.  Could be seen as an extension.  Also immediately starts angling for Ohtani acquisition by preparing interview and trading for international spending ability, as well as reliever Jim Johnson. 

______________________________

I'm guessing Billy Eppler already has something planned, but is waiting to execute it until the day after the World Series.  So what major move do you guys see happening first? I'll throw this one out of LF, but I think he's going to trade a prospect for Marcus Stroman. 

[Jeff Fletcher]

11 minutes ago, Scotty@AW said:

I'm guessing Billy Eppler already has something planned, but is waiting to execute it until the day after the World Series.  So what major move do you guys see happening first? I'll throw this one out of LF, but I think he's going to trade a prospect for Marcus Stroman. 

He was never hiring a manager in any of those years.

I believe he's spending almost 100 percent of his time on that.

[Second Base]

12 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

He was never hiring a manager in any of those years.

I believe he's spending almost 100 percent of his time on that.

Very true, though I do believe he's quite capable of doing more than one thing at a time. 

[Second Base]

Other guys I can see him trading for, depending on the price, Alex Cobb, Dan Straily, Robbie Ray, Zack Godley or one of the Padres many pitching prospects. 

[hangin n wangin]

10 minutes ago, Scotty@AW said:

Other guys I can see him trading for, depending on the price, Alex Cobb, Dan Straily, Robbie Ray, Zack Godley or one of the Padres many pitching prospects. 

[Second Base]

8 minutes ago, hangin n wangin said:

YOu should check out Cobb's second half numbers, and how he performed the rest of his career, despite being in the AL East.  Really not bad.  Could be a decent buy-low opportunity too, because the Orioles are rebuilding and will probably be looking to shed as much salary as possible.  He probably won't cost much in terms of prospect capital either depending on how much of that contract the Angels are willing to take on. 

[failos]

“Eppler is aggressive in November”

 

That’s what she said.

[hangin n wangin]

2 minutes ago, Scotty@AW said:

YOu should check out Cobb's second half numbers, and how he performed the rest of his career, despite being in the AL East.  Really not bad.  Could be a decent buy-low opportunity too, because the Orioles are rebuilding and will probably be looking to shed as much salary as possible.  He probably won't cost much in terms of prospect capital either depending on how much of that contract the Angels are willing to take on. 

Yea, he was a solid pitcher before he got to the Orioles. And I will admit, I didn't pay much attention to him the second half of the year. It does look like he turned things around. 

I still am not down.

[Second Base]

6 minutes ago, hangin n wangin said:

Yea, he was a solid pitcher before he got to the Orioles. And I will admit, I didn't pay much attention to him the second half of the year. It does look like he turned things around. 

I still am not down.

He's owed 3 years 43 million left on the contract.  If we got the O's to eat some of that, say 16 million of it, it knocks the price down to 3 years 27 million for the Angels.  If the Orioles can get out of all but 16 million of that, they would at least consider it I think.  Then if we start discussing non-premium prospects with some upside that could be part of their rebuild, you'd have to think they'd accept.  Maybe Joe Gatto or Chris Rodriguez. 

It's not the sexiest option, but he'll get you 150+ innings a year, and if his career performance or second have periphs are any indication, there is a chance he turns into a good #2/3 starter, especially getting him away from the hitter-happy parks back east like Camden, Rogers Centre, Yankee Stadium, Fenway.  The majority of his starts take place in those parks.  You put him in a neutral or pitchers friendly environment and we might see half or third of a run knocked off his ERA. 

[hangin n wangin]

15 minutes ago, Scotty@AW said:

He's owed 3 years 43 million left on the contract.  If we got the O's to eat some of that, say 16 million of it, it knocks the price down to 3 years 27 million for the Angels.  If the Orioles can get out of all but 16 million of that, they would at least consider it I think.  Then if we start discussing non-premium prospects with some upside that could be part of their rebuild, you'd have to think they'd accept.  Maybe Joe Gatto or Chris Rodriguez. 

It's not the sexiest option, but he'll get you 150+ innings a year, and if his career performance or second have periphs are any indication, there is a chance he turns into a good #2/3 starter, especially getting him away from the hitter-happy parks back east like Camden, Rogers Centre, Yankee Stadium, Fenway.  The majority of his starts take place in those parks.  You put him in a neutral or pitchers friendly environment and we might see half or third of a run knocked off his ERA. 

Your points are valid, no doubt. And I do agree he can get back to respectable numbers, and if he did that, he would be a bargain for 3 years, 27 million.

I also think there is close to as good of a chance the guy is a Blanton turd, which is why I'm hesitant. I'm still against getting him, especially if we could get Ray or Godly, but your points are valid.

[Second Base]

6 minutes ago, hangin n wangin said:

Your points are valid, no doubt. And I do agree he can get back to respectable numbers, and if he did that, he would be a bargain for 3 years, 27 million.

I also think there is close to as good of a chance the guy is a Blanton turd. I'm still against getting him, especially if we could get Ray or Godly, but your points are valid.

I just worry about the prospect cost in acquiring a Robbie Ray type.  I mean Eppler's done such an amazing job building the farm, do we want to be subtracting from it significantly?  That's what got us into that mess int he first place, and the Angels are really about to start reaping the rewards of that rebuilt farm. 

Jaime Barria and David Fletcher carved out feature roles going forward, Taylor Ward has definitely put himself into the mix.  Next year Griffin Canning, Jose Suarez, Matt Thaiss, Luis Rengifo and Jared Walsh are going to be competing to playing time at the top level.  The year after that we're looking at Jo Adell, Aaron Hernandez (my guess), Jahmai Jones and Brandon Marsh.

Things are about to get pretty interesting around here and that's a lot of homegrown, inexpensive talent.  That could free the Angels up financially to retain Trout, or if that's not in the cards, sign a game-changing free agent. 

I'm hoping there's an option out there that really only costs money and not draft picks or good prospects, that could also be more than a back-end inning eater like Blanton was.  I really like Stroman. 

[Docwaukee]

Cobb would be an absolute salary dump.  If we gave up a damn thing to get him, I would be pissed. 

[Second Base]

2 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

Cobb would be an absolute salary dump.  If we gave up a damn thing to get him, I would be pissed. 

Would you consider Joe Gatto a damn thing?  Because that's what I envision.  Salary dump, and a non-elite prospect.  

[ScruffytheJanitor]

November? I 'ardly know her!

[wopphil]

I'd seriously think about sending Calhoun to the Orioles in exchange for Cobb and 5-6 mil. Cobb effectively becomes a 3/27 player, and we can pursue a guy like Pollock to play right and bat lead off. 

[Jeff Fletcher]

5 minutes ago, wopphil said:

I'd seriously think about sending Calhoun to the Orioles in exchange for Cobb and 5-6 mil. Cobb effectively becomes a 3/27 player, and we can pursue a guy like Pollock to play right and bat lead off. 

This actually makes some financial sense. The Orioles get rid of a big contract, even if they don’t save any money in 2019. 

Cobb makes 14, 14 and 15. 

Calhoun makes 10.5 and then a 1M buyout. 

If the O’s sent the Angels Cobb plus $3M, both teams would spend the same in 2019 but then the Orioles would be rid of the 20 and 21 salaries. 

The question is do the Angels really think Cobb is any good? That’s a lot of money to take if he’s really as bad as he was last year. Cobb doesn’t seem like an Eppler guy. 

Now if you can find someone who has a higher K/9 and a bad contract....

I also think they probably feel like they could just sign a FA like Lance Lynn who’d be the same as Cobb, and they get to keep Calhoun. Moving Calhoun only really works if you are sure you can get a significant upgrade. And you’ll have to pay for that. 

[Docwaukee]

27 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

This actually makes some financial sense. The Orioles get rid of a big contract, even if they don’t save any money in 2019. 

Cobb makes 14, 14 and 15. 

Calhoun makes 10.5 and then a 1M buyout. 

If the O’s sent the Angels Cobb plus $3M, both teams would spend the same in 2019 but then the Orioles would be rid of the 20 and 21 salaries. 

The question is do the Angels really think Cobb is any good? That’s a lot of money to take if he’s really as bad as he was last year. Cobb doesn’t seem like an Eppler guy. 

Now if you can find someone who has a higher K/9 and a bad contract....

I also think they probably feel like they could just sign a FA like Lance Lynn who’d be the same as Cobb, and they get to keep Calhoun. Moving Calhoun only really works if you are sure you can get a significant upgrade. And you’ll have to pay for that. 

not a fan of this.  partly because I think Cobb isn't very good, partly because of the hole in RF that isn't likely to be filled internally until Adell is ready about a year from now and partly because I'd bet on Calhoun to be his avg career self next year and not the abomination he was this year.  

[Hubs]

I'd like to see modest additions made via trade or free agency or both. I'd like them to get a starter via trade and one via free agency. If Heaney, Skaggs, and Barria are guaranteed spots in 2018, With Pena, Meyer, Shoemaker, and Tropeano all in the mix as well, that's already 7 guys for the rotation.

Getting a guy like Jon Jay may help the offense, at a small cost.

But I could see Realmuto, because he doesn't make very much money. I know it would cost prospects, but honestly short of Adell, and probably Canning, I'd give up whatever it took.

 

 

 

[stormngt]

5 minutes ago, Hubs said:

I'd like to see modest additions made via trade or free agency or both. I'd like them to get a starter via trade and one via free agency. If Heaney, Skaggs, and Barria are guaranteed spots in 2018, With Pena, Meyer, Shoemaker, and Tropeano all in the mix as well, that's already 7 guys for the rotation.

Getting a guy like Jon Jay may help the offense, at a small cost.

But I could see Realmuto, because he doesn't make very much money. I know it would cost prospects, but honestly short of Adell, and probably Canning, I'd give up whatever it took.

 

 

 

How many of those guys are out of options?

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

3 hours ago, hangin n wangin said:

Yea, he was a solid pitcher before he got to the Orioles. And I will admit, I didn't pay much attention to him the second half of the year. It does look like he turned things around. 

I still am not down.

He blamed his slow start on the owners for holding out signing FA. he said he never had a true spring training.

[ukyah]

22 minutes ago, Hubs said:

I'd like to see modest additions made via trade or free agency or both. I'd like them to get a starter via trade and one via free agency. If Heaney, Skaggs, and Barria are guaranteed spots in 2018, With Pena, Meyer, Shoemaker, and Tropeano all in the mix as well, that's already 7 guys for the rotation.

Getting a guy like Jon Jay may help the offense, at a small cost.

But I could see Realmuto, because he doesn't make very much money. I know it would cost prospects, but honestly short of Adell, and probably Canning, I'd give up whatever it took.

 

 

 

it varies some, but on average an mlb team will need 11 starters for it's rotation over 162 game season. this is a fact that is always very hard for fans to grasp, i understand you're advocating getting more from the 7, but even so the angels need to have 13 starting pitcher candidates between mlb, AAA, AA that they can realistically use to win mlb games. this is why people who focus on offense over pitching, thinking the pitching staff is "good to go" are never right. you always need more pitching. you think you have enough pitching? you need more pitching.

[Lou]

4 minutes ago, ukyah said:

it varies some, but on average an mlb team will need 11 starters for it's rotation over 162 game season. this is a fact that is always very hard for fans to grasp, i understand you're advocating getting more from the 7, but even so the angels need to have 13 starting pitcher candidates between mlb, AAA, AA that they can realistically use to win mlb games. this is why people who focus on offense over pitching, thinking the pitching staff is "good to go" are never right. you always need more pitching. you think you have enough pitching? you need more pitching.

how many would you say we have right now?

[Lou]

6 minutes ago, Ace-Of-Diamonds said:

He blamed his slow start on the owners for holding out signing FA. he said he never had a true spring training.

allow me to translate:

" I sucked, but it wasn't my fault "

[Second Base]

Just now, Lou said:

how many would you say we have right now?

If we figure the starting five are Skaggs, Heaney, Barria, Pena and Shoe, and the 40 man includes Bridwell and Tropeano. In AAA/AA we have Canning, Suarez, Sandoval and Pena. 

That's 11.

But I'm thinking this number will end up being inaccurate. Shoe may or may not be tendered a contract. It sounds like the team may upgrade over him, so we may not be able to count him. Pena may be moving to the pen if they grab two starters. Tropeano is out of options and won't be in the rotation, so he's likely done. Bridwell is just as likely to be put on waivers as he is to be promoted, I wouldn't count on him either. And Pena profiles better in relief.

So really, I think we're legitimately 7/8 deep. Shooting for 10 is realistic. So two starters acquired via FA/trade.

[Second Base]

1 hour ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

This actually makes some financial sense. The Orioles get rid of a big contract, even if they don’t save any money in 2019. 

Cobb makes 14, 14 and 15. 

Calhoun makes 10.5 and then a 1M buyout. 

If the O’s sent the Angels Cobb plus $3M, both teams would spend the same in 2019 but then the Orioles would be rid of the 20 and 21 salaries. 

The question is do the Angels really think Cobb is any good? That’s a lot of money to take if he’s really as bad as he was last year. Cobb doesn’t seem like an Eppler guy. 

Now if you can find someone who has a higher K/9 and a bad contract....

I also think they probably feel like they could just sign a FA like Lance Lynn who’d be the same as Cobb, and they get to keep Calhoun. Moving Calhoun only really works if you are sure you can get a significant upgrade. And you’ll have to pay for that. 

I've read a few of your posts lately, and I feel like you're alluding to Zack Greinke. I doubt he'd waive his NTC though. Perhaps Strasburg or Scherzer if the Nats decide to sell, which it doesn't seem they're inclined to. There's no way the Angels would have interest in Jordan Zimmerman, I hope.