After Cole, what?

[wopphil]

Let's say we sign Cole on Tuesday. Then what? We can't be done at that point. There will presumably be a little money left to play with, a few trade chips in the farm, and plenty of holes still to fix. 

What is Eppler's next move in the hopeful event we get Cole this week? We need another couple of talented pieces after Cole.

I like an idea @Chuckster70proposed of a trade involving Contreras/Darvish. If the Cubs would eat enough of Darvish's deal, that could be a trade worth moving some of our better chips.

 

[eligrba]

Complaining that Eppler paid too much.

[Claude]

The pressor. 

[Stradling]

Assuming they sign Cole and that is the first thing they do at the winter meetings, then I see a couple of smaller moves.  They are said to be interested in Lindholm, so that is a possibility.  We have to assume a Maldonado signing is going to happen if they are getting Cole.  So Maldonado could happen first as a precursor to a Cole signing.  I still believe they are looking for a long term solution for catcher so I will stick to my belief that they will trade for a blocked minor league catcher.  I also still believe they may pull off a good size trade for a starter.  

[popo85]

Hopefully they go after a 2-3 tier starter- Tehran, Dallas K via FA or trade for a starter then end with a catcher

[Second Base]

After Cole, then Strasburg, after Strasburg, Maldonado, after Martin.... Win.

[Taylor]

1. Sign Gerrit Cole

2. ???

3. Profit

 

[ettin]

This type of question is exactly what the Primer Series is for!!!! Yay!

[totdprods]

I posted something like this in another thread...I think he has sort of three different options he could take...

• Option A : The Rotation
  • add a third modestly priced SP ($8m-$15m AAV) like Keuchel, Roark, Wood, Wacha, Perez, or Quintana by trade
  • round out roster with minor offensive pieces (Luke Maile, Devon Travis, etc.) and cheap relief depth via ST invites like the Bud Norris/Yusmeiro Petit days, costing around $5m-$10m AAV total
     
• Option B : More Offense
  • add a third SP on the very cheap side - Homer Bailey, Drew Smyly, Matt Moore, Jeremy Hellickson, Tyson Ross, Kevin Gausman, maybe Josh Lindblom? - someone around $2m-$8m AAV
  • add a significant offensive piece - maybe one of Castellanos or Gregorius around $15m AAV OR
    • instead of one significant bat, maybe two guys one step down ($5m-10m AAV range) from bats like Thames, Souza, Pillar, Hernandez, Maldonado, S. or J. Castro, or relievers like Rondon, Betances, Kintzler
       
• Option C : Going Big
  • swing a major trade for an impact SP, such as Robbie Ray or for an impact bat, such as Wilson Contreras OR
  • even a major trade landing one of each, such as a Contreras/Bryant/Cubs SP, or a Price/Betts, or a Lindor/Kluber, or a Samardzija/Belt/Posey, or a Marte/Bell/Archer, or a Kennedy/Merrifield/Perez

I think most here would like to see Option A, with Option B being more realistic, and Option C being the hardest to pull off (not to mention being the riskiest for long-term plans) but all of them have some realism to them.

Personally, I'd lean towards Option B because I have faith that between Suarez, Sandoval, Canning, Barria, Peters, and Gohara, we'll get at least two guys emerge as, at minimum, league average MLB SPs, which should be fine, and I think the offense could use a little more veteran depth, at least to start the season.

But I also think we have the prospect capital to pull off Option C and it can be done in a way that helps the Angels now and in the long-haul. It just has to be done right, and the cost might sting initially. 

Edited December 7, 2019 by totdprods

[Lou]

3 minutes ago, ettin said:

This type of question is exactly what the Primer Series is for!!!! Yay!

I agree

 

[Docwaukee]

Catcher - probably Maldonado although I'd prefer someone who can hit a little better. I think Castro would be an upgrade over him.  

Bullpen - we need another reliable reliever.  preferably someone who can go multiple innings or make a spot start.  Doesn't need to be pricey.

RF/4thOFer - I'm not tremendously confident that Goodwin will repeat his 2019.  Upton is coming off a down year. Our current 4th OFer looks like a Hermosillo type. We have two minor league studs who could contribute after a month or two but I would look to get some veteran depth here and displace Herm as the 4th OFer.  We need someone in case Upton struggles, Goodwin struggles, and if the young guys struggle.  Maybe Zobrist.  Calhoun on a discount?  Kevin Pillar, Alex Gordon, Souza Jr?  

More starting pitching - a project or two.  Maybe someone on a major league deal for league min or a couple mil that could add depth to the pen or a project looking for a bounce back year.  I would take a flyer on a guy like Martin Perez for a couple mil.  Or maybe a Matt Moore.  Alex Wood and Kevin Gausman also come to mind.  

Monitor the market for value - Can you get a Keuchel, Porcello, or Hill on a discount?  How about Dozier, Smoak, Frazier or Asdrubal Cabrera to play some 1b?  Or a Kipnis type who can play some 1b and also be a 4th OFer?  

[floplag]

Personally, i would love to see the Cubs blockbuster happen, but in a way that adds more than just Contreras and an arm, and/or  id like to see them take a flyer on Lindblom.

I think its highly feasible we could get Contreras, one of Darvish/Chatwood, and possibly Bryant for the right package that still wouldn't have to include Adell. 

If we did that were set for the next few years and probably all of them post season appearances.

I realize im shooting high here, i think thats what we should be doing in the age of Trout. 

[KDWells]

6 minutes ago, floplag said:

Personally, i would love to see the Cubs blockbuster happen, but in a way that adds more than just Contreras and an arm, and/or  id like to see them take a flyer on Lindblom.

I think its highly feasible we could get Contreras, one of Darvish/Chatwood, and possibly Bryant for the right package that still wouldn't have to include Adell. 

If we did that were set for the next few years and probably all of them post season appearances.

I realize im shooting high here, i think thats what we should be doing in the age of Trout. 

Contreras/Schwarber/Happ feels possible to me for some reason.

[totdprods]

9 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

RF/4thOFer - I'm not tremendously confident that Goodwin will repeat his 2019.  Upton is coming off a down year. Our current 4th OFer looks like a Hermosillo type. We have two minor league studs who could contribute after a month or two but I would look to get some veteran depth here and displace Herm as the 4th OFer.  We need someone in case Upton struggles, Goodwin struggles, and if the young guys struggle.  Maybe Zobrist.  Calhoun on a discount?  Kevin Pillar, Alex Gordon, Souza Jr?  

I think Goodwin is really interesting trade bait too. He won’t fetch anything crazy, but I think it’s reasonable that he could get you someone like Anthony DeSclafani, especially if the Reds add another SP. Maybe Jose Ureña or Jose Quintana. Maybe part of a deal for Robbie Ray, or part of an Archer deal if Pittsburgh moves Marte. They get a decent OF with some control on the cheap for a pending FA. James McCann could be a similar target. Probably a vet RP or two out there too.

The Angels can then offer up RF for one year to someone like you mentioned, Souza, Pillar, Calhoun, Adam Jones who theoretically should be about as good as Goodwin, just a couple mill more. When Adell is ready, they transition to 4th OF or platoon, or get flipped in July. 

Edited December 7, 2019 by totdprods

[Stradling]

3 minutes ago, KDWells said:

Contreras/Schwarber/Happ feels possible to me for some reason.

Except none of those guys has a high price tag which means they aren’t coming cheap as it relates to prospects. If you want to get talent for a decent prospect cost you have to take on Darvish, Chatwood or Heyward. 

[KDWells]

3 minutes ago, Stradling said:

Except none of those guys has a high price tag which means they aren’t coming cheap as it relates to prospects. If you want to get talent for a decent prospect cost you have to take on Darvish, Chatwood or Heyward. 

Of course. Schwarber is the only one they seem motivated to move of the three. I’m imagining Fletcher/Goodwin as part of a larger deal involving prospects.

[Claude]

A lot of suggested trade scenarios that involve multiple players in return but when has Eppler ever been that creative? He’s really more of a focus on one player type of GM. Many of these deals are too complicated especially when he has Cole on his mind. 

[totdprods]

Just now, Calzone 2 said:

A lot of suggested trade scenarios that involve multiple players in return but when has Eppler ever been that creative? He’s really more of a focus on one player type of GM. Many of these deals are too complicated especially when he has Cole on his mind. 

Eppler’s also never been in his contract year. 

[Claude]

1 minute ago, totdprods said:

Eppler’s also never been in his contract year. 

That could also be dangerous. He could try to gamble now and end up getting Dipoto’d.

[Stradling]

5 minutes ago, Calzone 2 said:

A lot of suggested trade scenarios that involve multiple players in return but when has Eppler ever been that creative? He’s really more of a focus on one player type of GM. Many of these deals are too complicated especially when he has Cole on his mind. 

Well Wednesday after Wheeler (who the Angels were in on) signed with the Phillies, he traded for Bundy.  I’m guessing he’s smart and organized enough to consummate a multi player trade, even if the main goal is to sign Cole. 

[Bronson]

I think there’s a reason we haven’t spent big money on a free agent yet. Arte probably wants to keep most of his budget for Cole. I don’t think we are letting Cole get away. Everyone says the Yankees are gonna do whatever it takes.... I think whatever the Yankees offer him Arte will just up it by 10 million and say GTFO.

[Stradling]

Just now, Bronson said:

I think there’s a reason we haven’t spent big money on a free agent yet. Arte probably wants to keep most of his budget for Cole. I don’t think we are letting Cole get away. Everyone says the Yankees are gonna do whatever it takes.... I think whatever the Yankees offer him Arte will just up it by 10 million and say GTFO.

Ok but at some point Arte will be the one that flinches because the Yankees ultimately have more resources.  

[Stradling]

Wheeler didn’t take the most money and I’m guessing if the Angels sign Cole it will be Cole signing here despite having higher offers. 

[floplag]

37 minutes ago, KDWells said:

Contreras/Schwarber/Happ feels possible to me for some reason.

WE already have one defensively challenged LF, id rather get Bryant and solve that problem any day.  But you coupld plug in Happ, Chatwood, Darvish on the arm just get me Contreras and Bryant with one of them after Cole and were set. 

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

2 hours ago, wopphil said:

Let's say we sign Cole on Tuesday. Then what? We can't be done at that point.

MadBum, and Maldonado?