OC Register: Angels in the running for Gerrit Cole as winter meetings open

[AngelsWin.com]

SAN DIEGO — Get ready for ColeFest.

As the winter meetings convene in San Diego, topic No. 1 figures to be the landing spot for Gerrit Cole, who is poised to sign the largest contract for a pitcher in major league history.

The only question is which team will give it to him.

The Angels and New York Yankees are believed to be the top two suitors, with the Dodgers likely in the mix as well.

All three teams have already had face-to-face meetings with Cole, which allows for speculation that a deal could happen any day.

Of course, it also could drag past the new year, as the top free-agent deals did last winter.

When it’s over, expect Cole to set a record.

The largest contract for a pitcher went to David Price, who signed a seven-year, $217-million deal with the Boston Red Sox in December 2015. The highest average annual value for a pitcher belongs to Zack Greinke, who makes $34.3 million per year under the six-year, $206-million deal he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015.

At the time of Price’s deal, he was entering his age 30 season. In the previous three years, he’d posted a 3.01 ERA over 93 starts with 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Greinke was entering his age 32 season, with a 2.30 ERA over 92 starts and 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings over his previous three years.

Cole will be pitching in his age 29 season next season. Over his last three years, he’s posted a 3.20 ERA in 98 starts, with 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Over his last two years, though, he’s got a 2.68 ERA over 65 starts.

Cole also compares favorably to Max Scherzer, who signed a seven-year, $210-million deal in January 2015. Scherzer was entering his age 30 season, with a 3.24 ERA and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings over 97 starts in the previous three years.

Considering Cole hits free agency at least a year younger than any of those three, he ought to be able to break the records for average annual value and total value.

The Angels and Yankees, at least, seem eager to pay the price, if the industry perception is accurate.

Each team, however, has selling points the other can’t match.

The Angels are Cole’s hometown team. He attended Orange Lutheran High and UCLA. He has talked about how he grew up as an Angels fan, and attended games regularly at Angel Stadium, including the 2002 World Series. Houston Astros teammate Josh Reddick believed Cole’s preference for the West Coast was so strong that he predicted Cole would sign with a team “west of Nevada.”

The Angels also offer Cole the opportunity to play with Mike Trout, who is signed for the next 11 years, and with two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. Cole said in August that he’s fascinated by Ohtani and loves watching him.

Despite all that, if Cole’s priority is to have a chance to win the World Series every year, the Yankees have a clear edge. With more resources than any team in the majors, the Yankees always have a powerful team that is in the running for the World Series. Although they haven’t won a World Series since 2009, they have made the playoffs in seven of the 10 years since, and they haven’t had a losing record since 1992.

The Angels have made the playoffs just once in the past 10 years. They have four consecutive losing seasons, and in 2019 they lost their most games since 1999. Even if Cole signs with the Angels, they will need some help – either from further additions or breakouts from current players – to make the playoffs.

The Angels would likely to try to convince Cole they can be consistent winners soon if he joins the core that includes, Trout, Ohtani and top prospect Jo Adell. Trout showed his confidence in the plan when he signed his deal in March.

Obviously, the Dodgers may represent the sweet spot with the best of both sides: geography and a chance to win.

Neither the Dodgers nor the Yankees has a need for Cole as acutely as the Angels, though, which could prompt owner Arte Moreno to simply make an offer Cole can’t refuse.

Moreno was frustrated enough by the string of losing seasons that he led the decision to fire Brad Ausmus and bring in Joe Maddon as the manager. He also said he plans to increase the payroll in 2020, although he wouldn’t say by how much.

General manager Billy Eppler, who is in the final year of his contract, has not signed any free agent for more than the $28 million the Angels committed to Zack Cozart two years ago.

It seems obvious Eppler is going to have to do that this winter if the Angels are going to compete in 2020. If the Angels don’t get Cole, expect them to make a run at Stephen Strasburg, with whom they’ve also had a meeting. Hyun-Jin Ryu and Madison Bumgarner are also free agents.

Related Articles

• Source: Stephen Strasburg, Angels had face-to-face meeting
• Is potential Angel Stadium deal fair for both sides, or ‘laughable’? The debate is on
• Hoornstra: At last, the Angels can grow permanent roots in Anaheim
• Angels acquire Dylan Bundy from Baltimore Orioles for 4 minor league pitchers
• Angels agree to stay in Anaheim through 2050, stadium to be sold for $325 million

They also could try to trade for a pitcher like Robbie Ray of the Arizona Diamondbacks or José Quintana of the Chicago Cubs.

While Eppler has refused to say much about whom he’s after, he’s made no secret of the fact that the Angels need pitching.

They have Ohtani, Andrew Heaney, Griffin Canning, Dylan Bundy, Patrick Sandoval, Jaime Barría, José Suarez, Dillon Peters and Félix Peña on their starting pitcher depth chart right now.

“We would be open to supplementing that group with increased talent if we can make that work,” Eppler said. “We like talented players here. If those players are available, we can execute a trade for that player or pursue a free agent deal.”

View the full article

[Chuck]

Thanks, @Jeff Fletcher

What do you make of Peter Gammons' tweets earlier today?

[greginpsca]

30 minutes ago, AngelsWin.com said:

SAN DIEGO — Get ready for ColeFest.

As the winter meetings convene in San Diego, topic No. 1 figures to be the landing spot for Gerrit Cole, who is poised to sign the largest contract for a pitcher in major league history.

The only question is which team will give it to him.

The Angels and New York Yankees are believed to be the top two suitors, with the Dodgers likely in the mix as well.

All three teams have already had face-to-face meetings with Cole, which allows for speculation that a deal could happen any day.

Of course, it also could drag past the new year, as the top free-agent deals did last winter.

When it’s over, expect Cole to set a record.

The largest contract for a pitcher went to David Price, who signed a seven-year, $217-million deal with the Boston Red Sox in December 2015. The highest average annual value for a pitcher belongs to Zack Greinke, who makes $34.3 million per year under the six-year, $206-million deal he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015.

At the time of Price’s deal, he was entering his age 30 season. In the previous three years, he’d posted a 3.01 ERA over 93 starts with 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Greinke was entering his age 32 season, with a 2.30 ERA over 92 starts and 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings over his previous three years.

Cole will be pitching in his age 29 season next season. Over his last three years, he’s posted a 3.20 ERA in 98 starts, with 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Over his last two years, though, he’s got a 2.68 ERA over 65 starts.

Cole also compares favorably to Max Scherzer, who signed a seven-year, $210-million deal in January 2015. Scherzer was entering his age 30 season, with a 3.24 ERA and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings over 97 starts in the previous three years.

Considering Cole hits free agency at least a year younger than any of those three, he ought to be able to break the records for average annual value and total value.

The Angels and Yankees, at least, seem eager to pay the price, if the industry perception is accurate.

Each team, however, has selling points the other can’t match.

The Angels are Cole’s hometown team. He attended Orange Lutheran High and UCLA. He has talked about how he grew up as an Angels fan, and attended games regularly at Angel Stadium, including the 2002 World Series. Houston Astros teammate Josh Reddick believed Cole’s preference for the West Coast was so strong that he predicted Cole would sign with a team “west of Nevada.”

The Angels also offer Cole the opportunity to play with Mike Trout, who is signed for the next 11 years, and with two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. Cole said in August that he’s fascinated by Ohtani and loves watching him.

Despite all that, if Cole’s priority is to have a chance to win the World Series every year, the Yankees have a clear edge. With more resources than any team in the majors, the Yankees always have a powerful team that is in the running for the World Series. Although they haven’t won a World Series since 2009, they have made the playoffs in seven of the 10 years since, and they haven’t had a losing record since 1992.

The Angels have made the playoffs just once in the past 10 years. They have four consecutive losing seasons, and in 2019 they lost their most games since 1999. Even if Cole signs with the Angels, they will need some help – either from further additions or breakouts from current players – to make the playoffs.

The Angels would likely to try to convince Cole they can be consistent winners soon if he joins the core that includes, Trout, Ohtani and top prospect Jo Adell. Trout showed his confidence in the plan when he signed his deal in March.

Obviously, the Dodgers may represent the sweet spot with the best of both sides: geography and a chance to win.

Neither the Dodgers nor the Yankees has a need for Cole as acutely as the Angels, though, which could prompt owner Arte Moreno to simply make an offer Cole can’t refuse.

Moreno was frustrated enough by the string of losing seasons that he led the decision to fire Brad Ausmus and bring in Joe Maddon as the manager. He also said he plans to increase the payroll in 2020, although he wouldn’t say by how much.

General manager Billy Eppler, who is in the final year of his contract, has not signed any free agent for more than the $28 million the Angels committed to Zack Cozart two years ago.

It seems obvious Eppler is going to have to do that this winter if the Angels are going to compete in 2020. If the Angels don’t get Cole, expect them to make a run at Stephen Strasburg, with whom they’ve also had a meeting. Hyun-Jin Ryu and Madison Bumgarner are also free agents.

Related Articles

• Source: Stephen Strasburg, Angels had face-to-face meeting
• Is potential Angel Stadium deal fair for both sides, or ‘laughable’? The debate is on
• Hoornstra: At last, the Angels can grow permanent roots in Anaheim
• Angels acquire Dylan Bundy from Baltimore Orioles for 4 minor league pitchers
• Angels agree to stay in Anaheim through 2050, stadium to be sold for $325 million

They also could try to trade for a pitcher like Robbie Ray of the Arizona Diamondbacks or José Quintana of the Chicago Cubs.

While Eppler has refused to say much about whom he’s after, he’s made no secret of the fact that the Angels need pitching.

They have Ohtani, Andrew Heaney, Griffin Canning, Dylan Bundy, Patrick Sandoval, Jaime Barría, José Suarez, Dillon Peters and Félix Peña on their starting pitcher depth chart right now.

“We would be open to supplementing that group with increased talent if we can make that work,” Eppler said. “We like talented players here. If those players are available, we can execute a trade for that player or pursue a free agent deal.”

View the full article

Cozart's deal was 3 years / $39 mil

[Pancake Bear]

26 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

Thanks, @Jeff Fletcher

What do you make of Peter Gammons' tweets earlier today?

Unless it was an announcement (it wasn’t), it’s meaningless. 

[floplag]

Someone better tells Peter Gammons and Jon Morosi... lol

[Claude]

1 hour ago, floplag said:

Someone better tells Peter Gammons and Jon Morosi... lol

Someone had better tell Cole. I don’t think he’s aware of that yet.

Edited December 7, 2019 by Calzone 2

[Second Base]

Yeah, Yankees are going to offer him a ton of money. So will the Angels.

[kevinb]

As of this very moment. What team is better once they add Cole Yankees or Angels?

[Bronson]

1 minute ago, Kevinb said:

As of this very moment. What team is better once they add Cole Yankees or Angels?

Depends on the context.... Yankees are a playoff team regardless. Cole could make the Angels a playoff team. 
 

On the other hand Yankees are favorites to win the World Series with Cole while the Angels aren’t. 

[kevinb]

5 minutes ago, Bronson said:

Depends on the context.... Yankees are a playoff team regardless. Cole could make the Angels a playoff team. 
 

On the other hand Yankees are favorites to win the World Series with Cole while the Angels aren’t. 

So if he signed with the Angels would it be about the money and if he signed with the Yankees it would be about winning?

[Claude]

14 minutes ago, Bronson said:

Depends on the context.... Yankees are a playoff team regardless. Cole could make the Angels a playoff team. 
 

On the other hand Yankees are favorites to win the World Series with Cole while the Angels aren’t. 

The Yankees missed out on Dylan Bundy so....

[Stradling]

10 minutes ago, Kevinb said:

So if he signed with the Angels would it be about the money and if he signed with the Yankees it would be about winning?

No.

[Bronson]

14 minutes ago, Kevinb said:

So if he signed with the Angels would it be about the money and if he signed with the Yankees it would be about winning?

No just signing Cole alone could possibly make the Angels a playoff team. There is plenty more they could do that could push them over the edge.

 

 

[kevinb]

1 minute ago, Bronson said:

No just signing Cole alone could possibly make the Angels a playoff team. There is plenty more they could do that could push them over the edge.

 

 

Which edge? They lost 90 games last year. I thought players who signed with bad teams signed for money and players who sign with good teams care about winning. At least that's what I've been told previously. 

[Bronson]

12 minutes ago, Kevinb said:

Which edge? They lost 90 games last year. I thought players who signed with bad teams signed for money and players who sign with good teams care about winning. At least that's what I've been told previously. 

Again stop using last year as a measurement on how good this team is.... so much went wrong last year that it isn’t even a fair comparison. It makes much more sense to use what they did the 2 years before 2019 which was 80 wins.
 

And we aren’t a “bad” team. The Orioles are a bad team.

[beatlesrule]

Fletcher is dead on regarding the current state of each franchise. The Yankees just flat-out present a better chance for Cole to win a World Series. This isn't the NBA where a couple of players can decide to join a team to make it a super team. Cole alone does not make the Angels the favorite in the west or even the Wild Card. They'd need at least 1 more good pitcher and some position upgrades to contend.

[kevinb]

5 minutes ago, Bronson said:

Again stop using last year as a measurement on how good this team is.... so much went wrong last year that it isn’t even a fair comparison. It makes much more ends to see what they did the 2 years before 2019 which was 80 wins.
 

And we aren’t a “bad” team. The Orioles are a bad team.

So much bad luck. 

[Stradling]

9 minutes ago, Kevinb said:

Which edge? They lost 90 games last year. I thought players who signed with bad teams signed for money and players who sign with good teams care about winning. At least that's what I've been told previously. 

No

[Halodays]

1 hour ago, Chuckster70 said:

Thanks, @Jeff Fletcher

What do you make of Peter Gammons' tweets earlier today?

So Peter Gammons is saying that the Yankees and Gerrit Cole have a deal in place? The Angels and Dodgers will learn of this deal soon?

[Bronson]

7 minutes ago, Halodays said:

So Peter Gammons is saying that the Yankees and Gerrit Cole have a deal in place? The Angels and Dodgers will learn of this deal soon?

He’s hacked. Don’t listen to anything he says.

[Pancake Bear]

18 minutes ago, Halodays said:

So Peter Gammons is saying that the Yankees and Gerrit Cole have a deal in place? The Angels and Dodgers will learn of this deal soon?

If there was a deal it would already be announced by someone else also. Passan says no formal offers have been made. He said that after Gammons. Passan is more reliable than Gammons. 

[Angelsjunky]

My sense from everything I've read over the last few months is that Cole would rather play for the Angels, all other things being equal. But he also wants to win. I think Arte will meet any offer the Yankees make, so the money shouldn't be an issue, but the key will be whether Eppler can sell Cole on the Angels winning a championship or two. Hopefully Trout can chime in as to why he signed that extension and help the process along.

[Bronson]

3 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

My sense from everything I've read over the last few months is that Cole would rather play for the Angels, all other things being equal. But he also wants to win. I think Arte will meet any offer the Yankees make, so the money shouldn't be an issue, but the key will be whether Eppler can sell Cole on the Angels winning a championship or two. Hopefully Trout can chime in as to why he signed that extension and help the process along.

[Erstad Grit]

7 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

My sense from everything I've read over the last few months is that Cole would rather play for the Angels, all other things being equal. But he also wants to win. I think Arte will meet any offer the Yankees make, so the money shouldn't be an issue, but the key will be whether Eppler can sell Cole on the Angels winning a championship or two. Hopefully Trout can chime in as to why he signed that extension and help the process along.

Me sense is he wants to play on the angels but he's fine with using the Yankees to make the angels pay as much as possible

[Justin]

1 minute ago, Erstad Grit said:

Me sense is he wants to play on the angels but he's fine with using the Yankees to make the angels pay as much as possible

If Boras failed to do this, he would not be serving his client. Even though the Yankees can eat my poo.