OC Register: Angels Q&A: When will Jo Adell be in the big leagues?

[AngelsWin.com]

Angels pitchers and catchers are reporting for summer camp on Wednesday, with a couple days of physicals and tests, including for COVID-19, before they get back on the field to prepare for the 60-game season. While we’re waiting to see the Angels on the field, we took some questions from readers.

How much playing time do you expect Jo Adell to get? — @CryinHawyard

General Manager Billy Eppler said this week that he is “hopeful” that Adell will show he’s ready for big league playing time sometime during this shortened season. He’ll have about three weeks of summer camp to show if he’s ironed out the issues that showed in spring training, and if he isn’t on the roster by Opening Day, he’ll continue to get at-bats against Angels pitchers with big league experience while working out with the team’s reserve squad at Long Beach State.

If I were to guess, I’d say he’d be in the big leagues sometime in August, although it could be sooner or later, depending on a variety of factors, like injuries and Brian Goodwin’s performance.

One other thing to note: going by the current rules, if Adell is down for at least six days, the Angels would get an extra year before he’s eligible for free agency. However, the current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2021 season, and it’s likely the rules will be different, so what we know now may not be applicable.

What’s Shohei Ohtani’s pitching/hitting schedule going to be? — @thecarwash_

Joe Maddon said they have no immediate plans for pushing him beyond the way he has been used as a two-way player in the big leagues before. In 2018, he pitched once a week and was the DH in between, with the day off before and after he pitched. Over the 60-game season, that could mean up to 10 starts and maybe 150 to 160 plate appearances.

Will the Angels trade to get pitching or is that not a priority ? – @o_ghaloshead

The Angels have four empty spots in their 60-player pool just in case they have the opportunity to acquire anyone. That being said, it seems unlikely that any quality pitching would be available right now, because the season hasn’t even started. The trading deadline is Aug. 31 this year, and it will be interesting to see what kind of deals teams are making at that time.

Are you and other reporters allowed in the stadium to do interviews or just report? — @MarkDesigns3

A limited number of reporters will be allowed into the ballparks this season, but the only access to the manager, coaches or players will be by teleconferences. Major League Baseball is restricting the people who can have direct access to players in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Is there any chance this 60 game sprint leads to an appreciation of a shorter regular season? — @Angels_Zags

This year the players wanted more games and the owners wanted less, which is because the agreement they reached in March called for players to be paid on a pro-rated basis. The more games, the more they would be paid. In a normal year, however, I think the owners want as many games as possible — to sell more tickets — and the players would probably prefer a few more days off. The bottom line, though, is I would not expect any reduction of the normal 162 games once the pandemic is over. That being said, a 60-game sprint could be pretty entertaining this year.

Will Halos give Simba a new contract? Trade (David) Fletcher and (Brandon) Marsh for P and Let (Luis) Rengifo play! — @sportsguy06

With just 60 games in the season, it seems pretty unlikely that the Angels and Andrelton Simmons would be able to agree on a new deal before Simmons hits free agency. They still could re-sign him over the winter, though. As for your trade scenarios, the Angels were definitely open to trading from their surpluses to add pitching, but they didn’t find a deal to their liking. Now, they don’t have quite the same surpluses until they know what they are going to do with Simmons for 2021.

How many wins do you think it takes to win the division? 40? — @MEvans2511

Last year the Astros had a 60-game stretch in which they went 43-17. The Oakland A’s also had a 41-19 stretch. Those were the optimal performances for two of the five teams, and the other three teams probably don’t have that kind of baseball in them for 60 games. Also, the Astros may not be able to play to that level without Gerrit Cole. Plus, it’s tough to assume any team’s optimal 60-game stretch will come in a 60-game season. Given all that, I’ll say the division winner ends up with about 37 victories this season.

Is Arte going to keep or fire Eppler? — Mike

Back in spring training, Arte Moreno was asked about what had to happen for Eppler to get an extension, and he said winning was the most important thing for everyone in the organization. Well, the Angels are still 0-0, so you’d have to say the jury is still out on whether Eppler will be back next year.

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[nate]

I doubt we see Adell this year.  No reason to play him in a condensed year.

[Angelsjunky]

I would be surprised if we didn't see Adell this year. Unless Goodwin absolutely crushes and Adell looks like Jabari Blash, he's going to get at least a cup.

[Slegnaac]

42 minutes ago, nate said:

I doubt we see Adell this year.  No reason to play him in a condensed year.

If they only have to wait 6 games in order to keep his clock from starting, he us going to be with the team at some point this season.

[Pancake Bear]

5 hours ago, nate said:

I doubt we see Adell this year.  No reason to play him in a condensed year.

He needs development. There is no minor league for him to play in. I suspect he’ll play at least 2/3 of the year. 

[Jeff Fletcher]

10 hours ago, AngelsWin.com said:

One other thing to note: going by the current rules, if Adell is down for at least six days, the Angels would get an extra year before he’s eligible for free agency. However, the current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2021 season, and it’s likely the rules will be different, so what we know now may not be applicable

I would like you all to memorize this paragraph please. 

[Claude]

10 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

I would be surprised if we didn't see Adell this year. Unless Goodwin absolutely crushes and Adell looks like Jabari Blash, he's going to get at least a cup.

Adell looks like Jabari Blash.

Ok he also looks like the Motaur guy in the Progressive Insurance commercials.