Angels linked to Schwarber

[Warfarin]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/blue-jays-notes-kim-ryu-schwarber-fiers.html

I suspect we will add a LH OF bat, in some capacity.

[Angelsjunky]

He's more LF/1B, so it really only makes sense if they move Upton to RF, which he hasn't played since 2013 but probably should be OK.

I'm fine with it if it is cheap and doesn't prevent the Angels from spending on SP. Right now I'd say an OF is well down the list of priorities:

SP 1

SP 2

RP 2 (Raisel being 1)

C

OF

RP 3

Edited December 8, 2020 by Angelsjunky

[totdprods]

Hard to see Schwarber as an option in RF, even in a platoon.

I wonder if perhaps Walsh could handle RF semi-regularly? He certainly has the arm and being a 1B, would be familiar with playing that side of the field.

Schwarber could handle 1B, maybe have a good defensive 4th OF on hand to replace Walsh late in game and have him move to 1B if they’re holding a lead.

[Warfarin]

4 minutes ago, totdprods said:

Hard to see Schwarber as an option in RF, even in a platoon.

I wonder if perhaps Walsh could handle RF semi-regularly? He certainly has the arm and being a 1B, would be familiar with playing that side of the field.

Schwarber could handle 1B, maybe have a good defensive 4th OF on hand to replace Walsh late in game and have him move to 1B if they’re holding a lead.

Something to consider..

Maddon said last year that Ohtani is too athletic to just be a DH.  Might there be plans for him to play some RF, so that Schwarber instead occupies LF/DH?

I know it's unlikely, but Maddon did specifically say he feels Ohtani shouldn't be relegated to DH, and he did play RF in Japan.

[Warfarin]

5 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

He's more LF/1B, so it really only makes sense if they move Upton to RF, which he hasn't played since 2013 but probably should be OK.

I'm fine with it if it is cheap and doesn't prevent the Angels from spending on SP. Right now I'd say an OF is well down the list of priorities:

SP 1

SP 2

RP 2 (Raisel being 1)

C

OF

RP 3

A key part of this is whether or not the FO / Maddon believes in Barria as a starter.

If they do, then maybe we just need to add one starter in the caliber of a Bauer, since Barria can't be optioned and has to remaining in the big leagues.  Bauer, Bundy, Heaney, Canning, and Barria would form our 5 SPs, and we have Suarez/Sandoval/Naughton as options, too.

[eligrba]

 

I like it.

[Angelsjunky]

Just now, Warfarin said:

A key part of this is whether or not the FO / Maddon believes in Barria as a starter.

If they do, then maybe we just need to add one starter in the caliber of a Bauer, since Barria can't be optioned and has to remaining in the big leagues.  Bauer, Bundy, Heaney, Canning, and Barria would form our 5 SPs, and we have Suarez/Sandoval/Naughton as options, too.

Yes, agreed. I think if they sign Bauer, they'll hope for the best with the rest. If they don't and sign someone like Odorizzi (say, 3/$36M) they might feel like they can add someone like Richards (2/$16M), adding $20M AAV.

[Angelsjunky]

Schwarber is essentially the same player as Joc Pederson.

Schwarber (age 28 in 2021): 551 games, .230/.336/.480, 113 wRC+, 9.3 WAR, -10.8 Def in LF/C

Pederson (age 29 in 2021): 748 games, ..230/.336/.470, 118 wRC+, 13.0 WAR, -8.4 Def in OF/1B

Both have average 2.2 WAR per 162 games played, making them mediocre regulars and better suited as platoon players and/or DHs.

Edited December 8, 2020 by Angelsjunky

[CanadianHalo]

Schwarber is the one non-pitcher I was hoping the Angels would sign this off season. 
 

He’s much more the player he was 2018-2019 than he was last season. 

[Lazorko Saves]

We need an emergency catcher, right?

[AngelStew43]

I'd rather sign Joc.  He's better defensively, and he can give Mike a day off occasionally. 

[Docwaukee]

He's played 0 professional inning at 1b. 

could he play there?  maybe.  

but you can't just assume it.  

[Erstad Grit]

Pujols is a DH

Ohtani is a DH

Upton should be a DH

I like Schwarber but don't see the room 

[Lazorko Saves]

1 minute ago, Dochalo said:

He's played 0 professional inning at 1b. 

could he play there?  maybe.  

but you can't just assume it.  

Yep. Tell 'em, Wash.

[totdprods]

Weird - I thought Schwarber had some 1B time. Guess I just remember it being discussed once. 

[Lazorko Saves]

12 minutes ago, totdprods said:

Weird - I thought Schwarber had some 1B time. Guess I just remember it being discussed once. 

Oh wait, you're technically correct.  It appears he was at 1B for one batter in the bottom of the 11th in a game vs the Brewers, April 7, 2017.

[Angel Oracle]

I prefer a solid defense guy who can hit well enough, like Pillar.

Schwarber doesn’t jive with “Improving run prevention”.

Pillar is a RHH.   They can make do with two LHH’s (Ohtani and Walsh) in the lineup, until Marsh is ready.

Edited December 8, 2020 by Angel Oracle

[jsnpritchett]

26 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

He's played 0 professional inning at 1b. 

could he play there?  maybe.  

but you can't just assume it.  

Seems like this is getting to be an annual occurrence around here: someone proposes that a player who's never played 1B can just magically adapt to it.  I don't get it...Thank you for calling it out!

[Docwaukee]

22 minutes ago, totdprods said:

Weird - I thought Schwarber had some 1B time. Guess I just remember it being discussed once. 

any time AW wants to fit a guy on the team somehow:

'FIRST BASE!'

[jsnpritchett]

Just now, Dochalo said:

any time AW wants to fit a guy on the team somehow:

'FIRST BASE!'

Ha ha.  Basically just posted the exact same thing in my reply to you.

[rafibomb]

Minasian stressed repeatedly the importance of run prevention so slotting Schwarber at left and Upton in right doesn't make much sense.

[Docwaukee]

I would like to be the first to mention this:

Maddon is the real GM

[rafibomb]

I feel like some "insider with sources" really wanted to start a rumor and just threw the Angels in there for the Maddon connection.

Edited December 8, 2020 by rafibomb

[Erstad Grit]

Dee Gordon in CF was a good reminder one cannot just switch positions.  Gordon is a tremendous gold glove 2b and he flopped in CF

[BTH]

Perry Minasian has said he wants to be good defensively. Schwarber makes the defense worse, whether he plays LF, RF, or 1B. The only reason it makes any sense is because of the Maddon connection. While they need an OF, Schwarber makes no sense because he can't play RF.