Matt Moore, anyone?

[Second Base]

Former top prospect and Rays ace Matt Moore was not a good pitcher in 2017 and 2018. The fact that he was once ranked higher as a prospect than Trout made the performance all the more disappointing. Imagine being one of the best pitchers in baseball at 25, to one of the worst at 28. 

I'd written him off, just like everyone else. Not only was he unhealthy but his arsenal was now greatly diminished. 

Last off-season, to little fanfare, he signed with Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, in Japan. Evidently, he reinvented himself there (from all the reading I've done, the predominant change took place in Moore's preparation between starts, he still throws the same pitchers with the same velocity) and tossed 89 innings with a 2.65 ERA, which accompanied a huge spike in K/9. Moore's final start was in the Japan Series, where he went 7 no-hit innings before being replaced. 

This isn't the first time a pitcher has gone overseas to tinker before returning to the Major Leagues. With as much success as he experienced, I wonder if he can come back stateside and perform the way others like Miles Mikolas have.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Ohtani doesn't want to play with other japanese pitchers. We add one like moore, after sosh dissed him with the pinch hit, hes gonna leave and play for philly. 

[Make Angels Great Again]

Matt Moore's velocity in 2019 (the last time he pitched in MLB) was also the best its been since 2012, His first full season at 23 when he was still good.

[Redondo]

Maybe we can get Moore for less.

[BTH]

Maybe on a minor league deal.

[Vlad27Trout27]

if his velo is back, sure why not.

[rafibomb]

They are clocking him as high as 95 mph in the 2020 Japan Series.

Edited January 21, 2021 by rafibomb

[Second Base]

8 minutes ago, Trendon said:

Maybe on a minor league deal.

He made between 3-6 million in Japan last season. I figure it'll take at least 3 million in a major league deal.

[Second Base]

4 minutes ago, rafibomb said:

 

Not bad. Fastball sat 93-94, he located it well, and threw his sliders for strikes consistently. Didn't see the change piece much but most reports indicate it's solid. He did give up more contact than you'd prefer, but the majority of it was on the ground.

[BTH]

6 minutes ago, Second Base said:

He made between 3-6 million in Japan last season. I figure it'll take at least 3 million in a major league deal.

At this point, I think if the Angels are spending money it needs to be on someone proven. They can't take a chance on Moore for 3 million. It'd be better to just put that 3 million into a pen arm, imo.

[T.G.]

[Revad]

1 hour ago, T.G. said:

Well I don’t know

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

Actually, im more intrigued with the lefty that came in after him! 95+mph with that hook! That was filthy!

[DCAngelsFan]

7 hours ago, SlappyUtilityMIF said:

Actually, im more intrigued with the lefty that came in after him! 95+mph with that hook! That was filthy!

That 14.4 SO/9 doesn't suck

https://npb.jp/bis/eng/players/63965134.html

 

[Angel Oracle]

39 minutes ago, DCAngelsFan said:

That 14.4 SO/9 doesn't suck

https://npb.jp/bis/eng/players/63965134.html

 

How soon before he can be posted?

[DCAngelsFan]

34 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

How soon before he can be posted?

It appears he's still attached to Cuban baseball, sent to the NPB to develop.  

I have *no* idea what hurdles might be necessary to play here - or if he even wants to.

He probably has a pretty short shelf-life - an undersized relief pitcher in NPB doesn't bode well for a long career.

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

1 hour ago, DCAngelsFan said:

That 14.4 SO/9 doesn't suck

https://npb.jp/bis/eng/players/63965134.html

 

Interesting, I just watched the video! I had no clue of his stats.... How does the Cuban market work now? Are they draftable?... 4 years those #'s plummeted k's up. But, that yacker!!! That might be someone I would want to learn more about and his availability!

[DCAngelsFan]

1 hour ago, SlappyUtilityMIF said:

Interesting, I just watched the video! I had no clue of his stats.... How does the Cuban market work now? Are they draftable?... 4 years those #'s plummeted k's up. But, that yacker!!! That might be someone I would want to learn more about and his availability!

I'd never heard of him 'til you pointed him out.  His 'stuff' looks legit - his status is too complex for me to work out - but if there's a way, he'd certainly be someone I'd want to look at ..

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

7 minutes ago, DCAngelsFan said:

I'd never heard of him 'til you pointed him out.  His 'stuff' looks legit - his status is too complex for me to work out - but if there's a way, he'd certainly be someone I'd want to look at ..

Interesting enough that is how we found some talent back in the day. Went to see a name and someone else shined through.

[Angels 1961]

Phillies get Matt Moore

[Angels in 2030]

This was a really good low risk signing.  Wish it was the Angels.  At worst, he could move into the BP and become a pretty good RP....who provides some SP depth with potential upside.  Bummer. 

[T.G.]

2 hours ago, Fourts said:

At worst, he could blow up like Matt Harvey or have TJ surgery.... AT WORST.

 

[tdawg87]

Would have been OK with it if we were still getting another pitcher. 

[Angels in 2030]

1 hour ago, T.G. said:

 

Well true there is always worst - Skaggs, Adenhart, etc.   But the point here is Moore was low cost $3M.   So any worst happening...does not hurt you financially