Positives from this year

[Angelsjunky]

While this has been yet another disappointing year, for those wondering what to be happy about, here's a list of things to consider.

• First and foremost, the performance of Shohei Ohtani. Yes, his bat has been weak for the last two months, but he had a better season than anyone expected and pretty much fulfilled the best-case scenario: healthy and excellent as both a hitter and pitcher, finishing around 8 WAR.
• The development of Reid Detmers and Chris Rodriguez. Yes, there were bumps along the way, but Detmers will be just fine, and Rodriguez showed he can handle major league hitters, after not facing anyone above A+. Worst-case scenario and he's a really good reliever. Young pitching, folks.
• Brandon Marsh and Jo Adell holding their own in the majors. Marsh looked like a major leaguer from day one and while he obviously has stuff to work on, he has the makings of a very good major leaguer. As many have noted, Adell looked completely different this year and should continue to improve. Neither are stars yet, but both should--at least--be quality major league regulars, and maybe more.
• The emergence of Patrick Sandoval and Jose Suarez. Maybe neither will be more than #3s, but nothing to complain about cost-controlled, young #3 starters. 
• Jared Walsh and Max Stassi have both been pretty good. They might not be stars, but Stassi has the 9th highest WAR (3.0) among all catchers with at least 100 PA, and the highest among all catchers with fewer than 350 PA. Walsh started super hot, then was terrible, then equalized and his overall line is pretty good: a solid, league average first baseman, which is better than Pujols was for years. Or to put it another way, Walsh's 2.3 WAR is better than all but two of Albert's Angels seasons (2012 and 2014).
• While there are as many disappointments, there have been some positive developments and surprises in the minors: Michael Stefanic, Brandon Davis, Davis Daniel, Kyren Paris, Arol Vera, Edgar Quero, and several others, including a pitching heavy draft that includes Sam Bachman and Ky Bush, plus a bunch of possibly useful pitchers.

So it isn't all bad. Obviously there are serious concerns about the team and organization in general, but there are also still reasons to be--if not optimistic--then hopeful for next year and beyond.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Pujols is gone.

[Jason]

None of the players died of covid

[Justin]

2 minutes ago, Jason said:

None of the players died of covid

The season ain't over yet.

Thank God AJ didn't write this. 

[Justin]

10 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

Pujols is gone.

Is there any chance they do can do a 10-year anniversary of this in 2031, just like they do with a championship team?

Bring out all the key people who made it happen while we give each one a standing ovation?

[ten ocho recon scout]

1 hour ago, Justin said:

Is there any chance they do can do a 10-year anniversary of this in 2031, just like they do with a championship team?

Bring out all the key people who made it happen while we give each one a standing ovation?

You mean, the final sendoff tour of his personal services contract? That 2031?

 

(Sorry to ruin everyones day)

[Angel Oracle]

Stassi just needs to not fall off the map the last two months in 2022.

Otherwise, agree with AJ’s post.

[UndertheHalo]

2 hours ago, Jason said:

None of the players died of covid

The merits of this are debatable imo. 

[Lou]

2 hours ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

Pujols is gone.

[Blarg]

1 hour ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

You mean, the final sendoff tour of his personal services contract? That 2031?

 

(Sorry to ruin everyones day)

The Mets fans celebrate Bobby Bonilla Day, we get Fat Albert Day. 

[Homebrewer]

No playoffs streak remains intact. 

[Justin]

1 hour ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

You mean, the final sendoff tour of his personal services contract? 

I just assumed that was a BS thing the Angels threw in the contract to make it seem like they wanted him more than St. Louis and it's not actually going to happen. 

Like when a woman says "I'll make it up to you later" even though you know damn well there won't be a later. 

(Actually, that probably never happens to you, TORS.)

[ten ocho recon scout]

21 minutes ago, Blarg said:

The Mets fans celebrate Bobby Bonilla Day, we get Fat Albert Day. 

"Pay pay payyy"

 

[ten ocho recon scout]

11 minutes ago, Justin said:

I just assumed that was a BS thing the Angels threw in the contract to make it seem like they wanted him more than St. Louis and it's not actually going to happen. 

Like when a woman says "I'll make it up to you later" even though you know damn well there won't be a later. 

(Actually, that probably never happens to you, TORS.)

It does, but in the opposite.

"Ill be better next time, I swear". But that time was already my magnum opus.

[Revad]

3 hours ago, Justin said:

The season ain't over yet.

Thank God AJ didn't write this. 

I know.  But I get it.

[eligrba4ever]

Best thing about this Angels team? We won't have Heaney showing up in Tempe in '22.

[Torridd]

Fletcher had a good run.

[Torridd]

It wasn't the player I particularly wanted, but it was good that Cobb came back from injury in a year that no one else seemed to.

[Torridd]

I think credit has to go to Maddon/Minasian for giving so many of the kids chances this year. I know some may say with the injuries that they were forced to, but I don't think so. After all, Thaiss never got any play. 

[Torridd]

We went 5-2 against the WSox and 3-3 against the 100-win Dodgers.

[Torridd]

Besides Ohtani, Raisel Iglesias had a fantastic year!

[Inside Pitch]

14 minutes ago, Torridd said:

I think credit has to go to Maddon/Minasian for giving so many of the kids chances this year. I know some may say with the injuries that they were forced to, but I don't think so. After all, Thaiss never got any play. 

Ill bite.  If not the young guys who would they have turned to?  They had already tried the old guys first... Schebbler, Jay, Eaton.  They used 7 RPs age 30 or older as replacements.

Also, isn't Thaiss not getting a call up an indictment of those two?  Suzuki shouldn't be a part if next years team, Thaiss might be ... so what was the point of keeping him on the roster?  Of all the possible things to praise those guys for, choosing to continue to play Suzuki isn't one of them.  

As far as actual positives for those two IMO....  Maddon was willing to trust and unleash Ohtani, so that was a positive.  Minasian didn't come in firing everyone, didn't make any long term mistakes, the early returns on the draftees was also very positive.  

[Blarg]

I did not like the Suzuki acquisition to start the season and he never did anything to change my mind. 

[Inside Pitch]

1 minute ago, Blarg said:

I did not like the Suzuki acquisition to start the season and he never did anything to change my mind. 

Same.  Fowler deal was a Harvey play too, but they were both cheap and no lingering impact.

[WicketMaiden]

4 hours ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

You mean, the final sendoff tour of his personal services contract? That 2031?

 

(Sorry to ruin everyones day)

I'd make him dress up as team mascot - he'd look great in a Rally Monkey costume, or it would cause him to bugger off for good and save the Angels $10m. It's a Win - Win (which would be a first for Albert and the Angels). In all the sports I follow, Albert's contract has been the most disappointing by a country mile.