Official 2022-23 Offseason Hot Stove Thread

[Pancake Bear]

40 minutes ago, Warfarin said:

I’m not convinced either, but if we actually did pick up a SS, I would assume that probably one of our injured infielders (Walsh? Rendon?) is not entirely healthy.  Or we are trading one of Fletcher or Rengifo.

Fletcher is really a utility guy (although a really good one), not a starter. But as it stands, he's the most likely opening day SS unless Rengifo or Drury are considered starters. I would assume Fletcher is just the extra guy in corner outfield and middle infield if they brought in a shortstop. I would also assume all ten position players (not including catcher and Ohtani) are going to play a lot and more even than most starters vs bench players. Certainly a trade is possible, but I wouldn't assume it as a given if they bring a real shortstop in. 

[BTH]

5 minutes ago, jordan said:

Bowden basically gives the Cliff notes from Blum’s article of which remaining free agents could interest the Angels. Cueto being the best fit.  Blum says it’s not likely Angels go for 4th OF but gives a couple names.  

Blum probably knows less than Bowden does, in regards to what positions the Angels are still targeting. I don’t even think Blum was attempting to report on what they’re targeting, rather just speculating based on his own view of the roster.

[jordan]

1 minute ago, Trendon said:

Blum probably knows less than Bowden does, in regards to what positions the Angels are still targeting. I don’t even think Blum was attempting to report on what they’re targeting, rather just speculating based on his own view of the roster.

Yes possibly right.  They both work for The Athletic. They can use same sources I suppose. Anyways, Blum gives names for same same positions Bowden refers to: SS, RP, SP. Blum also includes catching in his article.  Does seem speculative as you mentioned. I think it’s same with Bowden.  

[BTH]

14 minutes ago, jordan said:

Yes possibly right.  They both work for The Athletic. They can use same sources I suppose. Anyways, Blum gives names for same same positions Bowden refers to: SS, RP, SP. Blum also includes catching in his article.  Does seem speculative as you mentioned. I think it’s same with Bowden.  

Bowden at least claimed he contacted all 30 front offices, while Blum didn’t. So if anyone used sources in their article, it was Bowden.

[Pancake Bear]

19 minutes ago, Trendon said:

Blum probably knows less than Bowden does, in regards to what positions the Angels are still targeting. I don’t even think Blum was attempting to report on what they’re targeting, rather just speculating based on his own view of the roster.

Blum didn't even mention Wacha in his nine players the Angels might target. He also misspelled Greinke's name as Grienke every single time he wrote it. Brilliant stuff. 

[Pancake Bear]

Just now, Trendon said:

Bowden at least claimed he contacted all 30 front offices, while Blum didn’t. So if anyone used sources in their article, it was Bowden.

Why would Blum need to contact all 30 front offices for an article about the Angels? 

[Angelsfan1984]

Both Blum and Bowden start with a B and rhyme with annoying….coincidence? I think not. 

[tdawg87]

10 minutes ago, Angelsfan1984 said:

Both Blum and Bowden start with a B and rhyme with annoying….coincidence? I think not. 

[Inside Pitch]

28 minutes ago, Angelsfan1984 said:

Both Blum and Bowden start with a B and rhyme with annoying….coincidence? I think not. 

17 minutes ago, tdawg87 said:

 

[BTH]

44 minutes ago, Pancake Bear said:

Why would Blum need to contact all 30 front offices for an article about the Angels? 

I could’ve worded that better.

I’m saying by saying he contacted all 30 front offices, Bowden is claiming he reached out to sources with the Angels.

Whereas Blum didn’t even mention any sources.

[Angelsfan1984]

1 hour ago, tdawg87 said:

[Warfarin]

I wonder if part of the hold-up in terms of more moves is waiting for the arbitration deadline to play out.  Teams and players have to exchange figures next Friday.  Usually, most settle on the last day.  They'll likely have more financial clarity after that is settled, and can better ascertain how much they have left to spend.

[Angelsfan1984]

7 minutes ago, Warfarin said:

I wonder if part of the hold-up in terms of more moves is waiting for the arbitration deadline to play out.  Teams and players have to exchange figures next Friday.  Usually, most settle on the last day.  They'll likely have more financial clarity after that is settled, and can better ascertain how much they have left to spend.

Ya I’m sure teams need to know exactly how much they have left to spend. Especially the angels with their budget and uncertainty around the new owner.

[Revad]

I think we’re pretty much done.  Profar for $19m over two?  Or a reliever.

[TempeAngel]

Done.

Maybe some more MiLB signings for depth or why the hell not...

[Pancake Bear]

1 hour ago, Trendon said:

I could’ve worded that better.

I’m saying by saying he contacted all 30 front offices, Bowden is claiming he reached out to sources with the Angels.

Whereas Blum didn’t even mention any sources.

I could've added a /s, too. 

[Pancake Bear]

35 minutes ago, Revad said:

I think we’re pretty much done.  Profar for $19m over two?  Or a reliever.

Not sure Profar is a fit. He can play pretty much anywhere but isn't great defensively anywhere and he's coming off a high year offensively which will balloon his price tag. 

[Stradling]

We’re not done. 

[angelsnationtalk]

51 minutes ago, Stradling said:

We’re not done. 

with minor league deals !

[angelsnationtalk]

The rumors of the Angels looking to acquire shortstop help, a starting pitcher and bullpen help seem like something to be written before the offseason starts. 

If it's even slightly true I wonder about the "to what extent" part. 

Are we talking about Profar/Cueto and a cheap bullpen arm?
Or Lopez/Hoerner and Chafin.....

[ThisismineScios]

5 hours ago, Trendon said:

I still don’t know how legit Bowden is.

He’s a former GM so, in theory, it’s logical that he’d have sources and connections in front offices.

On the other hand, what’s the likelihood that people from all 30 MLB teams told him what their remaining needs are? I’d venture to guess that some portion of those teams respond, but he fills in the blanks himself for the rest. But that’s just a guess.

I doubt he actually talked to every front office. But you can get info from agents and other teams--for instance, if someone from CLE "the Angels called about Ahmed Rosario" indicates to him they're looking for a SS. He's been beating the SS drum all offseason though--since his preview piece. I don't think Perry is convinced Fletcher and Rengifo are good enough, but there may not be a sensible option for them otherwise. 

[Second Base]

1 hour ago, Pancake Bear said:

Not sure Profar is a fit. He can play pretty much anywhere but isn't great defensively anywhere and he's coming off a high year offensively which will balloon his price tag. 

He developed a case of the yips, which is a real mental thing, last time he played the infield. The only position he's suited for now is LF.

[Second Base]

And I'll repeat this again, I think Fletcher and Rengifo at SS isn't bad at all. Fletcher is an above average defender there and Rengifo is definitely passable. And both have now had some success against MLB pitching. They're both inexpensive and they can both run the bases fairly well. You can move both all around the diamond if you need, and nothing that's available is an improvement over them. Furthermore, you've got Zach Neto, Kyren Paris and Jeremiah Jackson all arriving in the next couple years, which means no long term acquisition is necessary.

If you're looking for homerism from me, look no further. I consider Fletcher and Rengifo valuable enough. 

[Dtwncbad]

[Warfarin]

5 hours ago, Second Base said:

And I'll repeat this again, I think Fletcher and Rengifo at SS isn't bad at all. Fletcher is an above average defender there and Rengifo is definitely passable. And both have now had some success against MLB pitching. They're both inexpensive and they can both run the bases fairly well. You can move both all around the diamond if you need, and nothing that's available is an improvement over them. Furthermore, you've got Zach Neto, Kyren Paris and Jeremiah Jackson all arriving in the next couple years, which means no long term acquisition is necessary.

If you're looking for homerism from me, look no further. I consider Fletcher and Rengifo valuable enough. 

I agree that Fletcher and Rengifo is largely enough for now.  I'd be happy if they acquired Rosario, though, as he likely wouldn't be too costly of an acquisition (only 1 year of control remaining).  But I don't think he'll be traded.

As for the pipeline - Neto is promising and I am assuming he will be considered the SS of the future.  Is Paris' future at SS or 2B?  He sounds more like a 2B who can be serviceable at SS, at least from what I understand.  Jackson is young, but I don't think I'd really consider him as part of the future until he has a solid minor league season.

Middle infield is probably our strongest area in teams of positional minor league talent, IMO.  Certainly more than corner infield and OF.