SI: Angels take Shohei Ohtani off trade market, will buy

[mmc]

 

[Justin]

The same way Arte was going to sell the team? 

[Stradling]

Ok, then get two bullpen arms, a catcher and a starter.

[Revad]

Why would you make that decision now?  

[bloodbrother]

Nice message to potential suitors to let them know they need to offer some more if they're serious about wanting Ohtani

[tdawg87]

We're like, a weekend away from season over. 

Ok.

[nando714]

So if we split the DH tomorrow against Det 

and get swept by Toronto (73% chance) 

we still buying ? 

[nando714]

Just now, tdawg87 said:

We're like, a weekend away from season over. 

Ok.

@ Toronto and @ Atlanta 

lol 

[nando714]

1 minute ago, Revad said:

Why would you make that decision now?  

Bc the Angels organization has zero leverage in negotiations 

[Stradling]

Just now, nando714 said:

Bc the Angels organization has zero leverage in negotiations 

They have the same leverage as anyone looking for talent or moving talent. It’s a sellers market. 

[Revad]

I believe this when they add to the team, the article said a SP and a reliever.

[Stradling]

Do most of your shopping in St. Louis by getting Flaherty, Hicks and take on Contreras contract. Cost will be minimal in talent going back. 

[OhtaniSan]

Or.. instead of using this as leverage… maybe they are actually going to push for the postseason

Cant believe people are dissatisfied with this, when was the last time we can say the Angels were in a position to actually go for it?

If someone told me before the season started that Angels would be deadline buyers, id have been through the roof with excitement. 

[Revad]

1 minute ago, OhtaniSan said:

Or.. instead of using this as leverage… maybe they are actually going to push for the offseason

Cant believe people are dissatisfied with this, when was the last time we can say the Angels were in a position to actually go for it?

If someone told me before the season started that Angels would be deadline buyers, id have been through the roof with excitement. 

For me it’s not dissatisfaction but the fact that it makes no sense.

[totdprods]

Good. Let's go for it.

[jsnpritchett]

I, of course, reserve the right to withdraw my facepalm depending on what moves are actually made.  Ha. 

[REDneck]

If true, the team better win all but one or two games before the deadline.

I think it's a mistake not to trade him. If you don't trade him then you don't trade anyone else either...

Hard decision, but this is the camp that I'm pitching my tent in...no pun intended!

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by REDneck

[totdprods]

The whole point of the last few years has to make the playoffs with Trout and Ohtani...this is our last guaranteed year to do that and, despite slim chances, we are very much in the thick of it. Sort of a "if not now, when?" scenario. Can't go back in time. Letting Ohtani walk is no worse stain on Arte's/Angels' legacy than what we've endured already. 

Sure, the smart baseball move would be to make a franchise-altering sale of Ohtani (last deadline, mostly), but the Angels are in the entertainment business and have the most unique talent in baseball in the last century, and the best player of the last decade. If we suck next year and Ohtani walks, so fuggin' what, no different than the last few years. And honestly, the future looks a little better with Neto, Detmers, O'Hoppe. 

The way I see it, the Angels either make the playoffs and/or keep Ohtani (yay!), or they don't and it is perhaps the closing of the door of the Arte Era, the Trout Contention Window (at least the first version), and the Angels can undergo a true rebuild/retool or organizational reset with a new owner...which is pretty much overdue. 

The Angels have sold every deadline since Ohtani arrived. This can be the beginning of their pitch to retain him. Buy now. Show him what a playoff run in Anaheim looks like with the start of the new core he'd be around. 

Edited July 27, 2023 by totdprods

[HBAngel13]

As much as I love the idea of a deep playoff run, the chances feel slim even with some strategic adds. The next 25 games after the Detroit series are very tough and I have a hard time believing they have a 15-10 run in them, especially how they have played tough completion so far this season. In fact the opposite feels more likely

They are in a no-win situation unless they pull off a playoff berth and make some noise in the postseason

if it was me, I would move him if the talent package was strong and you got 1-2 guys who are MLB ready. if you can’t resign him, use the $30m to bolster the pitching and add a bat  Plus, Ohtani leaving may mean that Arte goes through with a sale soon. A change of ownership coupled with a talent influx is the best possible outcome for me

 

[Angel Oracle]

40 minutes ago, Stradling said:

Ok, then get two bullpen arms, a catcher and a starter.

Especially with 15 games in 14 days

[VladdyforHOF]

44 minutes ago, Stradling said:

Ok, then get two bullpen arms, a catcher and a starter.

You're totally fried. What catcher should the Angels target? I've heard literally no one say the Angels need to trade for a catcher. This team has enough catching depth.

But you are like every front office mind put into one, right?

[Stradling]

Just now, VladdyforHOF said:

You're totally fried. What catcher should the Angels target? I've heard literally no one say the Angels need to trade for a catcher. This team has enough catching depth.

But you are like every front office mind put into one, right?

Read the board, there’s a few of us who’ve noticed that Wallach doesn’t have a single hit the last 5-6 weeks. It was like June 13th the last time he had a hit. So yea upgrading him is a good idea while we wait for Yogi. 

[warped]

Hell yes, I'm drinking a saparo to celebrate

[HBAngel13]

Grandal isn’t great but he has postseason experience and some nitro left in his bat.  Taking him on in a bigger package that includes Cease or Giolito could lessen the prospect hit. 

[totdprods]

1 minute ago, Stradling said:

Read the board, there’s a few of us who’ve noticed that Wallach doesn’t have a single hit the last 5-6 weeks. It was like June 13th the last time he had a hit. So yea upgrading him is a good idea while we wait for Yogi. 

And we're a September injury away from banking on Okey as our secondary. Wallach is probably claimed when O'Hoppe returns. We still need catcher depth, and it's an easy thing to try and pick off cheaply now. 
May not be necessary, but if a need arises, it sure will feel good knowing it was addressed now.