Blum article on Rendon....

[DMVol]

I haven't seen this posted anywhere (sorry if I missed it) but an interesting read if you have a subscription to The Athletic...I don't know if this came from a Minasian press conference or it was an interview of Minasian solely by Blum (which would be odd).  Anyway, Minasian made things pretty clear about Rendon. Forget all the drama, he simply has to be more productive and, if not, the team is willing to move on.  At least that's how I read it.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5808007/2024/09/30/angels-anthony-rendon-roster-spot-not-guaranteed/

[Angel Oracle]

Given that Hackiltin was given the heave ho, it’s in play.

[AngelsHilo]

It was a Minasian Press Conference.  No way Blum gets an interview.  MLB's Bollinger wrote on the same presser.  His take was Rendon would probably be a bench player in 2025.  Blum took it farther by inferring that Rendon would be released.  All Minasian said was he needed more productivity.  Blum as always is the Drama Queen.

[DMVol]

18 minutes ago, AngelsHilo said:

It was a Minasian Press Conference.  No way Blum gets an interview.  MLB's Bollinger wrote on the same presser.  His take was Rendon would probably be a bench player in 2025.  Blum took it farther by inferring that Rendon would be released.  All Minasian said was he needed more productivity.  Blum as always is the Drama Queen.

I assumed it was from his post season news conference but wasn't sure....I didn't pay much attention to Blum's take but I did pay attention to Minasian's quotes.  Sometimes we read into a quote or statement what we want to hear and you can interpret what he said in several ways perhaps.  But, at least to me, it seemed to go a little further than saying he might be a bench player.  "We're starting to create some depth" could mean several things, I guess.  Maybe it meant that Rendon is going to be "depth" if he doesn't produce, as you say.  To me, "we're starting to create some depth" might mean "we've got better players in the organization (or will sign FA's that are better) and you aren't guaranteed a roster spot." Honestly, he left it open for interpretation.

“When Anthony has played, he hasn’t been productive,” Minasian said. “He’s going to have to come in and earn it. There are no handouts. We’re starting to create some depth. … The best players are going to play.”

 

 

[AngelsHilo]

You should check out the MLB article-

“There's been significant money spent on the payroll, it comes back to the players we're spending on,” Minasian said. “And we need our best players to play. They know that. With that being said, we definitely need more players.”

As Minasian pointed out, health was again an issue for the Angels this season, especially with veterans Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon limited to just 29 and 57 games, respectively, despite making a combined $75.6 million.

The Angels are trying to formulate a plan to keep Trout on the field more in 2025 -- which could mean spending time in the outfield corners and DH’ing more often -- but Rendon is likely headed to a bench role despite being owed $38.5 million in both ’25 and ‘26, as he hasn’t been productive when healthy and went homerless in ’24.

“We need them to be better,” Minasian said. “It’s not a lack of effort. It just is what it is, but they understand how important they are, and from a payroll standpoint, they take up a significant chunk of the payroll. So when your best players aren’t playing, it makes it more difficult.”

Yes you can interpret things differently.  In Bollinger's article nothing was said about Rendon being released.  I believe Blum wanted to interpret it that way.

[jsnpritchett]

4 minutes ago, AngelsHilo said:

You should check out the MLB article-

“There's been significant money spent on the payroll, it comes back to the players we're spending on,” Minasian said. “And we need our best players to play. They know that. With that being said, we definitely need more players.”

As Minasian pointed out, health was again an issue for the Angels this season, especially with veterans Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon limited to just 29 and 57 games, respectively, despite making a combined $75.6 million.

The Angels are trying to formulate a plan to keep Trout on the field more in 2025 -- which could mean spending time in the outfield corners and DH’ing more often -- but Rendon is likely headed to a bench role despite being owed $38.5 million in both ’25 and ‘26, as he hasn’t been productive when healthy and went homerless in ’24.

“We need them to be better,” Minasian said. “It’s not a lack of effort. It just is what it is, but they understand how important they are, and from a payroll standpoint, they take up a significant chunk of the payroll. So when your best players aren’t playing, it makes it more difficult.”

Yes you can interpret things differently.  In Bollinger's article nothing was said about Rendon being released.  I believe Blum wanted to interpret it that way.

“We’re going to look at everything,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said when asked if Rendon was assured a roster spot. “We’re going to look at this club. What makes the best sense for this organization. Tony does bring some experience. He’s been in winning environments. He is a smart baseball player.

“For everybody, not just Tony, guys are going to have to come in and earn their jobs.”

[DMVol]

15 minutes ago, AngelsHilo said:

You should check out the MLB article-

“There's been significant money spent on the payroll, it comes back to the players we're spending on,” Minasian said. “And we need our best players to play. They know that. With that being said, we definitely need more players.”

As Minasian pointed out, health was again an issue for the Angels this season, especially with veterans Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon limited to just 29 and 57 games, respectively, despite making a combined $75.6 million.

The Angels are trying to formulate a plan to keep Trout on the field more in 2025 -- which could mean spending time in the outfield corners and DH’ing more often -- but Rendon is likely headed to a bench role despite being owed $38.5 million in both ’25 and ‘26, as he hasn’t been productive when healthy and went homerless in ’24.

“We need them to be better,” Minasian said. “It’s not a lack of effort. It just is what it is, but they understand how important they are, and from a payroll standpoint, they take up a significant chunk of the payroll. So when your best players aren’t playing, it makes it more difficult.”

Yes you can interpret things differently.  In Bollinger's article nothing was said about Rendon being released.  I believe Blum wanted to interpret it that way.

I wonder if "bench role" is Bollinger's take or he's been told, privately, that this is the most likely scenario.....

[totdprods]

2 minutes ago, DMVol said:

I wonder if "bench role" is Bollinger's take or he's been told, privately, that this is the most likely scenario.....

We need a 1B/3B bench bat so may as well put Rendon there. Not a ton of FA options that really tilt the needle. 

I assume there’s a solid chance Rengifo to 3B and Moore to 2B happens sooner rather than later, but then there’s the question of who’s at 3B if Rengifo is dealt in July or walks end of year. 

[DMVol]

11 minutes ago, totdprods said:

We need a 1B/3B bench bat so may as well put Rendon there. Not a ton of FA options that really tilt the needle. 

I assume there’s a solid chance Rengifo to 3B and Moore to 2B happens sooner rather than later, but then there’s the question of who’s at 3B if Rengifo is dealt in July or walks end of year. 

Pure speculation but the "depth" quote from Minasian does have me scratching my head a bit....it could well mean that Rendon is a candidate for a 1b/3b bench role, as Bollinger would seem to say....but I also wonder if it meant "I'd like to sign or trade for a depth guy or two like Urshela or Drury (23 version) and I'm not going to let Rendon's contract keep me from doing that".....Obviously Bollinger thinks the former.  I  don't know....and I'm not going to jump on Blum's interpretation but I'm not dismissing it either....we'll see...

[tdawg87]

57 minutes ago, DMVol said:

We’re starting to create some depth.

[tdawg87]

Blum is what happens when a fan becomes a beat writer. 

I like him. He's just emotional like we are and shows it. 

I do understand why people don't like that. To me it adds a different perspective.

[Angel Oracle]

Have Trout do a lot of stretching in the off season, keep his body loose.

Maybe that helps prevent some of his past injuries?

[Stradling]

13 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

Have Trout do a lot of stretching in the off season, keep his body loose.

Maybe that helps prevent some of his past injuries?

Doubtful. 

[totdprods]

34 minutes ago, DMVol said:

but I also wonder if it meant "I'd like to sign or trade for a depth guy or two like Urshela or Drury (23 version) and I'm not going to let Rendon's contract keep me from doing that".....

I 100% think we have to add exactly this type of player still this winter.

We need at least one vet who can both cover 2-3 infield positions and offer at least a .700 OPS capably. 

Ames Rosario, Yoan Moncada (less so if Rendon is transition to a 1B/3B bench bat), Kyle Farmer, Paul DeJong, something like that, trading Reid Detmers for a Nolan Gorman or Noelvi Marte…

We need another infielder who can 1) serve as insurance for Rendon and Rengifo’s IL stint frequency 2) be an actual competitive at-bat and off the bench instead of guys like Lopez, Tucker 3) be a bridge* if Rengifo is dealt in July or Moore proves not ready and 4) ideally back-up SS so Rengifo doesn’t, so we again don’t have to see Jack Lopez-types. Neto’s HBP tendency scares me. We’re a broken hand away from 100+ PA of the SLC SS again, since our SS depth in the minors is devoid in the upper-levels.

*It’s also probably pretty difficult convincing a FA who should be productive to sign with a cellar-dweller in a utility role…these guys often want everyday jobs if they’re settling on a non-competitive team, or taking UT jobs on contenders to get a ring, so I anticipate a 2-3 year deal, like Drury, unless we trade for someone like maybe Isaiah Kiner-Falefa.

Edited October 1 by totdprods

[Stradling]

20 minutes ago, tdawg87 said:

Blum is what happens when a fan becomes a beat writer. 

I like him. He's just emotional like we are and shows it. 

I do understand why people don't like that. To me it adds a different perspective.

In this scenario it’s also win/win for Blum. If they release him then Blum was right, if they don’t he will spin it. 
I like when fans are fans and reporters are professionals. He enjoys the clicks created by being unprofessional. 

[Dtwncbad]

Seems like there is always a debate on Blum being either a good source for some info or a dork and a baby that can be unprofessional.

It’s both.

[jsnpritchett]

As usual, I'm curious how many people commenting in this thread have actually read the article.

[Erstad Grit]

To me this is very significant. 

What we've had and don't want it

"When healthy we know Rendon is a top MLB player. This off-season we expect a full recovery and look forward to seeing Rendon ready to go at 3B in ST"

To me this is

"Rendon will have to prove himself in ST. Not just to be the starting 3B, but to even have a spot on the roster.

If Arte is spending, this suggests 3B can be a position to fill. (Bregman?) 

[Jeff Fletcher]

2 hours ago, AngelsHilo said:

It was a Minasian Press Conference.  No way Blum gets an interview.  MLB's Bollinger wrote on the same presser.  His take was Rendon would probably be a bench player in 2025.  Blum took it farther by inferring that Rendon would be released.  All Minasian said was he needed more productivity.  Blum as always is the Drama Queen.

My story had the exact same quotes and said the same thing. 
 

I didn’t make it the headline because it’s still very speculative and preliminary, so I didn’t want to give people the idea that this is any kind of sure thing.  

[Stradling]

53 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

As usual, I'm curious how many people commenting in this thread have actually read the article.

Dumb (when in Rome)

[BTH]

1 hour ago, tdawg87 said:

Blum is what happens when a fan becomes a beat writer. 

I like him. He's just emotional like we are and shows it. 

I do understand why people don't like that. To me it adds a different perspective.

He’s not an Angels fan though.

He grew up a Mets fan.

Pretty much every reporter grew up a fan. But they drop it when it becomes their job. (Or they’re supposed to)

[BTH]

What Perry said makes complete sense.

Rendon isn’t deserving of the 3B job, and Minasian finally acknowledged that.

If Rendon is a bench player or even released, it’s gonna be way easier to convince a player to sign with them vs. having them sign on to be a backup infielder.

People whining about what Blum wrote is dumb. He used the same quotes from the same interview that Rhett and Jeff were at, and wrote.

[jsnpritchett]

9 minutes ago, BTH said:

What Perry said makes complete sense.

Rendon isn’t deserving of the 3B job, and Minasian finally acknowledged that.

If Rendon is a bench player or even released, it’s gonna be way easier to convince a player to sign with them vs. having them sign on to be a backup infielder.

People whining about what Blum wrote is dumb. He used the same quotes from the same interview that Rhett and Jeff were at, and wrote.

He actually used a quote that I haven't seen in the other articles (I posted it above), which does seem to imply that a release is at least a possibility.

[DMVol]

46 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

My story had the exact same quotes and said the same thing. 
 

I didn’t make it the headline because it’s still very speculative and preliminary, so I didn’t want to give people the idea that this is any kind of sure thing.  

Jeff: Lots of things that could occur in the off-season that might change the narrative. But no question that he is saying “We aren’t penciling you in as the everyday 3bman.” That seems pretty obvious but is it a bit of a step for Minasian to say it publicly? 

[BTH]

7 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

He actually used a quote that I haven't seen in the other articles (I posted it above), which does seem to imply that a release is at least a possibility.

You’re right.

Though Fletch also made it clear in his article that it was a possibility.

Minasian also opened the door a crack for a roster without Rendon, who has two years left on his $245 million deal. When asked flatly why they would keep a player who has had Rendon’s injuries and declining performance, Minasian said: “That’s a great question. We’re going to look at everything. Were going to look at what makes the best sense for this organization.”