This place has been quiet

[Stradling]

I am guessing it will blow up in the next week or so as we start to see the remaining pitchers get signed. I am starting to lean in the direction of sign Tanaka or trade Aybar for pitching depth. I know a lot of people are worried about going into this season with the starting staff we currently have and saying it is too much like last year. I disagree. Last years staff, well at least the Hanson and Blaton parts were players that were either no good, or no longer effective. Neither of those pitchers really had upside, they were both fillers and players to complete a staff that was needed to keep us in games because of our offense. If we go into this season as is (which we won't) we will have pitchers with talent and upside. They will take their lumps as most young pitchers do, but it will still be so much better than watching what we watched last year.

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

Mathis

That will add 10+ pages of drivel.

[Brent Maguire]

The rotation still needs another pitcher, whether it's Tanaka or another cheaper starter. 

 

This team got killed by it's lack of rotation depth next year and right now we have Blanton/Shoemaker in line to be a starter were someone to get hurt. That's not going to cut it. 

[gotbeer]

Calm before the storm.  

[Stradling]

Oh I agree that the team needs another starter, but if we started this year exactly as we are constructed right now, we would still have the ability to trade for a starter after the season starts.

[Stradling]

Mathis

That will add 10+ pages of drivel.

Trade Conger for minor league depth and then acquire Mathis. I like your way of thinking Soto (even if you are wrong about Salmon).

The above is sarcasm

Edited December 31, 2013 by Stradling

[Second Base]

The rotation will be better as is, but the Angels will need depth. I see a few things we weren't expecting for this next season occurring.

1. Weaver won't be the same. He was great and never relied on throwing hard and was a CY candidate every year.....back when he was throwing 89/90. It's pretty clear he doesn't throw that hard anymore. Even with deception I just don't see him getting away with throwing 85 this year. I think weav's numbers will be closer to that of a #3 starter rather than ace.

2. Richards will take a huge step forward and become the mid rotation starter many if us envisioned.

3. Santiago's numbers won't be as good as before, but he still should be on par with Vargas from last year in terms of value as a #4 starter.

4. Skaggs will make the no-brainer adjustment that every scout in the world saw and resume throwing in the low-90's and become a very solid #3/4 starter.

In essence I don't see the Angels having your typical ace, #2, two mid rotation arms and a backend inning eater type of rotation. Instead I see them a #2 starter in Wilson and a collection of four mid-rotation arms, which lacks upside but makes up for it in not having downside either.

A slightly above average rotation. I like the rotation but I am free to admit they need more depth. I love Shoemaker as a spot starter and think Blanton's fine in long relief and mop up. But I think this organization would be much better off if it found 2 more starters they could slot along side Shoe in AAA. Mulder would make a ton if sense actually.

[Jimmag]

Arte and Jerry are in stealth mode.

[Angel Oracle]

Sappington is the true starting pitching prospect without MLB experience that is the closest to being ready, but is likely still 1.5 years away and needs to improve his control.

[Chuck]

Always quiet around the holidays, plus there's no new rumors to chew on.

[Splint7438]

I think we will be in on tanaka and garza both. The way the angels have been so stealth in going after players over the last few years could give the impression that the FO isn't trying. We never hear anything about our chances unless we sign the player. Otherwise we get the standard " made a fair offer" line. Would love to have tanaka. Garza may be effective but he is pickle bait.

[Mark68]

Always quiet around the holidays, plus there's no new rumors to chew on.

This, plus we (as are a lot of teams' fanbases) are in a holding pattern until we know where Tanaka is going.

[wopphil]

Arte has so much money invested in Hamilton/Weaver/Pujols/Wilson that there is no way he won't continue to go all in.  They will sign another pitcher (or two), it is just a matter of whether they get their top targets.

 

And honestly, as much as most of us want Tanaka, our rotation will be vastly improved even if we "only" get Garza. 

[Tavon Brown]

When the Angels were tight lipped on Tanka I knew we would sign him.

[Ohtaniland]

When it comes to Tanaka, I hope they don't wave the Greinke white flag.

[Tank]

When the Angels were tight lipped on Tanka I knew we would sign him.

 

that's my sister.

[Tavon Brown]

that's my sister.

Boy I wish Angelswin would teach my son English grammar and spelling.  They would be far better than any teacher here in California public schools.

[Tyler]

Getting two young SP's was enough to shut me up. It was all I wanted for a couple off-seasons now.

[ten ocho recon scout]

that's my sister.

lol

[GoodTimesGoneBad]

Sign garza for 5/75, sign balfour for 2/12, and trade Aybar, Blanton, and cash for Niese.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Always quiet around the holidays, plus there's no new rumors to chew on.

 

The relative lull created by the Tanaka situation has made it even more so this year. A lot of transactions are in neutral until that one is decided.

[Brent Maguire]

The market for Tanaka could drive his price up to something that is just way too much of an overpay.

I want the Angels to make a very competitive offer at the very least. If some other team offers upwards of 140 million, move on and add another starter.