Dave Saltzer

How hard would it really be? He was drafted in the 13th round, which means that any money spent over $100k goes toward our total pool in round do 1-10. Our budget is over $6 million. To get all of that budget, we have to sign everyone in rounds 1-10. Let's say we do that and use up all of the budget,leaving nothing spare. We can go over the budget up to 5 percent and get taxed 75 percent on it. Beyond 5 percent, we pay 100 percent tax and lose next year:s first round pick. We aren't doing that. So, we could offer Molina about $400k to sign with us as a 13th round pick, and we would pay a fine of about $225k (which is small to get a prospect like tbat). It would mean no one else could sign over budget and we would have to sign all of our first ten picks. 

So, ask yourself, with a past like his, and the high potential for an arm like that to burn out or require TJ surgery, would you really turn down $400k as a signing bonus all because you didn't get a first round pick? The chances of never seen g any money are quite high, and his past will affect him for years in terms of how his character is perceived by clubs. I'd take that kind of money with all that we know about him. If his arm is that great, holding out for more will delay his development to the Majors where he will make far more than he would by increasing his draft rank. 

If we really want him, that's about as good an offer as we can put out there for him. 

2 minutes ago, JarsOfClay said:

What does LSU commit mean exactly?  That he wont sign with the angels or he's still uncertain?

It means that he has signed a letter of intent to play there and will use it as a negotiating tactic to get more money to sign and "forego" his commitment.

I'd love it if he could develop as a switch hitter to take advantage of that plus-plus speed.

3 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

Does anyone have any guesses or hopefuls for this next pick?

Has there been any top talent slip due to signability concerns or because of injury issues?

Would you gamble here with either of those scenarios?

Whether or not we gamble depends on what kind of deals we anticipate/have in place with our first two picks. If we have some spare cash, absolutely we should gamble (but I don't know of any major players to slip). If not, we should gamble on the highest upside players we can get.

I would like to see us take more position players in the early rounds. We have an absolute dearth of them in the organization, and it would be good to fill out the ranks with some guys who can hit.

30 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

Thaiss, Marsh and Jones could all be in the same lineup for the Orem Owlz this season.

When is your trip to Orem this summer @Dave Saltzer?

Should be up there at the beginning of August, right as they make a run for the playoffs . . . 

3 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

Well.... So do really know that no other team had Ward on their board around our pick @hangin n wangin?

Also, if a team scouts thousands of players and their #1 pick on their board is like ranked 200th on Baseball America's board, who is right? Nerds behind computers or actual scouts that watch these kids play on multiple occasions?

Chuck,

Here's what I've been told: Ward was highly regarded throughout the org and they really wanted him both as a player and as part of a plan. If you recall, the Angels had gone pitching heavy in the previous drafts. The thought was to get a top-flight catcher who could and would develop with them to have a stable pitching/catching tandem in place to become the foundation of a future rotation/bullpen. Ward's defensive skills, particularly his throws to 2B were that good (top of the charts on times). His ability to work with pitchers was highly regarded. They didn't see his bat as a major liability as many publications had it, and his work ethic was incredible. They absolutely did not expect him to be available the next time they picked, so they took him when they could to fit into their long-term plans.

Having interviewed him, I've been very impressed with his personal makeup. He has a very mature attitude for someone at his age, and a presence that I could easily see doing well working with a rotation. I wasn't surprised when they had him jump up the ladder a level this year, I'm just a bit saddened to see him struggling so much. 

Look, we could be just as effective by developing an international presence and improving our international scouting department and NOT have to go through losing years. My biggest criticism of the team over the last decade has been the lack of an international presence and a lack of signing international FAs. There are ways to sustain an organization while still signing FAs as necessary and drafting lower in the June draft--and we haven't done it.

On 5/26/2016 at 10:57 AM, Chuckster70 said:

I'll let @Blarg respond, but my take is San Berdo has always been pretty sketchy. Never liked rolling in that hood, though I've never been to a 66ers game so that area may be OK.

@Dave Saltzer has been there a lot, so he would know. 

I have never had a problem going to and from the stadium or in the stadium. There's not much around the stadium (in terms of food or other things either--but the stadium food there is relatively decent and reasonably priced--think 50% of Angel Stadium prices). I've taken my wife, kids, mother, etc. there and never had a problem inside the stadium. The stadium itself is less than a mile from the freeway. There are some gas stations nearby where I've never had a problem either. When I go, I just go there and go home (unless I get gas), so, it's never really a problem. 

Hope that helps.

1 minute ago, nate said:

My thoughts exactly.  Don't see a NL team trading one of their top prospects for Cron who has mediocre offense and no defense.

I'm not sure that the Mets see either one as a top prospect. Sickels has Nimmo as a B- with a falling value, and didn't even include Ynoa in his Top-20 prospects.

As for the hole we'd get at 1B, we can bring Cowart up for 3B and Escobar and Calhoun can backup 1B.

Part of the value for Cron is filling the hole that the Mets have now for the bulk of the season and the consequences that it would have for our team.

2 minutes ago, Glen said:

I'd make that trade but I don't think that the Mets would bite.

Why not? They definitely need a hole and are in a win-now mode. Power is a premium, and Cron would mash in many of their opponent's ballparks. Ynoa and Nimmo appear to be spare parts for them (they have an OF and rotation set). We could add a piece if you think it's not enough value, but, it is a young, cost-controlled ML player for two spare parts.

Okay, it's a long day here, and I've had some time to think. The Mets need a 1B. The Angels need . . . well . . . everywhere! 

So here is my proposal: C.J. Cron for Gabriel Ynoa and Brandon Nimmo. Ynoa is a control pitcher doing well in AAA, but not a main strikeout guy. Nimmo is a left-handed hitting CF with gap power (and a potential to add about 10-12 HRs) and decent OB skills. 

Let's discuss . . . 

1 hour ago, Angel Oracle said:

.906 OPS for the Midwest League is sick.   Any plans to move Moyer up to A+ ball soon?

Yes. Look at yesterday's box score.

20 hours ago, oater said:

? re Ruxer:

The Bees have been using him in relief this year.  Is there a plan to switch him back to starting?

I don't know. The last I heard he was still seen as a starter and was being stretched back out due to the TJ surgery. But, things could have changed. I will try and get an answer.

I had a birthday party for my son there when he turned 8. They have a great package. They put him up on the dugout during the game, had the crowd sing happy birthday to him, and he had a great time. 

More importantly, it's a heck of a lot of fun, especially for families. The seats are very reasonably priced, the stadium is comfy, lots of family friendly activities. I would highly recommend it.

As I have said to many people on here, I cannot take seriously, and will no longer continue to read or follow any sports writer who suggests or proposes that the Angels trade Trout. It isn't going to happen. I have removed those who continue to persist in this nonsense from my Twitter feeds.

From Scout's Mock Draft 4.0

http://www.scout.com/mlb/scouting/story/1670969-scout-s-2016-mlb-mock-draft-4-0

16.   Los Angeles Angels - Bryan Reynolds, OF, Vanderbilt

Bryan Reynolds

 

Brentwood HSBrentwood, TN

Vanderbilt / 6'2" / 210 lbs

• POSOF
• NO.20

I was talking to someone I respect, who knows a lot about the Angels, and has ties to the organization. He has been adamant that the Angels are looking into bats early, and would then look to see what arm would be there later. Reynolds was viewed as a possible top-10 pick as well, and is still in many top 20’s. He does a lot of things well and could be a quick mover. If the Angels are looking for a college bat early, Reynolds makes the most sense here for one of the most conservative drafting teams in the league. Buddy Reed could also go here, if they want a bit more upside.

22 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

Would you?

Could you?

In a park?
On a lark?

Bring on a Shield

Or left field.

Has this season already become a Dr. Seussian adventure?

He's not at all underrated around the league. I've talked to scouts from about 20+ teams and they would all love to have him on their team. He's considered a very valuable player.

Good story. Glad you got to see the Angels play. But, question for you: is it really that the fans there are better at handling their beer, or is it that they are just more experienced with it?

My wife just decided to go to her aunt's house so my plans for the day changed. I'd like $200 for my pair of tickets, which includes preferred parking, and can meet you before 11 Am tomorrow. Please send me a message if interested. These are great seats, directly behind home plate. 

Re: HIPAA, medical staff and I believe training staff are covered by HIPAA, and cannot share any information, even simple stuff, like what city the player lives in, even if it can be found out from other sources. The information can't be hared with anyone, without the consent of the patient, and must be protected essentially forever.

3 minutes ago, yk9001 said:

I don't believe the HIPPA stuff that Saltzer is selling.
No I am not a doctor, nor an attorney.  But I follow a lot of sports.

When Steph Curry gets hurt (first the foot, then the knee), nobody from the Warriors was peddling "stomach virus" or "heart palpitations".  The sideline reporter discussed the specific injuries immediately.

Its so "angels" that they sell a forearm issue as "hydration".

I suggest you get the medical records of a famous and/or rich person and release them without their consent. See what happens!

Okay, just coming into this thread. A few thoughts.

1) Initially, like most, I thought, well, my day just turned to sh*t. But wait, it didn't. This news didn't turn my day to sh*t (it was already a bad day). I can choose to be pessimistic and write off the whole season, or not. So can all of you. The only people whose days have turned to sh*t are Richards and Heaney, who will have to go through surgery and a painful recovery without knowing if they will return as the same pitchers. Let's keep the focus on where it needs to be--on the players, not on ourselves.

2) HIPAA does prevent the medical staff and PR staff from releasing anything not expressly authorized by the player. So, they can't reveal what they know until given permission by the player. Players do release things to specific reporters. Even then, the medical staff can't talk about it until authorized by the player.

3) Why the hell would you change the number of games that you attend or watch on TV? That's bandwagoning. I go to the ballpark to be entertained. As someone pointed out, if a team wins 100 games, and I see a game where they lose 17-1 and they commit 5 errors, was I entertained because they made the playoffs or was I not entertained because the play on the field was so bad? I go to games because I never know what will happen at the game, it's a chance to sit in fresh air, talk with friends, and see the game I love played by the team I care about passionately. I don't go just to see a pre-playoff team.

Go ahead and rip me on these thoughts. It's okay. I've had a rough enough day that it won't bother me. But seriously, reading through this thread today was worse and more offensive than learning the news about Richards and Heaney was.