Dave Saltzer

I think 4 of those issues could be solved with one solution: The international draft should be implemented with slot values assigned and the order being assigned in reverse order of the total amount teams spend on free agents the previous offseason with one major caveat: teams receiving revenue sharing funds and failing to spend at least 50% of their total revenue on major league player salaries, including their received shared funds, would be barred from the international draft. This proposal would solve the problem of clubs keeping shared funds, he current problem of international players being able to negotiate much higher deals than American players who are drafted, and of course the world draft. The only major issue it doesn't resolve is a team tanking in order to improve its draft selection, but that would have addressed through other proposals, such as limiting the number of years a team could draft in the top-5 picks in a row.

I've been wanting a true leadoff hitter for years now, and have been very much monitoring the whole Gardner situation. I'd make the trade for Santiago and Cron for Gardner and a reliever or good prospect. Then, we could sign Davis to mostly play 1B while Pujols mostly DHs. The concern with Gardner is his poor second half, but, that could be attributed to his injuries. If Arte wanted, we could go after a pitcher like Cueto then, The Yankees might do this as they don't have anyone to take over 1B after next year (I don't recall them having a decent 1B prospect--I could be wrong), and long-term, that would help them lower their payroll or allow them to go after Upton if they wanted.

While I think I'd mostly prefer Heyward and moving Calhoun to left, trading for Gardner does make some sense. A lineup of Gardner, Calhoun, Trout, Davis, Pujols, Cowart/Kubtiza, Gia, Perez, Simmons would score some runs.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. It's been a very tough year for me, but I'm thankful for the good things that I have and am looking g forward to a better year and a better Angels season next year.

I will try and schedule an interview with him in January, which should be after most of the offseason activities have concluded. That way we can find out more about him. And of course, I will try and get him to come to Fanfest.

Congratulations Jeff. You are a good reporter and a good interview at Fanfest.

Thanks for the kudos everyone. Yeah, it's been a very rough year for me, with sadly way too many problems coming as a result. I may be seeing the light at the end of one or two of the problematic tunnels, finally. So, hopefully I will be able to write more.

Chuck,

I need to talk to you about my salary . . . 

So, can we expect him at the AW Spring Training Event?

I won't be able to make the press conference tomorrow, but I'll try to get an interview in with him soon for the site and invite him to Fanfest.

One scenario that I have heard from several scouts is that the Angels will try to set themselves up at 3B looking to sign Arrenado in 3 years when he can become a FA. He's a local kid, went to El Toro High School, supposedly wants to return, and wants to play for a contender. Just something to consider when looking at how to fill 3B.

Freese will benefit from the thin 3B market this year. Most scouts think he will get 2 years and an option, but 3 years guaranteed would seal the deal.

I don't want to rush him, but he is very advanced defensively, and is showing way more with the bat than advertised. As I said in my writeup, he came across as one of the nicest and most mature players that I have interviewed (so did Newcomb and Gatto). Everyone in Orem had nothing but praise for his work ethic and mental makeup. Off the top of my head, I could easily see him being in our top 5 prospects, and might be as high as #2 next year. I will have to think about that for a bit, as there are a couple of others who could fill those slots (2-5), but I was very impressed with Ward.

So, to answer the question, mid 2017 isn't unrealistic for him, but 2018 would be a good time line for him to be starting.

David

How far away is he? I know the Angels seem to start their college picks on the low side. As far as minor league level. Maybe 2017??

Good article Glen. However, I somewhat disagree. This team didn't expire, it became "I"nspired. It never gelled as a team. It never formed a team identity. It lacked a true leader, and all of that led to I dividend play, not team play. Instead of getting g them on, getting them over, and getting them in, more times than not, people were swinging for the fences. How many solo shots have we hit and how many guys have we stranded on the basepaths? Guys who really shouldn't ever be trying to hit dangers are trying to do so. Why? This has led to far fewer runs. Yes, in a short series, dangers can make a difference. But, in the long run, team style offenses do better. Given the lack of run support so long, is there any wonder why the rotation and bullpen is falling apart? Both have been over taxed as they've been forced to work with smaller and smaller amounts of running support. And the defense has not helped either.

So, when opposing teams play us, they know that all they have to do is not let Trout or Pujols beat them. If runners are on, pitch around them because no one is there to protect them in the lineup, and whoever is there, will most likely swing for the fences and miss rather than work the field. Players like Joyce, who refuse to bunt when facing an extreme shift, are prime examples of the "I"-Team mentality. It's very selfish to continually let the other team get you out with their defensive shift.

There's no doubt that parts of this offense is broken. Losing a bat behind Pujols (Hamilton was supposed to provide that) hurt. Not having a true leadoff hitter hurt (I've been wanting a true leadoff guy for 3 years). The holes at 3B and LF hurt. But, if we had a leader and an identity, some of these problems could have been solved I ternary. If the offense were better, my bet is that the pitching would be better too (as it wouldn't be so overtaxed).

This team, like all teams, needed a leader and an identity. It never got one, and it shows.

Another great interview by Rob. Loved the bit about the first strike. That's why talking to old timers is so great--their stories are so much better.

I can tell you from personal experience how important and how welcoming it is to get a visit by an Angels player while being sick in CHOC. What's best is that they primarily do this because they want to do this and didn't do this for the publicity. If these photos were never published, they still would have done it and the kids would appreciate it that much more.

There's no doubt that he'll go back down once Freese returns, assuming it's before September. But, I like Caleb's work ethic, and really hope that he figures it all out. His defense is good, and maybe he can work himself into the mix for next year.

We have some hitters in the system, and I will be posting more interviews with them. However, we have a strong crop of pitchers on the farm, and I was really impressed with what I saw from Gatto as well as how mature he was in the interview. I definitely recommend watching this interview, as he is one of many future options for our rotation.

The big question, though, was how was the velocity?

Thanks for sharing Tank. I wish I could have been there. Was anyone able to record it?

Howdy all,

I cannot make this. I have a family conflict, and cannot get out of it. I am, however, willing to let someone borrow my video camera and tripod to record this. If anyone is going, and is willing to record this, please let me know. I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

Here is a taste of one of the stories you're likely to hear about at this event. This photo caused the Secret Service to get quite upset! Who hasn't wanted to do that to a President? 

I would do that deal. As much as I like Shoemaker, that's a good move for this year. And, for the Tigers, that's a lot of cost controlled pitching to get back in return. That would've help them as they rebuild.

Well i like the guy even more now! thank you for this Dave.  Never has our pitching future looked so bright, such a great group of starters in our near future.

Seriously! Can you imagine a rotation of Richards, Newcomb, Heaney, Tropeano and Ellis? That's very promising and very close to happening!

Cowart's defense looked good. That was never the problem, and it could play in the Majors. This is the best I've seen him hit, ever. The double would have been an HR in Anaheim, as it was over 406 feet (it's 420 in Salt Lake to dead center), but what was more impressive was his approach. The pitch before the double was a tough, low, outside breaking pitch that he used to chase all the time. This time he laid off of it on a 1-2 count, and then crushed the next pitch. That was the best approach I've seen from him.

Great interview Dave. Nice to hear an interview with this young man and hope he ends up being everthing we all want him to be!

Side note: I know you pulled the interview through arrangements with the 66ers. No complaint, but it kind of sounds like it was conducted at a Chuck E Cheese.

If you knew all that happened to get that interview, you'd understand. We are very lucky to have such a great relationship with the IE 66ers that we could get that interview. I hope everyone has listened to it, because Sean is going to be a fixture in our rotation. Go and see him while you can out there.

This is something id actually like to attend, as weird as it sounds. Would be cool to see weaver in that enviornment for some reason.

Why don't you go and giv us some scouting reports on Weaver and Jake? I will be in Orem,so I'd appreciate it.

I keep hearing Smith is the guy most likely to go in a trade since we're telling teams Newcomb is not available. He's turned some scouts heads with his stuff/command. Getting high marks.

Damn, I'm not sure I want to trade him.

More than that Chuck, I'm hearing his velocity is up a tick or two since he first came into the organization.