wopphil

If we are thinking of Matz, why not just bring back Cobb? (And for less money)

I would have jumped to get him at that price. Who knows, maybe the Angels made a similar offer but he prefers that region.

That’s funny because I do too. Every time I run the roster through my head, I completely neglect to think about him. Maybe that’s a good thing because he actually has the ability to be quite serviceable.

Yeah but if we put all our eggs in the Scherzer basket and he gets injured, we are colossally screwed. As in, no chance of competing in the final couple years of Trout’s prime. I like Scherzer as much ad everyone else, but I think he would be an incredibly high risk acquisition.

I agree on emphasizing quantity over high end quality. 5 good pitchers would be better than 2 great pitchers, IMO. And I think Rodriguez gets something closer to 4/64 than Wheeler money. But I wouldn’t be shocked if some team went 5 years and 80+ for him. His FIP last year was top of the rotation - seems he was really a victim of bad luck.

Eduardo Rodriguez is a very underrated pitcher. He has been consistent in his career, relatively healthy, and offers some upside. I’d put him very high on my list of guys to target.

I would be fine with Scherzer at something like 2/70 with a vesting option to take it to 3/105 if he is healthy and performing well. But I think someone pays him more than that. I’d rather it not be the Angels.

But does his salary still count against the payroll tax? I think it might.

I actually think I’d kick the tires on a long-term deal for Syndergaard. Something like 3/50 guaranteed with the ability for him to earn a lot more with incentives. It would be highly risky, but if he returns to health you’d be getting a young ace on a potentially great deal. And if he had the potential of hitting free agency again in his early 30s, he could potentially have interest too. It will never happen, but it’s probably the type of high risk move the team needs to make (and have go right) for a realistic chance to compete.

Yeah, Braves are done. Time of 2021 season death was bottom of 8th inning today.

Every player has their flaws. Even Scherzer has age working against him. That said, I wouldn’t go anywhere near Verlander unless it was a highly incentivized deal (which I doubt he will take). Ray will cost a fortune since he will win the Cy Young award this year, and I don’t think we want another lefty in the rotation. Gausman was very average the last few months. And Kershaw is a huge health risk. I’d stay away from all of these guys except Gausman, but the price on Gausman would have to be right.

I actually think this is a good and realistic plan. I’d add that they would need to bring in another pen arm as well (Iglesias plus two more).

I won’t be betting against the Astros again. I thought they would take a step back this year, but they are just as good as always. Gonna be hard for the Angels to improve enough to beat them.

Bauer won’t be playing next year (or in any subsequent years).

I think I am with you. Unless there are radical changes made this off-season - and I mean a shocking amount of talent brought in (like, Scherzer, Marquez, Iglesias, three other top bullpen arms and a Correa for good measure) - it’s hard to see how this team will compete with the Astros.

Regarding Rodriguez, unless a guy has a major injury - like something torn badly and possible surgery required - how can you say he won’t be healed and ready in six months. How could they possibly know that. Seems odd.

I don’t know much about how to evaluate prospects, but this guy might be the most intriguing in the system. On the one hand he had done nothing to this point in his career and this seems like a Terry Evans-like fluke. On the other hand, he only got better as the season progressed and while not young, he isn’t exactly old either. I’d love to hear a scout or talent evaluator’s opinion of him. Is this guy a legit shortstop, or does he have flaws in his game that will be exposed at the big league level?

How is Marsh’s defense? I have watched very little baseball the last two months. His defensive metrics don’t suggest anything special. But for those who see him play regularly, how does he look in center?

They are horrible. And like @calssaid, they weren’t here three years ago. This is a new problem. I often get bit within seconds of walking outside. But they only ever bite my ankles/feet, so I am usually fine if I have socks on. And deet works really well (for me at least). We get them in our house all the time. But they are so small that unless you have really good eyes, good luck seeing them.

There is a lot going right. We have the two best baseball players on the planet. A market that can support a high payroll. And a good young core of Walsh, Adell and Marsh on the position player side of things, and Rodriguez, Suarez, Sandoval, Canning and Detmers on the pitching side. This is a excellent foundation to start with.

Over his last 30 games, he is slashing .184/.370/.337/.707. I hope this is just a slump (or being massively pitched around) and not more indicative of his true talent level.

I think you mean “persons who think they are familiar with the team’s thinking.”

Agree on Cobb. I don’t think this team needs two top of the rotation arms. I think Cobb and one better arm will suffice (whether that be Gausman, Stroman, Ray or Scherzer). And in the unlikely event that allows for the signing of a good shortstop, all the better. I do expect this to be an incredibly active off-season. Perhaps the most active one we have seen in years.

Great points, I was actually thinking this earlier today. He will look for moves to make the team better, and it might be something totally unexpected. I think the only three guys on the roster who are truly safe are Trout, Rendon and Ohtani.

This team is going to have to bring in multiple shutdown arms. It really can’t be an option. We have to bring back Iglesias, and then we need two more guys who can consistently throw shut down innings. And only after that should guys like Cishek and Mayers be given innings.