eaterfan

I think a lot of the issue with the food is that the stadium just wasn't designed for modern stadium good service. It's designed to handle boiled hot dogs.

Absolutely true, but there could definitely be some in stadium improvements. It's definitely the most blah stadium I've been to. I guess the must defining feature is the rock pile. But you could put the stadium anywhere in the US and it would be just as representative of wherever it is as it is of Orange County. In addition to the lack of character on the aesthetic side, there are some changes that could make the game day and viewing experience better. I'd like to see larger concourses and improved areas for food service. I'd also like to see more escalators. I think the neighborhood surrounding the stadium has been getting more fun over the last 20 years and it will continue to get better. The city and the Ducks are developing things and I'm sure the Angels will develop more on their parking lots, too.

With all due respect, no. We need a baseball stadium with sightlines and seats that are angled to optimize the baseball viewing experience. The field could have some character and unique elements that way.

I assume it has to do with the MLB training facilities in Florida and Arizona. It's not just playing the games that is the issue. But this whole thing sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. What happens if like 5 starters on a team get it? A team is just going to be missing 5 starters for 4-6 weeks in a condensed season?

IMO Blind Pig is even better. Total Wine has always gotten Russian River stuff and they always keep it in the back fridge, but since Russian River expanded their production last last year it's a lot easier to get. Also, Focal Banger and Heady have been distributed in Orange County for about a year or more now. First Class Pizza in Irvine gets it, too. There's a lot of good beer out there these days.

Has anyone in this thread brought up what happens when a player gets sick or injured as far as finding a replacement? Teams use 60+ players during a season. Are we going to have reserves in the quarantine hotels? How are guys who aren't on the 26 man roster going to stay sharp without minor league games? The more you think about this plan the dumber it gets.

Having no games is better than people dying or going on life support unnecessarily. We'd all love to see games, but I'm skeptical this plan will keep people safe.

Why do people continually insist on comparing contracts of free agents with those of extensions signed by players under contract? It's like comparing the contract of a player at the end of arbitration to that of the first year of a rookie contract.

It's going to be bad. I wouldn't be shocked if the season gets cancelled. My dad is pretty senior at a local public hospital. They had an expert come in and talk about the hospitals response plan. They are expecting it to be bad and last a year. They are hopeful that warm temps help to kill it so it's more dormant during the summer, but it may then bounce back in the fall.

It was a joke commenting on his "defensive" abilities.

He doesn't really have experience playing defense anywhere else, either.

This is why I think hustle is a little overrated. Guys get hurt out there a lot and running out a routine grounder against a SS with a 97% fielding percentage in July just isn't worth missing a few weeks with a pulled hammy or rolled ankle.

Law has also been high on Adams in the past. With a decent performance this year, I think he'll make the top 100 this season or next.

Stamets sighting indeed.

I disagree simply because the big question for both Adell and Wood was the contact issue. Kotchman was always thought to have an advanced approach at the plate who would be a high contact guy. The question with Kotchman was always whether or not that doubles power would turn into HR power as he got older.

There was a play earlier in the game where he went to his left where he didn't look great either. He got the out, but it was a little closer than it should have been.

Absolutely. And it's important to remember the context and not just look at stats, or even stats and age. Looking back at Brandon Wood, it's easy to say, he struck out a lot (people brought that up at the time) but that was really the only question. Angels fans and the national media downplayed these concerns because of the monster power and there are plenty of guys who strike out a lot and figure it out as they age. I was pretty young and just getting into following prospects at the time. I'm optimistic about Adell, but at the same time I'm cautious because I could see Adell heading the same way as Wood. If he fails everyone will look back and say we overlooked the contact issues and high strikeouts, and say he was clearly overrated when we have our next highly ranked prospect in that mode. Obviously, Wood is about as bad of a situation as there could be, so the odds of Adell busting that badly are low. But, I think it's a fair comparison to make and at least question why we think Adell will be better.

You don't think there's a difference between doing that as a corner at 24 than doing that at SS at age 21?

Why? Both had big power and their biggest issue was strike outs? They may have very different results once Adell hits the majors, but it's not like the questions with Wood aren't the same ones that exist with Adell.

So this is just going to be the injury thread, right? It will be the longest thread in AW.com history.

I put Canning. WAR likes pitchers who are K guys, and a lot of our pitchers are guys who are going to rely on the defense and have to out pitch their peripherals. I also think which flavor of WAR you use. Ones based more on expected results will certainly favor the strike out guys while a guy like Teheran could be really productive without the WAR to back it up.

Do people on this message board seriously not understand usage rates and differences between basketball, football, and baseball? The top players in basketball are used on 1/3 of the possessions. If Mike Trout had 1/3 of the ABs on the Angels maybe he'd have a WS ring or two.

Fangraph's released their top 100 list today. I like the job they do over there. The Angels have: 4. Jo Adell 36. Brandon Marsh 79. Jordyn Adams There's a nice little write up for each player, too. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2020-top-100-prospects/#comments

It depends on what you mean by "live up to the hype in this instance." If by live up to the hype you mean Miguel Cabrera at the plate but who can play a competent 3B for his whole career, then it has to be Maitan. Even 80% of MCabs bat with competent defense at 3B makes him a first ballot HOFer. I know this team seems like it needs pitching now, but things can change really quickly. Maybe Ohtani pitches like a Cy Young candidate and Canning pitches like a real number two starter. We have plenty of guys who can fill out the middle to the back of the rotation like Barria, Suarez, etc. If Simmons leaves then we really may be looking at needing another position player moving forward. I'm not saying this because I think it's the most likely scenario, but just that much stranger things have happened and a team's perceived strengths and weaknesses change from season to season all the time. Therefor I'll always take the best player instead of just the player that may fit a need more. Just to give you an idea, Miguel Cabrera put up 70 WAR in his career. He was a great player, but I don't think anyone would say he is the best player of all time, even at his peak. Clayton Kershaw has put up 64 WAR and serious people will make an argument that Kershaw's peak was among the best there ever was.

Also, drafting is probably only 1/2 or less of the equation. Player development matters just as much or more. The Dodgers are very good at it.