TroutAdell

Jim Abbott.

It's time to moo vaughn.

The problem with signing Cole is Boras’ tendency to stretch out the process. It is hard to wait that long when the team needs multiple arms. 

Bruin 

You didn't read a damn thing I posted now did you?
Stop rambling on about nothing just because you swing from Eppler's and Ausmus' testicles.
I listed out all of the SP available and hitters AFTER our draft picks that could have bolstered the biggest weakness in our org (starting pitching) or just given us a better position player overall (Gorman, Larnach, Hoemer).
Also, who the hell said Eppler was lucky to have drafted Adell? He was either going to have Adell or Hiura there at #10, both talented players. I gave him kudos for Adell, Marsh, Canning and Jackson. The Wilson and Paris picks seem suspect though. We'll see, too early. 
The problem I have is his inability to draft or sign via FA starting pitching, which has now resulted in a major black hole on this team. One larger to fill than the 3B and LF holes we had over the years because there's 4-5 spots to fill with talent via FA or trades now because Eppler likes drafting high upside middle infielders and outfielders instead and gambles on getting a lottery ticket on an arm later in the draft rather than going for proven talent earlier.
Now he's backed up the owner into the corner needing to spend millions of dollars to sign 2-3 top FA pitchers and/or dump the very farm he's built in trading for a couple guys to help out the rotation.
Seems like poor planning and now it's going to cost us.

I think that Upton has had a big enough of a career to get a pass on this season. He missed most of Spring training and then the first two months of the season. Granted, his defense is quite poor but you can’t hide him at 1B. The biggest problem this season was his almost 30% K rate. 
I think that Upton will have a good 2020. 

I gave him an F. This has been the most uninspiring team I can remember. He is horrible at handling the pitching staff and seems disengaged at times. 
Frankly, I blame Eppler for making a lazy hire. I blame Eppler for his inability to put a decent staff together in his tenure. Eppler should be the head of player personnel for the minors. I have no faith in him to sign the needed pitching this offseason. I don’t look forward to Ausmus mishandling another season of pitching. 

Let's turn the tables here a bit. 
What do you LIKE about Brad Ausmus from his tenure with the Tigers and first year with the Angels.
I'm struggling to find one good thing about this guy. It's bad enough his playing career was below average. 

I've said this multiple times..   But if the Angels make Cole the sole focus and wait on him allowing other pitchers to go elsewhere -- then they got played and Eppler dropped the ball.   They need to sign someone upper tier and have him locked up then focus on Cole.   If ever there was an off-season where Arte needed to just say "F-it" and throw some money, even risky money it's this one.
Ive never been an Arte needs to spend guy, I've never called for crazy FA signings and am particularly critical of going ape-shit on FA SPs but, they are in a situation where they absolutely need to roll the dice and acquire SPs.   Yeah they can dip into their farm and trade for a guy but despite the gains they really arent deep enough to blow their wad yet.

I went to the makeup game at Wrigley in June. Obviously the Angels were terrible that day but the atmosphere was incredible. It is still hard to believe that the Cubs can fill the stands. The fans are so into the game, they cheer every play and are very friendly. I recommend that Wrigley should be on every baseball fans bucket list.  

The Yankees and Astros will be fighting for the best record in the league so they won’t be letting up. 

Eppler's scouting on position players outside of Ohtani (I mean, duh) is severely lacking. 
 

I support bringing Eppler back but I tend to agree that this is a put up or shut up season for him.  He’s gotta bring in some pitchers that have a positive impact.  And I know some of you - a lot of you disagree.  But I think we need another legitimate impact bat as well.  We need to see obvious progress at the major league level that translates into winning.  I’m not going to say they need to win the division or even the wild card.  A team can win 85+ games and not make the postseason.  But if all the “progress” is hoping that some players are developing well that’s not good enough.  He should have a chance to have a good offseason.  Let’s see if he makes it happen. 

Why in the world would we extend people in the organization while we are under police investigation?  

These are definitely quality FA. The problems that the Angels face are do they wait for Cole, who is a Boras client, to sign before approaching other FA pitchers or do they try to sign two starters earlier and pass on Cole. What happens if the rest of the FA pitchers wait for Cole to set the market? 
I think this is Eppler’s last chance to get it right. I wish him good luck. 

A lot of pitching injuries can be a result of over use when these players are teenagers. High School, travel ball off season working with a pitching coach. College pitchers are always overworked. Throwing too many sliders, cutters and circle changeups put a lot of torque on the elbow. Another factor can be as simple as mechanics. Throwing across the body is a recipe for injury.   
The Angels need to look at their approach to pitching development and who is instructing them. 
One caveat being that most teams have several pitching injuries every year. 

I am all for advanced analytics in preparing a game plan. Once the game starts I would much prefer the eyeballs over analytics. It is easy to tell a pitcher’s stuff by looking. The catcher should be able to communicate with the pitching coaches what is happening. It is even easier with hitters. Most slumping hitters don’t have control of the strike zone, chasing out of the zone will generally lead to weak outs. The human element is still a better judge than analytics.

Maybe the Angels can get Leon Spinks and Ozzy Osbourne. 

Maybe the Angels can get Leon Spinks and Ozzy Osbourne. 

Maybe the Angels can get Leon Spinks and Ozzy Osbourne. 

40 years later that is still the worst move in franchise history. 

40 years later that is still the worst move in franchise history. 

40 years later that is still the worst move in franchise history. 

When you don’t have overpowering stuff you better be able to hit corners and change speeds. I think Suarez needs to learn a cutter to right handed hitters, his fastball lacks movement and he makes too many mistakes in the strike zone. 15 HRA in 48 innings is horrible. At 21, he is not ready for this level. Unfortunately, the PCL is no place to learn. 

If you want a look at the Angels history since 2000 when they hired Stoneman...  Here goes..
Stoneman arrives.

Entering 2000, the Angels had 1 prospect ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 303-410, a .425 Win%  (The one prospect was Ramon Ortiz)
Entering 2001, the Angels had 2 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 343-345, a .499 Win%
Entering 2002, the Angels had 2 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 328-367, a .472 Win%
Entering 2003, the Angels had 5 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 353-340, a .509 Win%  (rookie ball Provo was 32 games above .500, a .711 Win%)
Entering 2004, the Angels had 6 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 314-379, a .454 Win%
Entering 2005, the Angels had 6 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100 and the number 1 farm system in MLB -- they combined to go 340-355  a 489 Win%
Entering 2006, the Angels had 7 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 386-373, a .509 Win% (The DSL team was 27 games above .500, a 701 Win%)
Entering 2007, the Angels had 2 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 405-359, a .530 Win% (The DSL team was 28 games over .500)
Entering 2008, the Angels had 4 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 423-342, a .553 Win%

Nine years into Bill Stoneman's drafts -- the Angels MLB team and farm system was filled with homegrown players and organizational types.  

Bill Stoneman steps aside

Entering 2009, the Angels had 2 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 389-368 a .514 Win%  Clay Daniels fiasco happens  -- Angels pull out of Latin America in shame.
Entering 2010, the Angels had 3 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 388-369, a .513 Win%  Bane fired.
Entering 2011, the Angels had 3 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 386-376, a .507 Win%  (The DSL team was 34 games over .500)

Tony Reagins goes bye bye

Jerry Dipoto hired --  What was left of the Stoneman scouting department gets fired. 
JD trades away T100 player Tyler Chatwood before the season starts

Entering 2012, the Angels had 3 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 352-407, a .464 Win%.  T-100, Segura traded away.
Entering 2013, the Angels had 1 prospect ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 381-378, a .502 Win%.  (The one prospect was Kaleb Cowart)
Entering 2014, the Angels had 1 prospect ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combines to go 368-395, a .482 Win%.  (The one prospect was Taylor Lindsey)
Entering 2015, the Angels had 2 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combines to go .344-419, a 451 Win%

Jerry Dipoto quits

Eppler hired -- trades away T-100 Sean Newcomb

Entering 2016, the Angels had 1 prospect ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combines to go 352-412, a 461 Win% (The one prospect is Jam Jones)
Entering 2017, the Angels had nobody ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 375-386, a .492 Win% (SLC goes 72-70 with a roster made entirely of organizational filler average age 28)
Entering 2018, the Angels had 3 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system combined to go 313-438, a 417 Win% (Ohtani one of the 3 prospects)
Entering 2019, the Angels had 2 prospects ranked in the BBA top 100.  The system has gone a combined 239-362. s .399 Win%

So, for those wondering. 

In the 9 years Bill Stoneman oversaw the team the Angels had 35 players (16 individuals), rank in BBA's top 100. 
In the 11 years since he left a total of 8 non Stoneman connected individuals have made a top 100.  Eight!  .... Cowart, Lindsey, Newcomb, Heaney, Jones, Adell, Canning, and Ohtani.  

Basically this team's farm system turned into a dumpster fire starting in 2011 when Bane got fired and then the bottom fell out completely in 2012 when JD came in and fired almost everyone with ties to the Stoneman era.