marcosantinia12

Zobrist costs a draft pick too? I thought he didn't since he was trade mid-season no?

The Angels were a 98 win team just one year from now. They had holes and missed the playoffs by one game. I agree with what you're saying, but they aren't exactly going to the Phillies either.

Yeah, that's very true. I just think they both make the most sense because they both play Left field, which is the biggest hole, with Zobrist being able to fill even our other positions of need if needed. I think they bring the offense that we need and given the price/length of the other FA's estimated contracts, I like these two the most. Maybe throw in Fowler as well...

It makes so much sense to sign one of the two. They just both make so much sense given our positions of need, high on-base offense, and defense. I think they are the type of signings we have to target - more Torii Hunter type signing than a Hamilton/Pujols type. Thing is, who is the better target? Gordon: 31 yrs Career: .269/.348/.435 ... 112 OPS+ ... 29.7 WAR 2015: .271/.377/.432 ... 120 OPS+ ... 2.8 WAR Younger Elite Defense Draft pick attached Zobrist: 34 yrs Career: .265/.355/.431 ... 117 OPS+ ... 36.8 WAR (1 more season) 2015: .276/.359/.450 ... 120 OPS+ ... 2.1 WAR Elite Versatility (Utility) player Both will cost about 65-75 mil/4 Very similar players with identical offense and good defensive resumes. Royals will probably resign Gordon but assuming he doesn't, who would you rather? Is the draft pick the deciding factor??

I like it as well, fits in perfectly as LF hitting in front of trout. That outfield would be insane, with three gold glove caliber outfielders. Who would you rather pick up Gordon or Zobrist? I think both fit the mold pretty well. Only thing I would like to see however, is more speed. Gordon brings decent speed and advanced baserunnung but i would like to see a legit steal threat atop the lineup. I would love to see pitchers throwing to trout while being relentlessly interrupted by a baserunner. Ben revere would be soooo nice. But yeah, on board with Gordon.

Sounds accurate to me. I don't think Sosh is the type to get really creative. Really wish we had a Joe Maddon type!

That 2017 rotation does look very exciting. Not saying that all of them will work out, but this is a reason I think we shouldn't break the bank for a top tier pitcher. 3-4 years of Chen or Leake i'm ok with. Hopefully the rotation going forward meets the expectations.

The thing is that so did the 2014 Angels, yet we ended as the best team in baseball for the regular season. Its not about creating a sexy team on paper *cough* pujols, hamilton *cough* , its about filling areas of necessity.

Great post. I completely agree that the pen is key and would like to see the team acquire at least one and if not two top relievers. I think we should stay on the conservative side on both starting pitching and offense. We should be looking at 2nd and 3rd tiers in both categories, not the flashy names. I can't stress it enough, focus on high obp guys to lengthen the lineup, add a proven albeit unspectacular arm in the rotation for stability (and to make some younger arms expendable), and add two power arms for the back of the pen. I would like to see one of the following Scenarios: Sign Chen/Leake +SP Sign Darren O'day + power reliever +RP Trade for Prado/Turner +3B Sign Zobrist +2B Sign Fowler/Span/Trade for LF +LF *optional* Sign Dioner Navarro (backup veteran C) +C or Sign Chen/Leake +SP Sign Darren O'day + power reliever +RP Trade for Prado/Turner +3B Trade for Walker/Turner +2B Sign Gordon (ideally) /Fowler/Span +LF *optional* Sign Dioner Navarro (backup veteran C) +C Lineup 1: 1. Fowler/Span 2. Zobrist 3. Trout 4. Pujols 5. Calhoun 6. Prado/Turner 7. Cron 8. Perez 9. Aybar Lineup 2: 1. Alex Gordon 2. Turner/Walker 3. Trout 4. Pujols 5. Calhoun 6. Prado/Turner 7. Cron 8. Perez 9. Aybar All of a sudden the lineup looks pretty deep with Calhoun hitting 5th and Cron hitting 7th with solid obp guys infront of him. 8th is Perez and Aybar essentially becomes a second leadoff which could work because of his speed.

I partially agree. It probably would not be very efficient to have a "platoon" rotation spot, but it makes sense. At the end of the day, if we get an ERA around 3.30-3.60 between the two then I think that it is worth sacrificing the last roster spot. If their combined Era is on the over side of 4, I think that the project simply did not work. I would like to see something like that attempted though, unconventional but may work - much like the Rasmus last year.

Leake would also be a great option, in fact he is my second choice behind Chen. Although I'd be happy with both, there is a slightly higher risk with Leake in my opinion. For one, he hasn't pitched in the American League. He also didn't do as great as I anticipated pitching in San Fransisco. Lastly, while he is younger than Chen and is still pretty consistent, his trend is not in a particular order. Chen's numbers are consistently trending up and does so in the worst pitcher environment, the AL East with his home being Camden Yards. Even in this scenario he has managed to put a better season than any Leake has put together, as recently as last year. Still close considering Leake's age. The deciding factor comes in money where Leake will not only demand more money per year, but his contract will be longer than Chen's. Still i'd be ecstatic if we landed Leake. As for Fowler, I'm 100% in so long as his price tag isn't too high. Fills our LF need, gives us high obp, and provides decent all-around play. Thanks to everyone for the feedback!

Going into the off-season, there are obvious concerns with our starting pitching. I previously mentioned that I think we will be okay in that department and due to our necessity to fill our other holes, we have to ride on what we have. I have also mentioned that I believe 2016 will be a better indication of pitchers like Richards and possibly Shoemaker who I think will be between 2014 and 2015. We also should see some maturity from Skaggs, Heaney, and Tropeano. However, the problem with this is how inexperienced and unpredictable our rotation is. A proven arm would be HUGE for us. Jered Weaver Watching him pitch last season and looking at his numbers overall I can say that I was definitely on the team of those who thinks that he is done. He continues to loose speed on his FB and doesn't look to turn that around anytime soon. With that being said, I think his stats are pretty interesting. It is not a secret that Weaver does better at home than on the road...but I didn't realize he does so MUCH better. He pitched 11 games at home last season and allowed more than 3 runs only twice. Below are his Era split's from the last 5 years - home/away (home games pitched/away games pitched) 2015: 2.79 / 6.01 (11/15) 2014: 2.68 / 4.70 (18/16) 2013: 2.59 / 4.00 (12/12) 2012: 2.44 / 3.21 (15/15) 2011: 1.84 / 2.93 (15/18) 2010: 1.86 / 4.14 (16/18) It is astonishing how much better he is at home than on the road, and it continues to rise every year. The great thing about Weaver is how consistent he is. Though he is regressing, it is at an VERY consistent rate and we can know what to expect. I think that his 2015 away ERA was an outlier and it would be fair to say he will be about 2.95/5.30 in 2016. Looking at his home numbers, he is not a bad pitcher by any stretch so long as you use him to his strength. Pitch him in home games, period. Who pitches on the road? Tyler Skaggs, Tyler Skaggs This is the beauty of having depth in the rotation. We have enough pitchers to have a rotation of 1,2,3,4,5(home)/6(away).Sure it takes up a spot in the bullpen but I think it is worth the sacrifice if it means keeping Weaver's Era from 2.90-3.30 and hoping for Skaggs to perform better than Weaver's road Era. I'd be happy if Skaggs pitches in the low 4's in ERA. That gives us a very solid back of the rotation spot made up of 2 starters. In the days that Weaver starts, Skaggs relief him for 2-3 innings to stay warm and vice versa. Skaggs will surely have an innings limit anyways so throwing him out every 5 days varying his innings makes sense. I think for this to work we need to pick up that one proven arm from the market. This gives us: 1. Richards 2. Free Agent 3. Heaney 4. Weaver/Skaggs 5. Tropeano or Shoemaker Use Wilson, Santiago, and 1 of Trop or Shoe in trades for some of our other necessities, particularly OBP guys at positions of need and maybe a reliever. Pair them with mid-level prospects to land Prado or Walker. So finally, who is the proven arm we can pickup? The Right Piece Arte has said he is willing to go over the luxury tax for the right player. However, I don't think this means he will break through the tax an acquire a Greinke or Price. We have to address our LF problem and if that is not done via trade, we can go for a guy like Span, Parra, maybe even Gordon. We may have to pick up a third basemen if we cannot land one via trade. This doesn't leave us with too much money to spend. This is where you go over the luxury tax slightly with Wei-Yin Chen, aka "The Piece". I am surprised he hasn't been mentioned as much as other names. He isn't a sexy signing and not somebody you think about breaking the tax for, but he would be a tremendous help with very low risk. He is proven, and extremely consistent with his statistics trending up. He has posted Mid 3 Era's the last two seasons in an extreme hitters park. I think it would be very possible that we get 3-3.3 Era with 1.2 WHIP from him in 2016. I think that he is highly underrated and due to all of the other names and options in the market he is being looked-over which may bring his value down. I would say that he signs for 4 years 50/65mil. The key is to get him soon, before the teams that miss out on the big fish go looking for tier 2 or 3 pitchers.

Read my mind, 100% agree. I think the problem is that most people want to make a paper-stacked team. Fact is we need to fill holes which include adding the table setters that this team lacks. Cespedes sounds sexy, and it will surely make the team better, but how much better? I think that we would get similar overall team production by adding role players (in example a speedy, high onbase outfielder) *cough* Denard Span *cough*. Not that a player like Span provides the same production as Cespedes or even close to it, but similar production for the team overall, although much cheaper and lesser commitment. Same goes for every other position. Great post.

Well thought out ideas, I think they are creative and a little different than what has been mentioned around here. With that being said, I also think there are some flaws with it. 1. Daniel Murphy I was pretty big on the guy prior to the post season. He doesn't give much value to defense but has a solid (slightly better than Freese). I think he has more upside than Freese going forward as he is younger like you noted. The thing is that he was a good buy-low guy. I think if we were able to get him for 8-11 mil/year for about 3-4 years it would be nice. I think that boat has sailed and he will be overpaid for his post season heroics. Is he really worth it? I think a better option for third base would be via trade. I mentioned the idea of Prado a while back which would provide Murphy's offensive production plus the defense. Neil Walker has also been mentioned, an I think he would be equally as valuable as Prado. Maybe more. 2. Doug Fister I actually like this idea. I don't know if I am missing something, but I don't understand why people are so opposed to having him. Although I disagree that he is an ace, I think he is an ok #2 or very good #3. I think he adds a lot of depth by pushing everybody back a spot and would be a great buy-low (relatively) candidate. He also makes some of our younger guys expendable. I think he could be had for 50-60/4 because of the surplus of pitching in the market this year. My only issue with this is if we should be investing in pitching. Don't get me wrong, I think that we could definitely get stronger in that department, but I think that we will be much better than last year. The young guys will come in with more experience and I think Richards and Shoemaker could bounce back (somewhere in between their 2014 and 2015 numbers). I think our SP will be ok in 2016. Not great, but not bad. If we can afford to improve, than by all means, but I would say that our main priorities are to fill our wholes in the outfield, third base (unless we plan on a Cowart/Kubitza platoon), and relief pitching. 3. Alex Avila I think he could be ok as a backup like you mentioned, maybe as a reclamation project but is a 20+ million commitment worth it? WAY too much of an over pay especially when we have a backup catcher in Bandy. 4. Carlos Gonzalez We can all agree that Carlos Gonzalez is as big an impact bat as we can get. However, there is NO way that the Rockies take this trade. I agree, they would like to shed Gonzalez's salary, but they are definitely capable of getting a quality prospect or two and on top of that shed the salary. They have no need for a guy like CJ who is in his 30's and would suffer in that park. I think any possible deal with them includes Newcomb or Heaney a long with a package of cost controlled young pitching. We would have to drain a considerable amount of our Farm system to pull it off. Overall I like the flow of ideas though. Well thought out, and they open conversation to other possibilities.

Agreed. The thing is he has seen relative success and is still young. Can he turn it around and see that success again? I don't know, but it doesn't hurt to try at the possibility.

I definitely would. .818 OPS just two years ago, with 25hr and .272 avg. He had a down year to say the least in 2014, but played minimal this year. I think you don't lose much to try fixing any mechanical issues he may be having in a new organization and a fresh start. He is still young enough to turn it around, going into his 28th year season. He would come cheap and I see this as a low-risk, high reward. Worst case scenario is the kid is done. Keep a short leash and cut him lose. Best case scenario is an Arrieta situation (though less upside).

I don't understand the idea of trading Calhoun. We are looking for an outfielder to cover a corner and spot and want to trade another one of our young cost-controlled outfielders? He strikes out a lot yet, but he does produce. He's making $500k and hit 26hr with nearly a .260 clip (not great, but will take it). His obp was his lowest this year but looking at his previous numbers, it would be totally realistic to hope for an increase to .330 obp. He hits 4 more hr and he's a 30 hr guy.

I like it. I think this is honestly the only thing we can hope for. So many people on here have been posting up pretty unrealistic off-season hopes. As exciting and sexy it would be to sign a Cespedes, Upton, Heyward, Price, etc. It honestly would hurt the team long run. We complain about large contracts to players on the wrong side of 30 and here people are suggesting it. The only premium free agent I think is with going after is maybe Heyward because of his youth and overall game. But even he wont be that big of an impact bat in my opinion, and we're pretty much paying for what we HOPE he will develop into as he enters his prime. I think you go after guys like the one's you named. Definitely a speedy/high obp left fielder to leadoff. I would like Span as I mentioned in a previous post, but would be open to Gordon if he comes relatively cheap (high obp, but not leadoff type), and maybe Parra. For those who think that pitching is a concern, I think Leake would be a great grab. I agree that a top of the rotation arm is needed but for now I'd say we stay on the conservative side and hopefully our guys pan out. 3B/2B = Get Zobrist. (Short contract, high obp guy) I know he's in his thirties but his discipline should not be affected, get him if the contract is short. Our biggest investment in my opinion should be into 2 RP arms *cough* Clippard and Oday *cough* I think that does it for signings aside some fillers like Bloomquist/Uribe for backup and leadership guy or a backup catcher. I'd love to get Martin Prado for 3rd and put Zobrist at 2nd with Gio as the utility man off the bench. To sum it up..... Acquisitions: 1. One of Denard Span, Gordon, or Parra 2. Zobrist 3. Leake 4. Clippard & Oday 5. Prado (or prado-like player) via trade 6. Fillers Call it an off season. No need to get committed to $100+ million I'd be happy with 3/5 acquisitions

Completely agreed. I honestly see him as having the tools of a lesser Joe Mauer with the bat (when Mauer was good).

I'd love to have panik but they aren't moving him. Giants need pitching, and will surely get the help they need via free agency. They'd much rather have an ace caliber pitcher, and keep panik then to have anybody on our pithing staff. And they have as much resources as we do to get a top pitcher or two. Maybe resign Leake and go for Cueto, and possibly a trade for a 3-4 type. Problem solved

I'm sorry, as thrilled as I'd be to see this, it is entirely unrealistic. We simply aren't going to build an all-star team via free agency. Arte has money, but he isn't going to turn into the dodgers who are back by a multi-BILLION dollar organization. I think if we get 1 premier free agent we are lucky and getting 2 is a stretch. The purpose right now is to start building our farm and remain competitive enough so that we can compete and more so during the last couple years of trout's contract, not sabotage the future of the organization by loading up on long contracts and becoming the Phillies in a couple years if some of these guys don't pan out, are a lot of money, or age quickly.

I partially agree. Ideally we get an impact bat for right now, but 2 years from now is just as important. It is still part of Trout's tenure with us and we can't continue to neglect offense in our farm system. What are our other offensive options a couple years down the road, free agency? How well has that worked out for us in the past few years?

It seems as a lot of you on here put a lot on value on Heaney, and with good reason. I agree he is very valuable. He is young, cost controlled, is a 2 or 3 type starter with potential 1 type if all goes good. He also has proved himself at the major league level. This is EXACTLY the reason why it is worth looking into dealing him if the price is right, other teams see this as well and some of them are in greater need of it then us. We have an excess of young pitching and we can afford giving up a piece (yes, even a valuable one). Other teams may be in desperate need of this young pitching and may have good bats to offer whether it is an MLB impact bat or a few hitting prospects. It sounds counter intuitive to trade a former prospect who has now had success in the majors for other unproven prospects. The thing is that you aren't trading pitchers for pitchers, I'd much rather have the pitching staff we have now minus Heaney but 2 big bats in the minors we can look forward to contribute in say 2 years. You don't trade Heaney if you lack young pitching but we have more than enough. Some of you are unwilling to give up piching value for offensive value and then complain that we are depleted in offensive prospect. At the end of the day you have to give to get. I'm all for trading Santiago but you will receive Santiago type value in return. Or we can give Heaney (very valuable, as we can all agree) to receive the equal amount of value in the offense department. We simply can't consider anyone of value untradable. Mike Trout is the only untradeable piece.

Would any of you guys be open to giving up Cron for Peralta? I was thinking maybe a three way trade of Cron, Santiago, and Shoemaker (sweetener) for Peralta. Possibly another young arm?

What do you guys think about investing into or trading for some higher obp guys? Looking at rankings by team obp, the angels are 20th, with none of the teams bellow them being playoff teams with the exception of the Cardinals who had the most balanced SP & RP in the game. I don't think we can do much about our SP, I think signing one of the big free agents will be a huge mistake especially considering the depth we have. I think we roll with what we have and hope for some guys to begin to step up (Richards back to last year's numbers, Heaney to keep 2015 up, Skaggs to be heathy and effective, possibly Newcomb joining the rotation, etc.) Transaction ideas: 1. Sign Denard Span (.365 OBP / .355 in 2014, bigger sample) I think this is by far the most priortized need for the club. Not only because he would fill the whole in LF, but because he would fill in gap in the lineup and bring along a high on base rate aswell as speed and athleticism to a dull and slow team. Batting him leadoff would definately impact the lineup and create more opportunity for Trout, all while taking care of the LF problem. Keep Murphy and use him as a weapon off the bench. 2. Trade for a guy like Martin Prado (.338 OBP) Again, Martin Prado offers a high OBP aswell as consistenly solid batting average. He can play thirdbase to replace Freese, or if we re-sign Freese, maybe he can play 2b with Gio as a backup. 3. Trade for a guy like David Peralta (.371 OBP) I don't know what it would take to trade for someone for Peralta but I think that the Diamondbacks would be willing to listen due to our excess of young cost-controlled pitching, something that they need. I think maybe we have to throw in Cron and work a three team deal since they already have Goldy. This trade may sound like we are starting to clog the outfield but what if either him or Calhoun move to 1B and move Pujols to DH? They both have minor league experience playing 1B, and think it would be an easy transition. I would hate to waste defense for a move to first base but I am open for it so long as the lineup is improved which I really think this would do. I think those 3 acquisitions of OBP guys immediately impact the offense and don't think would be super difficult to acquire. I think after that you invest big into RP. Like someone else in another thread said, maybe O'day and Clipard. Potential 2016 Lineup: 1. Span LF 2. Peralta 1B/RF 3. Trout CF 4. Pujols DH 5. Calhoun 1B/RF 6. Prado 3B 7. Aybar SS 8. Perez C 9. Giavotella 2B I think this lineup looks much more complete, and alot more inexpensive than a contract to one of the buy guys like Cespedes, Upton, Heyward, etc. It allows for 2 high OBP guys infront of Trout. You also move Calhoun to 5th which I think he could really be effective at, not to mention Albert benefiting by hitting between Trout and Calhoun. Then you have Prado, a consitent and disciplined hitter with solid avg batting 6th. We have to stay competitive, all while avoiding going over the luxury tax and not completely depleting our farm, I think this is a way we can go about it. Thoughts?