marcosantinia12

ALF I agree completely. We need players like this, although they are in different positions like eater fan mentioned, but both under control at relatively cheap . The thing is, I think we can gamble at receiving 2 equal upside prospects for each of them simply because some contending teams may be willing to sacrifice 2 possible future Simmons (overall value, not defense) in trade for qacontrolled Simmons RIGHT NOW when they need him. Maybe 1 of them doesn't pan out, maybe neither do... But like you said, its worth the risk. Worst case scenario, we save 70 mil. Same goes for Kole. For instance Clint Frazier + mid level prospect from Cleveland. Kole could really help them push for the division. Frazier is close to ready but still needs more polishing to play for a potential playoff club. Plus they are a low budget team, kole fits the bill perfectly. In return, Frazier himself has more upside than Kole and should be ready by 2018.

Thanks for your input blarg Anyways... Yeah I realize he is on the DL and even if he is able to be traded (which I didn't know btw) I agree with you eaterfan. I shouldve been specific that it would be a deadline deal assuming he's fully healthy. Do I think fans will watch the games? Yes because Mike Trout. Are we really any better right now? As for everyone who choses to put the idea down, I'd like to hear the reasons why not. That's not me being sarcastic btw, you may have a valid point but simply "this is stupid", "sight"? I spent a good time typing up this thread for that honestly

I don't want to beat a dead horse by talking about whether or not we should trade Trout, but so far I have heard only 3 alternatives... 1. Trade Trout 2. Build around Trout 3. Trade everyone not named Trout. Yet, with #3, everyone mentions trading Street, Smith, Escobar and how they won't bring much back (and its true). Correct me if I'm wrong, but I haven't heard anyone mention that we SHOULD trade Simmons and Calhoun as well. I've seen people say that the Angels won't do it, but why not? Toying with the idea, it seems like both players is exactly what the team needs, cost-controlled players throughout Trout's years with us. Calhoun becomes a FA after 2019 and Simmons after 2020. Calhoun will cost anywhere from 18 mil to 24 mil for '16-'19. Simmons will cost 53 mil for 16-20. Obviously this is extremely cheap for the value you get for these two players, but lets not ignore that we're looking at 70 mil nonetheless (still its a bargain). Calhoun and Simmons can both bring great value back due to how cheap they are relative to their skill. Just like we think they are too controlled and valuable not to trade other teams have to think they are to good & cheap/controlled to pass up. Trade them both for two packages of prospects, particularly high-upside position players. Well, here is a proposal... Flip Simmons to the White Sox for close to MLB ready position prospects ( 1 or 2 high upside) Flip Calhoun to Cleveland for (same as Sox) Trade all of the previously mentioned, Street, Smith, Escobar, Santiago, Soto, etc. for mid tier prospects. Bring up Cowart, Kubitza, Marte, Ortega, Hinshaw and give them a chance at consistent playing time Hold on to Skaggs and Tropeano. Start TJ process on Heaney ASAP. Pinch every single penny until 2018. The goal of this plan is build a winner from 2018-2020 and past that. By this time: -The acquired prospects will be more polished and (hopefully) making an impact. -We will also have lots to spend in what will probably go down as the most talented FA class ever. I'm not a fan of big FA signings, but sign me up if we could pair Trout with a prime Machado/Arenado. - 3 years worth of high draft picks - We will have Richards and Heaney back with a year removed from surgery. Plus Skaggs and Tropeano. - Maybe one of Cowart -Hinshaw player list surprises with more playing time and can be a contributor by this time I guess some may say its throwing in the towel, but I really refuse to settle for mediocrity. Go big or go home. Suffer now for a chance at something special in a couple years down.

Giavotella says **** you all. We should continue making these threads.. lol No, but seriously. I agree with other on here, if Gia isn't hitting hes pretty worthless in all honesty. How is Kubitza's defense at 2B? I think he would make a good 2 or 9 hole hitter if he can carry over his minor league on base numbers.

Miggy says **** you all Edit: Pujols says "mang **** you all, mang"

I agree, but replacing a bad #2 hitter with a slightly "less bad" #2 hitter doesn't equal a good # 2 hitter. I'm not saying Simmons isn't a good overall hitter, I am baffled by his ability to put the ball in play... but a guy who can't take walks and put the ball in play is the exact opposite you'd want in the 2 whole in my opinion. Low on base for the run producers, and higher probability to double up and even take away runners from those mid order guys. I think he can become a good #6 hitter because of his ability to put the ball in play, bu he isn't a table setter. It's obviously not the best option, but since we are limited to what we have and Nava being is injured, I'd suggest Trout moved to #2. I would put Ortega and Gentry 9th. I think they'll eventually start getting on-base more often. That puts Gentry's Career OBP of .335 (Very similar with Ortega) and Escobar in front of Trout. I'd follow with Calhoun 3, Pujols 4.

I really like his ability to put in play but he doesn't provide the obp to be atop the lineup. I think 6-8 works where he can put the ball in play with runners on, especially if he can hit for a higher average.

I really wish they made an attempt at one of the better bp arms this off season, maybe two. Clippard, Soria, Bastardo, O'Day. From my understanding the luxury tax was never the problem, it was more of staying under our own budget limit. $6 million was not a bad price to pay, especially considering the short commitment to any of these guys.

Pujols for Story... I MAY even be willing to throw in Nibs and an autographed Trout poster. Get 'er done Ep.

Story is crazy good right now. Of course he'll fall back to Earth and it's too early to tell how successful he will be, but EXTREME fly ball hitter with power. He's going to thrive at Coors I believe.

You really gotta respect Farrel. "My focus is on the guys that are in uniform, not what's attached to them or what their contract states." Take notes Sosh...

Good - Mike Trout of 2012-2013 returns. BA around .310-.320, 35 HR, 30 SB, 9.5-10 WAR. Cron puts up a solid. .265/.310/.460 25-30 HR Calhoun has a career year from the 5 spot. All-Star, another gold glove nomination, .275/.325/.465 25-30HR Nava/Gentry do a fine job to hold down the 2 spot in the lineup with an obp around.350 Skaggs surprises largely when he returns. Bad - Relief Pitching crisis Pujols is out for sometime during the season, HR numbers fall drastically while maintaining his other numbers. Giovotella's hitting falls Weaver is done. After a roller coaster of an off-season, I feel more optimistic than pessimistic, not to say that we will make the postseason but that we will strongly exceed expectations. Our team on paper looks really bland other than that Trout guy. Mediocre on paper, but I think that the team on the field will over perform our projections and make a playoff run. I see us finishing off at 88-74 tied with Texas and behind the Astros, but surprisingly missing both wildcard spots to AL Central/East teams.

What makes Harper such a douche? He said it himself, he can tolerate when pitchers do the same (Fernandez). In Harper's words: "If a guy pumps his fist at me on the mound, I'm going to go, 'Yeah, you got me. Good for you. Hopefully I get you next time." What a dick thing to say huh? This is a competitive game ladies and gentlemen. When your opponent gets the best of you, he has gained the right to let you know he did. If you can't tip your hat and say "you got me, I'll get you next time" then you shouldn't be in competitive sports! Cmon man, the lack of respect/proffesionalism comes from whinning and bitching because a guy hurt your feelings letting you know he beat you. Proffesionalism is lost with the pitcher intentionally trying to hurt a hitter because he never learned how to lose and grow a thick skin. I like the emotion in the game, I'm with Bryce in this one. Not that I am opposed to Trout's comments, he is a class act. But I see nothing wrong with Harper's play as well as other emotional players. To each his own is right.

Honestly, I never like to evaluate on these type of statistics seeing as they are highly influenced by luck... But man that's a pretty large sample size. I could live with his defense (or lack of) if he could come close to that production from the 9 hole.

I'm not sure if you were referring to Soscia like Scotty, and I can't argue with that but I meant more along the lines of coaching and player development. Of course this is just more information, but its information that can be used to better evaluate what exactly needs to be altered in a pitcher/hitter. Perhaps its a poor spin rate that is generating more solid contact. In which case the coaching staff can focus solely on that as opposed to looking at his entire mechanics. Same goes for batters. A lot of times a hitter will go on a cold streak and try to make adjustments. Problem is, a lot of times these cold streaks are simply reflected on a bit of misfortune of where balls are hit and the hitter should not be changing anything. This can be gauged by looking at a hitter's exit velocity for instance. No need to change a thing if his velocities are high, regardless of onfield results. Many other more advanced things as well but just some examples.

Probably the best news all winter. We have the players we have and the farm will not get better via aquisitions anytime soon (disregarding an unexpected Trout deal). Our MLB club is the way it is and, according to comments by Moreno and the road the front office has taken, we will not be acquiring any impact players anytime soon. The only solution is to play by a different game, and employing these high level analytics will allow us to do that.

I was there yesterday as well, very cool confference! So many great baseball minds.

Woaaaahhh... Totally forgot about that. Sorry for the post guys. There goes the trade idea, but I definitely think that for 1/5 he is a good signing. My guess is that it's not about whether or not that is a good price - it is...but more like he doesn't want to drop from his perceived worth.

Coming from someone who initially didn't want to resign Freese, I don't see a reason why not to. Not that I have anything against the player but I figured he'd cost north of 10-12 mil and 3-4 years. I thought we would spend big in other areas *cough* left field *cough* and we would have to crunch money. Plus, with getting a big bat for left field, I figured we could live with a defense-only 3B in Cowart with Kubitza as his offensive partner. The way that this off season has unfolded definitely changes everything. Now more than ever, I think that Cowart/Kubitza should be given a chance to prove themselves and hope we discover gold in one of them. Chances are those players will not improve us very much in 2016, but chances are we will be mediocre this year anyways, realistically. I think we could sneak into the playoffs if all the cards match up right but its a stretch in my mind. I know this all doesn't matter because of Escobar's acquisition, but I have a strong eeling that Yunel will get pushed to second not too long into the season. For those who are fond of Gio's gritty and clutch style, I understand. I just don't see him being in the team's long term plans. He reminds me of the infield version of JB Shuck. 2014 Shuck: .293/.331/.366 ....98 OPS+ .... 28yo 2013 Giovotella: .272/.318/.375 ....96 OPS+ .... 28yo Anyhow... back to the topic. It is now spring and Freese has not signed. I think 1/5 is very doable and a bargain for most teams, the problem being the draft pick attached to him. At 1/5 I think he can definitely help the team. But even better, why not do a sign and trade like many have mentioned here with other players? Package him even, with the likes of Santiago, Morin/Bedrosian for a decent offensive prospect. We could probably attain a pretty talented offensive prospect for a package like that. Pirates maybe, with Kang injured. I know they have their rotation set but I'm sure they would welcome any excess pitching. Plus, if there's any team that could get Santiago to throw like he did in the first half it's them. At his cost and with the rest of the package, that has to net us a solid piece. Perhaps Alen Hanson + Barret Barnes?

Quick observations : Choi's swing from the left hand side looks very nice and smooth. He looks ugly from the right hand side. Sample size of course, just an observation.

Crazy lol, do you live near desert? Like I mentioned in my first post, I've only came across 1 scorpion in 14 years. I never worry about shaking my shoes or anything like that either. Like I said, I personally think there is a lot of exaggeration unless one lives in the outskirts or in an infested area.

I have lived in AZ for the past 14 years and have just recently ran across my first scorpion ever about a month ago. I think there is A LOT of exaggeration on the animal/pest problems here... that, or I am very lucky. Of course there are more deserted areas than where I live (I live in suburbs). However, Tempe is very urban. I never get any spiders either and cannot imagine ever seeing a rattle snake near my home/area. As far as meeting players, I ran into Salvy Perez at a nearby mall last year. Coolest dude ever like anyone would imagine! I also have a friend who met Puig at a Costco about 5 min from my house last year and he said he was also cool (believe it or not lol). I know some people who have seen Kershaw at that Costco in previous years too, not sure what it is about Dodger players hanging out there - it's not particularly close to their spring training stadium. Will definitely catch a game this year, hopefully one of the days that some of you go!

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I don't want to sound like I want Trout gone, but I'm open to the idea about it depending on the return. If it helps the team short and long term -then why the heck not? What ever happen to being a team player, or in this case a devoted fan? Im a huge trout fan, look no further than my profile picture, and this would be a tough one to swallow. But at the end of the day, the biggest accomplishment in baseball is a WS ring, not an MVP award, and this applies to us fans aswell. One thing I'll say is this: The Royals, Giants, Cardinals, Red Sox, and other recently successful teams aren't jealous of us having Mike Trout. Sure, they wish they had him, but I'm sure they'll take their recent success over the bragging rights (or honor if you prefer) of having the best player on their team. You mention watching baseball because it is exciting as opposed to simply wanting to brag about a winning record. The Royals of recent are EXTREMELY fun to watch. The Astros and Mets in 2015 as well, the Dbacks will be in 2016. And no I'm not jumping on those teams' bandwagon due to recent success, but I am simply captivated by the youth, energy, and talent the clubs as a whole bring. What good is it to watch Trout get on base while we get to watch Pujols follow up by rolling over to third and running to first at the pace of my great grandmother? 50 years later, I could care less about saying Trout played for my team. I care about saying I got to see a generational talent represent my team for sometime and enjoyed it while it lasted and eventually got the experience to sit in Angel Stadium and experience a world champion. I respect your opinion, just wanted to get mine out there.

I suppose you're right about them asking for little due to his free agency situation. This is a very interesting thought too about him waiving his FA rights.