nikkachez

I look at their weaknesses first, see what things they do (positively), and see if it outweighs their glaring weaknesses. I want a team built through the draft and heavily involved in the international market (Caribbean/South America and Asia), a blend of a high-contact and "pesky" hitters to go along with the big boppers (usually the guys that strikeout). I want every position player to at least be close to average defensively (obviously being above average is a plus), I'm a firm believer pitching and defense will win you games. Position players I usually look at OBP, OPS+ or WRC+, potential home/road splits issues (Rockies, Reds, Rangers, etc), I try to determine their fit on a club. I know that's not the best way of looking at talent, but I do think if you have a strong enough nucleus, you can afford to be a little choosy at some positions. A lockdown bullpen is a must nowadays. 

Strong defense, deep starting pitching staff that relies heavily on groundballs and strikeouts who limit their walks (weak contact in general now with Statcast), a three-headed monster in the pen supported by a strong support cast of a mix of other types of relievers (sub-marine pitchers, other deception heavy pitchers, sinker pitchers, high-velocity, etc). That blend of contact hitters, guys who get on base, guys who hit for all forms of power (homeruns and other extra base hits), guys who can run. A versatile bench and guys who can play a number of positions in general. 

I also don't really like the idea that certain positions have to have a certain type of player. "Well it's third base, so he has to hit for power!" Do not care, if he plays defense and helps in other facets of the game, I'll listen on him. As long as you get power in other areas, even if it's catcher, second base, etc. 

I think you have to look at everything from a fresh perspective. I love statistics and the value they provide, but I try and keep a toe in the "old school" mentality as well. I love the way Kansas City, the Yankees, Cardinals, and Pirates make moves and run an org. Those are the ones I want the Angels to model themselves after. 

Guess it just depends on what it would take to land him. Seems like the classic "change of scenery" guy. Also a fair amount of risk involved. 

What about Rajai Davis and one of the Korean outfielders? Ah-seop Son or Hyun-soo Kim (I prefer Kim) plus Davis, non-tender Cowgill, move on to third base/the pen? Leaves money and trade assets open for other areas and saves a draft pick, no posting fee either for Kim. 

I don't think Calhoun gets you Carrasco...

How I prioritize it:

LF

Pen

Starter

2nd base

Strong versatile bench

3rd base

Catcher

Interesting order, I am really curious to know how the Angels are prioritizing starting pitching. You gotta think they know the team needs another front of the rotation guy, right? I would be okay if they were "thrifty" and sneaky in filling all the other holes if it meant signing an ace. 

Yessir, Austin! Well, San Marcos to be precise.

Eff the Rangers.

I move to Austin in August for school. Nothing like Austin!

Kinsler would be a great addition. Wonder if Santiago could be a primary piece in a trade. Santiago being an established arm and much cheaper than Kinsler could have some appeal to the Tigers.

Kinsler's my top choice at second. Perez, Simmons, Kinsler, and Trout up the middle, my goodness. Re-sign Freese and sign Span, Aoki, or one of the Korean bats?

hope they get him and clean out their farm to do it, and he walks next year.

Yep

I haven't read this whole thing but I'm pretty sure based on my conversations that Heyward is not really a prime target.

They have a RFer and would not really get the most value out of Heyward if he or Calhoun (most likely Calhoun) moves to LF.

I think they are much more likely to get a LF like Cespedes, Gordon, Parra.

Also, those guys are much cheaper. Heyward is going to cost $200M

Gordon's age scares me, and I'm still not entirely sure what kind of player Cespedes is, but not too surprising. I guess I couldn't complain about either guy getting signed. 

Although I suppose it makes sense. Heyward is going to get 8-10 years. Cespedes and Upton will get 5-6 max. I'm certain Arte is willing to shell out the dough but probably not over 10 years.

 

If I were to pick between the two, I'd probably go with Upton strictly for his on-base ability. Not to mention he's younger than Cespedes and has been far more consistent.

 

Don't like Parra at all. He's adequate defensively, but probably the weakest of the three. He's also had 2 good offensive seasons in 7 years. He's ok as a last resort and if Arte doesn't want to spend the money, but meh.

Agreed, if not Heyward, get Upton. 

That trade benefitted both teams.

I live in Texas so I care little about the Dodgers or the rivalry, and I don't really buy in to the whole 'cross-town trades won't happen' belief, but from my non-LA perspective the $300m underachieving Dodgers seem like they'd want to avoid having a burdgeoning star like Puig flame out and then resurrect uptown. It'd just make them look that much more incompetent and it'd be made a big deal by the media.

But our#1 prospect Victor Alcantara isn't getting the deal done

Ayyyye you're a Texas Angels fan too? I couldn't care less what deals we make with the Rangers (as long as it doesn't involve Trout), I just want to beat their ass and gloat to my Rangers friends (they have it coming after 2010-2013). 

You know what? F*** it, I don't even know why I'm bothering arguing this with you. 

You've seen Kubitza all of 30 games in the majors and probably not once in the minors. I'm sure glad you weren't in charge after Trout floundered in his first go-around in the majors. As for Davis-Kubitza, I'm comparing their ability to make contact, nothing more, and Kubitza is better. And your straw-man fallacies only work on the ignorant or unintelligent. Granted, I may not be the smartest man on earth, but I have a degree, took PSYC 101 and am able to identify some logical fallacies when I see them.

I've neeeeever been high on Kubitza, I've had the same concerns about him since they acquired him. And I'm glad you aren't in charge to overvalue prospects while you sit on your hands and let Kubitza flail helplessly at the plate. Wow, so easy to turn the tables. We should let Yarbrough take over second base after his shitty season in Salt Lake (because I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume you still think he'll be an All-Star). 

Only difference between Trout and Kubitza? Trout was 19 and struggling in the show, Kubitza was 25 and struggling in the show (and Trout was still better!). You immediately jump to the conclusion that I had given up on Trout, or any prospect, when he initially struggled when you have no grounds to support that. Pretty ironic you mention logical fallacies, eh? 

Why the hell should I be content with Kubitza being the Opening Day third baseman? Let's ask the others on here. Come on guys, who's on board with Kubitza being the everyday third baseman? I'll take my chance on a guy who's at least shown he can be a useful player in the majors as opposed to a guy who could be good if everything goes right for him.

Getting him as many innings as possible has to be the plan right now. Move him to the pen once he's figured out the pitching part.

Why would they move him to the pen if he "figures out" the pitching part?

Even if the Angels had enough to offer I doubt they'd trade him cross-town in the event of it blowing up in their face.

I don't think teams care about that stuff, it's like the ridiculous idea teams don't want to trade within the division. And even then, the Angels and Dodgers are in completely different leagues. 

Why, exactly, are you so high on Kubitza? He's incredibly mediocre, and to say that he's better than Solarte is ridiculous.

Exactly! Solarte at least has a track record of being a useful ballplayer. Kubitza screams bust. 

I kind of feel like either Kubitza or Cowart could offer the value we need at 3B without a trade. Kubitza has the OBP and gap power to give the offense a boost. The K's are a problem, but not really that big of a problem like with someone like Chris Davis. Kubitza also plays a good 3B. In Cowart's case, the upside is obviously there, and I'd like to see a little more from the bat before I'm a believer again. But at the very least, with that glove, we'd have one of the premier defensive 3B in all of baseball. Before you say anything about the bat, let me just say that amazing defense and little or not bat was enough to land Simmons as one of the highest valued SS in baseball.

There's just no way I'd trade for Solarte when we have those two options already. It isn't like Freese is leaving a big hole, he really wasn't THAT good. Even if Kubitza and Cowart aren't good with the bat, defensively, we'll have added so much value we'd be pretty much no better or worse off.

The only difference is Davis hits 50 homeruns and gets on base at a mid .300 clip. It's incredibly unfair to compare Kubitza to Davis. Kubitza never had a K percentage below 23.8% outside of Rookie League (which was still at 20%) in the minors. That's a bad rate in the majors let alone the minors, was striking out nearly half the time in his short stint in the majors. It only gets worse. I'd be pissed if Kubitza is the Opening Day third baseman. 

I'd take Puig in a heartbeat but other teams are going to offer much more than what we can.

Exactly. 

Needs to be moved to the pen. Made sense to try him as a starter, but I think he's a reliever long-term. Move him to the pen and have him fly through the minors. This team could use a 100 mph power reliever at the backend of the pen. 

He's been on a steady decline since his first month in the bigs

Lol what? Dude had a .863 OPS in 2014, I'd take that in a heartbeat. 

I would absolutely take a chance on Puig. But they don't have the pieces to get him. 

Just don't get the hype with Kubitza. Guy that K'd a ton in the minors and had his numbers inflated by an unsustainable BABIP. 

I would definitely not like that. Hate the idea of giving up the draft pick on Murphy. Heyward and Upton are the guys you give up the pick to sign, not Murphy. 

Damn, it's crazy how much more work is ahead of Eppler. I don't see how they fix everything without Arte splurging. 

But yeah, the Angels and Cardinals were biiiiig winners in that amazing draft. Trout, Richards, Grichuk, Corbin, Skaggs. Cards with Carpenter, Rosenthal, Miller, Kelly, Adams, and former Angel great, Ryan Jackson.  

If you could only oick one, 2B or 3B, which do fix? Personally i say 2B. Im kind of curious to see what kubitza/cowart can do. At worst cowart can field, but im hoping kubitza can turn into what we traded him for.

Or maybe im still buying into the hype about him when the trade happened.

To me it depends on what they're able to acquire at each position. I'd want the better overall player, not choose by position. I'd like to see a long term third base option added, but that ain't happening. But on the other hand, a really good second baseman would be pretty sweet with Simmons at short.