nikkachez

There is no one way to put it into a stat, it impacts multiple facets of the game, hoping for one stat to help understand it is beyond wishful thinking. It's not like WAR, although Baseball Prospectus does have a catcher WAR stat (WARP) that helps break it down into one single countable stat. Just read this link on Mathis replacing Castillo in Arizona and the impact it could/should have on Greinke and Corbin. There's a reason we're seeing this spread throughout the game, teams are beginning to realize the value (while it's still cheap). See the train reaction? There's no one way to measure it, because truthfully, it does more than one thing.

I don't like good players either

What was crazy about the 2009 team, that was obviously the offseason Tex signed with New York, and while Kendrys was the favorite to get the starting gig, no one knew what he would do (obviously, he did amazing). Abreu was a very late signing (I remember the rumor being between him and Adam Dunn, Angels made the right choice), and then you had Vlad hurting his pectoral muscle early in the season. Torii had his best year of his career (would've been even better if he had stayed healthy). Maicer was one of the best bench players in the game, when healthy. Just one little snippet, Anderson wasn't with the Angels at that point. Juan Rivera was the primary left fielder (who had a pretty solid season, 25 dingers with a .810 OPS). That was the most balanced, best all-around lineup I've ever seen from an Angels team. The bullpen was their only downfall.

So because, you think that, it makes it bogus? Sound logic.

Care to elaborate?

That WHIP is worrisome...

His bat would've been a welcome addition, but I'm sure he probably doesn't fit into Eppler's scheme. But man, that .745 OPS is a huuuuuuuge improvement over Perez's .568, and per FanGraphs, Castillo's 1.7 fWAR is another huge improvement over Perez's 0.0. I think their best fit already signed, that was Jason Castro. Great defensive catcher, great pitch-framer, doesn't throw runners out, but that's not a dealbreaker. Hits RHP very well. He would've made the most sense. Damn you, Minnesota. Take Castro and Maldonado's combined 1.9 fWAR over Bandy and Perez's combined 0.7 fWAR any day of the week. I just don't see Eppler making a move here that doesn't benefit the defense. Wieters bat would be a nice addition in comparison to Perez, but he's not a very good pitch-framer, so I can't really see Eppler going that route (unless Wieters' contract demands end up cratering).

I think they'll definitely sign a fourth outfielder, if they wanted to replace Pennington with Stephen Drew as the UTIF, that'd be sweet as well. I think we'll definitely see a fourth outfielder and pen arm signed soon, another catcher and SP/swingman could also be on the agenda depending on how everything else shakes out.

Not bad depth, better than Graterol, in my opinion. League average/replacement level, not bad for a 3rd string veteran catcher in AAA. Still dying to know if they want to add another catcher...

Kansas City

The farm is getting better, slowly but surely. Three really big boosts that are coming up. Obviously, they have the 10th overall pick, which also means they'll also get a bigger pool (which helps that they didn't forfeit their 2nd round pick due to FA compensation), this upcoming draft will be a big one, especially for the new Scouting Director, Matt Swanson (really hope you guys will be able to land an interview with him, I look forward to it every summer). The second, they won't be restricted by the international spending penalties from the Baldoquin deal that made them exceed their bonus pool two years (weren't able to sign a single player for over $300K). Under the new CBA, you can actually acquire bonus pool allotment, up to 75% of your original bonus pool added, I think Eppler will add some money there (still have to see what kind of value teams will place on bonus pool money, but maybe Carlos Perez is an interesting target for some teams if the Angels acquire another catcher?). The Angels will be given a designated $4.75 million bonus pool, so they can spend up to $8.3 million, but I imagine Billy will add some, just not perhaps the full amount permitted. Either way, they'll finally be able to spend big in the international market (in a much more balanced and competitive one underneath the new CBA). Third/last, you get improvements from the prospects already in the system. Jahmai looks like he's starting to piece it together (I think he'll be the first Angel to crack all of the prospect Top 100 Rankings since Newcomb), Thaiss will be ready for full-season ball, I love the adjustments Ward made in the second half, showed some progress in the AFL as well, get to see more of Nonie Williams, Brandon Marsh will be healthy and good-to-go (I'm very bullish on him), I think David Fletcher will eventually be a useful bench piece, and I think the world of Chris Rodriguez, Cole Duensing's another guy to watch. Michael Hermosillo is definitely going to be fun to track after a breakout year. I think Eppler and Wilson did a fantastic job this past draft. The farm system's finally on the right track, it would obviously look better with Newcomb still there, but the Angels have a young, cost-controlled, modern day Ozzie Smith at SS, so I won't complain. But I'm very excited what Eppler's been doing and I'm very impressed with the Swanson hire (the Midwest checker responsible for signing Piscotty, Garcia, Wong, and Barraclough for the Cardinals). If they have another strong draft and some of the prospects internally continue to improve, they might leap 10 spots in some rankings (which I know aren't the most important things, but still haha)

Angels getting some love recently

Eppler has shown us we should have more faith in him, wanna react fast because of the management in prior years. Seems natural. But really, depending on what the corresponding moves are, this could be a minor improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. Kinda curious to know if they have plans to replace Carlos. I never know with Eppler as GM anymore haha

Blevins and Ziegler. Howell if you can't get Blevins.

The fact that this trade is getting some love from the national media and a great website like FanGraphs is notable. Good stuff.

I think they'll hold onto Escobar (could become a trade chip at the deadline), but I'm actually hoping for Moustakas next year. Ruptured his Achilles this past season, but he was finally putting it together heading into 2016. Had a 3.6 fWAR in 2015, makes a lot of contact, great defender at third, left-handed bat to throw into the mix, he'll be entering his age-29 season in 2018. I could see them extending Espinosa too, just as a stopgap second baseman. Moustakas, Simmons, Espinosa, and Perez/Bandy in the infield with Calhoun and Trout patrolling the outfield? Drool*

Yes, the name's are cool and all, but also look at the ages next to a lot of them Harper and Machado make this class exciting, Fernandez would have as well, but obviously...

Sounds about right, my concern for this season, like it was last season, is that everything has to go right. Everyone needs to stay healthy (or at least avoid season-ending injuries like this past season), a couple guys need to step it up, and a few younger guys will need to emerge as contributors (Skaggs, Middleton, Bandy, Marte, etc. will need to show more, consistency, or burst onto the scene) or else they're boned.

Man, that was boring Obviously, the Sale/Eaton trades and surprising FA signings (Desmond namely) were cool, but goddamn, another boring ass Winter Meetings.

totally agree, if they find an opportunity to get better there, they should at least consider it. I hate watching Escobar play.

A Heyman tweet about "checking in" on Turner (which could literally mean anything, they do background work on everyone) and Olney said what we've known this entire time (what, that they need a second baseman and pitching?) Seriously, riveting stuff. I should probably sit down for when I see the tweet about "the Angels wanting to get better". Might not be able to contain my excitement.

Winter Meetings, trades, signings, etc. Still not a peep about the Angels.

Ha! If they trade Robles and/or Lopez or a Ross for McCutchen, I would laugh until Spring Training. I love McCuthchen and he was one of my favorite non-Angels the past number of years, but I'm not so confident in his abilities anymore. Pittsburgh could easily win this trade.

Travis Wood and Trevor Cahill are the most interesting to me, capable swingmen who are able to spot-start and soak up innings when needed. This could really change if Eppler uses a starter to get a second baseman. Still a million scenarios out there. Maybe Searage really worked his magic on Nova? His groundball rate and low walk rates would look mighty fine in Angel Stadium with Andrelton and, hopefully, a strong second baseman vacuuming up groundballs behind him.

This is definitely the most likely outcome. Mike Moustakas could be an option next winter, maybe save a majority of the spending flexibility for next offseason? He'll be three years younger than Turner, left-handed bat, good defender, put it together in 2015 then had the bad luck this year with his ACL, fantastic at making contact. Moustakas, Simmons, ?, and Cron would make for a pretty sweet infield. Still have to figure something out at second, but they'll have a toooon of cash to spend next winter.