Mauch Won

During the 1993 World Series, the camera showed Jimmy near the clubhouse door.  His left arm, away from the camera, was hanging slack.  My dad looked at me and said "He's smoking".  I argued but Dad insisted and if you look closely, you can see a wisp of smoke rise past Jimmy's arm.  Turns out my Dad had inside information. When Fregosi was playing for the Angels, he would go to mass at St. Anthony Claret on La Palma.  My Dad was an usher and Jimmy would sit in the back row or two. During the homily when the priest was reflecting on the readings, Jimmy would slip out for a smoke.  Dad said that Fregosi was a great guy.  May he rest in peace.

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Denver 33. Seattle 28

I have a gut feeling that this deal sets up another trade for the Rays

If we sign him, you will need to repost/bump this at the beginning of every start to avoid general panic.

We will turn the page from this interview

ELEVENSES

David Saltzer +1 possibly +2

Maddux, Thomas, Glavine, Morris, Raines, Martinez, Smith and Kent

Don't expect all of them to get in but that would be my ballot

Mauch +1.  My middle son got us tickets for March 8th.  Thanks for posting the dates early so he knew which weekend to pick.

and a bump so folks can make a New Year's resolution to go to an awesome weekend

1972. I was three when I first started watching baseball with my Dad. I

I am good with Tanaka. Not sold on Garza. If Tanaka isn't posted sign Maholm/Capuano and Niemann. Niemann will not be ready until the ASG so a rehab /incentive contact is in order. I like the insurance of another arm being added to the mix before the trade deadline. Worst case he can slide into the swingman or long relief role as a way to finish his rehab

I can see the MLBPA trying to end the qualifying offer in the next CBA. The fallback maybe to allow sign and trades as poozy mentioned or even allow teams to retain their pick with cash considerations, or trade subsequent rounds. In lieu of a first round get a second and fourth.

Tell ya in September. I think the Angels are on the right track. I am willing to not sign Garza to the wrong contract and go with what we have or add another piece like Maholm. I think at this point we need to not make any more big contract mistakes even if it means we don't get the gem pitching acquisition.

As it was stated in the replacing Trumbo article, Freese/Ibanez needs to be greater than or equal to Trumbo/Callaspo on the offensive side assuming Santiago/Skaggs and TBD are better than Vargas/Blanton

Instead of signing Ibamez, how about trading Ianetta for Ichiro and Austin Romine

Just for that, the Yankees need to pay all of Vernon's salary this year. I might forgive them then.

Good things happened the last time we traded a beloved SS to the Mets

I would still like to see Cron get another season in the minors.  Let Navarro come up, ride the pine, and rest Albert at first every once in a while.  Schuck can DH and lead off

DH Schuck

RF Calhoun

CF Trout

1B Pujols

LF Hamilton

2B Kendrick

3B Freese

C   Iannetta/Conger

SS Aybar

My preference is to plan on Garret being a #4 and acquire a 3 and 5.  If he blossoms into a 3 then all the better.

Dave lives in Tucson.  The fact that he can make the 90 minute drive to keep his hands in MLB coaching is probably a big driver for his decision.

Don't know if he'd be a good coach but it would great to have him back.

Right family, wrong brother.  Rick Eckstein who was with the Nats until being relieved this summer.  Bring David back as Asst if you want.

Shame.  I feel bad for him but he only has himself to blame.   Run through the bag and that doesn't happen.  Your knee adjust to uneven surfaces going forward.   Slowing down puts force into the leg which releases at the weakest point.  Get better soon Manny, you are a joy to watch.

Advanced metrics are important but if your players aren't executing, you can't fix that with a calculator.   Between the contract situation and state of the farm, we have to make what we have perform better.  SABRE metrics and data analytics are appropriate for player acquisition and retention.   It also plays into in game management.  What it does not do is make talented players live up to their potential and the line of players who perform better when they leave the Angels is a sign Sosh is wasting talent.

Saw a mention in MLBTR that Cal Ripken is starting to become interested in managing.  The Nationals would be an obvious fit for him considering the location but Arte needs to at least make a call if Sosh is relieved of his duties.

In this upcoming off season what would be a list of things that Arte and Jerry need to address.  I want to know what people think is the most important.  I'll start. This is by importance.

 

1. Release Joe Blanton

2. Fire Mike Butcher

3. Trade Kendrick and Bourjos for Starting Pitching

4. Resign Jason Vargas

5. Start talking with Trout and his agent about contract extension.

Still have a couple of years on this, but needs to start this year.

 

 

Just to name a few

1. Yes,

2. Yes but that should be part of the house cleaning.  Dipoto, Sosh, and all the coaches should be sent packing.  Two years ago, I thought Dipoto was the answer but I was wrong.   Arte needs to start fresh and promise to stop requiring the big names.  Cashman was able to pull Steinbrenner back from that ledge and win some rings in the 90's.  The next GM needs to do the same for Arte.

3.  Trade Howie only if you think Green is ready and you can get a 2-3 SP that is controlable for 3 or more years.  Might be asking too much for HK though, especially when they know we are desperate.  Petey will have to be traded and we will live with Shuck, Calhoun, and possibly Cowgill as the bottom 3 OF.

4.  Yep.  Pretty his price will be reasonable wanting to stay in OC and the fact that he was injured.   2 years max, including options.

5.  Trout needs to be an Angel for life. 

To relieve some pressure on the team, put Hamilton on revocable waivers now and let him go on the claim.  We don't get a player back but we clear an "untradable" contract.