AngelsFanSince86

I put that he stays, but it's mostly wishful thinking. I think it's one of 2 things:
1) Ohtani is disappointed in the Angels and unhappy with the organization. Despite the fact he said he wants to win with the Angels, he mostly just didn't want to be traded while having one of, if not the, greatest season of all time during a contract year. As a result he will go elsewhere, but not necessarily the most money. He will go to an organization that will give him the same treatment the Angels did, but one that is better at up to compete in the next 5+years. I also don't think he'll sign as big of a deal as everyone thinks. I truly believe Ohtani knows well enough that getting paid $50-60M a year puts a major hamstring on a team. I think he figures out where he wants to play and takes $30-40M a year.
2) He wants to bring a WS to the Angels. He cares deeply about his legacy. It's why he opted to come to MLB early on a rookie deal instead of waiting and getting more money. At the rate he's going, he is making a case for the GOAT. Any player can go to a perennial contender like the dodgers and Astros and have a shot at the WS, but everyone knows that those teams had a shot even without them. Ohtani's legacy would receive a greater boost by bringing a team like the Angels, one everyone counts out, deep into the playoffs. The bat flip against the Yankees gave off that energy. That, screw you guys we'll show you, type of energy. 
I'm probably wrong, but those are the 2 scenarios I see.

Considering there are players who went directly to MLB.  I'd say no.

No.  Bob Horner was in the majors like a week after getting drafted and skipped the minors.  John Olerud skipped the minors, too, though he debuted in September of the year he was drafted.  Former Angels exec Eddie Bane debuted in July of '73 after being drafted in June.  David Clyde, who was the first overall pick in '73, went straight to the majors out of high school.
There have been a handful of others, too, if I'm not mistaken.  Those are just from the top of my head.

It helps when you speak the same language as your teammates. Really hard to be a leader when you have to talk through someone else

It helps when you speak the same language as your teammates. Really hard to be a leader when you have to talk through someone else

It helps when you speak the same language as your teammates. Really hard to be a leader when you have to talk through someone else

It helps when you speak the same language as your teammates. Really hard to be a leader when you have to talk through someone else

It helps when you speak the same language as your teammates. Really hard to be a leader when you have to talk through someone else

Every day I am more and more happy that they wasted the most valuable trade chip in team history, and dealt the best catching prospect they have had in many years to try and boost a truly mediocre team that had at best a 10% chance of making the post season.

My name it's Patrick (known as PJ) to my brother Lou. My family and I have been following this since it was first posted and even created accounts. Most know by now that Lou passed peacefully in his sleep on August 8th at approximately 5pm while The Ocho was on TV (c'mon, you know he loved all sports even the weird ones, like Cricket). He constantly bragged about AngelsWin, all the fun times he had here and the trips to watch The Halos play, home and away with you guys. You all were his extended family and loved every minute he spent on here. To see him spend his last several days reading your posts and thoughts about him brought a smile (and tears) to his face, as it did his brothers and sister. All of us have also been keeping up with this post and you will never know how much we appreciate the love, memories, thoughts and especially the pictures you have shared. Our greatest memory with him was being in the front row at the left field foul pole for the Angels 2002 World Series win. All of us hugging and crying tears of joy at the site we thought we would never see. Close 2nd was Barry Bonds flipping us off during the game because Lou kept leading our entire section in a "sterrrroooooids!" chant while we were jamming a Thunderstick into our arms. Honor him by keeping his memory and stories alive. Celebrate his life. "LouDogg" was a smartass until the end and continued to make us laugh until his last breath.
Sincerely, 
The Garcia Family 
GO HALOS

All I have to say is: Giants, Astros, Rangers, Rays, Reds, Mets, Phillies.
That is the schedule for August. With the exception of the Mets, every single one of those teams is better than the Angels. They will need to go something like 15-6 to get back in the wildcard race. The chance of that happening is essentially zero.

On the other hand, the way the Angels have been playing, going 6-15 is not that unrealistic.

All I have to say is: Giants, Astros, Rangers, Rays, Reds, Mets, Phillies.
That is the schedule for August. With the exception of the Mets, every single one of those teams is better than the Angels. They will need to go something like 15-6 to get back in the wildcard race. The chance of that happening is essentially zero.

All I have to say is: Giants, Astros, Rangers, Rays, Reds, Mets, Phillies.
That is the schedule for August. With the exception of the Mets, every single one of those teams is better than the Angels. They will need to go something like 15-6 to get back in the wildcard race. The chance of that happening is essentially zero.

Arte inherited a WS team and rode the success and great farm system built by Stoneman. As soon as Arte had to fill the GM position it was a quick slide from yearly to contention yearly mediocrity.
Autry was the founding owner and didn't meddle like Arte. It's also much harder to build a winner as a young franchise, especially one being built in the shadow of the dodgers. 

Arte inherited a WS team and rode the success and great farm system built by Stoneman. As soon as Arte had to fill the GM position it was a quick slide from yearly to contention yearly mediocrity.
Autry was the founding owner and didn't meddle like Arte. It's also much harder to build a winner as a young franchise, especially one being built in the shadow of the dodgers. 

Yeah I'm just bitter right now. Overall I think he did a good job. Angels are gonna have to win like 6 in a row to stay in this thing.

Yeah I'm just bitter right now. Overall I think he did a good job. Angels are gonna have to win like 6 in a row to stay in this thing.

Yeah I'm just bitter right now. Overall I think he did a good job. Angels are gonna have to win like 6 in a row to stay in this thing.

Escobar should have never been traded for. He's worse than replacement level and has no business on an MLB team.

Escobar should have never been traded for. He's worse than replacement level and has no business on an MLB team.

Escobar should have never been traded for. He's worse than replacement level and has no business on an MLB team.

Arte inherited a WS team and rode the success and great farm system built by Stoneman. As soon as Arte had to fill the GM position it was a quick slide from yearly to contention yearly mediocrity.
Autry was the founding owner and didn't meddle like Arte. It's also much harder to build a winner as a young franchise, especially one being built in the shadow of the dodgers. 

Mine too. Switched to boxing, switched back to the game, and just switched back to boxing a minute ago...

Yes, but they started the road trip like 5 games back from the wildcard and faced one the worst teams in baseball. Realistically they need to average 2 out of every 3 games against good teams. They need to do even better against bad teams. They've done their part against bad teams, but have struggled against good teams. I am ignoring the Detroit series. They need to go at least .500 against the Jays and braves and really should do better than that if they want to stay in the race. To do that they need to at least get 2 from the braves. Otherwise they are still 5 games out when they come back to Anaheim.
Keep in mind they went 9-3 in their last 12 and only gained a game on a wildcard spot. That's why 5-4 doesn't even come close to cutting it for this road trip.