ksangel

Not very good image - don't have art programs available on my computer...but suppose it's about as good as the chance the Angels have of getting him....

Understand the OPS difference...Moose hits more HR's and always will...but wonder what Cowart's OPS would be if he was given 600 AB's in a year. To me this shows that the Angels have to be competitive every year and don't have time for a player to improve at the ML level - have to play from the onset - and the Royals have to be patient and develop players even at the ML level and then they go down like they will next year when they lose a number of key players from their contending teams...and don't have ready replacements so they will be patient and rebuild again.

I believe 99.9% on this board think Cowart will never hit at the ML level but I still hold out hope he'll figure it out and the above post give me a glimmer of hope maybe someone else still believes in Cowart. KC was very patient with Moustakas as he struggled for three of the first four years....and .212 in 2014...gave him almost 2000 at bats...and Cowarts had about 250...

There was an article recently (can't find it now) that said this very same thing about Ramirez and how he may be better off long term in the bullpen...

Hernandez made $2.55M last year on a 1 year contract. Isn't arb eligible until 2018. Howie made $10M per year the last two years... Hernandez is a better defensive player than Howie and can bat lead off. Their OBP's are similar but Howie isn't a base stealing threat like Hernandez which the Angels could use at the top of the order which would allow Simons and Calhoun to bat down in the lineup where they should. And I think we've all seen what Howie brings but the Angels need to quit filling the gap year in and year out like they've done the past years at 2B and LF...

Greinke's won 81 games the past 5 years...

I don't think he would have to opt out but could ask to have his contract restructured (add years..etc.) and that would be ok with MLBPA from what I've researched. An article I read said that... "A player's contract can only be changed if it acts to benefit the player, and the union defines "benefit" in purely financial terms." Anyone know more about restructuring a contract? Would be interesting to know and help understand if it is possible to add incentives to keep Upton.

Developed a solid pen, found capable SP's in Bridwell and Ramirez, Trout was good as gold again, Simmons stepped up offensively to become a giant at SS, Maldonado as a defensive catcher, Richards, Heaney and Skaggs toeing the rubber again, chance of having a solid LF (come on Upton stay please!!!!) and Nolasco and Chavez will never pitch for the Angels again.

That play against Houston where he deeked Correa that the relay was going through to 3B and then actually caught the relay throw basket style with his back to the play at first, twirled around and threw to Cron to get Correa in a rundown - then he runs to 2B after making the throw to Cron to got the throw from Cron as he chased Correa towards 2B (as Phillips stood watching), then twirled again and threw home to Maldonado to get Altuve in a rundown and then ran to third base to back up the play there....fricking amazing to watch that play as he ran around the field like the "Flash" from comic books and all others seemed to be in slow motion...agreed...the best ever I've watched.

Chatwood, Corbin, Clevinger, Newcomb (though Simba is soooo good)...ah if we only still had them...we wouldn't be worrying about Richards and the rotation....

The bicep issue he had was a pinched nerve which is way different than a torn UCL or bicep tear. One major injury (UCL tear), a freak injury - knee (is Trout now damaged goods and can't be relied upon in 2018 because of his thumb injury?) and a nerve irritation (minor really) but took some time to heal and I suppose the Angels didn't want to risk bringing him back too soon. He probably shouldn't have been back till the end of 2018 anyways - like Heaney - but his procedure worked and I haven't heard any link between the bicep nerve irritation and the torn UCL. The Angels have to count on Richards in 2018 - they don't have a choice...too many holes to fill in the offensive lineup.

Not sure why so many are worried about Richards. His knee injury was a freak accident and chances are he won't have any issues with it going forward. His elbow injury isn't that rare and many pitchers come back from it...including Darvish, Lynn and Alex Cobb - who many on this board are all in to sign...the Indians have two of their starters with TJ - Carrasco and Salazar and the Nats have Strasburg. Richards has been lights out since his return and we should expect the same next year. The Angels need more pitching depth to sustain injuries which will happen and not a Darvish or Arrieta. That money will be better spent on better contact hitters / more athletic players to replace Valboner or Cron and to also sign a legit 2B for the long term since there aren't any in the minors.

I think this makes the most sense...he already has the 40th biggest overall contract in baseball and the 35th highest annual salary (think 750 players in baseball...)...so who's going to give him more per year? More years at the same price would be reasonable...

And Chavez starts too nibbling at the corners..but at least Nolasco has pitched well enough to win his last two starts...one can only have hope!

Cesar Hernandez would add 5.2WAR and a full year of Upton could add 2.8 WAR and a better year from Calhoun could probably 2 WAR and a new DH that is league average 3.4WAR...wow 13.4WAR right there and it would push us above the Cubs - and that's not even counting a full year of Richards, Heaney and Skaggs.

Think Cleveland will sweep the Twins and Angels will sweep White Sox to pull within 1 but the Tigers are 4-20 overall in September, 1-5 on the road in September and only 1 game behind San Fran for the worst record and #1 draft pick...bummer if we finish one back...ah flashbacks of Bud Norris blown saves on home runs dances through my head...

Got to be positive...when they win the 2nd wildcard I'll be going to NYC to go to wild card game with my son who lives in NYC and is a Yankee fan (ugh...where did I error in his upbringing?)!!

Not ready to give up...this week is a flip to last week when the Twins played the Tigers and Angels played the Indians...could be back within 1 game by Friday. Cleveland isn't going to let up in their chase for the home field advantage so the Twins are in for a tough series. It's all in the Angels hands on how they respond....Go ANGELS!!! And regarding Upton my opinion changed of him after I read this article and especially the comments by AJ Hinch... http://www.ocregister.com/2017/09/18/uber-talented-justin-upton-brings-bulk-to-angels-lineup/

Yes I probably missed some options and these two would be FA signings. Nunez's stats have risen the past two years but he played regularly in 2016 for Twins and Giants where before he was a UT...he's not played at all with Red Sox in the past month because of a knee injury. This was written when he was traded to the Giants in 2016... "Nunez, 29, is in the midst of a breakout season, hitting .296/.325/.439 with 12 homers, 15 doubles and 27 stolen bases in 91 games. But the Twins are in need of starting pitching and opted to trade Nunez, who doesn't become a free agent until after next season. They're hoping they sold high on Nunez, as this is the first time the seven-year MLB veteran has received regular playing time. He was previously a utility infielder until injuries to Trevor Plouffe and Eduardo Escobar opened up spots for him at shortstop and third this year." He did lead off for the Twins some and also some for the Giants and both Minnesota and SF had good things to say about his club house presence. Is his defense passable? Looks like he is getting low ratings at 3B this year... And funny to think he was replaced in SF by Sandoval...

Well after another stellar pitching performance I'm higher on Skaggs than ever...yeah. Yes, I agree he has upside and his career has been derailed so far by injuries but.... So if those on the board who wouldn't trade a Skaggs or Heaney for a 2B what would they do and who would they go after? A lead off hitter seems to be needed so is that a requirement for a new 2B? And let's assume Upton stays just to make it easier. Altuve, Pedroia, Cano, Murphy, Zobrist/Baez, LeMahieu, Odor, Schoop, Moncada, Castro, Asuaje, Gennett, Dozier and Wong are probably not going anywhere. Kinsler (35), Walker (32), Phillips (36), Utley (39) and Barney (32) are getting over the hump and would not be candidates as lead off hitters and Phillips wants to go back east. Travis and Goins weren't that productive, Villar was hurt and also slumped from breakout 2016 and Brad Miller...yeah sure. Frasier seems to have found a home at 2B for the Pirates which could make Harrison (30) available. Could Kipnis (31) be gotten since he's been replaced at 2B for the Indians but he's not a lead off hitter? Dee Gordon (30) could probably be acquired and would fill the lead off role but for what players? Peraza for the Reds seems to have lost the 2B job to Gennett but his offensive numbers are so-so. Drury for the DBacks or Panik for the Giants are ok but would they trade them? And then there's Cesar Hernandez (28) who seems available and has been productive the past few years and could lead off but from what I've read they want starting pitching in return. How about Zack Cozart of the Reds...solid SS so could he play 2B? Is his breakout 2017 a fluke? Profar from the Rangers? Or is he like Cowart and won't ever hit ML pitching?

Was a fun season to watch until September...was a scrappy team up to that point that always found a way to stay in the game even without top of the rotation pitchers. I think they blew up what ever chemistry there was getting Upton and Phillips...the offense just died after that. That's not a criticism but an observation from watching every game...they quit putting any pressure on the opposing team by not getting on base and subsequently not stealing bases..seemed to be swinging for the HR which is not what they did before September. And it didn't help they faced Houston six times and Cleveland three times...they just don't match up to those two teams. The Angels need hitters who take walks - work the count - get singles and doubles and can run the bases...Valbuena, Pujols and Maldonado are dead weight to the offense though I understand keeping Maldonado for what he brings behind the plate. Need to get younger and more athletic too so not an advocate of picking up an old 2B like Kinsler just to fill the hole...this may mean trading one of Heaney or Skaggs ...and then signing a middle of the rotation starter to replace who is traded...I know many on this board don't buy into that but what other way is there to get a good, young 2B but by trading a major league pitcher because the upper minor league players aren't that enticing to other teams. Don't advocate trading Jones, Marsh, Adell or other quality minor leaguers either to get a 2B. Though I will have to say 2016 was better because they got Jo Adell and Canning out of stinking up the place...just like San Fran will get the #1 pick this year for having a down year and how Houston stocked their system, and are now reaping the benefits, by having continuous losing seasons. But to me the off season revolves around keeping Upton, getting a young 2B who can hit lead off and is already established, not a project, and all the pitchers getting/staying healthy.

Going back to my previous post - it seems critical they sign a 2B that can lead off - Calhoun and Simmons are not lead off hitters. Hernandez of the Phillies could be the logical target since he fills the bill and especially with link to their GM who came from the Angels. Might have to part with a starter like Skaggs and some other prospects but I think their chances of competing hinge upon filling leadoff / 2B. And Upton gets resigned...if not...then they could go in another direction and get a LF who can lead off and sign Moustakas to fill the middle of order bat.

Actually think this is quite a realistic list...Angels have holes and question marks as any .500 team would. Of the list I think the Angels will prioritize bringing back Upton, trading for a 2B to bat leadoff and adding starting and relief pitching depth. Trout, Pujols (sadly), Simmons, Calhoun and Maldonado are locks. As much as I dislike Valboner I think they'll put him at 3B next year. With bench players I think they will replace Pennington with Cowart and try to bring back Revere as 4th OF. Either Graterol or Perez will be the backup C. I'm ok with Cron for 2018 at least...can't replace the entire roster in one year and he's been better since starting every day and his D has improved a lot. Have to count on Richards, Skaggs (if not traded for 2B?), Heaney, Shoe and Bridwell and Ramirez - there's no other way. Don't see adding an Upton type LF and a front line pitcher - are there enough $$$'s available to stay under the cap. More starting depth needed though since there's none in the farm system. The bullpen should be solid with Parker, Petit, Bedrosian, Middleton....etc. but Eppler will add more depth. A lefty would be great. Basically I don't think the Angels will do a huge roster overturn. If starting pitching had been healthier this year they would have been the 2nd WC without a doubt. They're a long ways from being a Cleveland, Boston, Washington, LAD or Houston though and the Pujols contract will keep them there too.

2 miles per hour...

The only AL team I wouldn't want to face in a one game playoff is Boston in Boston with Sale on the mount...game/season over. I'd agree that Yanks would rather face Santana - just saw him last night - rather than Richards who could shut them down the way he's pitching.