ksangel

Really nice to see that a player with this upside is #10 in the Angels system.

Really nice to see that a player with this upside is #10 in the Angels system.

Six years with Angels had .290 batting average, .350 OBP , averaged 20 homers and 90 RBI's and played solid defense..sure would take that from current first basemen.

THIS...Angels have all the pieces to have a dynamic and deep rotation with Ohtani, Richards, Heaney, Skaggs and Shoemaker with Bridwell, Tropeano and Barria in waiting and solid bullpen with Parker, Johnson, Middleton, Bedrosian, Ramirez and others.  No need to spend $20M / year on a Lynn or gut the farm system for Archer.
Don't get how pundits and others are saying "85" wins when last years team won 80 with no leftfielder, no 2B, a down year from Calhoun and Trout missing 40 games.  Adding Upton for a full year with Cozart and Kinsler and Ohtani there's no reason why this team can't win 90+.  Wait until July to see what the needs are.
Bigger need for 4th OF who can step in and play all three positions.

Great move that brings defensive flexibility to the infield with Cozart being able to play 2B, SS or 3B and insurance at SS if Simmons were to get hurt or just needs days off.  Not worried about his offense either with all the offensive firepower the Angels now have.  What a stud defensive team the Angels have...gold glovers at 4 positions and solid defense at 3...only hole is 1B.
Got Upton, Ohtani, Kinsler and now Cozart and Angels only gave up Wiki Hernandez, Troy Montgomery, Gray and Elvin Rodriguez to get them...way to go Eppler!!!
Stoked about 2018 Angels!  Definitely a legit playoff contender and have distanced themselves from the Rangers and Mariners.

.700 OPS from Cozart with his above average defense would be what I expect from him.  Don't think it's an overpay.  2 WAR players usually cost about this amount.

Great move that brings defensive flexibility to the infield with Cozart being able to play 2B, SS or 3B and insurance at SS if Simmons were to get hurt or just needs days off.  Not worried about his offense either with all the offensive firepower the Angels now have.  What a stud defensive team the Angels have...gold glovers at 4 positions and solid defense at 3...only hole is 1B.
Got Upton, Ohtani, Kinsler and now Cozart and Angels only gave up Wiki Hernandez, Troy Montgomery, Gray and Elvin Rodriguez to get them...way to go Eppler!!!
Stoked about 2018 Angels!  Definitely a legit playoff contender and have distanced themselves from the Rangers and Mariners.

Agree about Cowart but he's not a bad backup at 2B/3B defensively and I have not given up that he'll figure out hitting at ML level...did hit over .300 two years in a row at AAA and is a good pinch runner too.
I believe they'll keep Valbuena to rotate at 1B with Pujols and trade Cron since Valbuena gives them more flexibility since he can play 3B also and he bats lefty plus Thaiss may only be a year away at 1B and hits left handed so would replace Valbuena then.

What's the interest in Walker?
Doesn't fill the need for speed or lead off hitter and will be entering age 32 season.  Has recently had back surgery and spent significant time on DL the past two years.
Made $17M+ last year and supposedly is looking for a 3-4 year contract at a similar salary.
 
I get it he's a free agent and wouldn't cost prospects but for that type of money and injury history is he the best long term solution?
 

What's the interest in Walker?
Doesn't fill the need for speed or lead off hitter and will be entering age 32 season.  Has recently had back surgery and spent significant time on DL the past two years.
Made $17M+ last year and supposedly is looking for a 3-4 year contract at a similar salary.
 
I get it he's a free agent and wouldn't cost prospects but for that type of money and injury history is he the best long term solution?
 

Offer Baldoquin and Taylor Ward  to Jerry...two of his great moves...bet he'd jump at that trade...LOL

Eppler knows Angels top priority is a 2B and more starting pitching. So If he doesn't get Ohtani he'll go after a Lynn or Cobb.  Just don't see Eppler stripping the Angels farm system or ruining defense of major league club like Dipopo is doing to Mariners  just to get Ohtani.
 
Very grateful for that and that Dipopo is gone and ruining one of our main competitors...maybe not this year or the next but for the future.
 
 
 

Went from playing in Florida (GCL Braves play at Disney World) where there's a large Hispanic speaking population to Danville, Va., population 40K, which isn't close to any city in Virginia with 1% Hispanic speaking population and a Hardee's every block (not McDonald's) with their 2/3 lb. thick burger.

And he goes from little money to a millionaire at 17 to boot...sure recipe for failure.
Good signing for a Angels farm system that was light on high impact infield prospects.
 

Went from playing in Florida (GCL Braves play at Disney World) where there's a large Hispanic speaking population to Danville, Va., population 40K, which isn't close to any city in Virginia with 1% Hispanic speaking population and a Hardee's every block (not McDonald's) with their 2/3 lb. thick burger.

And he goes from little money to a millionaire at 17 to boot...sure recipe for failure.
Good signing for a Angels farm system that was light on high impact infield prospects.
 

Interesting that since 2014 he's only played 16 games in the field - all in the outfield - so basically he's been a DH/P for the past four years.
Advantage American League teams?

PEDRO!!!

Pair him with Calhoun and Trout in the OF - WOW...rather have those three than Trout, Stanton and another LF like the Angels have been putting out there before Upton...

Trade anyone but Trout, Simmons, Calhoun, Maldonado or Richards for Yelich & Dee Gordon (a $10M/year contract the Marlins would like to jettison if they really are paring down their $'s) and sign Hosmer (instead of Upton) and also sign Nunez...
LF, 3B, 2B, 1B, leadoff and OBP solved.
Gordon - .341 OBP
Yelich - .369
Trout - .442
Pujols...remember he's going to lose 40 pounds and work on his bunting...OBP of at least .290
Hosmer - .385
Calhoun - .333
Simmons - .331
Nunez - .353
Maldonado - whatever he gives is made up for by what he brings behind the dish.
 
Now that's some OBP and what a defensive team at all positions !!!

Skaggs, Heaney, Bridwell, Middleton, Bedrosian, Perez, Barria, Chris Rodriquez, Adell, Jones, Canning....etc...The Angels have the requisite MLB and prospects to get Yelich.

Pair him with Calhoun and Trout in the OF - WOW...rather have those three than Trout, Stanton and another LF like the Angels have been putting out there before Upton...

Yelich is blossoming. A player at just 25 with his speed, power, contact, defense, discipline and extremely club-friendly contract? I'd be surprised if the Angels could get him to be honest. Taking on a ton of negative salary and paying some solid players/prospects is probably the only realistic option.
Stanton really upped his value with his hot year/second half. It was feasible the Marlins would deal him for almost nothing but shedding the salary a few months ago but now? It'll take eating money and prospects. Not sure the Angels can pay that price as easily anymore. 

Yelich >

Let him walk and spend the $'s on a younger FA like Hosmer...trade for Yelich - younger and on the way up instead of possibly peaked and going down like Upton...when will the Angels start signing FA's who are in their 20's and climbing and not a Pujols, Hamilton...etc. who are past their prime and will be albatrosses in the later years of their contracts...
 
I like Upton but want the Angels to get younger and more athletic...