ksangel

Horrible trade...Upton isn't the piece to take the Angels into the playoffs this year...they need pitching with Skaggs not doing well, Ramirez probably out for the season, Nolasco stinking like he has and who knows now about Bridwell now after his clunker yesterday.  That only leaves Heaney and who knows about him either.  Richards is a long ways off too...two innings?
So with that in mind they gave up a solid prospect who had a really good year at AA (better than Barria) for probably nothing but a wiff of the playoffs this year...and who knows who the PTBNL will be...hopefully not a  prospect like Williams...
Could have signed Upton after he opted out and kept Long...so as I said...a horrible trade in the long view.

Horrible trade...Upton isn't the piece to take the Angels into the playoffs this year...they need pitching with Skaggs not doing well, Ramirez probably out for the season, Nolasco stinking like he has and who knows now about Bridwell now after his clunker yesterday.  That only leaves Heaney and who knows about him either.  Richards is a long ways off too...two innings?
So with that in mind they gave up a solid prospect who had a really good year at AA (better than Barria) for probably nothing but a wiff of the playoffs this year...and who knows who the PTBNL will be...hopefully not a  prospect like Williams...
Could have signed Upton after he opted out and kept Long...so as I said...a horrible trade in the long view.

Angels have to decide to play him every day next year or ship him out this off season...he's proven he's not a platoon type player...

Patience, patience...Garrett Anderson hit .213/.231 with no HR's and 14 RBI's in 36 games in his 18 year old season in Arizona...

Patience, patience...Garrett Anderson hit .213/.231 with no HR's and 14 RBI's in 36 games in his 18 year old season in Arizona...

Patience, patience...Garrett Anderson hit .213/.231 with no HR's and 14 RBI's in 36 games in his 18 year old season in Arizona...

Patience, patience...Garrett Anderson hit .213/.231 with no HR's and 14 RBI's in 36 games in his 18 year old season in Arizona...

Put Pujols on the 60 day DL? 
He couldn't even make it to 2B with the 2B booting the ball...so instead of bases loaded and no outs had first and third and one out.

The next Yankee superstar from Japan....

The next Yankee superstar from Japan....

Couldn't figure out why Scioscia had him bunt in 2nd inning with runners at 1st and 2nd with Maybin and Revere following him...Maybe it was a confidence booster move that carried over to the double...nice to see him have some success on both O and D.

The next Yankee superstar from Japan....

The next Yankee superstar from Japan....

Thanks Chuck...he looks much bigger now - especially in the posterior and upper chest...been lifting heavy weights I guess...
and his swing is much more compact and with a lot less movement...so it's good to see the Angels have focused on his hitting

Adell...knew he had an athletic build but an 18 year old with his physical stature...wow...now I know why others on this site are excited about him.

Do any of you think Pujols will walk away from the remaining four years on his contract ($114M) ?
Maybe he would walk away if he incurs a career ending injury but can't see it for any other reason. 
It's really difficult to stomach imagining him in the line up four more years...no matter where he bats...what a negative impact.  
Too bad the public can't vote out players who stink like they can Presidents...

Thanks - much appreciated reply...since I don't watch the Angels minor league teams on TV or live on the west coast and can go see them it's hard to see from box scores what a player is really like.
I was not trying to be a Debbie Downer...just wanted to know what those who know more see in Jones swing...
I really hope he, Thaiss, Marsh, Long, Adell...etc. make it big in the majors - means the Angels won't have to dip into FA's as much and it's fun to follow a prospect through the minors and then make it with the big league club.

Having followed the Royals for a while I think Moustakas would be a good signing and then leave Cowart at 2B...he appears much better prepared at the plate this time around, his defense is solid.  Moustakas would add solid defense and more pop to the middle of the order...though his OBP is low.
Though many won't agree I'd resign Maybin for 1 year as a stop gap till Hermosillo or possibly Jones - he seems to be coming fast - is ready.  If Maybin could hit .250/.350 as a lead off hitter and steal 30+ he'd be an asset.
Maybin
Trout
Moustakas
Cron (his defense has improved a lot and his bat is better since he's playing everyday)
Simmons
Albertross Pujols (he's going to be here no matter what) 
Calhoun
Maldonado / Perez (Maldonado needs to catch less - he's really wearing down this season)
Cowart
 
Better depth offensively and it would be a solid defensive team.  Have to count on Cron and Cowart developing...plus Calhoun should hit .280+.
 
Valbuena, Fletcher, Revere (resign him - speed, defense and adequate replacement part)...Valbuena is here for another year no matter what...possibly sign another backup if Fletcher isn't ready to be a utility player.
 
Richards, Heaney, Skaggs, Shoemaker, JC, Bridwell, Meyer, Tropeano, Scribner, Long, Barria....enough arms there to compete...Eppler will probably add a few more to this list...wouldn't waste money on a high profile starter.  Canning could make the leap to the majors too.
Bedrosian, Middleton, Parker, Petit and any of the above starters that aren't in the rotation...etc. - good start to the pen but go after either Wade Davis or Greg Holland to anchor the bullpen.
 
And don't trade any top prospects...especially Adell, Jones or Marsh.
 

Having followed the Royals for a while I think Moustakas would be a good signing and then leave Cowart at 2B...he appears much better prepared at the plate this time around, his defense is solid.  Moustakas would add solid defense and more pop to the middle of the order...though his OBP is low.
Though many won't agree I'd resign Maybin for 1 year as a stop gap till Hermosillo or possibly Jones - he seems to be coming fast - is ready.  If Maybin could hit .250/.350 as a lead off hitter and steal 30+ he'd be an asset.
Maybin
Trout
Moustakas
Cron (his defense has improved a lot and his bat is better since he's playing everyday)
Simmons
Albertross Pujols (he's going to be here no matter what) 
Calhoun
Maldonado / Perez (Maldonado needs to catch less - he's really wearing down this season)
Cowart
 
Better depth offensively and it would be a solid defensive team.  Have to count on Cron and Cowart developing...plus Calhoun should hit .280+.
 
Valbuena, Fletcher, Revere (resign him - speed, defense and adequate replacement part)...Valbuena is here for another year no matter what...possibly sign another backup if Fletcher isn't ready to be a utility player.
 
Richards, Heaney, Skaggs, Shoemaker, JC, Bridwell, Meyer, Tropeano, Scribner, Long, Barria....enough arms there to compete...Eppler will probably add a few more to this list...wouldn't waste money on a high profile starter.  Canning could make the leap to the majors too.
Bedrosian, Middleton, Parker, Petit and any of the above starters that aren't in the rotation...etc. - good start to the pen but go after either Wade Davis or Greg Holland to anchor the bullpen.
 
And don't trade any top prospects...especially Adell, Jones or Marsh.
 

Having followed the Royals for a while I think Moustakas would be a good signing and then leave Cowart at 2B...he appears much better prepared at the plate this time around, his defense is solid.  Moustakas would add solid defense and more pop to the middle of the order...though his OBP is low.
Though many won't agree I'd resign Maybin for 1 year as a stop gap till Hermosillo or possibly Jones - he seems to be coming fast - is ready.  If Maybin could hit .250/.350 as a lead off hitter and steal 30+ he'd be an asset.
Maybin
Trout
Moustakas
Cron (his defense has improved a lot and his bat is better since he's playing everyday)
Simmons
Albertross Pujols (he's going to be here no matter what) 
Calhoun
Maldonado / Perez (Maldonado needs to catch less - he's really wearing down this season)
Cowart
 
Better depth offensively and it would be a solid defensive team.  Have to count on Cron and Cowart developing...plus Calhoun should hit .280+.
 
Valbuena, Fletcher, Revere (resign him - speed, defense and adequate replacement part)...Valbuena is here for another year no matter what...possibly sign another backup if Fletcher isn't ready to be a utility player.
 
Richards, Heaney, Skaggs, Shoemaker, JC, Bridwell, Meyer, Tropeano, Scribner, Long, Barria....enough arms there to compete...Eppler will probably add a few more to this list...wouldn't waste money on a high profile starter.  Canning could make the leap to the majors too.
Bedrosian, Middleton, Parker, Petit and any of the above starters that aren't in the rotation...etc. - good start to the pen but go after either Wade Davis or Greg Holland to anchor the bullpen.
 
And don't trade any top prospects...especially Adell, Jones or Marsh.
 

As a fan I can't ask for anymore than Eppler has done this off season.  With Maybin/Revere in LF, Espinosa at 2B and adding Valbuena for depth Angels are a much better team position wise than 2015 or 2016.
If Richards, Shoemaker and Pujols are/stay healthy and the bullpen comes together should be able to compete for the division title. 
 

Going back to keeping 1st and 2nd round picks (not like the Angels in 2012 and 2013) out of the top 50 prospects on MLB here's a break down.
27 chosen in 1st round
4 chosen in 2nd round
1 chosen in 4th, 19th, 22nd and 24th
15 International signings
62% from 1st or 2nd round of the draft and 30% from international signings = 92%
 
So it is clear to see why the Angels are where they are in the "Team Prospect Rankings" and why their system is improving....kept their 2015 and 2016 draft choices.
Glad for the Maybin and Espinosa signings and keeping current top prospects and 2017 1st and 2nd round picks (so far that is).
Now for beefing up the International scouting and signings.

I hope it's not Weiters...always hurt...played 215 games in the past three years....and is 30 and will cost a mint and is a Borass client

26 year old defensive catcher with potential to be a decent hitter for a 30 year catcher who can't hit (.203 / .332 last year in 253 PA's) ??? WTF????

I like that they analyzed exit velo. Espinosa should have had a better line according to how hard he hit the ball. But in a more quantifiable measurement, Espinosa's BABIP and RBBIP all indicated that his average was likely 30-40 points lower than his actual performance. 
If everythjng evens out, I picture Espinosa hitting .250/.330 with 20+ HR and gold glove level defense.
All for a couple of middling prospects.
A GREAT TRADE.