aznhockeyguy

Solid signing.  Loved Moore on the Angels last season and he was great.  I'm surprised the Angels were able to get him back with a 1 year contract. 

5 minutes ago, Inside Pitch said:

Nah...   That one made zero sense. Mathews really hadn't changed anything about his game, he was the same guy he had always been, he just lucked into a .343 BABIP and as it turns out, was taking HGH,

GMJ was far and away Stoneman's biggest mistake.

It reminds me of GMJ because it's the Angels signing a guy who had an 1 unreal season and signing them to a multiyear contract.  I know they're different players and different positions, it just reminds me of that. 

This reminds me of the Angels signing Gary Matthews Jr. for some reason. 

Man those are some memorable names.  I would have to say Pujols.  I was excited for Vlad and Colon when Arte signed them both after the disappointing 2003 season, but getting Pujols, an all-time great player to come to the Angels was a coup.  Of course there were warning signs during his last season with the Cardinals, but I thought it was overblown.  Of course, we all know how that signing worked out. 

What's to explain? Shohei wanted to win badly, so he picked a franchise that has won a lot of regular season games, division titles, and have been to the playoffs every season since he's arrived to MLB, that also has have stability in their front office and manager, with a great support staff.  He also received the biggest contract in MLB history and only have to move about 25 miles up the 5 freeway to make this happen. 

Angels had 6 seasons to show Shohei what a great organization they were, only for Arte to cheap out at every corner, had 4 different managers during his 6 seasons here, and never having a winning MLB season since arriving. 

The explanation is, we're a shit franchise, the Dodgers aren't.

On 12/9/2023 at 7:34 PM, ScottT said:

I hope he feels like he can't compete and puts the team up for sale

I think he's a bit pissed, a bit sad.  Like many of us.  

Arte's only pissed because he lost his cash cow and the franchise is worth less, now that Shohei and the revenue streams he brought in are now gone.  Arte is still the penny pinching blow hard he's always been.  Now that Shohei is gone, the Angels should start a complete rebuild, but Arte won't allow it to happen and the money he would've given to Shohei, a fraction of that should be spent on improving the infrastructure of the team, but Arte won't. 

7 minutes ago, Warfarin said:

He is a unique talent, so he'd likely generate revenue regardless of ethnicity, but yes - there is a GIANT market in Japan that Ohtani captures, and that is what in turn leads to a lot of the merchandise/revenue/etc.

The Dodgers are run by a financial corporation, so they likely aren't ones to "overbid" for a player based on emotion in the way that an individual owner would (Arte, Cohen, etc).  This is likely all entirely financially-driven, and they likely will profit significantly off of this deal.

Oh definitely.  The Dodgers ownership and FO are full of ultra smart people. 

5 hours ago, Warfarin said:

Agreed, and I don't think anyone is really faulting him, and really, no one is faulting the FO for not matching that either.  I think most of the frustration is just mainly directed at Arte and the team for not investing heavily in the team during the prime Trout/Ohtani years to get more out of that duo, and this signing is just the culmination of all those years of built-up frustration.

The contract is a risk, but probably not nearly to the extent that people think.  If Doc's friend's report is true, that the contract is more like a 52mil AAV deal given deferrals, then this is actually probably more of a low risk deal.  Ohtani alone generates ~25mil per year or so of revenue for a team based on advertising/merch/etc, from what I read.  It's probably fair to assume that number will further increase as a Dodger with a more global brand,  but even if they don't, that means they need Ohtani to be "worth" 52 - 25 = 27mil AAV on the field, which given his unique talents, seems like it'd be incredibly easy to do.  Given his current offensive production, he can do that now just as a hitter, not even factoring in his pitching.

Forgot about the deferrals.  Much more manageable for the Dodgers to get other pieces for the team. 

I was discussing with a friend that if Shohei wasn't Japanese, he wouldn't have received the 700mil contract.  Teams know he brings in so much additional revenue, that'll probably pay for the additional money he's given in the contract. 

I predicted that Shohei would sign with the Dodgers in Free Agency towards the middle of the season.  It made too much sense.  For those of you bashing him for leaving and going to the Dodgers, can't fault a person who gave it his all to a poorly run organization, then decided to go to a team with great management and track record of winning, while also giving you top dollar.  No one here would do reject that offer, so why do you expect Shohei to? All of us would leave a job with crap management & support staff to a rival company that has better management & staff, and offers you much more money. 

As for the move itself, Shohei is perhaps the best pure hitter and is worth, as just a hitter around 4-6 WAR.  This alone would've gotten him a contract in the 10yr/350-400 million range.  His career hitting stats is pretty much inline with David Ortiz's stats in terms of OPS and OPS+.  His pitching stats also give him another 4-6 WAR a season for the past 3 seasons, which would've given him a contract of the same range as a hitter had he not have had a 2nd TJ surgery.  While the price tag is insane, it's not out of this world that he got it.  Hard to say how he'll do pitching wise after the surgery, but I wouldn't doubt him.  I do worry about the wear and tear and injury concerns as he approaches the mid 30s.  A tremendous risk, but one worth taking for a tremendous and unique player. 

Sad to lose the unicorn, and I'll miss watching him every game. 

Damn, can't imagine.  Glad to see.

39 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

A perfect summation of the season 

I saw that picture of the stadium with the dreariness and I was thinking that's the perfect picture to show how shitty this season has been.

The article just adds more anecdotes of stuff we've already known.  Arte spends money on flashy signings and not on the infrastructure that is needed to build and maintain a quality roster.  Another article (Rosenthal's maybe?) quoted an anonymous person from the Angels "It's like buying a lambo but getting it tuned at Jiffy Lube." 

Fuck Arte.  Seriously Fuck Arte.

Is this why Angels players are injured so often? They get the wrong diagnosis for their injuries?  Wow, not a great look. 

2 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

Date - Matchup - Week 2 Picks

Thursday, Sep. 14 Vikings @ Eagles

Sunday, Sept. 17 Chargers @ Titans

Sunday, Sept. 17 Ravens @ Bengals

Sunday, Sept. 17 Raiders @ Bills

Sunday, Sept. 17 Packers @ Falcons

Sunday, Sept. 17 Seahawks @ Lions

Sunday, Sept. 17 Bears @ Buccaneers

Sunday, Sept. 17 Chiefs @ Jaguars

Sunday, Sept. 17 Giants @ Cardinals

Sunday, Sept. 17 49ers @ Rams

Sunday, Sept. 17 Commanders @ Broncos 

Sunday, Sept. 17 Jets @ Cowboys

Sunday, Sept. 17 Dolphins @ Patriots

Monday, Sept. 18 Saints @ Panthers

Monday, Sept. 18 Browns @ Steelers

Lol, Arte really needs that yacht fuel doesn't he?

8 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

Wonder what the point of this is?  Doesn't seem like it would impact the luxury tax, so why bother?  Maybe they think someone is going to take Grichuk this time? 

EDIT:  Or maybe it does save a tiny bit of money since Phillips is already getting $1.2M and Stefanic won't be paid a major league salary for the rest of the year now? 

Arte needs his yacht fuel.

Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs (-5)

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (-3.5)

Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5) at Cleveland Browns

Jacksonville Jaguars (-5) at Indianapolis Colts

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings (-6)

Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints (-3)

San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers

Arizona Cardinals at Washington Commanders (-7)

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens (-10)

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (-1)

Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos (-3.5)

Philadelphia Eagles (-4) at New England Patriots

Miami Dolphins @ Los Angeles Chargers (-3)

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (-5)

Dallas Cowboys (-3.5) at New York Giants

Buffalo Bills (-2.5) at New York Jets

I know it's a private concern, I'm really wondering what's up with Stassi from a human standpoint.  Must be very serious to be away all year. 

5 hours ago, DMVol said:

“If Trout does request a trade” is the key…..If he asks, it’ll be privately in a way that doesn’t embarrass the club….If he asks, Arte will surely feel obligated to honor the request, if he can…he’s been loyal and a good soldier, if he wants out, they’ll try to accommodate him….doesn’t mean it would be easy to do, it won’t…..but the key is does Trout ask? I think he might….he can see how long the road back will be….

Of course the situation hinges on whether or not Trout asks out.  While I would want him to stay with the Angels, it's going to be an Ernie Banks situation where an all time great will never sniff the World Series.  Trout has continually said he loves it here as it's a very laid back environment, which jives with his personality.  However, after the taste of the WBC, he would probably want to start competing for championships, and the only way to do that is by asking out. 

4 hours ago, Jason said:

Halos would have to pay more than 40% of his salary. Remember, another team is trading for a big name player that rarely ever plays. No way they are willing to pay big money for a name alone. 

With the Angels taking back Schwarber, 40% will probably be enough.  While Schwarber is a plus bat, he's so terrible with the glove that it negates his value.  Even though Trout was in a down year this season, he was still on pace for about 4-5 WAR which is still All-Star caliber.  Basically getting Trout for free for the first 2 seasons by trading away Schwarber and with the remaining 5 years at ~25 million after retaining 40%, might be palatable for a big spending team like the Phillies. 

2 hours ago, Tank said:

i don't disagree with trying to move him. but what others and myself are trying to say is that you're not going to get much for him.  you're going to have to eat a ton of that $252 mil still left for anyone to touch him. you're going to get low level prospects and an eduardo escobar or two for him. is that worth trading him?

Trout has all the power.  He has a NTC by being a 10/5 player.  If he asks to be traded, Angels will have no leverage and as you point out, the Angels won't get anything of value for him, except getting out of his contract.

IF Trout does request a trade, it'll be to Philadelphia.  Makes a lot of sense.  A framework would be something like.

Phillies get: Mike Trout (Angels pay for 40% of remaining contract each season)

Angels get: Kyle Schwarber, 2-3 prospects outside of Phillies top 15.

Angels get some salary relief after 2 seasons and have the possibility to flip Schwarber during the 2025 season, while helping PHI get his contract off the books.

Phillies get a productive albeit injury prone Mike Trout, who can still mash, and maybe stay healthy away from the terrible Angels training staff.

Surprised Renfroe got claimed and not Grichuk. 

I think everyone except Renfroe will be claimed.  I'm 70/30 Grichuk will be claimed, he's a versatile fielder albeit not great, with an average bat, so a team that needs a better bench RH OFer option will put in a claim.  Starting pitchers with proven track records get picked up and Giolito is no exception.  If Lynn and Thor can get traded during terrible seasons this season, Giolito can be claimed. Relievers that can throw gas are a hot commodity, all of them will be easily claimed.  Renfroe is the one that's highly doubtful to be claimed.  He's an average bat that's very streaky, a terrible fielder with a plus arm. 

After the failure of the past month+, what they're doing now is actually the best move.  No sense in playing guys the Angels weren't planning to keep.  Start tanking and improve the teams' draft position and allotment dollars.