halosfan1970

Don't worry... in 2016 "Kowart/Kubitza" will generate a 5.5 WAR season from stellar defense... and it will only cost the league minimum salary.

"Cowart/Kubitza" is not an actual player under contract for the Angels. For all those that want to slide Escobar to 2B and replace Freese at 3B, you should at least be willing to propose one or the other. For a semi-anonymous internet board filled with random opinions, it seems lazy not to have one here. Make up your minds. Do you want to go with Kaleb Cowart or Kyle Kubitza at 3B?

White privilege.

It's all santorum.

Houston has a young and talented existing roster. While there are never guarantees, they have reason to be optimistic that their young core will improve as they enter their primes. Keuchel, Altuve, Springer, and Correa are all between 21 and 27 years old. Houston 'could' be a better team in 2016 than 2015 by simply doing nothing.

Frothy mix...

Well on AngelsWin, every starting pitcher other than Weaver and Wilson is considered a "prospect" too. Specificity and plain meaning of language don't mean much around here.

Everytime I see this title thread with "in the mix", I think of "santorum."

Tyler Skaggs has accumulated far more than 45 days on an active 25 man roster. He exceed his rookie service time in 2013. He has pitched 181 major league innings across three seasons. He pitched 113 inning for the Angels in 2014. Tyler Skaggs is not a prospect.

Wow. Never? There is a lack of past history regarding any sign-and-trades under the 2012-2016 Basic Agreement. However, I don't see how that necessarily precludes a sign-and-trade under the current system. The Basic Agreement (XX.B.(5).(a)) on page 90 states that a player signed in free agency cannot then be traded until the following June 16th or later unless the player provides written consent to waive the requirement. Further, the two teams would need to negotiate a transaction to assign the player's contract to the new team (XIX) starting on page 78. If he player consents in writing to the trade, there would be no violation of the Basic Agreement. Also per the Basic Agreement (IV) on page 3, the contract would be subject to league approval within 30 days (February 15 - April 15.) I don't understand why the league office would object to a contract and trade transaction that both meet the requirements of the Basic Agreement. Whether the whole scenario is likely or not is a different issue. http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/pdf/cba_english.pdf

The CBA prevents the trade of a free agent signee prior to June 15th unless the player consents, in writing, to the transaction. So if the player negotiates the contract with the acquiring team and gives the written consent to the trade, a sign and trade would not violate the CBA. It hasn't been done to date, but that doesn't make it impermissible. The player and both teams would have to come to agreement. It seems possible but unlikely.

It's not in the Dodger's interest to do it this early, but in a scenario like Morales two years ago, they would be better off getting something of value rather than nothing. I don't see a sign and trade happening unless a player with a QO is still unsigned in February.

As long as the player consents it is permissible. The player would need to negotiate the contract and the teams would need to negotiate the trade pieces. Allowable under the CBA. There shouldn't be any draft pick lost.

UPLIFTING! I'm now in the spirit. I would suggest next time you go with "selfish swine." Hate filled rants always sound better when you alliterate.

I'm offended by your bigotry toward dumb college students.

When the statistics support my assertions, they are very valuable. When the statistics are non-existent or they contradict my assertions, they are merely happenstance.

Escobar has played 21 games at 2B in his MLB career. All 21 games were played in 2007. So, it's pretty difficult to speculate on his 2B defensive capabilities nine years later. His natural position is SS. If he plays 3B at the same level as he did in 2015 for the Nationals, we're all going to be missing David Freese's defense in 2016..

More Curt Schilling !!!

This is a solid buy low proposal. He definitely has upside potential compared to his 2015 season.

Any change from a three-person booth back to a two-person booth is the right decision regardless of the personalities..

If Kendrick is interested in returning to the Angels and the Angels don't want to forfeit a first round pick, they should arrange a sign-and-trade with the Dodgers. A sign-and-trade with the player's consent / participation is permissible under the CBA.

Any speculation that Escobar could play SECOND is strictly forbidden. He was acquired to play THIRD! THIRD! THIRD! All of us have been informed of this. Further, we have been warned regarding this inappropriate speculation multiple times now. SHAME!

It's hard to kiss him once your nose is already that deep.

I went back and re-read the linked article from Jeff Fletcher. "Willful ignorance" seems to be a fair critique. I have not read every one of Fletcher's articles over the years, so I can't comment on "worst article to date."

Is Fletcher due some privilege or deference that other members of this board are not? While somewhat argumentative, Scotty made a direct critique of Fletcher's article and logic. A moderator of this board, in this very thread, told a board member "This is the dumbest thing you've ever come up with." How about a little consistency?