bruin5

Have to believe that DiPoto is at the top of the St. Louis Cardinals GM's speed dial list.  The Cards GM probably had his entire staff around him when he called DiPoto and put him on speaker.  I'm sure some of them were trying real hard to not laugh when DiPoto jumped at the opportunity.   

13 hours ago, floplag said:

The players have gotten this team back into a playoff race spot without any help from the front office and that effort deserves more than what its gotten from them.
Its time for Eppler and team to do what they need to do to reward that effort.    Past time really, but they need to work that front office magic and get what this team needs to make a run.  
I'm not going to debate what they could have or should have done in the past we've covered it all... I'm wiping that slate clean.  
The team got back in it, now the front office needs to do the same to do whatever can be done in Aug.
 

Basically, you want Eppler to go to Dipoto.   A lot of good arguments here about that being highly unlikely.  I had low expectations this year, so what is happening now is gravy.  I would rather take the off season to make the needed moves rather than a knee jerk trade, especially one that could affect what seems to be good clubhouse chemistry.   Besides, Heaney coming back and Skaggs already back is better than anything you would get in a trade. 

Without doubt, Judge's first half performance guarantees the MVP for him. 

Respectfully, 

Yasiel Puig

2 hours ago, Stradling said:

I hate myself for being blinded by Dipoto while he was here.  I fricken had a ton of faith in that guy.  I'm guessing it stems from the fact he said the right thing and in person he was charasmatic as hell.  It probably didn't hurt that he used my term "Rondons" at our Angelswin Fanfest while giving his state of the team speech.  

What everyone didn't know that while DiPoto was charismatic, his ability to build effective relationships with the staff was pretty limited.  Eppler may be exact opposite - not as charismatic, but accessible to staff and values relationships.  It also doesn't hurt that it seems pretty clear that he is very comfortable in the role.   It sure would have been nice if he had a crack at the international market last year as well.....

3 hours ago, Scotty@AW said:

I know this isn't what everyone wants to hear, because it's fun to pile on Baldoquin, but the talent has always been there. It was there for Brandon Wood. Baldoquin is a good kid too, much like Wood. Their shared problem has been confidence. Baldoquin just doesn't carry himself like he has any. Lots of work ethic. 

Hopefully this year's performance and his subsequent selection for the all-star team will be the kick he needs to get his career going.

 I'm rooting for him as well.  I had heard the same from coaches about Baldoquin as well.  Works hard, very coachable, but the combination of expectations and moving to the U.S. may have been too much for him.  I think sending him down may have the benefit of lessening those expectations and maybe giving him more confidence.  He was probably in High A before he was ready.

It's also unfortunate that he is the poster child for the DiPoto failures.  We all know that there are plenty of other examples to choose from.... 

On 5/13/2017 at 7:07 AM, Jay said:

Wow if your neighbor owns a company and tells you it's going to be bought out, and you go buy the stock it's a crime...? That would be hard to resist.

 

Kind of similar to his last at bat in game 5 of the 1986 ALCS.  No patience.....

So, I count 10 of the top 20 were drafted or acquired by Eppler.   I'll give props to Eppler and leave it at that....

With Eppler it's pretty clear to see he values defense and organizational depth.  He's also shown a willingness to take a chance on high ceiling guys.  He seems to have a long term plan while still intending to attempt to compete in the present.  

With DiPoto, I don't know that I see a real philosophy.  He trades in the moment, with no apparent long term plan.  I don't believe he didn't have any input on Pujols or Hamilton, but, even if he didn't, he made the call on Baldoquin which may be one of the dumbest moves ever.   

He's a volume trader but, as John Wooden said, "never mistake activity for achievement".   I'm really not sure what Seattle saw in him, but it's not like they are noted for identifying front office talent.   

Simmons taketh away, Smith giveth.....

6 hours ago, eaterfan said:

Rondon is having a bad year this year. But he hasn't been a complete bust since the trade. He hasn't made the adjustment to AA yet but he's still not old for the league. He could certainly turn it around still. The Padres are also pretty bad at player development so it's really tough to tell how much of this is on them. 

Rondon was our last and only hope for an in house replacement for Aybar. Aybar fell off a cliff and Rondon stalled in his development. I think it is clear that staying in Anaheim wouldn't have saved Aybar but staying with the Angels may have helped Rondon. It's apparent that he wouldn't be ready to replace Aybar in time unless the Padres really screwed him up but it's very possible he could have been ready next year or the year after that if he has the talent. Maybe we get a stop gap SS instead of trading Newcomb and Ellis. 

I'm not saying that this would have happened but that it's too early to write off Rondon and not as easy to say why he busted if he has.

Rondon could not stay within the organization so he was never a viable replacement.   He had poor defensive mechanics and not a great attitude.   His hitting stats with us may have been overinflated.   While I can't share exactly why, it was no coincidence that the first time SB faced Lake Elsinore after he was traded SB's pitchers were throwing at him and hit him a couple of time.  

DiPoto learned about the issue, and made the trade about 3 or 4 days after.  Any GM would have traded him, the question is the value in return.  Seems to me the Angels made out very well on this one. 

I would pump the brakes on giving DiPoto total credit on this one.  Rondon had to be traded - his actions left the Angels no choice.  I'm not sure what type of trade DiPoto was going to make, but he did make something good out of a bad situation.  Basically, he was playing a bit with house money on this one. 

My interactions with Jerry the few times I met him were great! I am a big fan of his personality as it relates to what we see. Obviously he is a charismatic guy and is an excellent speaker, he's also very candid. That's the Jerry we see.

I never had a chance to meet him, but I'm sure he was a nice guy. I'm just sharing what I heard. I'm not sure there is a correlation between being a nice guy and being a great leader and relationship builder. Either way, hope he does okay in Seattle - won't wish him well because they are direct competitors.

I was sorry to see Klentak go. Heard nothing but good things and I think he will do well in Philadelphia.

I do like Eppler also. I think he's built a pretty good staff, doesn't seem to overreact, and is more collegial in his approach. He's hamstrung by financial limitations and a pitiful farm system. Killer combination.

I kind of laugh at the "Jerry has a great personality" comment. I do know that a key member of the Angels Minor League system had 1 interaction with him in 3 years, and that was DiPoto nodding hello while he was on the phone and this person was passing by. Sure, he wasn't a direct report, but why would you not reach out to one of your managers to find out how things are going.

And, to the argument that "if he was so bad, why did he get another job". It's called the Seattle Mariners. I would not use them as the poster child for making great decisions on GM's.

DiPoto reminds me of the Wooden axiom of "don't mistake activity for achievement". He's a volume trader - sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses, but he makes a lot of moves. He's doing the same in Seattle. And, Ric Wilson may be director of scouting, but DiPoto is the guy in charge and sets direction.

By the way, my contact has talked to Eppler multiple times. Does, that mean Eppler will be a better GM? No. But it does show he may be more inclusive in the way he approaches decisions. Servais apparently had a reputation to being abrasive (my contact did not sense that but was told that by a number of people). It will be interesting watching him manage a clubhouse in Seattle.

Of the three, Klentak is the one we'll miss. He was a good communicator, and respected by many in the organization. I am looking forward to seeing how Servais does in Seattle. He's not known as being a good at building relationships, so it will be interesting how he performs in a job that essentially involves managing relationships.

Also a somewhat interesting choice by DiPoto. He seems to have taken the path of least resistance rather than hiring the most qualified person. Maybe he was the best candidate, but I never heard his name mentioned for any other manager openings.....

This will certainly be interesting for M's fans.

You hire a guy as manager who has no prior managing experience, and is not known for his relationship skills.

Managing the 25 people in the clubhouse is as vital as baseball strategy. Not sure he can do either.

I don't think I've seen this posted, but I would bet the Butcher hire was done at Arte's request.

From what I understand Butcher was the guy that really went off on DiPoto, incredibly disrespectful to a guy who is his boss. He thought he was all that because at the time the pitching staff was doing well. Scoscia tried to play middle man but Butcher was out of control.

This is Arte removing a potential stumbling block for Eppler while at the same time making it clear to Scoscia that he supports Eppler.