Billy_Ball

Ohtani-san's farewell ceremony was held at Sapporo Dome on December 25, 2017.
Manager Kuriyama presented him with a pitcher's plate, written "I believe you will become the best player in the world."
 

Was going to say it helps Ohtani.  Then I realized, no, he hits everything well into the seats there.
Then was going to say it hurt Heaney.  Then I realized, no, every HR he gave up there went well into the seats.
 
Only thing I can say with confidence is that it would have helped Brian Downing.
Oh wait, the scoreboard wasn't there when he played.  Never mind.

My biggest takeaway reading that article was how his talking about how he was unsure how to use his FBs and tinkering with grips reminded me of Canning's struggles.  Hopefully whoever was spending all the time looking into unlocking Lorenzen can now shift his attention to Canning, because fixing the guy with the 4 years of control who looked like a budding rotation piece coming into 2021 seems like it should be a pretty big priority.

He was actually supposed to be in the rotation for the 2021 season after essentially saving their asses as a starter late 2020. However, an injury in 2021 prevented him from getting those reps in Spring Training and they couldn't afford to give him those reps midseason. 
 
 

That's really all this about. 
There's some intrigue there, but at worst we're getting a pretty decent power arm at the backend of the bullpen so I'm pretty happy with this signing. 

He is guaranteed an opportunity to compete for a starting rotation spot.  That is about it.  

I’m still pretty high on Canning.  Maybe foolishly.  But he’s got the tool kit to be a good major league pitcher.  I have less faith that the Angels can help him get there.  We’ll see.  Here’s to hoping. 

Yes.
Not every pitcher finds their way early in their career. Canning had a horrendous 2021 but he has shown he can get batters out at the MLB level.
He has the stuff to do so. He just has to un-Heaney himself.

Different year, same story back 10 years with starting pitching
This has become the easiest thing to bet on each off-season (no multiple year/solid money deals for a starting pitcher).
If not for Iglesias being re-signed, I’d be totally pissed off by now.

We literally missed out on every single top starter.

☑ Has a pulse
☐ Can pitch

.500 ain't bad.
 

Jon Heyman should be banned from Twitter.

I believe this is the free agent we're most likely to get at this point.

It's spelled Klayton Crenshaw.  Just FYI.

Dipoto's closers

Eppler's closers

Minasian's closer

Dipoto's closers

Eppler's closers

Minasian's closer

Dipoto's closers

Eppler's closers

Minasian's closer

At least the Halos FINALLY for the first time in TEN years signed a solid pitcher to more than a 2 year contract.
Now do that with a starter (Stroman), and the pitching should finally be acceptable for the first time since the 2015 season?

OFFSEASON SAVED!!! 

Now sign Stroman and all is well

Blisters

I want Correa only so we can hear @Angel Oracle call him Gonnocorrea.

This. I think Lorenzen is a good depth piece, Syndergaard is a frontline guy, and a guy like Stroman or Castillo is just bonus.
But I want the bonus. And I want Iglesias.
I'm torn though between Stroman and Iglesias or say Taylor, Castillo, and Iglesias.