DCAngelsFan

Nice article, even though the subject matter and conclusions kinda suck.  
It's pretty much what we expected, I think - an under-resourced minor league system that lacked a coherent vision and continuity of staff and philosophy.  I've been guessing at it for years, but the results (lack of) have always spoke for itself - that the system wasn't in the first tier, to put it as nicely as I can.  
Thing is, the Dodgers could lose their GM, or any one of their key development people tomorrow - and I promise you their minor league system wouldn't miss a beat.  Because they built a system and a philosophy over the years that transcends whoever is currently occupying some seat.  
As McCourt stripped the Dodgers to the bone, I thought it was a great opportunity to raid their system - to sweep up as much of their system's key personnel and then try to emulate (ok, "copy) what they had built.   But of course, better to put up taunting billboards and make shitty trades and sign shitty deals for over-the-hill "stars" who weren't.
Honestly, Arte can't sell this team fast enough.  He's had 20 years to figure it out - but he's only managed to prove that being a billionaire doesn't mean you're smart.  
 

Fify

This is the biggest unknown. If the Angels sit on the sidelines while free agency and the winter trade season play out, that pretty much kills any chance of Ohtani staying, IMO. Adding Urshela and Renfroe are definitely good moves, but this club was more than two players away from being a contender.

Tune in tomorrow

I don't think his ego is served by "Look at me, look at me, I got the biggest AAV contract in MLB history!"  That's not (imo) who he is.  
Is he comfortable / happy playing for the Angels, and living in Southern California?  
Going to an already-winning team would feel less rewarding than winning with the team he started with deep into the playoffs.
He can get the money from anyone - so, he probably already know what it would take to stay (if anything could).  Besides money, what could be done?  Is it competitiveness?  Is it better snacks in the dugout?  
I've always been a really big fan of just asking him.   What would it take to make you stay?  Would you prefer to be traded to a contender?  (assuming we won't be a contender)
I think that's the big catch - I think he'd stay if we were contending and we offered whatever amount of money he asked for 🙂 But to be competitive, we need to go all in (Arte has had that opportunity multiple times and passed) - will the new ownership have a say in *this* off-season?
 

Why no mention of Bane's disastrous 2010 draft?  
Kinda just slid right over that - it kind of leaves the impression that he was a genius who was only let go over a personality clash.  
Anyway, it's clearly our lack of involvement in international scouting that destroyed our pipeline. 
Then Baldoquin - that was inexplicable - did Dipo confuse him with someone else?  Can anyone explain that move?  
No one was in on him - I got the idea that 29 other GM's went wtf?  Who?! 
His stats were crap in Cuba, no resume to speak of - he was a nothing there before he became a nothing here.
After that - how do we compare on development post-draft?  
 
 

I don't think his ego is served by "Look at me, look at me, I got the biggest AAV contract in MLB history!"  That's not (imo) who he is.  
Is he comfortable / happy playing for the Angels, and living in Southern California?  
Going to an already-winning team would feel less rewarding than winning with the team he started with deep into the playoffs.
He can get the money from anyone - so, he probably already know what it would take to stay (if anything could).  Besides money, what could be done?  Is it competitiveness?  Is it better snacks in the dugout?  
I've always been a really big fan of just asking him.   What would it take to make you stay?  Would you prefer to be traded to a contender?  (assuming we won't be a contender)
I think that's the big catch - I think he'd stay if we were contending and we offered whatever amount of money he asked for 🙂 But to be competitive, we need to go all in (Arte has had that opportunity multiple times and passed) - will the new ownership have a say in *this* off-season?
 

Why no mention of Bane's disastrous 2010 draft?  
Kinda just slid right over that - it kind of leaves the impression that he was a genius who was only let go over a personality clash.  
Anyway, it's clearly our lack of involvement in international scouting that destroyed our pipeline. 
Then Baldoquin - that was inexplicable - did Dipo confuse him with someone else?  Can anyone explain that move?  
No one was in on him - I got the idea that 29 other GM's went wtf?  Who?! 
His stats were crap in Cuba, no resume to speak of - he was a nothing there before he became a nothing here.
After that - how do we compare on development post-draft?  
 
 

Why no mention of Bane's disastrous 2010 draft?  
Kinda just slid right over that - it kind of leaves the impression that he was a genius who was only let go over a personality clash.  
Anyway, it's clearly our lack of involvement in international scouting that destroyed our pipeline. 
Then Baldoquin - that was inexplicable - did Dipo confuse him with someone else?  Can anyone explain that move?  
No one was in on him - I got the idea that 29 other GM's went wtf?  Who?! 
His stats were crap in Cuba, no resume to speak of - he was a nothing there before he became a nothing here.
After that - how do we compare on development post-draft?  
 
 

I don't think his ego is served by "Look at me, look at me, I got the biggest AAV contract in MLB history!"  That's not (imo) who he is.  
Is he comfortable / happy playing for the Angels, and living in Southern California?  
Going to an already-winning team would feel less rewarding than winning with the team he started with deep into the playoffs.
He can get the money from anyone - so, he probably already know what it would take to stay (if anything could).  Besides money, what could be done?  Is it competitiveness?  Is it better snacks in the dugout?  
I've always been a really big fan of just asking him.   What would it take to make you stay?  Would you prefer to be traded to a contender?  (assuming we won't be a contender)
I think that's the big catch - I think he'd stay if we were contending and we offered whatever amount of money he asked for 🙂 But to be competitive, we need to go all in (Arte has had that opportunity multiple times and passed) - will the new ownership have a say in *this* off-season?
 

IMO, addressing LF is the single most important move for Minasian to make this winter.
If he can properly address it, that’s a 3+ WAR swing by replacing below replacement level production with average to above average production.

I hate all of this.
I could part with Suarez. Obviously he has the least value. But I will die on the hill that trading good, cost controlled starters is a terrible idea 99% of the time and I don't think the Angels are in the position to do this.
Sandoval? No. Absolutely not.

Done.
I like Vasgersian just fine, but the remote play-by-play often glitched and he'd be 5 seconds behind the play - it was stupid 
I won't say anything mean about O'Neal so, uh ....
 

Which is sad because Suarez has better stuff and is just 25 next season.

I'm confused why he'd turn down the QO for this.  

Jeezus, don't let Arte see this ...

Nimmo is my top choice this off-season. I actually think this team could compete next year with (1) Nimmo, (2) one very good starting pitching addition (Rodon) and (3) a healthy Trout and Rendon. 

I suppose it comes down to the actual language in the contract.  But there's a difference between maintaining something and improving it.
If I leased a property from someone, and I was supposed to "maintain" it - generally, that would mean "not letting it deteriorate, and keep it in the same condition I got it" - paint it when necessary, replace things as they broke, replace wear items at end-of-life, etc.
It doesn't mean I gut it or raze it to the ground, and build a new palace on the spot, or put in a swimming pool and spa. 
Anaheim had years to bring this up - they may lose simply based on not bringing suit in a timely way (when are they saying he breached?  Was he served notice? )
My guess is they're just trying to extort a quick cash settlement by monkey-wrenching the sale by threatening a lawsuit.  And it would kind of serve Anaheim right if Arte counter-sued that they're abusing the legal process - I bet discovery in the Anaheim government email system would be all kinds of fun.
(* - not a lawyer, just random asshole with an uninformed opinion)

I suppose it comes down to the actual language in the contract.  But there's a difference between maintaining something and improving it.
If I leased a property from someone, and I was supposed to "maintain" it - generally, that would mean "not letting it deteriorate, and keep it in the same condition I got it" - paint it when necessary, replace things as they broke, replace wear items at end-of-life, etc.
It doesn't mean I gut it or raze it to the ground, and build a new palace on the spot, or put in a swimming pool and spa. 
Anaheim had years to bring this up - they may lose simply based on not bringing suit in a timely way (when are they saying he breached?  Was he served notice? )
My guess is they're just trying to extort a quick cash settlement by monkey-wrenching the sale by threatening a lawsuit.  And it would kind of serve Anaheim right if Arte counter-sued that they're abusing the legal process - I bet discovery in the Anaheim government email system would be all kinds of fun.
(* - not a lawyer, just random asshole with an uninformed opinion)

I love all these hires.
The ex-Yankees hitting coaches were scape-goats for a flawed roster and Hezel is a driveline guy who has clearly had success working with pitchers in the Angels organization.
All three of these hires have connections already within the organization, which is good for relationship-building and earning trust.

You know I live outside the US so I rarely see political ads and I don't watch too many shows that run political crap 24/7 and I'm pretty sick to death of it. I can only imagine what it's like there right now. So please, as a favor to humanity, give the fellow board posters a break from this crap in the baseball forum

this is pretty funny.  did you intend the irony?

what the hell do you know about making french fries?
(heh.  I couldn't resist)

Cut into 1/4" fries, then rinse thoroughly and soak overnight in cold water, then drain/dry and par cook at 325* in vegetable oil, drain and cool for 10 minutes in the fridge, add (some) beef tallow to the oil and increase heat to 375*  then fry in batches, to desired color, toss in a bowl with lots of good quality sea salt or kosher salt immediately so salt dissolves into the oil and coats the fries.
(*I have a little fryer - when the potatoes hit the oil, the temp drops so I have to overheat the oil a bit - desired end temps are 300 for the first fry, 350 for the second)
Duck fat instead of beef tallow is also delish.
And gotta make your own mayo (if that's your jam) 
(and if you're ever in Portland, ME, try Duckfat's fries:)

Cut into 1/4" fries, then rinse thoroughly and soak overnight in cold water, then drain/dry and par cook at 325* in vegetable oil, drain and cool for 10 minutes in the fridge, add (some) beef tallow to the oil and increase heat to 375*  then fry in batches, to desired color, toss in a bowl with lots of good quality sea salt or kosher salt immediately so salt dissolves into the oil and coats the fries.
(*I have a little fryer - when the potatoes hit the oil, the temp drops so I have to overheat the oil a bit - desired end temps are 300 for the first fry, 350 for the second)
Duck fat instead of beef tallow is also delish.
And gotta make your own mayo (if that's your jam) 
(and if you're ever in Portland, ME, try Duckfat's fries:)