Does it seem like this series is going too fast?
Also, if you are president, and Keifer Sutherland is involved, prepare to die. If only he would get involved in this presidential race.
I took my son to Wrigley when the Halos played the Cubs in 2010 and the fans were great. Most of them were pretty shit faced during the game but they were not rude
Last night, a couple of hundred season ticketholders gathered to hear Billy Eppler talk about the 2016 season and looking ahead to the 2017 season. Considering the limitations on what he could and could not say, he actually said quite a bit. I'd like this thread to be an area where those who attended share some of his comments from the evening.
Several of the highlights I recalled was him saying that he wants to get 1 or 2 starting pitchers from outside of the organization. He seemed to stress two pitchers, implying FA as a method. He said that he has told Alex Meyer that he will have to battle for a spot in the rotation.
He absolutely intends to fix LF and 2B.
He appeared to rule out getting Wieters but may want a more defensive catcher. He said would he like to get a catcher who can hit 20 HRs? Sure, but is that the best thing? No. he wants a catcher to cut down on runs scored.
He wants more OB%. He talked about this quite a bit. He pointed out the park effects on building the team (108 games that we will play at home and on the road at least will be played in pitcher friendly parks), so he said he's less inclined to get a 10-15 HR guy because their numbers will drop and that "you [fans] will kill me for the drop in production". He said getting a 25 HR guy makes sense because they have "thunder in the bat" and that their numbers won't drop. But he also said we have several guys who can do that.
He said they haven't yet decided whether to exercise Escobar's option. But, also said that he has provided the best leadoff player for the organization since Chone Figgins. I found this a bit surprising, although it could still be because the WS is still not over, so that could be a factor.
Marte will not be the LFer next year, but that he will get his ABs around the infield. He told a funny story about learning that Marte was going to play LF. In his mind, Eppler was thinking where, in Fenway?
He said that all of the coaching staff will return.
He talked about his relationship with Scioscia and how he spends more time than other Angels GMs have in the clubhouse to get the pulse of the team. He's usually in the clubhouse from 2:00-3:30 and again immediately after the game. He said after every game he lets Scioscia get off his chest whatever he needs to and then talks to him about in-game decisions the next day to give him to cool down. He said he learned that skill in NY.
He spoke very highly of Jam Jones. So much so, that I'd have to say that in thinking about LF, that has to be part of the equation.
He said it should be easier to fill the hole in LF over 2B because it's easier to move a RFer over to LF than it is to make a 2B. And, there are more options for the OF.
He talked about new departments that he's created, looking at biomechanics to try and cut down on injuries and improving performance. Same with stats. He's also looking into the brain research to learn more about how a player makes a decision to swing or not swing (is it vision? where is he looking? what part of the plate is he covering? etc.). They have hired a full-time person to head a new department of biomechanics.
Shoemaker is doing well and is scheduled for another CAT scan. He should be getting those every 8 weeks, but should be all good for Spring Training.
He talked about Pujols, keeping him healthy, especially as he ages, and the toll playing the infield takes on the body.
He said on a couple of occasions getting 1 or 2 arms for the bullpen.
He talked about rebuilding the farm. To do so, he wants to hoarde talent, which means taking as many waiver claims as they can. He wants to spend all of their bonus money up to the point of losing picks (he said the Angels have never done that before). This applies for Latin America and for domestic players. We will pay the tax for going over, and will spend from now on up to the edge of our limits. He discussed having all the improved data in all of their minor league parks which has been incorporated with minor league players. He told his getting more juice out of the orange analogy. He also talked about new training regimens for players, particularly pitchers. He wants more of a system in place with more internal candidates being groomed (even for a future GM role) so that there is a similar philosophy from top to bottom.
He talked about hiring Matt Swanson to be the new Director of Scouting. He talked about Swanson's ability to grow a department and a team organically. Eppler had high praise for him and the organization that he came from, but said the deciding factor for him was his ability to grow the organization organically. He wants to have a line of prospects in development to be playing the same way.
In terms of pitchers, he prefers guys who get strikeouts because those are the only sure outs in a game (I almost wanted to remind him Pierzynski and the playoffs). I think this leans heavily towards Hellickson as a top target.
In response to a direct question, he spoke very highly of a prospect named David Fletcher, who he hopes in the best case becomes a starting 2B (he plays SS, and as Eppler said "we have a pretty good SS already"). Worst case, he will still make the Majors. Called him a real gamer.
He really did not speak highly of Baldoquin. In response to a question about him, he said "We still have him . . . he's still figuring his way out right now."
All in all, it was a good event. I'm glad that they are doing these, as they do need to be more visible and approachable by fans. If anyone else was there and has more insights or things I missed, please add them to the discussion.
Cliff notes version Lackey is a Horse, a successful pitcher, and should be singing Hall and Oates songs at his hall of fame induction. Hopefully I summarized that correctly.
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JAHV76 got a reaction from Angel Oracle in Official World Series Thread
JAHV76 got a reaction from Tank in Designated Survivor
JAHV76 got a reaction from CaliAngel in Official World Series Thread
JAHV76 got a reaction from Lou in Official World Series Thread
