Hubs

I changed it so you can see where my numbers come from. You don't pay the entire 40 man major league minimum salaries. They also don't count as to opening day or real payroll, they do count in luxury tax.
First, the signing bonuses are still on both Cot's and Spotrac, and your numbers included them. @Jeff FletcherFletcher mentioned this a while back and so I've dropped the bonuses.
In AAA a guy on the Major League 40-man roster without major league experience, makes a minimum of 46,000. If they have major league experience (only a day in the majors), they make much more, at least 96,000 per year. This is also accounted for in the roughly $2.25-3M in minor league salaries the team adds to its luxury tax payroll, not in "real" payroll. Ettin frequently cites this wrongly in his salary articles. Just because they renew a minor leaguers contract at said amount, does not mean he earns that.
When a guy is brought up, say Packy Naughton is brought up to start, he makes the prorated portion of the major league minimum salary for the time he is up, and then when he is sent back to AAA, he makes his prorated AAA salary. Ward was up for around 2/3 of the season and in AAA for 1/3 of the season last year, he'd make then 2/3 of the major league salary and 1/3 of the minor league one. So 400k+30k. = $430,000k.
You are right that when a guy goes on the major league 60-day DL he is guaranteed his prorated major league salary, but if they are in the minors when they get placed on the 60-Day DL, it's much less. Canning made much less than Sandoval last year because of this fact.
None of this adds up to be a lot of money. They used a lot of guys last year, and that is far from the norm. But by accounting for full salaries for the 26 man roster club control guys, you are able to absorb the cost. If they swap Naughton for Junk, the number to the payroll doesn't increase, Naughton makes minor league salary while Junk makes Major and vice versa.
 
 
 
 

Seager and Correa likely get at least what Rendon got.  Probably more.  They shouldn't even be part of the discussion process for the Angels.  
Here's a scenario that most will hate.  I think Philly is going to give Seager a huge deal.  But they've got Didi for another year at about 15m.  Wouldn't be surprised if they off load him and pay down some of what they owe.  And I could totally see the Angels taking on 6-7 mil of his contract with minimal layout to get him.   Not saying I'd be overly excited about this, but I could see it happening.  

lol...I didn't read the article. Is that literally what they did? jfc.

This article from halo hangout points out a few issues with our offense and it makes a very good case why the Angels need to be in on the Shortstop Market.
https://halohangout.com/2021/10/21/la-angels-3-stats-defined-2021/3/
Basically it says our offense was a 94 wRC+ last season, which is below average. Now Mike Trout and Rendon will fix that, but Fletcher's struggles and a disappointing year from SS means that they need a better offensive players in the MINF. I hope Fletcher bounces back, but he really struggled last season with a 70 wRC+.
Then the third slide talks about our defensive issues. They start at SS. Maddon may say Fletcher is a Gold Glove winner, but the numbers do not back that up. And SS was atrocious.
Getting one of the top SS who is a plus defender (read not Javy Baez) would go a long way towards adding some stability here in both the offensive and defensive sides. Plus maybe they'd steal more bases (which was also in the article).
Maybe they spend 40 on pitching and 25 on a SS? I can also see them trading for a Whit Merrifield type, but that may not cost money, but it will cost prospects.

They will have trouble voiding it without Criminal Charges against Bauer. 

Thumbs up to the grammar nerds, I am one too. I just missed it as I typed it fast. LOL.

Thumbs up to the grammar nerds, I am one too. I just missed it as I typed it fast. LOL.

Thank you for thinking I am smarter. I also know that the wRC+ will increase next year because Upton was hitting, Rendon was out, Trout was out, however, they do have a point as Fletcher slumped badly. Can you field a division winning team with two black holes on offense in the MINF if he doesn't rebound to 20 or 19 numbers?
Mayfield, Rengifo are backups. Baretto will be non tendered. Fletcher may need a lefty platoon partner if he continues this abysmal offense.
 

“I like Angelswin.com much better, but HH has a point here.”
I think you mean you like Angelswin.com much more.
You think it is better.  You like it more.
It doesn’t make sense to say you like it better.
But so many people say it that way that it doesn’t even sound incorrect to most people anymore.

For the team.  Maybe different for the player.  Great post though.

Stroman
Scherzer
Syndergaard
Ray
Rodon
Gausman
 

If the Angels are going to adequately address all their needs, they are going to have to mainly rely on trades and shrewd free agent signings. Unless Arte gave Perry an extra $50M to spend, (which is incredibly unlikely) they are gonna have to be smart to address their needs and cannot just hand out rich free agent deals.

Correct. So at most he gets 5 years, but I guarantee you that Seager and Correa are going to get a 8-10 year deal. 
If I'm the Angels I'm offering Semien a rich ass 3-4 year deal. If he doesn't take it, move on. 

I don't understand why some think Semian might take a shorter deal?  He's entering his age 31 season and coming off a near 7 WAR season.  I'm guessing someone gives him 9 figures.  5/125 is my guess.  

Ausmus was the worst manager I’ve ever seen

Guessing that Syndergaard isn't going to take a mid range deal.  It's likely gonna be full pop retail or a 1yr to rebuild his value.  I would do a 1/18 for him in a heartbeat or something like that.  It would be great to tack on an option but I doubt he'd agree to that.  Then maybe you convince him to stay although he's from Texas.  I think this type of deal is what needs to happen until you know for sure what you're doing with Ohtani.  

You guys all really like Semen.

Exactly.

I don't know how you think they get 4-5 new starters.
I'm thinking One big name, one solid name via trade or FA, and then two guys that can go rotation or pen, like Lorenzen and Richards.
Then other than Ohtani and Scherzer/Stroman, and the Solid nam like Cobb or Gray or Duffy, you put the other three spots up for competition.

I liked parts of it.

Random thought....
He's not a shutdown bullpen guy, but Michael Lorenzen could be a good fit for the Angels given their style of play with Ohtani. 
Decent bullpen arm with the versatility to bat if needed. If the Angels want to build for playoffs where versatility and creativity plays a huge role, he should be a good option that won't break the bank. 

The opener idea is terrible.
I can understand investing in the bullpen, but getting an elite starter and 2-3 arms is the best of both worlds.
Relievers are also notoriously unreliable.

I prefer Craig at SS
 

this was my first choice.  he had some arm issues at the end of last year and will likely come with a comp pick, but if they think he's healthy I think he's a great choice to get more out of than his previous numbers show.  Problem is, a lot of teams are gonna feel the same so it's not like he'll fly under the radar.  Is 4/60 too low?  
But please make sure he's healthy.