Dtwncbad

18 minutes ago, stormngt said:

What large sample?  He only played specifically in the majors.  And he hit well when he got any semblance of consistent at bats.

Almost 3000 at bats in the minors, with a .264 average and lots of other pedestrian yawning stats.

1 minute ago, Taylor said:

It's time to either trade him or call him up. There's no reason to keep him in SLC.

True.  Let's see what he has.  Did he make an adjustment that will translate to success at the majors or is this AAA success either a fluke or that even more depressing reality that some players at 25 or 26 have accummulated enough baseball experience to thrive at AAA but dont have the talent for the majors.

It's hard to not still acknowledge that this guy is a lifetime .260 hitter as a pro. . .

I want every Angel prospect to "find it" and be a star, but my optimism for this guy is smothered and squashed by his large sample history.

20 minutes ago, mtangelsfan said:

 

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=t561&player_id=592230#/career/R/hitting/2017/ALL

He's been doing it all season so your post makes little sense.

I apologize.  I couldn't find an image of a blind squirrel that found a pile of nuts.

And somewhere out there a guy named Pitchmaker hurt himself making shoes.

Just now, ettin said:

Probably. I doubt they are going to trade him. That was probably the one trade scenario that was wishful thinking on my part.

No criticism. . .he is a great trade target.

Run of the mill Angel fans would be checking his numbers in the minors in anticipation.  

I can't see how Maybin would get us Vlad Jr.

But I will say the Angels would probably value Vlad Jr more than probably any other team since this organization is so desperate to have a player in the minors to look forward to.  Having that hometown name rising here would be a great plus for the organization.

Definitely worth checking into but I think getting him for Maybin is a pipedream.

2 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Read the USA Today story.

Thanks I will.

1 minute ago, CALZONE said:

fixed 

All joking aside Strad, I really do think that Arte will have to buy him out at full cost. Don't kid yourself, Albert has a grandiose opinion of himself and believes that he's already earned the money and that it was a gift from God. Arte is just picking up the tab for his MLB past. He will claim that he needs the money to keep his foundation going. 

 

 

My guess is this detail was covered long ago at the time of signing.

I would bet they have agreed he gets every penny regardless of exit year.

That's my guess and it comes from believing there is no way on earth the Angels every believed he would be productive through age 42 and that length of contract was simply financing.

2 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

What is your definition of pushed?

Fair question.

And quick disclaimer. . .I don't pay attention to everything 24 7 like I did years ago so it could be under.my nose and I dont see.it.  But here is my answer:

I think the subject of him managing his own exit from the game should be an openly discussed subject.  Asking pointed questions about how much he has considered how to do it and the timing and whether he would likely announce his last season or keep it to himself. . .all those respectful angles in the context of "what does the final chapter of this great book look like?"

As I said maybe those answers are there and my schedule and check in habits have kept me from seeing it.

I am just a fan more interested in knowing the answer now more than ever and that is almost entirely because his level of production has, for me, brought the subject into focus now.

7 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Sure 

And if he were 4 for 250 would it be appropriate to ask?

If the answer is yes, then we only disagree that he is bad enough right now to ask, not whether or not it is ridiculous to ask.

Just now, Stradling said:

But Jeff should have your approval, got it.  

Well you might be starting to get it.  I am one of Jeff's customers professionally.

4 minutes ago, Stradling said:

I'll still bet you whatever you want that he will retire before the end of his contract.  

I agree and this what I am talking about.  Smart people in the organization should probably be working on "helping" Albert decide an actual plan.  Like get your 3000 hits in 2018 and be on a farewell tour.

2 minutes ago, Slegnaac said:

How about some examples of the "Tough questions" you asked and the answers you received during your 10 year career?

No thanks.  I don't really need your approval.

1 hour ago, mtangelsfan said:

You would shit your pants if you were ever face to face with Pujols mr. keyboard warrior 

Sorry to disappoint you but I had a whole career in sports communications in my twenties and spent plenty of time talking to future hall of gamers fave to face.  The main reason I left the business was money.  But one thing I learned that really disappointed me was the number of people in that business that were intimidated by the players or that very much seemed to care more about being accepted by the players than asking the hard question.

There was always that guy in the room or more than one.  It was pretty lame.

55 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

I don't take offense. I understand that you're frustrated with Pujols and want him to quit. 

But if you read that USA Today story, then you already know how he feels about his career and that he's not retiring anytime soon. 

I can't make him change his mind by badgering him. 

I don't "want him to quit". . .I am a huge Pujols fan.  I simply think it is obviously time to start learning where he is mentally on his plan.  The performance this year is notable.  A fair FAN of both him and the team has this subject surging in their brain right now.

29 minutes ago, Jason said:

To be fair you did make a reference to his nads though. Those things are a bit personal 

Yeah that was a mistake and I think I explained the context and subsequent post.  Not personal.  Should have worded differently to make it generic.  Lots of people in that business wont ask hard questions.  That's real.

I don't know Jeff.  I just would like the subject pushed.

22 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

This is like saying "Why won't you go into Taco Bell and order an omelet? Are you afraid to ask?"

It's just a dumb question because you know the answer. 

It's nothing like that.  But let me fix you example to make it accurate.

It would be like if everyone knows taco bell WILL at some point stop selling tacos and switch to omelets, and in the meantime the quality of their tacos became almost inedible.  Uh, people probably would start pushing for an answer when the switch to omelets was happening.

I  guess I ruffled a couple of feathers pushing.  Don't take offense.  I believe it is about time to push the subject and you disagree.  That's fine but I won't apologize for knowing there are lots and lots of people in your business that will avoid hard questions.  So if someone says this is a ridiculous question and I dont agree, then wondering out loud abput fear isnt unreasonable.

No personal offense intended, my belief is your profession carries organically some of this scrutiny.

4 minutes ago, Stradling said:

Ok asshole, knock the shit off.  He answered your dumb fucking question with a logical response.  Does Jeff go to your job and tell you how to do it?  

Oh please dude.  Jeff is in a business that carries accountability to his CUSTOMERS.  I doubt he is actually personally offended with a fan having a reasonable opinion that a huge subject at the center of an organization's plans going forward be directly prodded and addressed rather than passively ignoring it.  He's probably a big boy.

No it is not out of line to start asking direct questions to Pujols about when he will choose to retire.  It's not.

You might ask 100 times in a row until he answers, just like people asked potential presidential candidates if they are running or not for literally years until they finally answer.

If you don't care when Pujols retires, cool.

I care and want to know.  As soon as possible.  Wanting dude to ask isnt.put of line.  You are wrong.

1 minute ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

It's a ridiculous question if you have ever spoken to Pujols. You know the answer. 

He still believes he can be productive. Not MVP productive, but still very productive. 

He has said that. The Angels have said that. His teammates have said that. 

OK Jeff.  So just wait and never ask.  Suit yourself.  Wait forever until he brings it up.  Good plan.  That sounds nice and safe, and maybe he will so appreciate you that you guys will be buddies, right?

Give me a break on not asking a question because you know the answer.  98% of the questions you guys DO ask fall into that category.

Its not where I thought this conversation was originally going, but maybe you just don't have the nads.

11 minutes ago, Angels#1Fan said:

Bad form hangin, Jeff answered the question.

It wasn't a "smart ass remark", Jeff's answer is the reality of  the situation because the Angels don't have a replacement for DH/1B if they were to bench/dump Albert. Maybe you'd like to see Valbuena DH for the rest of the season? 

This is a total copout. Nobody expects Pujols to announce his retirement tomorrow or for the Angels to bench him.

The elephant in the room is what is the plan?  Asking about next season and if Pujols has considered retiring after next season is a no brainer, unless you are afraid to ask the question.

What honest fan does not see the decline?  What honest fan is not interested in his retirement plan?  The answer is there are no honest fans not interested in getting an indication.

3 minutes ago, eligrba said:

I do not think it is the manager's job to define when a player's career is ending.  Baseball is a business and the responsibility for having those discussions falls squarely on the shoulders of the GM.  This is a different conversation if the Angels had players to replace Albert as both a 1B and a DH.  Albert's comfortable continued decline is a symptom of the suckage the Angels have managed to cultivate during his time.  Currently, the Angels need Albert....sad but true.

I cannot even remotely figure out how you think the Angels "need" Albert right now.  

5 minutes ago, CALZONE said:

hangin n wangin you're exactly like the east coast media that I was referring to. 

"Hey Albert, you no longer can play at a high level so how soon will you be clearing out your locker?"

See it's that simple. 

How about a baseline expectation that a "professional" have the skills to ask a relevant question in a professional way?

Too many sports "professionals" either don't have the skills or they are intimidated by the pro athlete and they don't have the knees.

21 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

So you want them to bench him and play who instead?

Are you afraid to ask real, obvious questions?  "You would project to reach 3000 hits in 2018, basically checking off every monster milestone anybody would ever dream of in a career. . .have you considered 2018 as a possible farewell tour season?"

It's a fair question and an honest question.  It's not that hard.

When he signed his ten year deal I said a hundred times that I didn't honestly believe that the Angels thought he would be a productive player for ten years.  I said they likely thought he would be productive for 6 or 7 years, but that they structures the deal as a 10 year contract really more as spreading out the cost.

I really hope the Angels and Albert are disciplined to make some good decisions.  Albert would hit 3000 hits next season.  They should announce that 2018 will be his farewell tour.  Albert hurts his legacy if he lingers through age 42 with pathetic numbers.  I THINK he is too smart for that.  He has over 600 hr now and getting 3000 hits is a plus for his legacy.

I hope I am proven right from the beginning and they announce 2018 as the last chapter.