ScruffytheJanitor

This tracks with the eye test. The bullpen was destroyed by the 'Stros; Moran/Herget/ Meyers have sucked. The starting pitching has been promising, but haven't been going deep into games and have had a couple of real duds (Detmers/Ohtani). The Offense has been strong but weird. It feels like its just about to take off if Trout can come back from the HBP.

We all agree here. He's looked as good as anyone can reasonably expect so far, and he has a bit of upside too. Just needs to provide that sweet, sweet OBP and speed from the 8th/9th spot and I'd be OK with him getting at least a plurality of 2B starts this year.

I'm hoping the Angels can match what my other favorite team (Michigan) did in Football this year. I fully expected the Wolverines to go 5-7, maybe 6-6. I was just so DONE with that program. Even after they went 4-0 and had a fairly easy stretch, I thought they would find a way to blow a couple of games they shouldn't. Eventually, though, when they kept winning games I kept believing more and more until I realized the season was going to be special. It wasn't "National Championship" special, obviously, but it did a lot to restore my faith in a program that I thought was a new coach (or two) and 5-ish years away from even having a shot at maybe beating our rival. The Angels off season surprised me. I said that the Angels needed to get 7 pitchers if they were serious about competing (3 starters and 4 relievers).... and they damn near did it. Sure, I would have LOVED one more solid starter (I half-suspect we still might get one before the trade deadline) and a more stable option at SS, but I really want to give the season a month before I really throw in the towel. We are three swings away from Trout/Ohtani/Rendon waking up their bats, and if our starters can be as solid as they were last week (save for Detmers)... we might have something. It's only a might, but it's still there.

Patrick Sandoval EASILY leads Angels starters in Wins, Innings... and FIP. Angels trade for Frankie Montas in late May. Jared Walsh hits 40 homers... good for third on the Angels. Taylor Ward has 450 plate appearances ... and finishes with a delightfully solid .270/.340/.470. Jo Adell will overcome one AWFUL month to finish with .265/.320/.490 with 25 home runs. Bonus: Anthony Rendon slashes .290/.420/.450.

But.... aren't centripetals, by definition, also peripherals? You cannot be moving toward the center if you are already there.

The worst part is that the terms look more or less like ANYONE with a brain would have predicted, give or take a few million here and there. Its so infuriating.

My plan going into the offseason was to sign 2-3 high-upside, innings-limited starters to go with Ohtani. Rodon and Syndergaard would fit the bill. Basically gamble that you can get the production equal to that of two aces in the regular season, then head into the playoffs with all three (hopefully) healthy and rested.

Woah woah woah; you are doing it wrong. You can say one of the following: This is the ONLY TRANSACTION KEEPING US FROM A WORLD SERIES and not doing so is the FINAL PROOF ARTE IS AWFUL. This would be the BIGGEST MISTAKE IN SPORTS HISTORY and making this signing would be the FINAL PROOF THAT ARTE IS AWFUL. A random poster would LOVE/HATE this signing and because they are dumb, we should do the opposite if whatever they say. Get outta here with this "Meh, makes sense" attitude.

In all seriousness, It looks like the judge in the restraining order hearing nailed it. From the Washington Post:

He definitely eats his cereal with Prune juice.

I've had this sinking feeling that the Angels are going to end up depending WAY to much on Michael Lorenzen-- as in, he is the second starter they are counting on. Hope I am wrong. If the A's really begin the fire sale in ernest, I'd love to get Bassitt-- should be able to get him for a reasonable cost as a 33 year old with one year remaining. He's basically the EXACT pitcher we need. We need a catcher and SS. I suspect we are going to use the trade market to fill at least one of those needs; the remaining options at both positions are "bleh." We might end up having to pick over the waiver wire to fill the catcher position, especially since it feels like there is a massive shortage of catching right now.

Another name just randomly popped into my head -- Matt Sweeney. I fell in love with that dude's swing -- which was one of the prettiest left handed swings I had seen to that point -- and genuinely thought he'd be a regular all-star.

I think Arisman Alvarez has a real chance to end up top 10. His power/defense combination behind the plate is just too tempting.

I didn't come here to be kink shamed.

Holy crap -- Nick Maronde feels like a name from another lifetime. I magically avoided too much Reckling hype, but I was so convinced that both Kubitza and Kotchman would be solid regulars that I would have bet my future children on it`. Of course, I thought McPherson was going to be Babe Ruth but better.

I am currently living just over the border in Western KY (Mayfield... right where the Tornados hit). My in-laws are from Dickson County, and my Brother lives in Lebanon. Tennessee is a GREAT place to live. My best suggestion -- do the Bourbon Trail in small bits. Seriously, there are so many distilleries, and it's such a relaxing 2-3 day weekend. This might seem like common sense, but I've known too many people that try to do like 12 distilleries in 4 days, and it gets old quickly. We like to do three or four at a time, staying in Lexington or Louisville and hitting some good restaurants. Also: don't forget to get chocolates. Even some of the crappier bourbon (Evan Williams cough cough) tastes pretty fucking good when it's in chocolate.

When I saw the first picture, I was kinda hoping that it was just the barrel bar (which looks awesome, btw) in one corner, a life-size cutout of Shigetoshi Hasegawa in another corner, and a single folding chair in the middle.

Finally excited to see him getting back to his roots: making high-quality long bow arrows for killing frenchmen.

Prediction based on a careful reading of my ass hair: Marco Vega is going to be the name to remember.

The Times is weird. They are the polar opposite of the Wall Street Journal; their editorial board is super left wing, but they do about 1/2 (if not more) of the good, actual reporting done by all mainstream news sources (even if it is hidden under headlines that slant hard left). The Wall Street Journal editorial board shades to the right (though much less than they used to), and their actual reporting is mostly garbage.

This isn't an "all-arm" release. Reminds me a lot of Dan Marino's throwing motion of all things - he's generating a ridiculous amount of torque with a right-left twist, essentially.

I think there is a decent chance this could actually be overturned, but it depends on the judge. For starters, Minor Leaguers would get a MASSIVE raises, since their pay is based Secondly, all the bullshit about "protecting markets" would go out the window, and we might see more than one team (A's, Rays, etc.) get moved to their desired markets.

Holy shit... I just realized we have been fighting the Jeff Mathis Curse. Angels With Mathis (2005-2011): Angels were 3rd in Pitcher War Angels Without Mathis (2012-2021): Angels have the 3rd WORST Pitching War (28th). Maybe we should hire him as a coach.

Not sure where I said I want Suzuki again, but yeah... no interest in a Suzuki-type at all. If Jeff Mathis were only 5 years younger....

I have the opposite feeling -- give me a solid veteran that plays OK Defense and can call a game. I am not too interested in watching Thaiss learn how to become a MLB catcher, even if he has pretty good offensive upside.