ScruffytheJanitor

That's true; if the Angels assume they are surrendering a pick anyway, Syndergaard might be more acceptable.

Beat me to it. This makes no sense to me; even if you like the fit, why just one year if you are forfeiting a pick?

I am a huge fan of Pablo Lopez; depends on his shoulder situation though. His strike out numbers are just sexy. Alcantara has a better track record, but he will cost more. Adams/Regifo/Ward will NOT be enough to get either. Would probably cost Adell or Marsh PLUS at least one more interesting piece-- along the line of Kochanowicz . Since this offseason is the one where we need to pony up, I'd still be in favor of this.

Agree totally. I was all about him two years ago when it looked like Simba and Fletcher were going to be locking down the defense for a few years... but now it feels like a mistake. I half expect us to over pay Rodon... I have no reason for thinking this.

Finally -- someone with vision!

I think there is about a .2% chance we actually sign the dude, but Sherzer is the guy you want. You basically hand the dud a blank check for three years... which is why it won't happen.

Scherzer is the obvious answer.

Nah, I got you. I was just re-enforcing your point. We can probably afford to let Marsh/Adell develop -- especially if Correa were added.

Having closely studied the Angels approach for the past decade, here is our offseason: SS - Corey Seager - 8 years, 245 Million. SP: Chris Archer - 1 Year, 9 Million Dollars BP: Trade for Rando McMinorleager; sign AJ Cole for 1 year, 5 Million Dollars.

There's also this other guy I have high hopes for... Ohtoni? Toahni?

I honestly see our offseason going one of two ways: 1) we sign a mid-tier starter, one high-end bullpen piece (in addition to Iglesias), and whichever short stop is left (probably Iglesias). Trade for a few more high-upside, small-track record bullpen guys, and call it a day. 2) Swing one larger trade to fill multiple needs, then fill in with a free agent or two. The Marlins are brought up alot on here, but they make a ton of sense as a trade partner. It might not be an "Adell-or-Marsh-for-an-ace" deal, either; a trade for a couple of quality bullpen arms and a usable shortstop/4th outfielder would do wonders for the team's outlook next year.

Bush feels like a guy that will rise pretty quickly. Lefty with upper 90s fastball and a decent slider? Hell, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the MLB bullpen next year if his command is good enough.

The only way this gets accepted is if ratings for sports -- which have been trending downward for a couple of years -- continue to go down. If ad revenue goes down, players MIGHT be pressured into taking more security (higher floor) over high-end earning potential. Otherwise -- lowering the the tax threshold is mega dumb.

Feels like just a couple years ago Bush and Daniels would be top-8 - if not top 5. Of course, once Rodriguez, Adell, Marsh, and Detmers all loose eligibility next year, they will be close, but still -- the system has MASSIVELY improved in the past couple of seasons.

Spend 35 million on Trevor Story, then Dart board a mediocre SP and trade for 4 minor league relief arms in the hope that two work out.

I think one of the kids is traded -- I'd expect the Angels to target a mid-tier outfielder on a short-term deal, with Ward as the #4 fall back guy.

TLDR Version: Unlike these other teams that are losing on purpose, the Angels will lose with guys that made them lose before.

Howie checks in at 6.5 WAR over the same span.

Where else is he supposed to turn? Guerra? Mayers? Bundy?

Quintana? Yes. Cishek? No. Not because he's good, but because he's not as awful as the other options.

I mean.... Selman and Cishek might be OK as the 5th and 6th guys on a decent bullpen....so three more guys.

... I wonder if Marte and Junk will join Selman with the big league club? I can't believe I am saying this, but it looks like Perry fleeced the Giants.... in a Tony Watson trade.

Which Marte? I presume it's one of the relievers they have in AA.

This doesn't strike me as a terrible move, actually. He will probably be better than Watson has been this year, and mediocre is a clear step up for this bullpen. And he does fit next years team as the 6th or 7th guy.

If you can lock up a mediocre 30-year old for the next five seasons, you have to make that trade.