ScruffytheJanitor

I think you're reading that wrong.  The number after the players names isn't their rank for that team, but in all of baseball.  
As an example, the proposed package from the braves of Soroka and Riley would equivalent to Adell and Canning.  Same with Whitley and Alvarez from hou, Mckay and Honeywell from TBR 
And that's just the top two.  The author indicates that a third piece would need to be included to get it done.  For Atlanta, that was Kyle Muller or Bukauskas for Hou who are just outside the top 100.  That would be like Suarez for us.  

and yet, 92% of the posters here will be overjoyed we got him for next to nothing 

Pujols for Matt Chapman. 

Great post. 
I'd like to see Kuechel.  Ground ball specialist that eats up innings pitching in front of an elite defensive infield and a pitcher friendly park.  He could do some great things with the Angels.  Ryu too. 

I mean, we can call it a crunch, but I think if we're all being honest, there's quite a bit of dead weight on that 40-man. There are several players, that are the types that you keep if there isn't a crunch, but if there is, you should be fine letting them go.
Miguel Almonte, Parker Bridwell, Odirasmer Despaigne, Luke Farrell, Deck McGuire, Noe Ramirez, Kaleb Cowart, Sherman Johnson, Jefry Marte.....
I'd like to see the. Hold onto Farrell and Almonte, because I've seen what Eppler is capable of when he buys low on a pitcher.  But the other seven....well let's just say we should be fine protecting everyone we need to from the rule 5 draft and sign a couple free agents, and even then there wouldn't be much of a crunch.
A crunch is what the Padres and Yankees are facing. Ours situation is just a gigantic opportunity to improve.

Astros may start having pitching issues within a year.   Morton may retire, Keuchel is declining, McCullers may be out for 2019, and Verlander isn't getting any younger. 
Their position players roster is rock solid, though.

^^^
@Scotty@AW is correct that the Angels can do better than Calhoun with a guy like Marte. But they could also use whatever money or prospect capital they have to fill a hole that is more gaping than RF. 
Calhoun had an .800 OPS for half a season after he changed his swing. Major league average for RF is about .770. If Calhoun brings the same swing back next year, and plays his always good defense, that’s fine.  
They are way below average at C, 2B, 3B and 1B. And I’m not sure the options to get to average are available in the system. Eppler seems to believe Cozart will fill one and one of Fletcher, Ward, Rengifo, Thaiss will fill the other infield spots and he kind of admits they need a C.
I am more skeptical of the infield options in house than I am of Calhoun. 

I second the Eovaldi comments-- with the added bit that I think he could become a top-5 closer if he wanted to.

Nathan Eovaldi?

I'd really like this signing to happen. He's sprinkled in some amazing seasons around those more average-ish seasons, so there's the upside that his pitches like a top of the rotation starter. He's cost-effective, won't cost a draft pick and you don't have to worry about the deal turning south on you the way you do with other free agent pitchers. This is the guy I'd target. If the Angels can get him at 10 million a year, that would leave them open to sign another pitcher at 15-20 million a year. That's the kind of range I'd expect Dallas Keuchel to be around, or perhaps Hyun-Jin Ryu on the lower end of that spectrum.
If you can combine Gonzalez and Keuchel just as an example, with Andrew Heaney, Tyler Skaggs and Jaime Barria, then suddenly you're looking at a roux of guys that should all be able to go 150+ innings.
And then fast-forward to 2020, if this rotation has Ohtani, Keuchel, Gonzalez, Canning, Skaggs, Heaney and Barria, then suddenly you're looking at more upside than any offense can handle for an extended period of time. 

One question I did ask Salmon is if he ever planned on getting into coaching, after telling me he has been coaching high school ball the last few years, he let me know he has no desire to coach at the Major League level.  He said it is too volatile for him.  He referred to guys getting into coaching and after 2-3 years being fired.  This along with reading what @Blarg posted about Salmon and his need for routine, it made all the sense in the world to me.  

Torii has said he wants to manage at some point. Willing to go to the minors to learn.

Does this open up a coaching spot for Torii Hunter?
Were Ausmus and Hunter in Detroit at the same time?

I wouldn't mind seeing Ebel stay on at 3B - seems like he's been better than the other options we had there and he was helpful with Trout's defense this season.

I'd make that deal in a heartbeat! That said, I don't think it's any improvement in the long run, and I'm hoping the Angels making some deals with an eye on 2020 and beyond. 

FYI , “of Anaheim “ no longer exists. They are now officially the Los Angeles Angels. 

I think Gene wanted to stick with "California Angels" and the stupid city officials refused.
The revenues they could have had in the last 50 years...immense.

It's Mickey Hatcher time in Chicago

Shit.
I'm the Dipoto of Angelswin.

Hitting......
But, It depends on the quality of player you're looking at.  This team needs hitting more than it needs pitching depth, but if it's a top of the rotation type of starter, then I'd say pitching. 
Offensively, I have no confidence in our catchers, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman and right fielder, which is why I say hitting. 

You forgot to trade for Freddie Freeman and release Pujols.

Looking at the 2018 team stats:
Boston 1st in runs scored, Dodgers 5th, Houston 6th and Milwaukee 12th
Houston lowest team ERA, Dodgers 2nd, Milwaukee 5th and Boston 8th 
Milwaukee only had 1 qualified SP this year but they have some real good arms in the pen as all 4 ranked top 9 in MLB in reliever ERA.  So of the 4 teams left they seem to have gotten it done on both sides.  The Angels scored 33 runs less than Milwaukee this year while giving up 63 more and they ranked middle of the pack in MLB in both regards.  Statistics aren't the end all and be all but the Angels look like they could be a few moves, improvements or fewer DL trips away from improving.  That said obviously there's more to it than just numbers - doing the little things, winning close games, closing games out, etc.  Personally I'd like the Angels to have a legit #1 who is the guy you know is pitching game 1 of the playoffs but that isn't easy to come by and it's never a given.   

Yea, except in the slightest of margins pitching outperformed hitting statistically.  Hitting had an OPS+ of 100 and pitching had an ERA+ of 101.  So moron is probably a little strong of a word considering it is a toss up.  

If we have to choose between the two ...Anybody saying hitting after watching this last season is a moron.