ScruffytheJanitor

LOL, it's like AO hacked into Chuck's account...  
BTW, I totally agree.

why keep him in the organization if they're not going to play him? i'm not asking to be a jerk, but it seems if they're holding on to him, then it's either time to poop or get off the pot.

Too much for Trout...probably just Trout for PTBNL or cash. His haircut is dropping his value badly.

Still makes the most sense. He'll get pushed out in Philly soon enough, checks all of the boxes for what we want in a 2B, and with Klentak's knowledge of our farm, him and Eppler should be able to hammer out a fair deal.
None of the FA 2B appeal to me, and I don't think Fletcher will be quite ready to step in Opening Day 2018. I don't think Cowart will ever be a legitimate everyday 2B in the org's eyes, or it would have happened by now.

I'd be fine with Howie in the role that was bandied about for Utley in recent offseasons. Bench bat who could fill in full-time at a few positions if needed. Anything more than that is pushing it a bit.  Him and Valbuena (should) pair up nicely in reserve roles and be steady vets who could be dealt or dumped midseason without hurting too bad.

stop giving away the secret sauce man, other MLB GMs might be reading this.
#trusttheprocess

I can't get on board with the whole -- "we have made dumber decisions in the past so we can make another one and be okay" line of thinking -- I know that's not exactly what you're saying but, making a deal thinking you might have to make another deal later to correct it isn't my thing.   There are likely cheaper band-aids available in FA, in fact, I'd rather pay more on a one year deal than hope Gordon's game will carry over to the AL and AL West.  Would people be cool with a .275/.315/.375 batting line at the top of the order?  Because that's what Aybar was as an Angel.  Gordon BTW is sporting a career .273/.306/.373 batting line over 398 PAs in inter-league...  
So if those inter-league numbers were to carry over this team would have committed an average of 13 mil for Erick Aybar offense at the TOP of the order...   

I'll take Jedd Gyorko.

I hope it's not Gordon, he's got some warts -- he's fast but doesn't get on base at the sort of clip you'd like to see from a leadoff type -- I don't see him as a cornerstone type player by any stretch and if his offense fails to translate from NL to AL (his career OBP of .305 in interleague is troubling), then they have saddled themselves with another long term contract.   I guess it comes down to the costs involved.  But speed doesn't age well historically and Gordon's entire game is about speed.  Among the pending FA's, Neil Walker and Howie Kendrick might make decent stopgaps -- but Howie's been struggling with injuries all season so -- red flag....
Ultimately, I want to see Cowart be given regular at bats for a few months.   It seems they know what he is and don't see a future but I'd hope before they committed to anyone Gordon, Walker, etc etc -- that they at least take every possible look at what they have.

I think something that kind of affects the way we consider our depth is where it's located. If all these guys were in Rookie Ball orvA Ball, they aren't even on the depth chart. They don't even garner consideration until AA. Just the fact that Barria and Long are doing what they're doing this year has to give you pause. It doesn't mean the Angels are relying on them, but it at least brings about the discussion of if they can. Then adding Jesus Castillo and Canning to AA next year and suddenly we've got some hard questions to answer.
Guys like Richards and Skaggs can anchor a rotation, but come next year, if they aren't healthy, I can't see the Angels relying on their return after that. We have too many talented pitchers that are ready for their turn.
There's a good chance we open 2018 with Richards, Heaney, Skaggs, Shoemaker and Meyer as the starting five. There's also a good chance we open 2019 with a few of those prospects.

Great idea, Strad. 
The only weakness really in Escobar's defense is his throws across the diamond. I think he would be a great stop gap 1B should we continue to seek out a WC spot. 

If I was calling the shots he would be playing 3rd every day, especially with this season playing out like it is.  I would rather have Cowart at 3rd and Escobar at 1st over Cron at 1st.  All that being said Escobar has been playing a pretty good third lately.  

I don't understand why this organization can't give Cowart a real shot.  Sometimes it just seems like some guys are out of favor.  
and I have no idea who the 2B is going to be next season.  Probably someone I have never heard of.

I read most of the first page, but then just scanned your responses.  You have been asked several times who you would have chosen?  Who would you have signed?  Angels went with quantity over quality for guys who have had success in the past and so far it hasn't really worked out.  However, they didn't sink much money into them as a whole.  Almost all of the big FAs that, at the time, everyone thought could make a difference have all way underperformed.  I know two years ago I was one of the biggest proponents of trying to sign Heyward because of his value at the time and potential as he entered his prime.  How did that work out?  
I'm curious what your hindsight plan is?  You've criticized what they did and stated what they should have done, but you only have spoken in generalities.  What specifically should they have done that would have made you a happier fan today?

I don't think they're trying to "rebuild" as you put it. Signing big free agent contracts, as you suggest, doesn't help this team. Who do you think we missed out on? Jason Heyward??? Zack Grienke??? No thank you. Trout is the best player in the game, and he's also very young. I think we're on the right track. Draft well, make smaller acquisitions that help the team like Maldonado, maybin, Meyer, and Escobar, and let the young talent come up and fill in around Trout. Hopefully we're contending in 3-4 years (Trout will still be south of 30). Its a process that you just gotta watch and try to enjoy. 

Trout is a 9-10 win player.  Trading him would mean you need to get AT LEAST 18 wins in return in 3-4 players.  Even then it's unlikely a team has that many good players to trade in return and it won't decimate their team.  Plus you'd want prospects.  

I remember writing an article where I argued that the Angels should just make Grant Green their DH. Good times. 

I remember writing an article where I argued that the Angels should just make Grant Green their DH. Good times. 

I like this thread very much and would like to wish Glen all the best in his coupling with Selma Hayek.

Just to make fun of all this, once I tweeted...
Angels have had internal discussions about how they could improve the team. 
A lot of this stuff is ridiculous. 

Breaking:::Sources say the Angels have players and all other MLB teams also have players. We should hear more updates about this breaking news shortly.

Sources: Glen is interested in a short-term relationship with Salma Hayek but they have had no formal discussions yet.

I remember writing an article where I argued that the Angels should just make Grant Green their DH. Good times. 

#FreeGrantGreen?

Can I play the piano?
Of course you can!
Well, I couldn't before!