GA16

OD= Opening Day.

Last spring training Heaney had the same issue. I think he missed his first start of the year was all.

Seems like Maria's LA Times piece refutes this.

Sure Trout's response isn't music to our ears but what is he really supposed to say when asked that question? Could he say, "Ya, I saw how Free Agency played out this year and I want to negotiate an extension now" sure he could, but why would he? Instead he gave the standard ball player answer, "I don't want to talk about it I just want to play ball". I'm sure he has been advised to not talk about negotiations with the media by either his agent and/or the FO. Trout has never been great at interviews and he is obviously uncomfortable talking about the subject I think this is just an example of Trout not being able to dodge the question as best he could. History has shown that Trout does negotiate in the Spring, so maybe he really does want to leave. I still think it is much more likely that he is just deflecting the extension questions as best he can and he will sign this spring.

Back in 2016 Law said the Angels system was "by far the worst I've ever seen". Here we are 3 years later and Law bumps the system up to 7th, quite a testament to the progress Eppler and company have made.

I think it will happen during Spring Training; similar to when he signed his first extension in March '14.

Zaidi expects to make a move in the next few days... https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/farhan-zaidi-expects-giants-roster-move-next-three-or-four-days

Tragic...so sorry for your loss.

Jose Martinez might be available now. He could solve 1B for us.

Compensatory draft picks can be traded

The Angels recently hired 3 coaches from Driveline, which Bauer is really big on. So you have to think the FO is very interested in him. With all being said, it really seems like we need to unload Calhoun's $10M to make a deal like this happen.

SP depth is a severe issue within the system. I don't think trading from an area of weakness to fill a current need is a good idea. If we are going to trade, it should be from our OF/INF depth. However, if we are at the trade deadline, and have a decent chance of making the playoffs, then I think you MIGHT consider trading Canning for a front-line pitcher type.

I think that much of the hate Dipoto gets from Angels fans now is partially attributed to the way he left the organization in the middle of the season. Compounded by the many poor decisions he made during his tenure; Baldoquin, Clevinger, Hamilton, Wilson etc...He was also a very charismatic guy, so when he showed his true colors it made it that much worse. Under Eppler, the long term health of the team is looking astronomically better than it was under Dipoto. Granted the current state hasn't been what we all have hopped for. However, I think when grading Eppler's current performance, the numerous pitching injuries sustained in the last 3 years need to be considered. The team most likely would have still missed the playoffs 2 of the 3 years that Eppler has been here, but we had a pretty decent chance of making the WC in 2017 had it not been for all the SP injuries and Trout's thumb injury. It has also been said that Eppler "made Ohtani happen" and that he "crushed the presentation". It is quite possible that Ohtani would have landed somewhere else had Dipoto presented for us. The fact only, that he was instrumental in acquiring Ohtani is a huge vote of confidence that we have the right guy in charge. So while I think there is a bit of homerism in the love for Eppler, it seems clear that he has done a remarkable job and I think the true fruits of his efforts will be realized in the years to come.

Dallas Keuchel 4/74 Charlie Morton 2/32 Trade for Realmuto (Marsh, Jones, Suarez, Ward)

I've been a lurker here for years. I recently moved to the mid shift at work and figured I could kill some time posting here now. I've been an Angels fan since sometime around the mid 1990's when I was about 10 years old. Looking forward to this hot stove season!