70runner

42 minutes ago, Tank said:

consider it a blessing you didn't have to listen to o'neal.

O'Neal is turrible.  He's barely tolerable between periods on Kings broadcasts, but they're smart enough not to use him for PBP. 

He's arguably the most talented baseball player on the planet.  He did what hundreds of talented FA's did before him, selected the highest bid.  I wish him well and hope he recovers to pitch again.  I will not root for his team.

Listening to Nevin describe the Salmon/Finley dugout duo doesn't sound at all like he was bypassed by the FO.  Regardless, I realize Nevin would spin this as his invention, but he sounded genuine when talking about his 2 friends.

The only thing worse than watching the Oakland AAAs spank the Angels is listening to O'Neal butcher the PBP.  He's barely tolerable as the intermission guy for the Kings.  For next season, find a competent, full time PBP guy.

Truly sad to see Ohtani and Trout go down on same day, but that seems the Angels way.  I'm happy for the nosedive, they weren't making the post season anyway, if it convinces Moreno to sell. 

Please stop with the players have quit BS.  Angels simply are not a very good team.  They haven't been successful with Ohtani, without him they will battle Oakland and KC for the crummy award. 

Game weather will be fine.  We (N. San Diego county) won't see any precip until late tonite, 10-11pm.  Should be later in Anaheim.  Then it rains all day Sunday.

Kudos to Nevin for the tantrum.  Don't think it has to do with respect or millionaires, they simply are not a very good team.  There's an MLB roster in San Diego I follow that has a healthy group of good players and they aren't a very good team either.

For the youngins, here's Sandra on a good day...

19 hours ago, 70runner said:

Concur.  Think about it.  The owner/team that traded the best ever for footnotes.  An epitaph?  Moreno won't do it.

19 hours ago, ukyah said:

the whole "guy who traded the best ever" thing is dumb. what's the alternative guy who couldn't even field a 500 team with two all time greats? guy who let the best player ever to leave for nothing? moreno doesn't come out good in any scenario here. best case scenario for him is he signs ohtani long term and the angels hopefully start to make the post season and do well. he'd still be the guy that wasted the majority of trout's career and the first half of ohtani's. best case scenario.

19 hours ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Arte doesn’t want to be known as the guy who traded Ohtani, especially not now that he’s a rental and it’s unlikely the return is going to be anything too exciting.

Mr. Fletcher likely has a better handle on this.  Dumb or not, a factor in the deliberations. 

10 hours ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

I still think they aren’t trading him

Concur.  Think about it.  The owner/team that traded the best ever for footnotes.  An epitaph?  Moreno won't do it. 

He goes to FA (a certainty), Angels bid, lose to higher bidder, oh well, gave it our best shot.  Swallow the draft pick reward, figure a way to offload the Rendon albatross and build around the kids.  No more supermen.

The Trout hamate may have thrown a monkey wrench into the Ohtani calculations, on both sides.  For the Angels, does it make them more determined to long term Ohtani?  Does Ohtani believe a 32yr old Trout, coming off a serious injury, along with an oft injured Rendon help him attain post season glory?  I believe it's a yes/no.  The Angels will enthusiastically compete in the Ohtani sweepstakes, promising roster improvement likely with early opt out clause, but Ohtani will pursue greener post season pastures.   He recently turned 29 and his post season window is a likely factor in his calculations.

7 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

The Padres have been pretty healthy.

At some point, they were going to break out.

Perhaps, but wouldn't put this in the breakout column just yet. 

The previous inning where Ohtani cranked it up to blow away Soto and Tatis, helped by a brain cramp from Kim...wonder if that was the nail breaker?

2 hours ago, fan_since79 said:

Padres are struggling. A big disappointment, as many had predicted them to win the division. Of course, struggling clubs tend to reverse course when the Angels come to town. Witness last year's Phillies.

Struggling is being kind.  3-10 since 19 June including a sweep by the Pirates.  Bogaerts is playing hurt and it shows at the plate.  Machado, though he hit a couple HRs Saturday, is generally struggling.  Sort of like the Angels, Trout/Ohtani, if you can manage Tatis/Soto the rest of the lineup is unremarkable.

On 1/21/2023 at 6:37 PM, Inside Pitch said:

Honestly every batting coach I ever worked under including Rod Carew preached a stride of at least 2-2.5 times my core/hips unless the pitcher was working me inside at which point it was still about keeping the load back and dropping the front foot -- he seems to be right around that.

Also not a little league hero, but did manage a year as a pine polisher at ASU.  No Driveline of course in those days.  Hitting cage sessions were pretty much jump in there and swing while Winkles and Reggie Jackson watched (it was his last year before being drafted as a junior IIRC).  Jackson was stride manic, his bellowing "YOUR STRIDE IS AFU" could be heard for miles.  He'd jump in the cage, draw a line at "hip double", and explain (in very direct terms) this is your new landing spot.  Winkles would quietly nod.   Agree, Adell looks to be in that stride range.  I'm optimistic he can improve his hitting, the fielding thing is another matter.

1 hour ago, floplag said:

Great writeup, bravo. 
Im cautiously optimistic... certainly better, but good enough to be more than a WC hopeful... thats the real question. 
I just dont think they did enough in the BP or at SS.

Concur, would love to see them grab Kim from the Padres. 

The accusation occurred on the Dodgers watch, obviously they had to dump him.  Angels could sign a potential #1 SP for chump change, run a similar Hamilton rehab opportunity cover story, with strict guidelines, et al.  The window is closing on Trout, perhaps Ohtani, I want the Angels to win (and face the Padres in the WS).  Worst case, he flucks up again, they dump him.  Best case, he returns to form, gives Ohtani a run for #1 SP slot and Angels pitching carries them to a WS.  A WS won't happen with the current pitching staff.

Managed to attend the game last night, courtesy of brothers corporate connection.  Epic 7th inning, followed by heavy downpour in San Diego, some sort of biblical prophecy?  Finished off with Hader ripping through 3 dogs.  Dogs dugout after 7th inning was full of ... damn we're going home to play golf.  Petco celebration went on well into Sunday.

Season (on TV) was over (for me) when O'Neal was handed the alternate PBP role.  Memo to new ownership...hire Vasgersian full time or equivalent professional PBP guy.

Agree with spirit, Iglesias was never the same after that A's 3 run walkoff.  Subsequent sweep by a bad Texas team was the precursor for the losing streak.

Angels stadium yesterday looked eerily similar to Marlins stadium yesterday during their game with the Padres.  The Marlins celebrate when >10K show up.

The hefty one needs 2 seats.

These tube commentators are mediocre, they don't even do the O'Neal Ohtani at bat countdown.

2 hours ago, Lou said:

I think the best combo we've heard this year is Vasgersian and Valentine.

Yup.  O'Neal is dreadful PBP guy, passable as pregame/intermission as in LA Kings broadcasts.  Goober is certainly knowledgeable, but gets overwhelming with intricate dissection of every pitch, spin rates, arm position, et al.  If they can't score V&V for next season, take a run at Orsillo/Grant (the best IMO). 

When you know your MLB team has reached rock bottom: debating the relative worth of a minors average hitter with a guy you just dumped in a trade.

12 hours ago, T.G. said:

If Matt V doesn’t want to be the Angels full time play by play guy, they need to find someone else not named O’Neal. We deserve better.

A crap team with a crap pbp guy, worst of both worlds.  O'Neal's "master of his craft" hyperbole just preceded Murphy's 2 run dinger. 

Hosmer is maneuvering for a more desirable location/team.  Can't fault him, who would want to be exiled to DC and the Nats?

Way too early to write him off, but a spinal dysfunction isn't good news for anyone.  As some have noted, reduced role, DH perhaps as they treat the injury.  Might change the calculus for Ohtani. 

His public response is encouraging, though not unexpected given his dedication to the Angels.