70runner

Victor is the best, unfortunately he shares with Goober.

Suspect that will only happen if Scioscia moves on, someone comes in willing to address his decline/age/weight. If his legs were fresher how would you notice the difference?...would he go from slowest to slower?

This pretty much sums up the entire thread, except for the pitching options of course. If Scioscia stays, Pujols will remain a MOTO hole. Is it possible to make a MOTO hole irrelevant, one that can't run even when he gets on base? Highly doubtful.

Angels have been a disappointingly average team for too long. Simpler to adjust the guidance/direction than replace the roster. Some things are given, Trout is the best, Simmons is a stud, Pujols is a fixture (literally), Upton/Calhoun have disappointed but showing positive signs, and the really unfortunate TJ epidemic. Rather than the same old gang struggling to stay above 500 in 2019, consider some alternatives. Mix in some kids and/or young FAs, try new lineup/personnel strategies, trade to get more athletic, perhaps even find an antidote for the TJ bug. Scioscia has tried some adjustments, but it seems time for a change in leadership. Mr Eppler is approaching his third of four years and an accurate assessment of his reign should include his own manager selection. And, proposed golden rule #1 for a new administration (if there is one), never ever leave Pujols as lead "runner" late in a tight game.

Perhaps, but I would hope a different manager might, among other things... Give more opportunities to the kids, less to Valbuena/Pujols/old guys Be brave enough to sub out Pujols on the bases in late innings Keep Simmons and Trout near each other in the lineup Develop an alternative to Pujols in the MOTO Seems a bit Pujols centric as I read it, but perhaps the 2 10yr contract guys are ready for new pastures

So Angels should keep Scioscia since you know his replacement will be a clone?

Wonder what might happen to the "deserves his own manager" logic (which I agree with) if Scioscia is extended?

The very reason I celebrate when Extra-Innings provides an alternative feed...

No more Scioscia, ok. Dozier, career .248, 31yrs old....no thx

Pujols is not the problem, but he is a problem. 25M/yr for an average (at best) 1B/DH that can't run is not a formula for success. An argument is frequently offered that the Angels have no obvious replacement. While true, it's a deliberate strategy. They haven't seriously considered developing a MOTO guy that could eventually replace him, either on the roster or in the farm. MOTOs with potential, Trumbo and Cron for ex, are expendable because Pujols is a fixture (literally) and can't be traded.

Bat flip asst coach?

The way the A's are playing, not sure how they resurrect the season this weekend...

Besides Trout & Simmons, who are these "hitters" you speak of?

Nothing much will change with this team until someone deals directly with the 10yr contract crew. Bring up the kids...they will sit while Pujols plays. Bring in more talent...Scioscia will still pencil in the MOTO stiff that is Pujols. You say there isn't a better alternative?...Simmons, Ohtani, nearly every available free agent, past and present. Pujols has been among the worst players in MLB for 2yrs, yet Scioscia, like clockwork, stations mang in the MOTO. He turns doubles into singles, can't run, and regularly gets thrown out at first from the outfield. I said it before the season started, the Angels won't reach the playoffs with this stiff in the MOTO. Mang isn't the only issue for sure, but the 10 contract crew is an impediment to fielding a younger, more energetic, more athletic baseball team. Just hope something is done before Trout bolts to the far east.

Is it time to extend Scioscia?

Pujols limps away after every AB

Jansen looked very ordinary. Velocity is down, ERA is up. Pena brung it. Trout hitting 3rd, behind a high OBP #2...lets keep it that way for awhile...pllllzzzz.

I'll continue to argue that adding these hitters or those hitters to a lineup around a fixture in the MOTO that can't run and struggles to hit his weight will not produce the intended results.

Even with Trout the Angels are middle of the pack in AVG, OBP, SLG, with a decimated pitching staff, and a manager perhaps gliding to retirement. None of this suggests an imminent, prolonged winning streak. While many Angel's fans are able to go home to the great Sanctuary State of California, recently ranked #50 in quality of life in U.S. states (yup, the bottom).

With Simmons hitting 2nd. Substantially increases probability of RISP during Trouts first AB. Those 18 extra ABs Trout gets at #2 vs #3 don't look so appealing when you consider his first AB every game often occurs with no one on base, especially given Scioscia's low OBP lead off hitter lineups.

Trying to follow this logic. If the Angels not playing the Sox anymore in regular season is the biggest silver lining ever (which I agree with) why would we want the Angels to face a team in the playoffs they couldn't beat?

Solution to everyone's losing streak

Game plan: pray someone is on base when Trout comes up

Maxine? As to Pujols, moving him down the lineup is a low priority as noted. Moving him out of the lineup should be a higher priority. The "ain't got no one better" argument is valid, not because he's so awesome, rather the FO hasn't been interested in an alternative to the 250M dollar man.

Not pathetic, simply average. They sit in the middle of the league in nearly every hitting category. Early on, I believed the Angels would have trouble getting to the playoffs with Pujols hitting cleanup. Now it doesn't matter. So many holes, so little time. It is frustrating to watch Trout try to carry an average team.