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MPohleece

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  1. Good post by TG. And I know he and most here have perspective that this is just entertainment, and that players' decisions are not an entire reflection of who they are and will be. Yes, we wanted a story book ending, culminating with a ring for Mike and Shohei, but that had about as much chance as flopping quads with this regime anyway. My first reaction from the news was, "Oh..." I'd say Angels have a better chance of becoming competitive faster without $500M+ Shohei. As for him going to the dogs, wasn't there some article a while back saying playing for the blue was his dream while growing up? It was almost a foregone conclusion. Even if the dogs had offered much less than the others, he would've gone up the 5 anyway. I'll still be rooting for him to do well except against us. Hope we get a nasty lefty to make him look stupid each AB.
  2. Yes, pitching is priority 1-3, but he’a a pretty safe bet. What’ll it take to trade for him? Maybe other than Silseth, Detmers, Ohop, Neto, Schanuel, let them name the player(s)
  3. Death by a 1000 singles. Taxes the opponent a whole lot more. I don’t dig the long ball no more.
  4. Yep, we’re on our way to top 3. Thanks JSP.
  5. I’m too lazy to look this up. Do we lead in this category? If not, we’ll be there given the back end of the bullpen is mostly gone now. Teams that tease with leads, then consistently choke them away are just plain horrible products. Fan losing products. Even with this lost season, it would’ve been nice to see them string together several wins in Sep. No chance of that, as most leads will be blown. Just sad man.
  6. Look, the season's been over since early Aug, but last Wed with Trout goin' for broke and back on the IL, and of course, Shohei's injury, that was a huge moment for the Angels, and some may say, for baseball at large. Who knows for sure Shohei's reasons for continuing to play: prolly he just loves to play so much; as a paid athlete, he feels some obligation to play if he can play; he wants to fulfill the potentials of this season, test himself; he wants to inspire his teammates; he feels he's got enough bucks, so not that worried about a huge contract...? Perhaps, one or all the above. Regardless, his continuing to play has been getting some attention and deserves continued attention and thought. I don't think it's off-base to say. It's obviously less risky to not play at all, and just try to cash in as much free agency bucks as possible. Most pro athletes would. After a likely career-changing injury, a typical reaction would be to retreat from play; not playing in the 2nd of a back-to-back and still having the focus to contribute with a double. He's either really easygoing to a fault or has crazy mental fortitude--both can be true at the same time. These moments don't come by very often. One can hope that Trout and Shohei have created a galvanizing moment to really build enduring betterment to this team moving forward. So finish the season the right way. Don't slip on daily prep and focus during the game (like that throw to 2nd on x2 steal today). Basically, don't cheat the damn game and play for the fans and also for each other (wink wink Sandy when mates make errors). Shohei's speech at the WBC was good, that whole bit about while the US has renowned players, you can't overcome them while revering them... Maybe another speech and moment is in order before the Phil's series start. It don't need to be Valvanoesque, fuck perfect English, just say something.
  7. Unless we get a new owner who’s willing to spend like crazy, I think it may be for the best to not get Shohei. Locking up so much $ on one player, with higher risk of injury from the 2-way, and leaving little left to sign others, not worth it. Let some rich owner take that huge risk. Angels might as well spread the risk by signing a good pitcher and a batter for similar $. If the goal is to increase chances of winning, investing long-term high dollars on two-way players may not be a good biz decision in general.
  8. Lou, I’ve enjoyed your posts. No matter your condition, your spirit lives on. Wishing you the best.
  9. Per previous post, much a do about nothing. Likely from the Fri post game interview when he was asked whether he thought it may be his last time pitching here as an Angel and whether he felt sentiment from the stands of folks thanking him. To which he said he didn’t feel or look at it that way. And that they are still in the hunt so he just wants to try to keep winning and get to the playoffs. Maybe there was also a comment in there along the lines of why would there be a trade, we’re in the hunt.
  10. I’m a fan of Ohtani’s. He’s my countryman too, so I know what he’s saying, and the diluted mumbo we get from Ippei (but cred to him, he’s played a key role in Shohei’s success). Sho provides excitement to Angels baseball and an interesting storyline, which is always important in sports. And while many are enamored with and may want that storybook ending for the Angels, winning with the unicorn and Trout, I don’t think that’s in the cards. If baseball had some tight roster restriction well under 26, and some fixed salary base per player, then sure, good two-way players bring apparent advantages. Given current realities, as mentioned before, it seems we’d be better served having a solid 5-man rotation and no fixture at DH. Since 2021, baseball already benefited and got to enjoy a great storyline with Shotime, which for Angels baseball has been beneficial and also detrimental, with boring Septembers. If Sho were to stay, I’d be curious whether some role change could contribute to more winning baseball. For instance, keep him in the lineup, but have him available sometimes for back-end relief pitching, and occasionally taking the field. Could that lead to a better team and also contribute to his longevity? Going on the limb here given the team’s recent good streak, revamped BP, Sho’s hot bat and his still being our #1, despite his recent sweeper struggles. So far as his potential leaving, I wish it were clearer what Sho’s benchmark is, so far as staying or leaving—ALDS, ALCS win…? I hope he’ll clarify his expectations a bit more with management a couple of weeks before the deadline, so the brass can decide whether to be buyers or not, and the club not left hanging. It’d be nice if he just agrees to a 2-year $120M now. Otherwise, thanks for the memories, but I’ll be just as happy with the halos winning with or without him.
  11. Duffy will lead the team in hits and average. Missed a few games, but I haven’t seen him have a bad at-bat so far. Like them gritty A’s batters in recent years—works counts, grinds down the pitchers.
  12. Stretch him out before the season starts? 58M/4yr for a potential quality starter, not a bad deal if he’s willing to do it again. We can always change course mid season. We’re whiffing on stable SP, so at this point, find more plus arms for the BP. Loup has closer stuff.
  13. According to Japanese new sites, Sho was training as usual the day the MVP announcement came, slipped on a simple collarless shirt and sport coat to do the quick TV interviews. No celebration that night, went to sleep early because he had an early morning training as usual. We'll see if the diligent training translates to production again next year. Predictions at year end? Pitcher: 14 wins, close to 150 IP, WHIP a touch below 1, ERA in the high 2s. Hitter: between 9 and 1K OPS, at least .600 SLG, 40 & 100 rbi, 30 SB, bat close to .300. Hope he cuts down his SO to near 100. Guessing Trout hitting behind him most of the time.
  14. Madison’s known for his gimmicks on occasion—bringing in exotic animals and what not into the clubhouse. Dare I say, is it boa time again for this circus of a team? That or back up a dumpster with manure onto the field. Try shock therapy, anything at this point.
  15. More of a b-ball fan but hate watching Halos lose more than the purple n gold lose. I had to reminisce yesterday with a couple of 2002 clips--watching that mean trio of Krod, Donnelly, and Percy. Eck and Kennedy's grit and guys like Ersty and Lackey bringing the intensity. Hell, even roided Fullmer brought some edge. Where are these types of dawgs on this team... T. Hunter may have been the last. Maybe the closest thing is Sandoval, but he prolly needs to earn his stripes a bit more before having some presence. Everyone else, just kinda easygoing, going through the motions. If we're gonna add talent, I wanna see them go after a couple of pitbulls who are gonna stir the pot more, put guys on notice. Haven't been following the majors enough lately, who's out there? A Jose Baez, Arozarena? Scherzer would be a pie in the sky? You don't have to break the cooler or bat every night, but with this mostly meek bunch, if we're not adding the right kind of personality and talent, I fear we're gonna keep seeing the same ol' same ol'...
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