Rally Gorilla

Stoneman built a mostly home-grown powerhouse...won it all in 2002 and then just kept on keeping on. Good times.

I never said I hate Arte....that's your word. But, I'm not overly worried that he's irreplaceable as an owner. I think we could do better.

Anyway, I'm truly excited about the team's overall direction and I can't wait to see how we do in 2020.....the offense should be great, Adell is probably coming up, and some of the rotation void has been filled. I'd just like to see Arte not do things like nix Angels-friendly deals that could have helped us in one of our areas of greatest weakness. Maybe this was just a brief relapse? Maybe he'll go out of his way to make up for it? We'll see!

Yep, you're right. Good catch. I had it in my mind he was entering the fourth year of a four year contract....but 2019 was his fourth year with the team. I must be getting-numbers-right challenged as I age....I hate it when I do that.

It's funny to me that the same people who want to hold Eppler's feet to the fire for not winning in his three years with the team (without any consideration of where the team was when he started)....will give Arte (who's owned the team since 2003) a complete pass for 10 years of futility and a decimated farm system.

He's owned the team since 2003. He hires and fires the GM's. He controls the purse strings . He forces high PR signings on his GM's. He's the one constant factor. How could you NOT hold him responsible? If it were any other business, how could you NOT hold the owner responsible for a long decline?

Maybe it should just be ok for people to have differing opinions about Arte? If an opinion upsets you, especially if you need to personally attack others, then maybe you aren't as secure in your opinions as you pretend to be? I think he's completely responsible for the teams playoff win drought and decimated farm system.....but he seemed to be letting Eppler fix things over the last three years, which I have been thrilled about. It seemed like 10 years of futility was coming to and end. However, this latest stuff makes me feel like he just can't or won't change his ways. If you disagree with that.....fine! It's still my opinion.

I'd like a small electronic device that can be used to make trash can banging sounds while Altuve & Co. are batting.

Agreed! Go Halos!

No, I'll be blaming him for forcing GM's to dumpster dive to put a team around the big signings.

I bring up his net worth to illustrate he is unwilling to spend on non-splashy moves that would give the team balance. I think you know that.

No he didn't. He ate the contract and did the right things so we didn't end up with Hamiltons life wreckage on our doorstep....which was the right thing to do. What he didn't do was spend to make up for the disaster that he created by forcing the signing in the first place. I really liked both the Upton and Rendon signings....and I think the Teheran and Bundy deals make sense in this overpriced SP market. I'm very glad we passed on Cole. But, as is his style, Arte went into budget lockdown and we passed on many, many lower tier FA SP'ers that could have helped. Then he nixed a deal that brought in a decent mid-level guy.

I don I agree that the smart move is to win. This is big market. I don't fault anyone for making money...those are your words. Rengifo was the player identified in the trade....you think the Angels were just going to also throw in Adell? Arte does have a big ego....and it left us with a gutted farm, a poor performing team, and a 10 year playoff win drought.

10 year playoff win drought....and Arte's net worth has skyrocketed in the same period.

So, you were a big McCourt fan then?

We differ a bit on Arte doing a good job....unless you mean boosting his net worth. He's very good at that.

Well, as you know, no deal is without risk....especially when talking about pitchers. But, I like the deals for their potential gains w/o taking on potentially crippling risks. At what point do you give Eppler credit for the exceptional job he has done?

I think the bigger risk would have been to sign a top tier SP at the huge overpays they were getting. I totally understand the Teheran and Bundy deals....not flashy or sure fire by any means, but also not devastating to the team's future if they don't work out. They both have a track record of reliability....but a wise man once said "pitching is a crapshoot."

Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

Amen.

I think just saying I'm mad doesn't capture the full picture. I'm mad as hell, but this also adds to my concern that Arte's ego is only growing and he hasn't learned to let the baseball people run things even after his interference has lead to a 10 year playoff win drought. I'm not sure he's ever going to learn. If he did, I'd be thrilled.

I did. He was asked about what it would take for Eppler's contract to be renewed. He said "winning".....and this was after he nixed a deal that would have increased our chances of doing that. As far as the "fire myself" comment.....he should. I love the Angels and I don't need to see another 10 years of futility. Maybe he should sell the team and take his huge earnings. Or, I'd be absolutely fine if he would just let the baseball people make the baseball decisions. He can stick to buying stadiums, negotiating ever richer TV deals, developing lots, etc....

I respect your choice. For me, this is a baseball discussion site and a place where opinions can be aired. And I don't have a problem with people who disagree or take a different approach. I also don't' plan on putting a "ridiculous amount of energy" into worrying about what Arte does. But, as someone who is excited about the team getting stronger and the upcoming season, I still can't believe that Arte nixed that deal (I had been giving the benefit of the doubt that the Dodgers nixed it because they no longer needed to reduce salary)...and then Arte follows that up with giving Eppler a "win now" mandate before considering a contract renewal.

Google is your friend.

If you want to put blind faith in Arte, who am I to try and stop you? We all have our opinions. But, IMHO, Arte and his "behind the scenes" driven moves have put us in a 10 year playoff win drought....and increased his personal net worth massively.