angelsnationtalk

It'd have to be the other aces available. Ryu, Bumgarner, or even Wheeler. Then Ordorizzi, Miley, etc. But I doubt he signs three FA starter IF Cole is one of them.

badabing badaboom! Only concern there would be Strasburg's age being 32. If the Angels wanted to wait it off then seeing Cole, Strasburg, Ohtani, Heaney, Canning, Sandoval/Suarez/Soriano/Barria

I'm optimistic he goes with signing 3 FA starting pitchers. Cole obviously is priority. Wheeler is possible but that's probably it

There's definitely some traction with that. It's definitely risky, as is anything given not knowing how good someone like Marsh could become. But I do see your point.

This is the part that worries me with his "buy low" mentality. Sure, he might find someone for the back end of the rotation, but that won't get us anywhere near being a contender. As you know, I love Marsh, but if we're trading any talent then it should be for a #2 starter that's controllable. If not, then he should wait until such trade can be done.

This is the part that worries me with his "buy low" mentality. Sure, he might find someone for the back end of the rotation, but that won't get us anywhere near being a contender. As you know, I love Marsh, but if we're trading any talent then it should be for a #2 starter that's controllable. If not, then he should wait until such trade can be done.

Yeah, this does make good sense as well. Makes a lot of sense, actually. As Taylor Blake Ward pointed out, he does think Jordyn Adams is a breakout candidate for 2020. Adams just needs to full out a bit more and add some power and arm strength. I'm obsessed with Adams' speed and I'd love to see him put on some weight to see how it all adds up. If he becomes a stud then I wouldn't mind a Marsh trade. It still does worry me. I know Eppler is smart with prospects and trades so I'd assume it'd have to be a #2 type controllable arm in order for him to deal away Marsh.

This is well said. Angels need to go for it.

I just worry about who's being traded in the deal. I agree we should trade for a #2-#3 guy in addition to going after Cole. Just hear me out about the Upton/Marsh situation. Upton is off the books come 2023. In 2022 Justin Upton will be in his age 34 season. He's already physically showed minor signs of a decline. Add in his reads/throwing arm and it could be a liability at some point. Aside from Adams, Knowles and Deveaux, Marsh is the strongest OF prospect we have. Unless Adams or one of the others is able to become a top 100 prospect, hit better and develop much better in the outfield, I can't make that trade. Unless Eppler believes that we have a legitimate shot at winning between 2020-2021, then I'd strongly suggest to wait. Maybe they have already talked to Upton about the future. Let's say that Upton and Angels FO have already hinted that 1B could be a destination for him. That means that Thaiss, Walsh and Ward are all moveable. Obviously they don't bring back a solid #2 type guy, but that's where our financial might comes in to play. It's just hard for me to see Eppler wanting to trade Marsh for a slight chance at winning in 2020-2021 knowing his age, salary and athleticism will all completely replace Upton come 2022-2023. Once Cozart and Pujols come off the books then a lot of things can change.

Is it just me or did Hendricks have some pine tar on his hat?

Atta boy Ausmus. Way to pull a young pitcher who’s only thrown 52 pitches. Let the kid learn. ridiculous.

Yeah why the hell pull him after 52 pitches? He’s keeping the team in the game and he needs to learn as he goes. Pulling him early isn’t going to do shit.

I agree with that if and only if that means using our financial power for going after a Gerrit Cole and a #2 or #3 starter BUT also not shipping away our prospects. Such prospects like Marsh, Soriano, or whomever figures to become an impactful player in years 2021-2026. The prospect part is what worries me. When the Angels become a serious threat during those years we won't have Upton and that could be the time (2020 and 2021) Marsh needs to get up to speed to be 100% by 2022. I just hope Eppler fills the only holes (pitching) with the financial power. Let the depth of top prospects be the everyday players. 2022 Could look like: Cole, (solid # 2 guy), Ohtani, Heaney (re-signed OR someone else), Canning, Soriano/Sandoval/Suarez We can get that #2 guy without dealing away Marsh by using the money we will have. Obviously those names will completely change, but you see what i'm getting at. Marsh is only tradable if it's at the deadline and we're in a spot like the Astros to make us WS favorites.

Astros will still be good but I think we have a legitimate shot starting 2022 to overtake the division.

I'm open for it if we make a WC spot for 2020. If not then it's not worth it. Here's my timeline: 2020- WC spot 2021- WC spot, with better shot for division 2022-2026 Division titles

Agree 100%. Love that trio in the outfield. Would easily be the most athletic and best outfield in baseball. I hope Marsh isn't traded. I think he's going to the AZFL to speed up his development Hopefully he'd start in AAA next year and . Adams has high upside but his size worries me. Marsh is built like a stud. The only thing that concerns me is aside from Adell, Marsh is building a lot of value. He's easily back in the top 100 prospects for next season and he'd be the centerpiece for a top arm if we swung a trade. Hopefully out other infield prospects raise their stock so they can be used as the centerpiece. Just hope Eppler doesn't fall too in love with Upton. Watching him in the outfield gives me ulcers.

@Dochalo I am too. Eppler said he wanted a top farm system and to fill the holes with the financial power the Angels have. That obviously means starting pitching for this offseason and next offseason. I don't think he will trade away the farm that HE built. He knows in order to win we need to be like the Dodgers or Yankees and have a stellar farm WHILE spending money. I think we contend for WC spot in 2020, small chance at division for 2021 and then once Adell, Marsh, Soriano and a few others are ready and warmed up then we really can dominate the 2020's. We are heading in that direction. But we also need to have a stronger chance starting in 2020 since Mike Trout signed with the Angels to win. It's time to show him. And it starts this offseason. Trout should see October baseball for the 2020 season.

I think we're honestly looking between $25-$30M/yr. Weather it looks like $200M/7yr, $150M/5yr or $175M/6yr I would be surprised if he pushed over $30M/yr. Trout took $36M/year so that leads me to believe everyone below him is fairly distant from pushing $30M-$35M/yr. Specially someone who pitches every 5th day. BUT and this is a big BUT... He could take around $25M with incentives on his contract like Max Scherzer has: All Star: Gold Glove, Silver Slugger: $100,000 LCS MVP: $150,000 WS MVP: $250,000 MVP, Cy Young Award: $500,000 (2nd: $250,000, 3rd: $150,000, 4th: $100,000, 5th: $75,000)

And I agree. If we can throw stupid money at Pujols then Cole should be a no doubt question. I just hope he doesn't come here and then need TJS like everyone else we get. That's why we need more than just him

I think 3 things with signing Cole that worries me. This is also in order of likelihood of happening. 1: The Angels overpay for Cole (which I wouldn't mind IF he does good) 2: We make offers (like to Corbin) but we won't make offer bigger to swoop him away 3: We make offer and wait only on him and then realize he took more money elsewhere.

I know Trout is amazing, but i wonder how much better he will be when we're in a playoff spot? That motivation alone could increase his already big numbers.

They should be able to

Let's change it a bit. We're likely going to a 6 man rotation again with "Ohtani Sundays". so let's go: Cole, #2 guy, Ohtani, Heaney, Canning, Sandoval/Barria/Suarez.

You couldn't have said this any better. And this is 100% honest and true. At the end of the day it only matter if we are playing October baseball. Keep in mind, we haven't won a playoff game in 10 years since 2009. I hope Arte stays in Anaheim by either updating of building a new stadium in the current area and the Angels and city of Anaheim make a deal to turn the area into an LA Live type place and the revenue skyrockets. I want a drastic change outside and inside the ballpark.

I don't think Cole will wait. We saw what happened last offseason so I feel like if Cole sees an offer he likes then he's good. Players this offseason likely want it over and done with. But I do agree they should throw some money this offseason.