angelsnationtalk

I also think once they figure out where the team is going in terms of stadium deal will help as well. As strange as it sounds, I think it will spark a fire under them

Which brings us to two points: 1: We need to find our way into the playoff picture next year. (likely WildCard spot). 2: We need to sign/acquire 2 solid pitchers this offseason in the event of injury. (preferably a #1 and #2 guy)

Harper always wanted to be a Yankee but it didn't work out. I worry more about players not wanting to play near home anymore. As Trout hinted that he likes his "work" being away from home. It's less distractions and people aren't always asking for tickets and free stuff.

I think it's a fair and honest statement by Rosenthal. As much as we don't want to hear it, Eppler is now on the clock. We've had the time to rebuild and we're now just about past that. It's time for the Angels to be the team of the 2020's and make consecutive runs like the Dodgers. I'd expect a strong WC push for 2020 then 2021 we start making division runs. Division should be ours from 2022-2025. We do need Cole as a solid #1 and then another #2 or #3 guy behind him. We have to money for Cole and another player. Like i've been saying all along once 2022 rolls around and Pujols is off the list with prospects offsetting the payroll the Angels can be a dangerous team. We can still be pretty good as soon as next year. We finally will have an offseason to look forward too.

I really can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not haha

Does anyone else agree that Oakland has some insanely annoying fans? So many bells and drums and then that kid screaming at the top of their lungs.

So no Jose Rojas?

Two things: one- I believe MLB really only tests for performance enhancing drugs. He could still pass the test or even if he didn’t he’d be offered some counseling of some form. Not an 80 game suspension. Pain killers are a little bit different than PEDs. second- MLB shouldn’t take any blame. They are all adults and should let someone know they have a problem or don’t take it at all. Specially when you’ve basically got everything in the world you can ask for. Now, if the Angels has an employee that was in on it then I think maybe the Angels should apologize of some form. At the end of the day, I’m sure they didn’t force the drugs down his throat but I’m also sure the Angels should have be more strict to make sure none of that happens

I actually really agree with this. I do wish we could see a split GM position for the Angels. Eppler is a stud at drafting, prospect development and trades. He just needs another GM to handle big league moves like signing FA and not going after career year players or guys who were good 50 years ago. I think if that ever happened (which it won’t cuz teams have too much pride), then the Angels would be much smarter.

Good god it said it could reach a nine figure number.... over $100M. Im hoping it was a Joe Blow or some random person. Like I’ve said before, if it was someone directly in every day contact with him that’s a major piece of the Angels then the organization is in big trouble.

Assuming no moves: Opening Day: End of year: Fletcher 3B Fletcher 3B Trout CF Adell RF Ohtani DH Trout CF Upton LF Ohtani DH Pujols 1B Upton LF Simmons SS Simmons SS Goodwin RF Pujols 1B LaStella 2B Stassi C Stassi C LaStella 2B

I'd assume that. Just thought if the league found it to say be a bigger involvement with the Angels that a word of mouth would force Arte to leave cuz they couldn't control it.

Very abstract thought but... Would Arte sell the team or leave if they found that an employee/employees were willingly involved and that other Angels players do it a well?

I think you're right with Madero, Hernandez, Bradish, Ortega and more being bullpen pieces. I think they still want Rodriguez to get healthy to be a starter since he has the stuff for it. But yes, 2023-2030 could be one hell of a team. This is why I don't blame Eppler toooooooo much for not making trades. At least not trading Marsh or Jackson because I think they can become key players in the future. Obviously assuming they keep progressing in their development.

Will be interesting to see how the Angels handle the situation if indeed someone in the organization was involved. Obviously would be fired, but i'd be interested to see how the organization handles it. Could be a major crackdown on their players to make sure stuff like this doesn't get in their hands. I thought players had roommates?

Let's go for a top 10 draft pick this year and then be ready to start getting good next year. Also agree with @Dochalo for young pitching to build themselves.

It’s 2019... All you need is a good highlight reel on YouTube and they’ll hand out contracts. It’s the new wave...

As long as it’s not that shitty cauliflower crusted pizza then I’m okay with that.

Exactly. We have the field prospects. We could essentially sign Jordan and then get high profile college arms in the 2021 and 2022 draft and they’d be up in the majors around the same time as Jordan. By 2024 Pujols, Upton, Calhoun, Cozart and Simmons would essentially be gone. Plenty of money to move around. Off the top of my head I believe that’s ballpark range of $95M-$100M or somewhere around there. All those positions will be replaced with high ceiling prospects. (*Jordan, Marsh, Adell, Jackson/Rengifo/Wilson/Fletcher/Thaiss).

"Generally pretty smart organization" should be marked in bold. Let's not forget about the Braves in 2017 when they were penalized for their involvement with their international prospects. They had to forfeit 13 of them. I think they can be smart but apparently very stupid at times.

I still think he drops down around the 10's

As the 2019 season comes to an end the Angels fans are looking ahead to a new season. The one thing left that can determine future potential is where we finish this year in terms of record. Some might say let’s tank the rest of the season so we can work our way into a top 10 draft pick. If the season ended today then we would have the 11th overall pick in the 2020 draft. Blaze Jordan was supposed to be on the radar for the 2021 draft. He reclassified and is now eligible to be drafted in the upcoming 2020 MLB draft. As an 11 year old, he was crushing 395 foot bombs and hit two 500 foot bombs as a 13 year old. He hit one that went 504 feet when he was 14 years old. He competed with the top college players and missed going to the final round by one home run. Jordan is originally a first basemen but has currently been working on losing weight and getting stronger to play 3B. So far, Blaze Jordan is ranked with well above average raw power as well as hitting ability. He has average to potential above average arm strength since he’s periodically used a closer sometimes pumping out 90-91 MPH fastballs… as a 16 year old. He does lack running skills but that should be the least of anyone’s worries. Blaze Jordan is currently only 16 years old and will be 17 when the draft comes around. Had Blaze Jordan waited for the 2021 MLB draft, he likely would have been a top 5 pick. Since he’s now in the 2020 draft some people have him drafted around 10-15 and possibly 17th overall. This could play a factor in the Angels’ way. We first need to keep in mind that MLB teams do not draft for need in the first round. They go for the best player available. Period. So there shouldn’t be complaints about us needing pitching. Assuming we don’t trade Marsh or Adell then we have a stacked outfield for years to come. We currently have a stacked infield as well. The only problem with that is we are stacked and 2B and SS. Thaiss and Ward are at 3B but one will be traded. The Angels have always had a major hole at 3B in terms of legit prospects. This is especially true when it comes to finding a good bat for 3B. All this of course is just a wish list. Blaze Jordan wouldn’t be ready for the MLB until at least 2024. Unless he destroys the minors which could happen but he is very young so who knows. Superstars do fly through the minors and debut at 19 or 20 so it’s possible. A potential 2024 lineup (with salary guesses): David Fletcher (3B) ($5M) Jo Adell (RF) ($15M) Mike Trout (CF) ($36M) Shohei Ohtani (DH) ($22-30M) Blaze Jordan (1B) (Min) Jeremiah Jackson (SS) (Min) Brandon Marsh (LF) ($2M) Catcher (Free Agent) ($10M) Luis Rengifo (2B) (3M) ***(Plus 3 extra bench players adding up to $5M)*** Total starting lineup salary: $100M - $110M (All players are based IF we stick with high upside farm players. This will obviously not be finished product). A potential 2024 Starting rotation (with salary and player guesses): Gerrit Cole ($28M) Shohei Ohtani (see lineup number) Free Agent ($17M) Griffin Canning ($5M) Jose Soriano ($1M) Jack Kochanowicz / Chirs Rodriguez (Min) **OR another free agent around $17M)** Total starting rotation salary: $53M - $75M Bullpen Closer: ($10M) Ty Buttrey ($4M) Keynan Middleton ($3M) Noe Ramirez ($2M) Taylor Cole ($1M) Justin Anderson $1M) Hector Yan (min) Luis Madero (min) 26th man in bullpen (min) Total bullpen salary: $20M - $25M Total team salary: $173,000,000 - $210,000,000 MLB Salary Cap: $216,000,000 (Cap estimated if trend of +$2M/yr continues) Lineup seems fairly strong in terms of contact ability, speed and power. Obviously a young lineup assuming everyone pans out. This lineup is very cost controlled with high upside players. Starting rotation is deep with talent and financially flexible. If 2023 to say 2030 is the time frame Eppler is looking at to contended every year then this could be the route he takes by not dealing talent like Marsh or Jackson. These are just predictions. But once Pujols and Upton are off the books it becomes very fun for the Angels.

Jo Adell would have beat that out. JUST SAYING....

They announced the attendance at 39,008 fans. I’m calling BS big time on that. They were lucky to have 30,000 tonight.

I've thought about the trading Simmons situation as well. Seems like both parties probably want to stick together, but it depends on what Simmons is asking. That would determine what happens with the surplus of infield prospects we have. Unless Eppler believes Rengifo or Fletcher can take over SS, I think they'll re-sign him. Maybe Simmons would take a discount of some form as well.