angelsnationtalk

If the Dodgers sign Harper then it would be a slap in the face to all big spending teams like the Angels, Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs and Giants that you can still spend big money and develop a strong farm system. Like i've said before, I hate the Dodgers, but it must be an amazing time to be a Dodgers fan knowing the front office knows how to build a farm and also direct all their funds to building an incredible lineup every night. To me, they are a baseball team that puts winning before anything.

He's the guy that helps market your team. Arte Moreno said recently that Pujols has done tremendous things for the Angels organization. Clearly he's talking about marketing and how the Angels brand has grown since he's been here. Arte is a marketing genius and it would still stun me if he never made a tiny push for Harper. Arte also made it clear he's not afraid of big contracts. He knows how to market this team and Harper paired with Trout and Ohtani is exactly it....

You're the only one to agree with me that's it's a shot worth taking. Harper could easily move to 1B at some point. That point would likely happen once Upton is on the way out given Upton should be moved to 1B and alternate with Thaiss at some point. To agree with the Dodgers.... you can NEVER have too much depth. I think Defense should look like this for 2019 and 2020: ( NOTE 2019-2020 marked in BLACK, 2021-future marked in RED) C- Lucroy then Briceno then Kruger 1B- Pujols then Bour then Thaiss then Upton then Harper 2B- Fletcher then Rengifo then Jones SS- Simmons 3B- Cozart then Ward LF- Upton then Bourjos then Adell and (Marsh bench option potential RF when Harper move to 1B after Upton is gone) CF- Trout RF- Harper then Marsh then Adams DH- Ohtani/Upton/Harper/Trout At the end of the day we can't expect Marsh, Adams or Knowles to all be on the team. Likely Marsh (depending how Adams progresses) will be trade bait.

Dodgers appear to be in on a short-term deal. Is anyone else sick of all this "buzz" going around about Harper? Side note, even though I can't stand the Dodgers, I 100% respect them for never being afraid to show the money despite already kissing the tax threshold. Makes you wonder how many teams really are worried about the money they make so their pockets look nicer. This leads me to think that it's not an owner issue or a player issue. It's both. Players are calling out the owners for not spending the money and pocketing it all whereas the owners are saying "I'm not dishing out $300+M for 10+ years" I'm not saying the Angels should bid, but you could never have enough depth (like the Dodgers always do). Specially when Upton is already having knee issues.... If an AL team got in the bidding war then I'll bet that Harper signs with them. DH is a very attractive offer when you're talking long term.

I’m pretty sure every player on every team says “if we’re all healthy we have a good team”. Hell, the Marlins and Orioles players probably say that too. I’m also sure every year Pujols or players coming off injury say “I’m looking for a bounce back year” and “I’ll just continue the work I’ve always done”. Hopefully he just says “this year will be my last and then I’ll retire and defer my contract so the Angels can pursue the finances in a stronger direction” Oh thanks, Pujols. Very nice of you to say!

Our infield is overloaded and unless Eppler is looking to move tons of pieces come deadline and spend a lot next offseason, then it doesn't make sense. If he wants to trade a lot and spend big money then it makes total sense.

Which would surprise the hell out of me....

I understand your point and agree. But if Eppler want's to grow from within the system then now is the time to start doing that. Fletcher earned 2B and he should be the favorite. If we're still going to spend more on our budget then continue to help the bullpen or starting rotation.

What about Fletcher, Rengifo, Jones coming up? Fletcher should be ready with Rengifo knocking on the door.

If we get Moose then it'll be for a 1 year deal. Not only because Eppler loves 1 year deals this winter, but for other reasons. 1: he's a movable piece come deadline 2: Ward will battle with Thaiss for 1B come 2020 I think. Angels will either resign Moose or look elsewhere (Rendon or trade). I'm still scratching my head why we'd even want him. Infield seems pretty packed as it is....

If we offer a 31 year old $22M a year then why can't you offer a 26 year old $30M a year..... Must be fake rumor.

Sure he does. East coast attention, sales and marketing opportunities absolutely follows. He’s entering his prime. So absolutely he has potential for good years.

agree 10000000%. Not only are you putting a young player who has great potential on your team, you're putting a star in Anaheim for your marketing needs!

Trout hit .083 in 1 series so that and even four series is a small sample size. No, you pair him with other premium talent like Trout, Adell, Simmons and Canning/ another starter to even the load into the playoffs. Right now, it's all on Trout's back and it's been proven that he alone can't get us to the playoffs.

Aside from wanting $300+ million, I don't think he's overrated. Even if the Angels added him to the lineup he'd still be a way better option and risk than Pujols ever was. As much as we'd hate to say it, he is the perfect guy to hit in front of Trout. The only guy who walked more than Trout (122) was Bryce Harper (130). Harper is also a top 10 in OBP, top 30 in SLG and top 20 in RBI. Despite poor fielding metrics and non-consistent seasons, he's still a player that would make any team better. Teams should bet on him finding an above average groove during his prime because he's shown the potential. I fully agree $300M+ is a bit much..... But if rumors about Arte Moreno are true about WILLING TO SPEND $2Billion dollars to own 4 RSN's then the money is clearly there. Maybe MLB players have a point. Are players getting too expensive or are the owners really focused of flipping profits? As much as I hate the Dodgers, I must thank them for spending as much as they can to put a winning team on the field. Great time to be a Dodgers fan. And by the way, the Dodgers STILL have a top 10 system despite spending money left and right. They've had a top 10 farm since 2014! So don't tell me you can't have both. I know Eppler is fixing the turd that Dipoto made, but it doesn't mean we can't flex the wallet and still build.

Contact Enrique Escobedo. here's his twitter handle (LINK) He used to write and do some artwork for us. Super talented! If not, I'm a designer as well.

link???

Now now... gotta be politically correct here..... haha

So there’s no way around it other than the 40-man?

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/nationals-designate-trevor-gott-announce-signing-of-jeremy-hellickson.html Nationals just announced they designated former Angel Trevor Gott. For those who don't remember, Gott was traded to the Nationals for Escobar a few seasons ago. He was an absolute stud for us in the pen but hasn't been the same since. He'll still be a bargain in the checkbooks, so maybe the Angels would put up a claim and see if him coming home will benefit him? He's only 26 years old. Thoughts?

@Dochalo Yeah, one will coach the hitting and the other instructs the hitting that the coaching gives. Then, the hitting coach will coach what the instructor gives. Thus, the hitting coach is instructing and the instructor is coaching. We following along?.... haha

Thanks for clarifying this, Jeff. It seems like this entire offseason has been flooded with clickbait false rumors. Absolutely horrible from the reporting side. Mainly in the Harper, Realmuto, Machado area. Guess we should assume if there is a rumor about us then it isn’t true since Eppler is super private. And if someone has absolutely no news about it, then it’s more true.

I agree and find this strange as well. Considering we were in discussion for two lefties leaves me scratching my head. Unless Eppler is still working a way to make a trade for one of them? The Giants are looking for a veteran outfielder and Calhoun can help. Downfall is that his stats from last season give him zero value and he has a price tag of $10M with a 2020 $14M option. I've also always found funny that righties can hit righties but lefties can't hit lefties.

"Prospect" and best "Major Leaguer" are two veryyyyyyy different things. Remember when scouts were always saying Trout has power but not 30+ potential? Everything is about guessing when it comes to prospects. Vladdy Jr. is just having great numbers in the minors because he's a man amongst boys. Considering his fielding, base running and speed are below average, i'd say he lines up with Ohtani when he was on the list. Ohtani had legit power, speed and a fastball. So far it translated to the bigs... we shall see. But yes, I can't to watch Valddy Jr. play in the bigs. Such amazing talent for only a 19 year old

Nationals would be a pretty good team to watch.