angelsnationtalk

I agree. Personally I think it starts in 2020. I think this could be Pujols' last season as well as Cozart. I think Calhoun, if not traded before the season, Could be delt at the deadline once we realize we won't make the playoffs and Adell (hopefully) gets called up. Come 2020 the Cozart trade makes sense because we will have Rengifo and Fletcher as well as Jones knocking on the door. They will all compete for a second base spot if we strike a deal with Simba. Clearing up the salary of Pujols, Cozart and Calhoun leaves up with cash to spend.

In earlier posts from this off-season I've been pushing for Arte to bust out the bank and win now. I'm starting to think that with all these 1 year deals, that the Angels want to have a low-risk mediocre season with a small chance of picking up a wildcard spot. As much as I hate to see this for Trout (and gosh I think it's so sad), I do believe that 2020 could be the year of the beginning of a dynasty team. With that said, Trout could be looking for how the Angels will look for the next 10 seasons and not for the next two. That will make him want to sign a new deal.

Agreed. I remember writing down teams of why Ohtani would and wouldn’t want to sign with the Angels, mariners etc... and I do remember feeling like he wanted to create the Japanese name on a team and not fill the shoes. Either way, Kikuchi would great insane depth for 2020: (In no order) Ohtani, Skaggs, Kikuchi, Heaney, Barria, Suarez, Ramirez, Canning.

Let’s be honest, if we were to judge the acquisitions we’ve made for this season, Kikuchi would be considered the touchdown. I agree it’s like a field goal from the 40 yard line, but adding him does create insane pitching depth for the 2020 season. Plus, his contract wouldn’t be ridiculous either.

I’m not challenging you to state where you’ve heard that, but I am overall curious since I haven’t heard anything. I would be shocked if we don’t present to him. To be honest, ever since I’ve heard Ohtani state that he can’t wait to face him next season, I wonder if he doesn’t want him on the team haha.

Kicking it off with a new post. Kikuchi has a few more days until he has to sign so let’s post all the rumors we know about him here. Eppler has yet to throw a “touchdown” and this could be it. Angels have about 11million left to spend (if we’re being cheap). If anyone sees the latest rumors on him then let’s post it here so we’re all in the loop!

Mike Trout panned out....

I wouldn’t worry about the lefty/lefty problem. Here’s what I think.... Fletcher, Harper, Trout, Ohtani, Upton. Mr. small ball leads off since he’s got speed and bunting ability and he’s a contact hitter. Then the big boys come in who also all have speed. Not to mention it goes lefty, righty, left, righty (2-4). Plus they all hit for power and Trout FINALLY has people on base ahead of him. So yes, my Christmas list is Harper with 2 opt outs so all the “omg it’s too expensive” people can shut it. Like I’ve said... there’s a big difference with giving someone a massive contract entering their prime (Harper, 26), as opposed to giving someone a massive contract exiting their prime (Pujols, 32). That’s 5 or 6 years of a prime Harper which by then the contract is on its back end. It’s a lot of money, but a way better risk. Plus Trout will look at it and go ooooooo I want to re-sign!

Exactly. If I wanted to sign Trout long term then I’d do everything in my power to sign extreme talent around him to make a serious push for 2019 and 2020 which will convince Trout the team is in it to win it. No more filling potholes. To me, a Dipoto signing is a 10 year contract to someone at the end of their prime (Pujols). Or a contract of someone older like Wilson and Hamilton were. Dishing out money for someone entering their prime is a better risk than someone exiting it. What I’m asking for is a solid starter as well as a mid rotation arm like a Kikuchi. Then a solid bat to fill RF/1B that will be on base for Trout to bat in. For the last few seasons we’ve all complained about pitching and no one ever being on base for Trout. If we don’t want to thin out our system then free agency and spending money is what you do. And when you’re in a market like the Angels are, it’s doable. You can only get so many rule 5 players and betting luck that a cheap arm turns out to be solid so many times....

I think what all of us Angels fans want is for the Angels to do everything they can to get Trout in the playoffs. We finished 80-82. Haven’t smelt the postseason since 2014. To make it worse? We haven’t won a playoff game since 2009. Trout has never won a playoff game and the front office owes him that. I don’t think Trout is the kind of player to chase money. He wants a ring and he will go somewhere else if that makes his chances better. Angels need to make it sweet. Realllllll sweet.

I wouldn’t expect it either. But its fun to dream.

Yeah, I doubt the Angels blow it open to $206M. But I agree, Eppler has something up his sleeve and I still feel like Arte will push for something as well. I’m not saying Harper, but something big. Arte knows Trout is itching for a run in the playoffs. He’d be stupid not to have some fun and spoil the team for Trout.

The sentence above states their totals are $132.15M. Which yes, leaves $30million to spend if they want to maintain their $165M budget. So basically the article states we’ve got money, and tons of it IF we wanted to go to the $206M mark.

Has anyone seen the recent article written by the Angels beat writer? Read it HERE Yes, I’ve read the articles and tax articles from MLBTR showing that we are really paying more than that. But, if our beat writer is reporting that then that means we’ve got about $73.85 million to spend. And if we’re rumored to have Calhoun open for a trade, then that’s a max of $83.85. That’s a lot of spending room. Again, I have read the articles that show otherwise. I’m just showing what is being said.

If you include two opt-outs and given Pujols’ contract come off the books soon, it’s doable. Giving someone a 10 year contract at 26 is a better outcome than giving someone one at 32 like Pujols. You’re buying at least 5 years of someone’s prime years. Im not sure about you, but another .500 finish would push someone like Trout out of the door. He wants a ring. Period.

I do like Eppler as a GM and I do think he has something up his sleeve. I also believe that Moreno likes to break bank himself and spend. Yes, Harper is expensive and has stats like a wave going up and down. But, if Eppler really is about his metrics then he'd love that fact that Harper is always on base despite periodic slumps. (more walks than Trout in 2018). That's someone to FINALLY be on base for Trout and Ohtani.

Might be time we create "Go big or go home" posters and stand in front of the Angels' front office so Eppler and Moreno get the message. Forbes estimates we revenue over $330million per season. That's before we got Ohtani who is now marketing us in Japan. if we work a few trades to clear a little more salary room we can afford Harper and a Yusei Kikuchi and a lower end starter and still have money left over.

All i'm going to say is trading Trout with two years of control left is way more valuable than one. If the Angels have no intentions on trading him then they need to step up. If I were them, I'd pay the tax while eating Pujols' contract. Show Trout what he's worth.

Does anyone else think that diving TOO deep into the analytical side can hurt the team? (Circa 2017 and 2018 Dodgers World Series over coaching). The only benefit Luis Garcia has is a hard fastball....