angelsnationtalk

Angels beat writers will have one of two titles for their stories once Bauer signs: 1: Angels finally get their ace, Trevor Bauer 2: Angels once again miss out on signing the top pitcher this offseason

Bubble Spring Training. It can't be that hard. Every team, including baseball, has successfully done that during COVD-19 times. Also, if need be, have pitchers report normal time and position players a bit later. Pitchers are really the only ones that need to ramp up their innings in ST. Players only need 2-4 weeks to be ready.

I wouldn't call last year a success. 2nd worst rotation in baseball and at one point we had a shot for the #1 overall pick. Maybe their absolute worst scenario is Realmuto if everyone including Bauer is gone. Then they'd flip a trade for a pitcher. I do think they'll land one of Bauer/Odorizzi/Paxton (one in that order). Or at least.... hope

Alright so here's what's left for top pitching arms on the FA market (SP and RP). Also listed are top teams linked to these guys. Trevor Bauer (SP) Angels, Mets, Blue Jays, Dodgers Masahiro Tanaka (SP) Blue Jays, Japan, Yankees Jake Odorizzi (SP) Angels, Red Sox, Giants, Blue Jays, Twins James Paxton (SP) Blue Jays, (+20 teams that showed up to him showcase) Trevor Rosenthal (RP). Not much news. Maybe Padres? Mets/Angels could be in Alex Colome (RP) White Sox, Red Sox, Phillies, Padres, Twins Let's play worst case scenario here and assume these signings happen: Tanaka goes to Japan Odorizzi goes to either Twins or Red Sox Paxton goes to Blue Jays Rosenthal goes to Padres Colome goes to White Sox Let's assume our plan was to sign Odorizzi, Rosenthal and then RF depth guy. Does Arte hit the "oh shit" button and push for Bauer the way he did last year with Rendon after missing out on Cole? The Angels signed Quintana to be an innings-eating mid-back rotation arm. The second piece they want to get has to be a #2 guy at least.

Imagine a 2018 Ohtani and Bauer on the same team in 2021? That'd be pretty fun to watch.

I thought this too but wonder if there's a way to make it work. Trade for Taillon, sign Odorizzi then trade Heaney for RF or RP depth. Obviously my option A is get Bauer.

Marquez would be great but would be a big price tag. I wonder what other options are out there trade-wise other than names we floated around this offseason (Darvish, Snell, Musgrove, Hendricks, Sonny Gray, Castillo, Jon Gray, Marquez). It might benefit the Angels if, instead of the Bauer route, they go with Hand, Odorizzi and then maybe swap a trade for another starter who's cheaper in price but has a higher ceiling than Odorizzi does. With Bundy and Heaney free agents after the season I doubt they keep both. Heaney could then be dealt in a separate trade for outfield depth.

Scenario.... Let's say Tanaka signs back with the Yankees and Odorizzi goes back to the Twins or elsewhere like the Mets. Let's also say Richards goes to Boston. Bauer is still a free agent and the Angels are still looking. Does it become more of panic for the Angels to get it done.

One thing I wonder is if they've asked Mike Trout to talk to any of the free agents. I can't recall the time, but I thought I remember somewhere where he said he wouldn't mind talking to someone if the organization asked. Just a thought.

By far one of the best clips out of the Indiana Jones movies

In case anyone wants an update

Quintana will live around 3-6 runs per game where he will pitching 4-7 innings in them. At the end of the day it'll be around there.

I can only think that it's because Angels camp and Bauer camp are both extremely private about negotiations it seems like. We never saw any indications that the Angels were in discussions with Quintana, Suzuki, or the Reds for the trades they made. IF they are in on Bauer then I wouldn't expect there to be any word on that either. That or Arte doesn't want an ace

Yup. 6 solid innings of 4 to 5 run ball hoping the offense carries the whole things. Seems like the exact thing the Angels love..... Which has worked so well.....

You should know by now that literally every Angels beat writer tweeted almost the same exact thing....

"Lower your expectations" hahahaha. Two things.... 1: The Angels have lowered our expectations over the last few years 2: I'm sure that's what they tell Trout every year he says "we getting an Ace, Arte?"

Average age of like what? 33?

If the Blue Jays are looking at Paxton and Mets looking at outfield/bullpen then the Angels would be stupid to not heavily pursue Bauer. In fact, I'll be extremely upset if they don't land him at this point.

Jon pulling this out of his ass or what?

I usually get a different scenario in my head every night for the Angels and here's where I'm at tonight: The Angels aren't in a position to trade prospects like Marsh/Adell/Adams.... yet. If this was done then they'd be right back where they started with no true top talent in the farm. While the Angels continue to "try" and contend they've been spending more money to offset their lack of prospects over the years which is fine, but they have to be selective/careful with how much they spend and for how long. In Arte's case, there's not much of a problem with being afraid to pay big bucks (weather it's good or bad). The issue comes to this... Arte knows he needs to spend more until his top prospects can come up and replace those aging contracts (Pujols, Upton), but he's failed time and time again to put the money towards the rotation. Mike Trout isn't getting younger. The dude will turn 30 this year and has yet to win a playoff game. If I were Arte then he's got to fork out more money for one more year. You can't keep "trying" to be competitive and lying to yourself when you know you're not. Arte has said he'd pay the tax if it was for the right player and this is the last year where payroll is tight. It's not my money, obviously, but from a roster/prospect standpoint, he needs to spend this offseason and save his prospects. There's talent developing in the farm. One more year of extra spending and then payroll will start to go the opposite way while our farm gets better and better. Sorry Arte, I don't see any other choice.

Mets win if being able to be a serious contender is the deciding factor.

The Angels pitching every 5th and 6th day hasn't made them any healthier so it's not like it would be worse

Bauer. He wont get anywhere near $300M and likely half the years.