angelsnationtalk

That "tendency" has happened the last few years with Eppler and I wonder if this year Arte steps in to "open payroll" to make sure we don't whiff.

If we sign Cole then i'm 100% set on signing Maldonado. He's a cheaper option but works very well with Cole and Ohtani. Robles is just as fine as Kimbrel and you're right, money can be way better spent. Now, would I be surprised if Eppler signs/trades for someone that makes zero sense? Not at all...

Yup. I wouldn't mind trading Upton (which will be near impossible), but Price isn't worth it. Trade Cozart instead if they want a salary dump. Rest of finances should go to Wheeler, then make trades for salary space and maybe another starter. Get me an Ace, a #2 two starter and hell a #3 and I'm good.

I'd do Goodwin, Ward and Jones for Robbie Ray, but that's all I guess Joel Sherman was on MLB Network today and said this about the Angels: Sign Gerrit Cole Trade Upton & 2 prospects to Boston for David Price Sign Yasmani Grandal Acquire Craig Kimbrel from Cubs for prospects

Actually, I think it can make a significant difference in terms of the "lefty specialist" coming in. Could make a big difference when pitching in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings.

Hell yeah! But what happens with Upton/Marsh for 2021 then...

Gee, can't wait to see a pitcher literally have his head decapitated.

He could easily platoon with Pujols at 1B and DH when Ohtani is pitching/resting. He's a switch hitter but bats much better from the left side which is the type of hitter the Angels would need. He's only due for around $5.9M in salary which is totally affordable to still go after pitching. My question is what the overall package would look like. @totdprods can you help me out with the players swapped and $ swapped??

I was shocked too. If it remains true, then we definitely have some OF trade pieces.

he does.

Yeah you're totally right. As long as he gets at-bats then he should be fine.

And that still applies if they go with a 5 man? So 5-man and a fill in option here and there?

Expectations? To not break a leg.

If Angels try a 5 man rotation would Ohtani still be a Sunday starter? Or will it just be whenever it's his turn?

Stop. If we miss out on Cole then we need to go after Strasburg, Wheeler, etc. Our infield has a ton of depth so enough of this Moustakas crap. We can’t keep falling back on upgrading offense. Clearly that hasn’t gotten us anywhere over the last 10 years.

We don’t need bullpen help

It’s this reason alone that makes me think he will have no choice but to use his 1st round pick in the 2020 draft for a pitcher. Let’s say we sign Cole and Wheeler in the offseason. We will forfeit our second and third round picks which could force Eppler to go high upside pitcher in round one.

They said it was around 420ft. That's quite an opposite field blast if that's true. Can't wait to see him in an Angels uni

Bring in the spot starter for another losing year. I’m sorry but I’m tired of these spot guys coming in. I’d like a solid rotation.

They will go have to a 6-man rotation in order for Ohtani’s schedule for him to workout better in terms of at bats and rest. If they sign Cole and Wheeler that pushes it to Cole/Ohtani/Wheeler/Heaney/Canning and Sandoval/Suarez filling in should someone (Heaney) get injured. To me, in order to make a deep playoff run they need another strong #2 arm. It would have to look something like Cole/Thor/Ohtani/Wheeler/Heaney/ Canning. Suarez or Sandoval will be used in the trade. I’m not saying get Thor (we don’t have the prospects for it without using Adell), but it has to be something like that. I never said Bumgarner was close to Cole. Wheeler, Bumgarner and Odorizzi fit as second tier options. But they are the top arms on the market which is why I added them in my piece.

I understand what Eppler is saying, I'm just over playing it. Obviously Eppler is going to keep his cool and not run around with his underwear on his head.

He can't downplay it this year. Every MLB writer and executive know the Angels are on the hot seat now that we have Trout locked up. It'd be stupid if Eppler is trying to downplay anything.

I don't like Eppler saying he has a "wide net" of players to look at. To me, It's only four pitchers to look at. Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Zack Wheeler and Madison Bumgarner (maybe Odorizzi). If you don't sign two of those names then to me Eppler needs to get the hell out. Cole is a must and Wheeler is must as well. Then, you acquire your third arm via trade come deadline time to make a push in the playoffs. Eppler and Arte have Trout, Ohtani, Maddon, Callaway and Adell to influence the free agents. That's more than enough plus adding Cole and Wheeler gets us into playoff talk, but it takes a guy like Thor to put us in the talks for sure. Get it done.

Sign Cole and Wheeler then trade for another #2 stater. Show time.