angelsnationtalk

Angels rank just slightly above league average in terms of OBP. (.324). Still could use a bat.

Love the piece, @Angelsjunky Looking at some MLB team stats the Angels actually rank league average or worse in virtually every category. Angels fell below league average in categories such as BA (.247), RC (794), BAbip (.281 ranked 29th), OPS (.746), SB (65) and much much more. Of course, this isn't ignoring our atrocious pitching either. One thing that stood out to me is we are dead last in quality starts (22) and last in IP/GS (4.2). Ausmus and Eppler were either terrified of facing the lineup a third time around, pitchers were flat our horrible or there was a little bit of both going on. This brings me to Gerrit Cole who averaged 6.4 IP/GS and had 26 quality starts of his 33 games pitched. That's QS percentage of 79% Zack Wheeler started a total of 31 games and averaged 6.3 IS/GS. He also had 18 QS which is 58% of his total starts. These two guys are meant to go deep into games which is something the Angels desperately need in order to save their bullpen for the playoffs.

Why are you using the lineup without Trout and LaStella?

Wayyyyyyyyyyyy to big of a trade for Buster. There’s no way.

Based on how some of these playoff teams are acting it seems like we only need a big 3. Cole, Wheeler, Ohtani? Cole, Strasburg, OhtanI? Cole, Wheeler, Thor, Ohtani? i think the Angels need 3 new and solid pitchers to make it happen.

Yes I understand but I’m just saying they didn’t hire him just to let him go. You they factors played in.

If he was looked at as an interim manager then he wouldn’t have gotten a 3 year deal.

It’s not that either... it was a mutual decision between Eppler and Arte with Arte at the end pushing that now is the time to make that kind of move. Arte played it smart by only picking up Eppler’s option. This allows Eppler to push a little more to earn an extension and for Arte to not have a huge risk if Eppler does the same stuff again. It’s a win-win for both sides.

Is he really?

Adds roughly $125M to payroll for totals of $264M payroll and $251M AAV. f**k the Yankees and Dodgers. Gotta build a winner around Trout right?

Wish list adds $103M to the payroll assuming we trade no one with significant salary. Would put us around $241M of actual payroll and like $229M in AAV. but I'd be so down If it was my money hahahaa

Wishlist #1: Hire Joe Maddon, sign Gerrit Cole, sign Zack Wheeler, trade for one of Thor/Boyd/Desclafani/Ray/Caleb Smith. Trade Simmons to keep us under budget. Wishlist #2: Hire Joe Maddon, sign Gerrit Cole, Sign Stephen Strasburg. Realistic Eppler knowing he needs a home run to impress Arte: Hire Maddon, sign Gerrit Cole, Sign one of Odorizzi/Wheeler/Bumgarner, sign Yasmani Grandal, maybe trade for another starter. Realistic Eppler: Hire Maddon, sign Gerrit Cole, then likely low end pitchers that crap out, get a waiver guy ike Goodwin. yay losing. Wishlist #1 keeps us around $180M in actual payroll and the AAV at $174M. Very possible In terms of Arte being able to afford it.

Chuck, both of those lists are wishlists

I see where you're trying to having it work and I'd love to get rid of Cozart as well but he has zero value and there's not even a guarantee that he comes back to being healthy. Plus we have to assume that the Giants would take on Calhoun's $14M option before we pick it up. I know it's a salary swap but is it worth losing a Rengifo or Thaiss for 1 year for Samardzija? Giving away Ward would be worth it but I wouldn't give anyone else.

Wouldn't it be cool to be at Angel Stadium today and watch all the candidates walk in? Assuming the interviews are happening at the offices there.

I understand. Ward is more like a throw in.

I’d go bold. Simmons, Marsh, Yan, Jackson for Thor or Marsh, Suarez, Jackson, Yan, Ward for Thor. only legit prospect you lose is Marsh. Suarez is replaceable with Thor and if you sign Cole and Wheeler. Yan would become a bullpen arm by the time he’s MLB ready and Ward is off the depth chart. Adding Simmons in would be a good incentive plus a salary dump for the Angels to afford 3 pitchers.

If Strasburg opts out and the Angels whiff in Cole then they'd turn focus on Strasburg. Many other things can happen before we see Adell being dangled as bait.

I think the Angels would have to overpay. This is something @totdprods and I have discussed before. Package of Marsh, Suarez, Thaiss, Yan and a lower end guy MIGHT work. They'd have to overpay and I doubt they can do it without giving up Marsh. Adell isn't going anywhere. But I definitely like the idea.

This is a joke right?

Hopefully Adams or Jackson or someone else other than Marsh and Adell can have a strong start to the year to gain some value.

This would be amazing if it happened. Literally. Shedding Simmons’ salary would be a big relief in terms of payroll for sure.

Definitely would go from the worst rotation to easily top 3 in MLB. hope you’re reading this, Arte and Eppler

Honestly I think it could possibly change if it’s at the 2020 deadline. Angels could use different package by then.

@Stradling imagine that managed by Joe Maddon. Woooooo boy that’d be fun. Angels might still consider trading Simmons halfway through to clear some $. Either way I don’t see him getting an extension. rotation 2020: Cole, Strasburg, Ohtani, Heaney, Canning, filler. Then they trade Simmons