Duren, Duren

How about some respect, leadership and extra effort for the owner and organization that signed you to a contract that will make future descendents enormously wealthy? Rather than grumbling and deflecting away from those responsibilities. Everyone on earth prioritizes their families above their jobs. But how many pro athletes actually have to repeatedly demean their job? It's not likely they are mutually exclusive. I think that signing that bloated contract was seen by him as reaching the end of his objectives. He had already won a World Series with personal honors. No higher plateau to aim for. 'Been there, done that.' Actually having to fulfill expectations for all that money then felt like a burden. Maybe not immediately but incrementally. Especially with the string of injuries. And maybe with disillusionment about other players and team dynamics. He has this season however to change some of the narrative. Without Ohtani, presumably healthy, a new manager and lowered expectations there's a chance for him to actually excel at his job.

I wouldn't be surprised if Perry and the scouts carefully check out players who are cut from other teams for various reasons. You never know who doesn't fit a specific team but still might be useful. Often a cheap way to add a piece here or there.

The seventies when the Expos expansion team got going. I was able to go to games easily and listened or watched most games on radio/tv. Jarry Park was fun and intimate. It was cool seeing players I knew from baseball cards in person. I pretty much ignored baseball after the steroid revelations and the move of the Expos. And got more involved again when I focused on the Angels about fifteen years ago. I did like them casually before then but didn't have access to broadcasts of the their games in earlier decades.

So many things in life are about perception. Which may or may not correspond to actual facts in some way or other. And perception of public figures is shaped by the media. Again, spin can shape perception. So regardless of guilt, innocence or some middle ground the perception about Bauer seems already to have become a narrative that MLB (league and teams) doesn't want to deal with in an ongoing way. Bauer obviously doesn't follow the expected script of an abject apology and immediate entry into therapy. In that sense he makes it awkward for any team to place faith in him and subject themselves to unrelenting scrutiny and judgment. Arte is no Al Davis. It would be a public relations nightmare going in one off-season from the exemplary unicorn to a player with so much negative baggage.

An alternative or supplement to good drafting. Pick up intriguing players from other teams who haven't fulfilled their potential. The gamble is will they ever. Or not. Funny how Perry seems to have implemented a strategy for adding these type of relievers in quantity. Hoping at least one blossoms with the change of organizations and coaches. Speaking of coaches ... This is another challenge for the new pitching experts. Seems these moves are somewhat predicated on coaching refining technique with these guys.

Fans focus on his dealings with the team. Take age, health, family, and other private things we know nothing about into consideration. And his past failures of being pro active. It's not surprising that he hasn't tried to move the needle with the Angels. Some thought that the Ohtani loss (especially to the Dodgers) would create a reflex response. A big move to compensate and change the narrative. Obviously that hasn't happened. I expect a rather modest, low key season ahead with Arte not in the spotlight. Just Perry working incrementally to put together a respectable season. And a partial rebuild.

Other priorities in the real world? Health? Family issues? Complex financial entanglements? Maybe burnt out with baseball? Baseball is just one slice of these owners bigger pie. They aren't the baseball professionals. Owning a team is not necessarily an all consuming passion. Especially at an advanced age. It is a status symbol and income generating component of their portfolio. Because Arte was a pro active presence in the past doesn't mean he always will be.

Good advice. We've taken a steady course that fits our lifestyle and built up a modest nest egg. Wife still has a year or two of work remaining. But since Covid she's been able to work from home (legal profession). Saves a lot of wear and tear in terms of commuting. We've been in the same house for 18 years. Bought it new. 3200 square feet. The basement was unfinished, but I designed a home theater room, sports collectibles/home gym room and TV/music room. Years of saving went into the process. A few upgrades (new roof, flooring, appliances) but spread over time. I'm not sure exactly, but it's at least tripled in value. No plans to downsize (lived in much smaller places in the past) but knowing the equity is there if necessary is nice We have friends who spend double digit thousands a year on vacations, restaurants etc. But have had to take on debt to maintain their lifestyle. Their choice, but having major debt is not my approach. We still have our yearly trip to the OC and a few other smaller getaways. I did a lot of traveling in the past so don't feel the need anymore. And with pets we don't really want to be away for long stretches of time. Anyways, each to his or own.

Inflation is a big factor to consider in long term planning. I've been retired for a couple of years and we hopefully should be able to maintain our (moderately disciplined) lifestyle as long as possible. Luckily, house, car, etc. paid for but everyday prices and taxes keep rising. I find that I'm able to work more effectively on creative projects and hobbies with the extra time. I also do a lot more fitness routines. With a home gym I can go downstairs at any time and work out whenever I want to. In the distant past most pro athletes had to take everyday jobs after retiring. If they saved money some opened restaurants, bars, or stores of various types. Others traded on their reputations to get jobs. A small percentage were educated enough to get professional jobs. Today's pro athletes have it far better. Even an average journeyman career can bring in enough money to retire or invest in to generate solid income. Financial planners are easily accessible as well.

The Astros are usually pretty shrewd. They have the patience to see if they can work with Cabbage to correct his flaws. A long shot for them but with potential upside. Angels seem to have helped the bullpen if Espinoza can be consistent with his control and maintain his heat. The new pitching coach has more work to do. But another low key tweak by Perry.

Seattle is overpaying. Getting a good player but not a difference maker. But obviously they think they can contend. I think they overestimate their roster. Down the road I doubt they win this deal. But the future is now for them it seems.

Generic depth outfield veteran. He can be a respectable platoon or part time player. Maybe more if he gets on a hot streak. Low risk addition. He will be motivated to kick start his career. Ideally Adell and Ward keep him on the bench.

He'll end up with the Blue Jays. Anything to do with Toronto gets exponentially magnified by the Toronto media. And the sentimental attraction will probably influence Votto to sign at a discount price. Either the Jays or Angels are a new league for him. And his experience won't overcome the decline from age and injuries. But still, an intriguing idea if available cheaply for a season. DH and pinch hitter situationally and back up first baseman.

Perry is quietly improving the team. Obviously nothing major or with big names via free agency or trade. But he is adding useful pieces. The loss of Ohtani can't be made up for with these new signings. But there is still time to add a few more solid pieces that give the team depth and versatility. And improved health from Trout and Rendon (and multiple others) ideally should compensate to some degree. If Joyce progresses and joins the revamped bullpen we will have a huge improvement over last season. But the priority should now be starting pitching and another power hitter.

Bottom line is that he makes the team better if he maintains his recent form. Should be interesting to see how the new manager and pitching coach use the bullpen. And how the players respond. Pitching is such a delicate process and even little tweaks and adjustments can make a big difference. I'm curious to see how Estevez responds. If he can revert back to his first half form he and Stephenson can be a formidable high end pair in the late innings.

Spring training is creeping up. The Angels play the Dodgers Feb 24th. Less than six weeks away. That should be fun! Seriously, a great deal yet has to be done with the roster. And that comes from a firm philosophy and financial plan. Right now it's been a less than inspiring off season. And lots of uncertainties and contingencies. In theory the Angels should be a major market, but with Arte they remain a mid tier organization. And the gap keeps widening. By default more moves have to be made in the next month. We shall see what happens. Fans need a dose of optimism after losing Ohtani. Nothing will come close to compensating but some upgrades are still possible.

Fan morale has to be at a pretty low level currently. Optics are important in generating income on multiple levels. And the off season has been as disappointing as could be so far. Knowing for a long time that they were going to lose Ohtani management should have had a plan B in the works. Targeting upcoming free agents and trade options, and been aggressively pro active. Instead they have barely done anything even remotely considered as upgrading. And they haven't even stocked the prospect pool significantly. 2024 will be hard to sell optimistically. Hopefully the young players keep progressing and the key veterans stay healthy and useful.

Good luck with the logistics and to all who attend. I don't think the dates work for me. It can be be a blast getting together. People in person can be quite different than their online personas. Or not! I got together in the late nineties with a 49er fan group in the early days of the Internet. We went to a few days of training camp in Rocklin. One of the groups lived in Sacramento and made all the arrangements re hotels, restaurants etc. Really cool watching Steve Young, Jerry Rice, etc. up close. Also had a chance to talk to some of the players and get autographs and take pictures.

Keep up the good work! Nice to see continuity and cutting edge commitment.

You do need pretty strict standards or the definition of all time great gets diluted. Even though there are some now in the HOF who are at the fringes or got in because of media friendliness and/or other reasons. And the market where players spend most of their career matters in terms of familiarity and recognition. Vlad spent a lot of great years in Montreal as the franchise was being dismantled. Undoubtedly the worst place at the worst time. Going to the Angels seriously brought him more attention though his output was consistent with both teams. As well, metrics have been enormously expanded over the years. So easy to spin different narratives based on selected categories. But overall, I think the selections are still pretty solid. And the waiting period does give time for reconsideration and deeper comparisons. Not sure about Abreu. He's right at the margins. Popularity and campaigning may make a difference.

In the 80s and 90s sports talk radio that allowed call ins was the main outlet for venting and debating. If one had the patience to wait and deal with the quirks of the host. The Internet has been a great alternative. And allows both real time and personally convenient time options. Sometimes I'll check various sports teams I follow early in the morning. Sometimes late at night. And on game days, more in real time. I like to learn and expand my knowledge from seeing the input of others. I've gained a ton of knowledge here about Angel history. I started to seriously follow them when the Expos disappeared, though I was sympathetic to them from their earlier years because of certain players and seasons where they played exciting ball. But my focus was the National League mainly. I empathize with the life long fans here. I'm one in other sports for a couple of teams. Now I think of myself as a loyalist. I've gone to games most years since the early 2010s and have a sense of familiarity about the stadium. I also pay for MLB Extra Innings and watch probably about the 60% or so of Angel games they broadcast. Baseball is unique as an almost everyday game day. Without this site I would be so much out of sync with on and off the field developments.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. Pretty low key and relaxing up here in B.C. Hopefully the rain storm (' atmospheric river') expected tonight doesn't hit when we drive to and from a family dinner a half hour away. Hopefully the new year brings more positivity for the franchise.

I think it will be a much needed lesson for baseball if he fails spectacularly. The imbalance between teams is becoming extreme because of money. The Dodgers have been respected for smart management. Trades and their farm system have been the backbone of their success. But being greedy and going into unprecedented free agent spending on Ohtani deserves karmic payback. It also contradicts what their philosophy stood for. I appreciated what Ohtani did on the field as a player. But never felt comfortable about the preferential treatment he got. He was a silent prima Donna. It was always about him and his well strategized career goals first. The team was just the supporting cast. When it came out how he mapped out the different stages and goals he wanted to achieve as he got older there was nothing about 'team' in there. Any team. Just personal career and life objectives. And it will be intriguing watching how the Dodger organization and players adapt with him now. It will be a big change in team chemistry. Realistically I think he'll continue to put up big numbers as a slugger. But it's a different league now, with less familiarity. His two way play is really what his identity is about. But by the time he pitches, he will have been with the Dodgers for a year, and who knows what will happen before he throws his first pitch in 2025. The novelty of him as a Dodger will be over. And anything less than a championship will be a disappointment. That's the reason they got him. Other than off field income generation. I think it would be more fun watching him fail (as a ball player) and have to deal with different media and people he never had to before. I also would like the history books to show that his best years were with the Angels.

Not sure big money free agency is the path to take right now. I think the young starters all have more upside. Especially Silseth, if he can stay healthy. Some growing pains are unavoidable but 2024 has to be about establishing stability and growth. The era of big name/contracts needs to be put in pause. Trades though may add to the youth movement. Here's a pretty comprehensive set of rumors and speculation. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/several-angels-players-reportedly-drawing-trade-interest.html

I guess basking with the bastardized Covid 'World Series' title hasn't diminished the aggression of the Dodgers front office. Since then they've been even more obsessed with putting together the best team money can buy. As astute as their baseball people allegedly are they seem to miss that clutch intangible in the playoffs. Seems it can't be bought. Maybe the hunger isn't there after coasting through regular seasons. 2024 will be really interesting. The Steinbrenner Yankees were hated by non Yankee fans for how they exploited the system. But at least it paid off for them. Dodgers will still be facing post season pressure no matter what they do in the regular season.