Duren, Duren

You can never have enough good pitching. Injuries will occur. Slumps are likely. But also possible better than expected surprises are possible. Ohtani as a starter is a luxury. A bonus if he is healthy and effective. But only a partial rotation guy. A quality veteran like Bauer adds depth and consistency. Bundy, Heaney and Canning should collectively be dependable enough to last the season in regular rotation. No elite ace, but good enough to keep games competitive. A solid number one or two addition would really be an upgrade. The bottom rotation will be whoever is hottest and a good matchup game by game.

Don't underestimate the value of a solid lefty reliever. Important even just for one hitter at a key point in a game. Odorizzi flies under the radar somewhat, but he has experience and a decent resume. Just because he isn't a flame thrower doesn't mean he can't be effective. For one-year at one million he's worth the addition. The career of a reliever is harder to evaluate just by stats because one bad inning here or there magnifies the negatives. Consistency is important and he has shown that.

2 Angels are probably being used for leverage. But in theory, I doubt we'll see a pitcher used in a four day rotation anymore. Maybe short term, but not season long. Funny though. It used to be the norm. And you see it in the playoffs. But with analytics and micro analysis of every pitch it seems that pitching philosophy prohibits deviation. And whatever happened to complete games? Have starters lost the capacity to go nine strong innings?

It's all politics and political correctness. Incremental but never ending. 'fundamental change.' Most of the activists don't give a damn about sports, but are supported by the vast majority of mainstream media. Owners are too cowardly to stand up to the media. Rarely do you see the supposed offended parties making a big issue over what were generally complimentary designations. And often if you do there is monetary or other benefits tied in.You don't name a team to denigrate the subject. A name is intended to represent something positive or inspiring. Tearing down staues, rewriting history, renaming long standing teams, institutions and so on. Partisan censorship everywhere. The brave new world.

Not player related, but interesting. I don't think Michaels should get this special recognition for baseball. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30484861/al-michaels-voted-frick-winner-baseball-hall-fame He hasn't really been a baseball broadcaster for decades. And even then most of it was for just a game a week. His regular day by day team broadcasting was about fifty years ago! And not very long either. He's a good, versatile, smart multisport announcer, but not a baseball specialist. I would give it to a number of other broadcasters who worked methodically away, every day, every game and become local favorites. There are some on that list who were former players who were celebrated as players but weren't as good in the booth. I remember Drysdale as a short term TV commentator for Expo TV games. He was ok, but not memorable. Sadly, he died in a Montreal hotel room. Duke Snider was much better. His partner, Dave Van Horne has been broadcasting continuously for over fifty years, first with the Expos, now the Marlins. I think Michaels gets the award because of his name recognition and still active national presence.

318 (12)

The Reds are probably still in shock about their humiliation against the Braves. When stuff like that happens a front office start panicking and doubting their plans. Leading to changes in their roster. Of course money is a factor too, but if they thought they were a serious contender they would have found a way to keep their proven and still effective closer. On the other side, I would guess Arte told Minasian that winning now is a priority. After a decade of two GMs who couldn't produce a consistent winner you would think patience is getting thin. At Arte's age he probably wants to celebrate big time success while he has his health and passion. I doubt we'll see trades for untested youth requiring years of development. Unless a lopsided opportunity presents itself.

If the Covid complications shorten the schedule next season then a bullpen ace becomes even more important. Each game will mean more in terms of playoff competition. Too many blown leads in 2020. Iglesias is a proven, solid veteran with still excellent velocity and three good pitches. Normally I don't like one year contracts for top tier players, but I understand the logic in these chaotic times. Go all in now, get a playoff spot and then consolidate the roster for 2022 and beyond. Miniasian looks like he has a vision and is methodically building the team that way. We have a new everyday shortstop who is above average defensively and has some offensive potential. Now a veteran closer still playing at a high level. Add a reliable starter, a decent enough hitting catcher and some more depth and the team will contend in 2021.

Here's a picture from their first spring training ever. Gene Autry leading the team on bicycles! Imagine Arte leading, followed by Trout, Pujols etc.

Defensive is much more important at short than anywhere else. Likely at least equL to Simmons of recent years and much cheaper. He's going to be in a contract year, and a solid year hitting will increase his value. Maybe even a longer term option for the Angels at probably far cheaper than the big names.

Too many unintended consequences to even contemplate regarding any alternative scenario. The most intriguing ever historically was the Joe DiMaggio - Ted Williams trade that was discussed but not made. Right handed DiMaggio in Fenway with the wall. Left handed Williams in the Bronx with the short right field porch. The only hypothetical way to even remotely test any 'what If' scenario is by computer simulation. Even then it would be very limited as the more variables enter the equation, the harder it is to form a viable equation. The Angels lineup was shaped expecting Pujols to fill a slot and put up a consistent range of numbers for multiple years. If he wasn't signed there would have been a number of alternative possibilities. Many already discussed in this thread. Each having a set of unintended consequences down the line. Possibly some better. Maybe some even worse. You never know what kind of trades may have been made by DiPoto.

Tons of work currently in the corporate law field in Vancouver. Lots of it international. The work load has actually increased even with about 80% of the office working from home mostly and only going in to the physical office a few times a month. The last couple of months of any year re always busy because of end of year restructuring and this year is no exception. At the start of Covid there were some firms that let go a percentage of staff or instituted a reduction in salary. Interesting too how video conferencing and interviews are taking place on line rather than in person. I know of some people fired in one place, hired elsewhere without leaving their houses. Firms are cutting down on things like Xmas parties and Xmas bonuses though. Commercial real estate ion the other hand s taking a big blow though. Especially in New York city. Time will tell if the world ever returns to the old normal. Even if Covid eventually is under control. A mixed bag of good and bad repercussions from this situation. I really wonder what the sports landscape will be like. A question to ponder as things unfold. Really tough right now for pretty much all non athletes and essential personnel employed in the industry.

Depth at a good price. Power potential off the bench, or occasional outfield/ platoon piece on the roster. You see how important depth is in the playoffs. A pinch hitter or platoon player can make a big difference. One of the things a new gm or coach does is try and acquire under the radar type players that they are familiar with. Low key fringe move, but a small roster tweak that can help.

You have asterisks in the record books. Why not the equivalent for the Hall of Fame? Maybe a second section/category that takes a full revisionist look at current members as well as those excluded for various infractions (legal, rules violations, undetected cheating etc.). Apply current analytics to all members/candidates and factor in era, ball park, popularity, reputation and so on. Then you have a relatively objective set of criteria for comparison and evaluation. The vast majority of current HOF members would remain. But some would be demoted to a second tier. You could then re-evaluate close contenders who fell slightly short and add them to the Hall as replacements if their numbers and reputation are better than fringe members. That way the HOF would be an ongoing process, not something settled forever. It would be more interesting for fans and bring a renewed interest to the past. Also, add an 'outsider' tier. For those whose notoriety cancelled their actual baseball careers. Joe Jackson, Pete Rose, the steroid abusers, and so on. Even demote those like Gaylord Perry, who bragged about his various methods of doctoring the ball. In this day and age fans are less naive and could differentiate between the categories. Cooperstown has many displays and memorabilia from players not actually in the HOF. Items from historic games, from one season accomplishments, artifacts from different eras and ball parks, etc. Why not a second tier of players and the reason for their exclusion? It would be educational as well as generate discussion and interest in the history of the game. And it would be fun too if every year they revoted on the members with the lowest votes and made the process more dynamic.

The Baines inclusion is a reminder of how lobbying and favoritism can sway voters. Also playing in major markets and being media friendly. In this day and age this happens less because of universal access to online, video and advanced metric resources. But it still happens. In fact it happened far more in the past. When you walk through Cooperstown and read the plaques, you wonder about a fair number of inclusions. Even from the dead ball era. "Tinker to Evers to Chance" was a popular poem that probably helped enshrine these ancient Cub infielders. I hate the inclusion standards being diluted but sometimes there are genuine factors that go beyond statistics. Reputation amongst peers for instance, and clutch performance under pressure. Not everything can be quantified, so there will always be legitimate arguments One of the most intriguing disputes was over Roger Maris, who got typecast as a one year wonder despite a very good all around career, including two MVP seasons and multiple championships. And a great reputation amongst his peers. Press hostility also had a negative effect on his reputation. If it took Larry Walker and Tim Raines so long to finally get in then it make a you think that Hunter probably will disappear from the ballot in a year or two. Very good, steady player, but tough standards to meet.

The Indians will wait (probably close to spring training) and try to get the best deal. Without a GM or knowing their philosophy it's hard to project what direction the Angels are going. If the new GM wants to make a signature splash right away he could deal for Lindor, possibly in some kind of package deal. Lindor obviously is a core player, and along with Trout and Rendon, brings elite performance and stability to the lineup. But one year would just be a tease. And a distraction. Everything depends on Arte's intentions, which will be immediately known by whoever the new GM is. If it's still about big names and win now then the Angel's could be interested. But I think there are more playoff type contenders who will be active.

History won't be kind to 2020 as a legit baseball season. It was what it was for obvious reasons, and provided a limited facsimile of a regular season. The Dodgers were the best team, and probably would have been in the series anyway, but the path was a short cut. 162 games factors in so much more in terms of endurance, consistency, health, depth and so on. The post season was a decent add on and stands apart, but it came after a severely compromised 60 game restricted schedule. The awards are even more compromised than the team performances. Being rewarded for much less than half a season and limited performance opportunities cheapens the awards. I guess they want continuity, but it is stretching credibility. Trout played below his career standards to some degree, but might have rebounded with more time. Not being a top MVP candidate this year isn't a red flag for thinking he is declining, but just that his fifty something games weren't enough to even come to a realistic conclusion.

Pederson is an enigma. I wonder where he goes next. Probably somewhere with legit playoff potential so that he can compensate for a poor regular season with playoff success. He sure is increasing his market value. On the 2020 Angels he would have been irrelevant. You gotta give credit to the Dodger's two out clutch hitting. Top to bottom of their batting order they've come through. Pitching still is about control. Rays just got behind too often in the count and gave up walks or hits. Velocity and movement are meaningless unless they set up outs. Hoping for a game seven to see drama and heroics.

Interesting. Either Tampa or L.A. Will have won two championships within about a month. Hockey and basketball respectively. Plus baseball. I guess the winning team will have their media babbling about the 'city of champions.' It's happened a number of times (factoring in football) when a city has been champion of different sports at the same time. Angels and Ducks were out of sync by about five years but contended most of the early 2000s. Defense and base running. Not part of the obvious and easy to quantify stats focus. But often the subtle difference between very good and excellent. It brings in attention to detail, precise positioning, poise and high baseball iq. I have grudging respect for the Dodger method of team construction and perseverance despite recent years of heartbreaking playoff failures. No panic, methodical roster tweaking and player evaluation. But they still haven't won the big prize. If they lose it will hurt more, and might lead to over reaction. I usually want the underdog to win if I have no other interest in either team. Tampa really is very good, and not much of underdog. Should be an intriguing series. The pressure is on the Dodgers much more than Tampa.

Simmons was a diminishing asset. The new wave of star shortstops are more athletic and versatile. In his prime he was a top tier player for his position and can still be good. If he was still under contract he would be the starter. But to pay him nearly $20 million now? Maybe a true contender would gamble if they thought he was an upgrade. Fletcher isn't as flashy or with the same range, but is solid enough defensively and a much better offensive player. I was also getting tired of seeing Simmons on his knees after over swinging on pitches.

Speaking of ancient Angel firstbasemen... Don't forget "big Klew." Quintessential classic power hitting firstbaseman.Ted Kluszewski. 15 Homer's in 290 plate appearances during the first Angel expansion season. Even though his prime was before my time I collected vintage cards, and I loved his baseball cards with his sleeves cut off. Even in this Angel picture in his final year. He had some great years with the Reds in the fifties. A lifetime .298 average, 279 career homers over three decades. Not too shabby!

I remember him vaguely as a kid. He destroyed the magic of the 1967 Red Sox 'impossible dream' in the World Series. A workhorse who was nasty and intimidating. In 1968 he had arguably one of the best season's in pitching history. I have an action figure of him that culture's his in game look. Part of my historical display of pop culture and sports. One small sample is shown below. Gibson is on the upper row, between Mays. Weaver ( also recently deceased) and Clemente.

Dombrowski is 64. In the same bracket as Maddon. LaRussa and Arte are older. A lot of positive things about experience, but I think we need a younger infusion of baseball minds. Someone perhaps flying under the radar with winning organizations. Not retreads or crony associates. Wait till the series is over and interview the best candidates within the best organizations.

Good that it's a thorough, patient search. A quick knee jerk reaction for Dombrowski isn't due diligence. He may still get the job, but let it be competitive Arte may have been right about one thing this year. Stripling/Pederson have been mediocre. Rengifo still has promise, and a draft pick saved is a plus.

I voted a dispassionate yes. Mainly because of the failure to put together a competent pitching staff. The Harvey/Cahill hail Mary symbolizes his approach to pitching. His other work with the farm system was good but not great. Trades and signings of non pitchers also good but not great. He just didn't do enough to really turn the franchise into either a contender or up and coming youth movement. Lack of firm direction and vision, more ad hoc, stop gap approach. Signing Trout however was a big plus, as well as finessing the Ohtani deal. But really, five years is a fair enough body of work. Progress was not being made. Arte wants tangible results soon, and thinks there are people more qualified to do that.