Duren, Duren

My contribution to the quest for a hundred pages! 
Just a quick look at my 'L.A. Jersey wall.' Always been A fan of these teams even though not living there. I have family there though and visit every year. 
USC running back Heisman winners, 80s Showtime Lakers, Trout.
Also stuff from other teams I follow or used to. I try to get authentic seats from stadiums and signed jerseys. Only a Yankee fan as a small kid, when Mantle was in his last year, but worth memorializing. 
Forty Niners, Montreal Canadiens, Expos.
Also a signed picture of Mays, Mantle, Snider from the golden age of New York baseball. 

It's bad karma dealing with a same city rival. Too much emotion and baggage that can endure a long time. This botched deal just intensifies the rivalry, and actually brings the front office personnel into the forefront.
And all the angst seems to be one hundred percent from Angel fans. I haven't found any Dodger regret at not snaring Rengilfo and whoever.
It was not necessarily a move the Dodgers needed the way it was structured. At the time it was a logistical convenience more than a lineup upgrade for them.
And think about it for the Angels.
It would have solidified their 2020 lineup. But not to a major degree.
Stripling is an average pitcher on an excellent team. Not the kind of pitcher unavailable elsewhere in a lower profile trade. The current pitching rotation has been upgraded from last year, and He would have blended in with them, not suddenly emerging as an ace. I think it reasonable to think that internal competition and possibly another acquisition could deliver what he would have. 
Right field isn't a position of weakness. Goodwin, Adell, LaStella should make a productive mix. Pederson likely was a one season rental and strictly a platoon player. Not that he couldn't help for one year, but other options will appear if the position become a a problem. 
The deal looked good because it was perceived as a steal. Gain more than giving up. It would have been great to outfox the Dodgers, but they obviously are always thinking outside all the boxes. 

It's bad karma dealing with a same city rival. Too much emotion and baggage that can endure a long time. This botched deal just intensifies the rivalry, and actually brings the front office personnel into the forefront.
And all the angst seems to be one hundred percent from Angel fans. I haven't found any Dodger regret at not snaring Rengilfo and whoever.
It was not necessarily a move the Dodgers needed the way it was structured. At the time it was a logistical convenience more than a lineup upgrade for them.
And think about it for the Angels.
It would have solidified their 2020 lineup. But not to a major degree.
Stripling is an average pitcher on an excellent team. Not the kind of pitcher unavailable elsewhere in a lower profile trade. The current pitching rotation has been upgraded from last year, and He would have blended in with them, not suddenly emerging as an ace. I think it reasonable to think that internal competition and possibly another acquisition could deliver what he would have. 
Right field isn't a position of weakness. Goodwin, Adell, LaStella should make a productive mix. Pederson likely was a one season rental and strictly a platoon player. Not that he couldn't help for one year, but other options will appear if the position become a a problem. 
The deal looked good because it was perceived as a steal. Gain more than giving up. It would have been great to outfox the Dodgers, but they obviously are always thinking outside all the boxes. 

It's bad karma dealing with a same city rival. Too much emotion and baggage that can endure a long time. This botched deal just intensifies the rivalry, and actually brings the front office personnel into the forefront.
And all the angst seems to be one hundred percent from Angel fans. I haven't found any Dodger regret at not snaring Rengilfo and whoever.
It was not necessarily a move the Dodgers needed the way it was structured. At the time it was a logistical convenience more than a lineup upgrade for them.
And think about it for the Angels.
It would have solidified their 2020 lineup. But not to a major degree.
Stripling is an average pitcher on an excellent team. Not the kind of pitcher unavailable elsewhere in a lower profile trade. The current pitching rotation has been upgraded from last year, and He would have blended in with them, not suddenly emerging as an ace. I think it reasonable to think that internal competition and possibly another acquisition could deliver what he would have. 
Right field isn't a position of weakness. Goodwin, Adell, LaStella should make a productive mix. Pederson likely was a one season rental and strictly a platoon player. Not that he couldn't help for one year, but other options will appear if the position become a a problem. 
The deal looked good because it was perceived as a steal. Gain more than giving up. It would have been great to outfox the Dodgers, but they obviously are always thinking outside all the boxes. 

If the trade doesn't go through will the Angels  just reinstate Rengilfo at second and act like nothing happened?
Try to trade him elsewhere?
Or do they still pursue Pederson and/or Stripling through other offers? Maybe the same combo, maybe something completely different.
I really think it will fall apart between the Angels and Dodgers because Betts was they key for them. Without him the Dodger outfield reverts to something like last year. And Pederson lost in arbitration and won't get a big raise. 
Maybe they move him at the deadline, but by then he wouldn't factor into the Angels plans. 
 
 
 

If any of the players the Angels send to the Dodgers (still a hypothetical trade) develop and progress above expectations you'll have to feel good for them. Player development is a Dodger strength. If they can turn lesser prospects into decent major leaguers it will illustrate how important that phase of the sport is.
Nothing wrong with seeing trades that work for both teams. Of course it's easy to be magnanimous if your team also prospers in the deal. 
But trades that work for each team are often interpreted differently according to team needs. The Angels need immediate major league improvement. The Dodgers can think longer term and take more risks. If the trade goes through as it stands the Angels should benefit first, but the Dodgers can be patient.

If any of the players the Angels send to the Dodgers (still a hypothetical trade) develop and progress above expectations you'll have to feel good for them. Player development is a Dodger strength. If they can turn lesser prospects into decent major leaguers it will illustrate how important that phase of the sport is.
Nothing wrong with seeing trades that work for both teams. Of course it's easy to be magnanimous if your team also prospers in the deal. 
But trades that work for each team are often interpreted differently according to team needs. The Angels need immediate major league improvement. The Dodgers can think longer term and take more risks. If the trade goes through as it stands the Angels should benefit first, but the Dodgers can be patient.

If any of the players the Angels send to the Dodgers (still a hypothetical trade) develop and progress above expectations you'll have to feel good for them. Player development is a Dodger strength. If they can turn lesser prospects into decent major leaguers it will illustrate how important that phase of the sport is.
Nothing wrong with seeing trades that work for both teams. Of course it's easy to be magnanimous if your team also prospers in the deal. 
But trades that work for each team are often interpreted differently according to team needs. The Angels need immediate major league improvement. The Dodgers can think longer term and take more risks. If the trade goes through as it stands the Angels should benefit first, but the Dodgers can be patient.

I think there is too much momentum for all the teams in this trade for it to just fall apart. By the time the deals are agreed on, a lot of intensive work went on within each organization. Scouts, coaches, analytic experts, finance people and the GM and his inner circle. Possibly ownership reps as well. 
When the minutiae of all the moving parts were finally agreed to it must have felt like closure for all four teams.A big relief to get it done.
 Decisions were made, comfort levels with the exchanges was reached. Plans for integrating the new additions during spring training were under way. 
Doubtful any of them want to go back to the drawing board.
But if one of the original dominos falls, we could see some repercussions. One loose thread could lead to the unraveling of the nice, neat  package. 
Still, I think all the GMs will want to keep the key players in place. It's easier to tinker with prospects than established veterans.  
I still wonder why Renfigo seems to be the key return from the Angels. Not a position of need for the Dodgers. Not an elite prospect. Some tantalizing potential if everything works out perfectly for him.
You would have to think that Friedman would try to squeeze out a hidden gem from deeper in the Angels system. Not even the obvious top guys, but someone who their scouts are willing to gamble on. The Dodgers always pride themselves on scouting and development. I bet they would love to poach someone under The radar. 
If everything does fall apart there probably will be some deals just between two teams. Dodgers and Angels may put together something else with fewer players.
 

I think there is too much momentum for all the teams in this trade for it to just fall apart. By the time the deals are agreed on, a lot of intensive work went on within each organization. Scouts, coaches, analytic experts, finance people and the GM and his inner circle. Possibly ownership reps as well. 
When the minutiae of all the moving parts were finally agreed to it must have felt like closure for all four teams.A big relief to get it done.
 Decisions were made, comfort levels with the exchanges was reached. Plans for integrating the new additions during spring training were under way. 
Doubtful any of them want to go back to the drawing board.
But if one of the original dominos falls, we could see some repercussions. One loose thread could lead to the unraveling of the nice, neat  package. 
Still, I think all the GMs will want to keep the key players in place. It's easier to tinker with prospects than established veterans.  
I still wonder why Renfigo seems to be the key return from the Angels. Not a position of need for the Dodgers. Not an elite prospect. Some tantalizing potential if everything works out perfectly for him.
You would have to think that Friedman would try to squeeze out a hidden gem from deeper in the Angels system. Not even the obvious top guys, but someone who their scouts are willing to gamble on. The Dodgers always pride themselves on scouting and development. I bet they would love to poach someone under The radar. 
If everything does fall apart there probably will be some deals just between two teams. Dodgers and Angels may put together something else with fewer players.
 

The pressure is on the teams to move those players somewhere. Once the names became public it will be awkward putting the toothpaste back in the tube. 
Fans have already adjusted to seeing their guys gone. Happy or not.  Having them reappear like nothing happened is deceptive. The teams made the decision they didn't want them and were pursuing different paths. 
And if the players stay with their original teams they will be analyzed and judged very differently. Questions will be asked about their loyalty and commitment. 

I think there is too much momentum for all the teams in this trade for it to just fall apart. By the time the deals are agreed on, a lot of intensive work went on within each organization. Scouts, coaches, analytic experts, finance people and the GM and his inner circle. Possibly ownership reps as well. 
When the minutiae of all the moving parts were finally agreed to it must have felt like closure for all four teams.A big relief to get it done.
 Decisions were made, comfort levels with the exchanges was reached. Plans for integrating the new additions during spring training were under way. 
Doubtful any of them want to go back to the drawing board.
But if one of the original dominos falls, we could see some repercussions. One loose thread could lead to the unraveling of the nice, neat  package. 
Still, I think all the GMs will want to keep the key players in place. It's easier to tinker with prospects than established veterans.  
I still wonder why Renfigo seems to be the key return from the Angels. Not a position of need for the Dodgers. Not an elite prospect. Some tantalizing potential if everything works out perfectly for him.
You would have to think that Friedman would try to squeeze out a hidden gem from deeper in the Angels system. Not even the obvious top guys, but someone who their scouts are willing to gamble on. The Dodgers always pride themselves on scouting and development. I bet they would love to poach someone under The radar. 
If everything does fall apart there probably will be some deals just between two teams. Dodgers and Angels may put together something else with fewer players.
 

This is a crazy little soap opera. An interlude before the final pieces of the deal are locked in. Adds some suspense and drama that could have long term major influence on the futures of four teams. Suspended animation for fans of each, afraid to pencil in the new names, thinking of all possible alternative options.
Imagine what's going on behind the scenes with all the teams. Front offices working around the clock, checking and rechecking with coaches and scouts, thinking inside and outside their respective boxes.
It would be great if cameras were in the rooms, watching the wheeling and dealing. 
As it stands, the original deal is a win for the Angel's. Starting outfielder and pitcher with a legitimate prospect. At a reasonable cost. I would hope it stands without any revisions or substitutions.  

This is a crazy little soap opera. An interlude before the final pieces of the deal are locked in. Adds some suspense and drama that could have long term major influence on the futures of four teams. Suspended animation for fans of each, afraid to pencil in the new names, thinking of all possible alternative options.
Imagine what's going on behind the scenes with all the teams. Front offices working around the clock, checking and rechecking with coaches and scouts, thinking inside and outside their respective boxes.
It would be great if cameras were in the rooms, watching the wheeling and dealing. 
As it stands, the original deal is a win for the Angel's. Starting outfielder and pitcher with a legitimate prospect. At a reasonable cost. I would hope it stands without any revisions or substitutions.  

I love multi player trades. You hardly ever see them in any sports these days. 
That said, I just want to focus Pederson till everything else falls in place.
Years money and term? That's for the future. At least till the trade deadline. More will be known by then.
But purely based on the start of the season, this is a great addition. A high energy, enthusiastic, good locker room guy. Should bond well with Trout. Tremendous power. Especially when he pulls the ball. Remember the home run derby? 
A solid outfielder with some first base experience. Not a great experiment last year, but with work and experience he may be adequate for short term spot starts at first. Really a good right fielder who isn't afraid to bang into walls if necessary. If anything happens to Trout he is an experienced, decent center fielder. Hope this never has to happen.
He is a young emerging veteran entering his prime. He has been improving. Making better contact. Obviously better against righties but raw power to all fields.
Great to see the Angels being aggressive and loading up on hitting. That's how they will have to win.
If you can acquire a proven major league talent at a good price you have to do it. Rengifo is not as much an asset as Pederson is and allows Fletcher to specialize in one position. He will get in sync quickly with Simmons and do a good job.
The longer term ramifications get so complicated these days. Lots of big name stars in their prime seem to move around more than ever. But longer term, Pederson is younger than Upton, and even his first long term contract will be cheaper than what Upton costs. 
The Dodgers made another big deal with the Reds last year that was largely based on contractual/financial considerations. The big name outfielder Puig was one and done. Maybe Pederson will end up the same way. 
Regardless, Maddon has a nice tool box to draw from and mix and match a potentially devastating lineup every day. Pitching is already somewhat improved with more time for other changes. 
Adell will find his role in due course. Quite a risk to pencil him in as a starter before having any experience at all. No rush now, but let him get used to the major leagues with less pressure.
Now that football is over the smell of spring training is around the corner. Should be fun to get this team assembled and into action.

Short term gain, long term pain.
Unless... This would be part of a different philosophy two years from now. Pujols will be off the books. Simmons may or may not be signed. If not, it would mean finding a younger cost effective shortstop from somewhere. Upton eats up a ton of money. If he could somehow be moved (even if the Angels have to eat a portion).
Without Pujols, Simmons, Upton in two years the budget resets differently. Dealing with shortstop will be the biggest issue, but with a deeper hitting line up you would just need a good defensive shortstop. And if La Stella and Goodwin play up to recent standards they can be shuffled around as needed.
Losing a key young prospect may or may not be tough, depending on how major league progress takes but you have to take risks. 
Pitching still is the big problem, but opportunities will still come along. Like acquiring Rendon, there is immediate value in loading a lineup with proven stars.

This is long before the lifetimes of everyone now, but a huge icon of the hockey world in it's early days also died tragically. Injured during a game Morenz died from complications a few weeks later. His funeral was held in the Montreal Forum, his home arena. Still an active player, the legends grew around him that he lost the will to live, realizing he would never play again.
https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/death-of-howie-morenz

This is long before the lifetimes of everyone now, but a huge icon of the hockey world in it's early days also died tragically. Injured during a game Morenz died from complications a few weeks later. His funeral was held in the Montreal Forum, his home arena. Still an active player, the legends grew around him that he lost the will to live, realizing he would never play again.
https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/death-of-howie-morenz

This is long before the lifetimes of everyone now, but a huge icon of the hockey world in it's early days also died tragically. Injured during a game Morenz died from complications a few weeks later. His funeral was held in the Montreal Forum, his home arena. Still an active player, the legends grew around him that he lost the will to live, realizing he would never play again.
https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/death-of-howie-morenz

Like them, hate them or neutral, the Dodgers have had a tradition of leaving no stone unturned looking for prospects. Started with Branch Rickey in the forties, and has remained a big part of their philosophy.
In the forties and fifties they had two elite AAA farm teams in Minnesota and Montreal providing a steady stream of talent to Brooklyn. Many of those players scooped up by Rickey where other teams didn't look.Then you had Bavasi and the O'Malley's replenishing their rosters through the sixties. And in the seventies most of their championship teams were graduates of their scouting and development programs . Their famous infield of Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey were all home grown and came through their system together I seem to recall.
In 1981 Fernando entered the scene, but he was just the most prominent example coming from their focus on Latin America. 
This decade arguably may be their most productive since the seventies in terms of delivering quality prospects to the majors. 
Management changes for them, but scouting and development have always been a priority.
At this point I think Eppler has to stay the course and really prioritize scouting and development. It's tempting to look for a quick fix, and trading prospects for veterans is very common. But when you have elite prospects like Adell and Marsh you have to see things through and graduate them to the big team.
If, during the season the team looks like a serious contender then maybe you roll the dice if you are convinced a trade can be a major difference maker. But even then I'd be reluctant to trade a top prospect. Maybe a package of veterans and lower prospects. But patience is needed for the first two or so years of Marsh and Adell.
Graduating prospects can have a snowball effect for the franchise as they see the process working and therefore put more resources into scouting and development. Especially the international market. Finding the best local scouts and information pipelines would be well spent money.

Like them, hate them or neutral, the Dodgers have had a tradition of leaving no stone unturned looking for prospects. Started with Branch Rickey in the forties, and has remained a big part of their philosophy.
In the forties and fifties they had two elite AAA farm teams in Minnesota and Montreal providing a steady stream of talent to Brooklyn. Many of those players scooped up by Rickey where other teams didn't look.Then you had Bavasi and the O'Malley's replenishing their rosters through the sixties. And in the seventies most of their championship teams were graduates of their scouting and development programs . Their famous infield of Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey were all home grown and came through their system together I seem to recall.
In 1981 Fernando entered the scene, but he was just the most prominent example coming from their focus on Latin America. 
This decade arguably may be their most productive since the seventies in terms of delivering quality prospects to the majors. 
Management changes for them, but scouting and development have always been a priority.
At this point I think Eppler has to stay the course and really prioritize scouting and development. It's tempting to look for a quick fix, and trading prospects for veterans is very common. But when you have elite prospects like Adell and Marsh you have to see things through and graduate them to the big team.
If, during the season the team looks like a serious contender then maybe you roll the dice if you are convinced a trade can be a major difference maker. But even then I'd be reluctant to trade a top prospect. Maybe a package of veterans and lower prospects. But patience is needed for the first two or so years of Marsh and Adell.
Graduating prospects can have a snowball effect for the franchise as they see the process working and therefore put more resources into scouting and development. Especially the international market. Finding the best local scouts and information pipelines would be well spent money.

The year Walker should have been in the World Series. The most shameful in baseball history, 1994.
At age 27 while still with the Expos and in a relatively neutral home park in terms of favoring neither hitting or pitching, he could have made an early gigantic impression via post season play. 
Look at these team stats.
Ironically, Alou was having an MVP type year, and the entire outfield (Walker, Grisson, Alou)were just entering their prime at age 27. With Ken Hill having a Cy Young type season, a 22 year old Pedro Martinez making himself known and a young John Wettland as the relief ace.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MON/1994.shtml
Had that team had the chance, history may have been different. Quite realistically the Expos don't sell their stars, move and Walker remains longer. Mind you, he wouldn't have put up the numbers he did with the Rockies and probably doesn't win MVP and other awards. So from a personal perspective in the long run being in Denver probably did more good for him than even playing in multiple post seasons in Montreal. 

Everything changes with spring training. All the theories and plans of the off season get a reality check on the field.
Remember, Maddon is new to this roster. No preconceived opinions based on actually managing anyone on this team. He and his coaches will use their eyes and brains to evaluate the talent as they hit the field extensively for the first time. Of course no one will be in top form, but you get to see their skill sets and psychological make up.
Regarding pitching, it gets tricky. No one will be razor sharp immediately, but velocity, repertoire, technique, and so on will be studied and cross referenced with all their career numbers and tendencies.
I think that maybe by the end of spring training Maddon and his coaches/advisors and Eppler will have an in depth discussion about what to expect from whom they have and if trades or other forms of change are worth pursuing. 
Maddon is the field boss, not Eppler. Obviously they have to be in sync, but the manager has to have a plan on how each player will be used. 
A pitching staff is an integrated unit, more than a bunch of individuals. Starters, spot starters/long relief, late inning relief specialists. Lefties, righties. Ideally they all have to compliment each other. Realistically there will be weak spots.
The off season is when all the fan evaluations and hypothetical deals are discussed. But there comes a point when you just have to let it go and wait till spring training is under way. There may still be some low level trades or player movement but the core of the roster seems set.
Spring training will be the time for final tweaking. Maybe semi-big deals, maybe very little. Once the roster is set, I doubt much change will occur till maybe a few months into the season when team patterns are known.
 
 

Clevinger is ripping into all this from the players point of view. Good for him. MLB wants this to disappear, but I think it's only going to get more intense.
https://www.tsn.ca/mike-clevinger-on-astros-none-of-those-motherf-should-be-able-to-look-us-in-the-eye-1.1428984

It really is an act of cowardice and bad faith just ignoring the players, who gained the most. They fattened their stats, won games and championships. Even the pitchers were beneficiaries, with more run support behind them.
I guess betting is considered a worse crime than actual in game cheating. 
Hard to have confidence in a sport where a major scandal is intentionally spun to protect the actual participants.
And I would be furious if I was a Dodger player or fan. Or other playoff opponent. The margins are razor thin, pressure intense and the stakes highest in the post season. 
This is something systemic amongst the players executed by them and for their direct benefit. Management and coaches watch what happens, but don't have in game power.. The players get into the batters box and look for specific pitches. 
A home run derby type scenario in effect. Just without the protective cage around the pitcher and the ball thrown at higher speed. Even a very few extra hits coming from this setup is the difference between winning and losing. 
There are dozens of punitive actions that could be taken beyond the minimal punishment already enacted. If MLB really was serious they would easily find ways that technically don't cross legal lines. 
Even voiding the World Series results would shame the teams forever. If not that, put an asterisk in the record books and the stats of team players.
Poor Roger Maris was demeaned in the record books  because he broke Ruth's record in a slightly longer schedule. That act really did have a negative effect on his reputation. These fake champs deserve a hell of a lot worse.