Duren, Duren

Upton and Pujols can realistically provide enough of an internal  upgrade. Addition without subtraction from the same players. 
Playing hurt is a major handicap. No matter how game a guy is he won't be at his best. Some handle it better than others, but you still aren't going to get their best over a long stretch of games. 
If Pujols is as healthy as Maddon thinks he is he could modestly increase his production. With roughly the same number of plate appearances he could raise his average about five to ten points and still hit 20 plus homeruns and 90 plus RBIs. And more walks, less k's.
He was clearly uncomfortable at the plate in recent years, and his swing was compromised to compensate for lack of flexibility and reach. His lower body was was just an anchor and he depended on upper body and arm strength. He also chased pitches he would have laid off because they were closer to his limited comfort zone. 
Even assuming he is even just slightly more mobile, it may be more important if he feels pain free. Without compensating for physical discomfort he can be more selective and less self conscious of his limitations. He is 40, so no miracles expected, but with this lineup he plays more of a supportive role. And likely more men on base to drive in. His strength.
Upton hasn't shown serious decline yet, and should have a bounce back year around his career norm. Last year was one of those random seasons that happen to athletes. Not a chronic long term problem. 
Rendon really is the master key to having a serious slugger's row kind of offense. With power and on base ability he will either drive in runs or set the table for the bats behind him. Both ways he will be a second engine along with Trout. Often on base, often clearing the bases.
Fletcher will get on base one way or another. Trout will be Trout. Ohtani as a hitter should hit 15 - 20 homers and hit 275 plus. Maybe better, depending on overall workload. And if he takes on a bigger pitching role there is plenty of depth. Simmons should be improved in a contract year. Right field should combine for 20 plus homers between Goodwin, La Stella, Adell. Catcher has been upgraded by default somewhat. Rengilfo will have his opportunities. 
Pujols and Upton are veteran big bats with great past production. Both have been hurt. Both seem healthy. No reason to think negatively. Together they are experienced enough to handle important situational at bats. 
Maddon should also give them a sense of renewal. He knows their past, has confidence in them and will devise his lineups accordingly.
I can't wait to see the regular season lineup in action. Pitching has to be better by default. The manager is better. The hitters are healthy and Rendon is an enormous addition. And if Adell eventually thrives, no reason this team is not in the playoffs.
 

Upton and Pujols can realistically provide enough of an internal  upgrade. Addition without subtraction from the same players. 
Playing hurt is a major handicap. No matter how game a guy is he won't be at his best. Some handle it better than others, but you still aren't going to get their best over a long stretch of games. 
If Pujols is as healthy as Maddon thinks he is he could modestly increase his production. With roughly the same number of plate appearances he could raise his average about five to ten points and still hit 20 plus homeruns and 90 plus RBIs. And more walks, less k's.
He was clearly uncomfortable at the plate in recent years, and his swing was compromised to compensate for lack of flexibility and reach. His lower body was was just an anchor and he depended on upper body and arm strength. He also chased pitches he would have laid off because they were closer to his limited comfort zone. 
Even assuming he is even just slightly more mobile, it may be more important if he feels pain free. Without compensating for physical discomfort he can be more selective and less self conscious of his limitations. He is 40, so no miracles expected, but with this lineup he plays more of a supportive role. And likely more men on base to drive in. His strength.
Upton hasn't shown serious decline yet, and should have a bounce back year around his career norm. Last year was one of those random seasons that happen to athletes. Not a chronic long term problem. 
Rendon really is the master key to having a serious slugger's row kind of offense. With power and on base ability he will either drive in runs or set the table for the bats behind him. Both ways he will be a second engine along with Trout. Often on base, often clearing the bases.
Fletcher will get on base one way or another. Trout will be Trout. Ohtani as a hitter should hit 15 - 20 homers and hit 275 plus. Maybe better, depending on overall workload. And if he takes on a bigger pitching role there is plenty of depth. Simmons should be improved in a contract year. Right field should combine for 20 plus homers between Goodwin, La Stella, Adell. Catcher has been upgraded by default somewhat. Rengilfo will have his opportunities. 
Pujols and Upton are veteran big bats with great past production. Both have been hurt. Both seem healthy. No reason to think negatively. Together they are experienced enough to handle important situational at bats. 
Maddon should also give them a sense of renewal. He knows their past, has confidence in them and will devise his lineups accordingly.
I can't wait to see the regular season lineup in action. Pitching has to be better by default. The manager is better. The hitters are healthy and Rendon is an enormous addition. And if Adell eventually thrives, no reason this team is not in the playoffs.
 

A manager has to be ruthlessly pragmatic. Every player who makes the team has a role. The manager tries to put them in position to be able to perform as well as possible. 
He has to be encouraging and  yet realistic. 
Very smart to think of Albert positively and spread the word. No one takes what he says as a reference to Albert's speed. That's obvious. It's about flexibility, defensive agility, joint lithness, overall mobility.
And it's all relative to where he has been in recent years. Not absolute measures. I think it means that Albert will be improved and not favoring recent injuries. He will be a healthier forty year old than he was as a handicapped 35 - 39 year old. 
What that translates to is probably a slight upgrade at the plate and in the field when at first. Not a fountain of youth reversal, but a little better production. 
Maddon is really shrewd bringing this up now. It generates positive reinforcement and sets a higher bar for Albert. A message that if health isn't a detriment then more is expected. Delivered professionally and forward looking.
That's how you manage a long time great veteran with intense pride. Especially as a new manager dealing with a declining former great who still has a fairly important role on the team.

A manager has to be ruthlessly pragmatic. Every player who makes the team has a role. The manager tries to put them in position to be able to perform as well as possible. 
He has to be encouraging and  yet realistic. 
Very smart to think of Albert positively and spread the word. No one takes what he says as a reference to Albert's speed. That's obvious. It's about flexibility, defensive agility, joint lithness, overall mobility.
And it's all relative to where he has been in recent years. Not absolute measures. I think it means that Albert will be improved and not favoring recent injuries. He will be a healthier forty year old than he was as a handicapped 35 - 39 year old. 
What that translates to is probably a slight upgrade at the plate and in the field when at first. Not a fountain of youth reversal, but a little better production. 
Maddon is really shrewd bringing this up now. It generates positive reinforcement and sets a higher bar for Albert. A message that if health isn't a detriment then more is expected. Delivered professionally and forward looking.
That's how you manage a long time great veteran with intense pride. Especially as a new manager dealing with a declining former great who still has a fairly important role on the team.

The more I think about it, the worse it seems. There have been some commissioners and league presidents who made various blunders. Bud Selig the worst to date. Bowie Kuhn had his issues. But this really could be something that creates major ongoing damage.
The players are pissed big time. They bust their butts assuming the playing field is equal. Even accounting for savvy individuals who use their wits to personally study opposing patterns and giveaway tips. 
But this Astro cheating is a team conspiracy, and relied on sophisticated technology outside the game. 
USC was stripped of a championship fairly won on the field for an administrative red tape process rule. Seems the punishment was disproportionately vindictive too, extending into multiple penalties and essentially ruining an entire program for years. 
The 1994 World Series was abandoned without any winner being named. 
The 1919 Series title stayed with the Reds because they weren't the cheaters, but it forever was recognized as tainted. 
But this time the cheaters won and remain recognized as the winners. 
The fact that championships have been vacated in other sports (Many times in the Olympics, NCAA,  European soccer etc.) should be instructive. 
Guilt has been confessed. It's not the issue.
The cheating players have not been punished at all and have their rings and money. And still keep playing and make more money. 
This lack of integrity tarnished the image and mythology of the sport. 
 
 

Everything is ass backward.
Guilt has been established. No uncertainties. The problem is the nature of the punishment. 
So hypocritical. The steroid cheaters were identified, punished as individuals and had their stats and reputations forever qualified as compromised.
A big factor is that those  players were on different teams, and therefore weren't acting together  in a conspiratorial way for a common goal. Each player was focussed on enhancing their personal performance. 
This Astro stuff was very different.
It was a conspiracy by a large segment of the team to mutually benefit each player for a collective goal. Winning games as long as they were still competing. And it took them right to the championship.
MLB is afraid of actually dealing with the corruption by meting out just punishment to the actual participants. Minor organizational penalties and suspensions to management avoid the real issue.
Study how Judge Landis dealt with the Black Sox scandal. Also leading to a fake World Series winner.
The key players were given the ultimate punishments possible. Even though individuals had different degrees of participation.
Baseball immediately entered it"s 'Golden' Age' the next season with the Ruth phenomenon.
These days there are many more factors involved. Player unions, collective agreements, TV money and much more. But the integrity of the game is compromised and can't be easily glossed over.
The anger coming from other players is the tip of the iceberg.
This ought not to go away with the usual vague promises to do better in the future. A World Series has been forever tainted. 

The more I think about it, the worse it seems. There have been some commissioners and league presidents who made various blunders. Bud Selig the worst to date. Bowie Kuhn had his issues. But this really could be something that creates major ongoing damage.
The players are pissed big time. They bust their butts assuming the playing field is equal. Even accounting for savvy individuals who use their wits to personally study opposing patterns and giveaway tips. 
But this Astro cheating is a team conspiracy, and relied on sophisticated technology outside the game. 
USC was stripped of a championship fairly won on the field for an administrative red tape process rule. Seems the punishment was disproportionately vindictive too, extending into multiple penalties and essentially ruining an entire program for years. 
The 1994 World Series was abandoned without any winner being named. 
The 1919 Series title stayed with the Reds because they weren't the cheaters, but it forever was recognized as tainted. 
But this time the cheaters won and remain recognized as the winners. 
The fact that championships have been vacated in other sports (Many times in the Olympics, NCAA,  European soccer etc.) should be instructive. 
Guilt has been confessed. It's not the issue.
The cheating players have not been punished at all and have their rings and money. And still keep playing and make more money. 
This lack of integrity tarnished the image and mythology of the sport. 
 
 

Everything is ass backward.
Guilt has been established. No uncertainties. The problem is the nature of the punishment. 
So hypocritical. The steroid cheaters were identified, punished as individuals and had their stats and reputations forever qualified as compromised.
A big factor is that those  players were on different teams, and therefore weren't acting together  in a conspiratorial way for a common goal. Each player was focussed on enhancing their personal performance. 
This Astro stuff was very different.
It was a conspiracy by a large segment of the team to mutually benefit each player for a collective goal. Winning games as long as they were still competing. And it took them right to the championship.
MLB is afraid of actually dealing with the corruption by meting out just punishment to the actual participants. Minor organizational penalties and suspensions to management avoid the real issue.
Study how Judge Landis dealt with the Black Sox scandal. Also leading to a fake World Series winner.
The key players were given the ultimate punishments possible. Even though individuals had different degrees of participation.
Baseball immediately entered it"s 'Golden' Age' the next season with the Ruth phenomenon.
These days there are many more factors involved. Player unions, collective agreements, TV money and much more. But the integrity of the game is compromised and can't be easily glossed over.
The anger coming from other players is the tip of the iceberg.
This ought not to go away with the usual vague promises to do better in the future. A World Series has been forever tainted. 

Everything is ass backward.
Guilt has been established. No uncertainties. The problem is the nature of the punishment. 
So hypocritical. The steroid cheaters were identified, punished as individuals and had their stats and reputations forever qualified as compromised.
A big factor is that those  players were on different teams, and therefore weren't acting together  in a conspiratorial way for a common goal. Each player was focussed on enhancing their personal performance. 
This Astro stuff was very different.
It was a conspiracy by a large segment of the team to mutually benefit each player for a collective goal. Winning games as long as they were still competing. And it took them right to the championship.
MLB is afraid of actually dealing with the corruption by meting out just punishment to the actual participants. Minor organizational penalties and suspensions to management avoid the real issue.
Study how Judge Landis dealt with the Black Sox scandal. Also leading to a fake World Series winner.
The key players were given the ultimate punishments possible. Even though individuals had different degrees of participation.
Baseball immediately entered it"s 'Golden' Age' the next season with the Ruth phenomenon.
These days there are many more factors involved. Player unions, collective agreements, TV money and much more. But the integrity of the game is compromised and can't be easily glossed over.
The anger coming from other players is the tip of the iceberg.
This ought not to go away with the usual vague promises to do better in the future. A World Series has been forever tainted. 

Everything is ass backward.
Guilt has been established. No uncertainties. The problem is the nature of the punishment. 
So hypocritical. The steroid cheaters were identified, punished as individuals and had their stats and reputations forever qualified as compromised.
A big factor is that those  players were on different teams, and therefore weren't acting together  in a conspiratorial way for a common goal. Each player was focussed on enhancing their personal performance. 
This Astro stuff was very different.
It was a conspiracy by a large segment of the team to mutually benefit each player for a collective goal. Winning games as long as they were still competing. And it took them right to the championship.
MLB is afraid of actually dealing with the corruption by meting out just punishment to the actual participants. Minor organizational penalties and suspensions to management avoid the real issue.
Study how Judge Landis dealt with the Black Sox scandal. Also leading to a fake World Series winner.
The key players were given the ultimate punishments possible. Even though individuals had different degrees of participation.
Baseball immediately entered it"s 'Golden' Age' the next season with the Ruth phenomenon.
These days there are many more factors involved. Player unions, collective agreements, TV money and much more. But the integrity of the game is compromised and can't be easily glossed over.
The anger coming from other players is the tip of the iceberg.
This ought not to go away with the usual vague promises to do better in the future. A World Series has been forever tainted. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.