Duren, Duren

Looking through my personal archives, I found a number of magazines from the Angels first season, 1961.
The players were all expansion rejects from other teams. Normally they are pictured in their uniforms, but since the Angels hadn't been out on the field yet, they had to show the profiles hatless.
A bit of nostalgia from thec1961 Sports Illustrated baseball issue and other magazines.

Looking through my personal archives, I found a number of magazines from the Angels first season, 1961.
The players were all expansion rejects from other teams. Normally they are pictured in their uniforms, but since the Angels hadn't been out on the field yet, they had to show the profiles hatless.
A bit of nostalgia from thec1961 Sports Illustrated baseball issue and other magazines.

Angels making an early semi-big signing would get positive momentum rolling. A new coach and pitching coach already insures a different philosophy. Wheeler may not be putting up Cy Young numbers, but he pretty much seems locked into providing a consistent quality start most of the time. 
And that is critical. Angels were worst in that category last year and need starters who can be dependable. Ideally a number two starter behind Cole/Strasburg or part of an upgraded  rotation with Ohtani in the mix. 
The Astros and Nationals were really exceptional having multiple Cy Young type pitchers on their staffs. But other teams made the playoffs with depth and reliability from their starters. Three or four very good starters can carry a team far even without the biggest stars. 
Spend the money shrewdly. Go after Cole or Strasburg  immediately and see what happens. But quickly jump to plan B if the response isn't encouraging before the other talent gets signed.

Angels making an early semi-big signing would get positive momentum rolling. A new coach and pitching coach already insures a different philosophy. Wheeler may not be putting up Cy Young numbers, but he pretty much seems locked into providing a consistent quality start most of the time. 
And that is critical. Angels were worst in that category last year and need starters who can be dependable. Ideally a number two starter behind Cole/Strasburg or part of an upgraded  rotation with Ohtani in the mix. 
The Astros and Nationals were really exceptional having multiple Cy Young type pitchers on their staffs. But other teams made the playoffs with depth and reliability from their starters. Three or four very good starters can carry a team far even without the biggest stars. 
Spend the money shrewdly. Go after Cole or Strasburg  immediately and see what happens. But quickly jump to plan B if the response isn't encouraging before the other talent gets signed.

Larry Walker was a better major league player than Derek Jeter.

The numbers don't lie, but perceptions and presumptions can provide different interpretations. 
Larry Walker has all the analytic numbers to deserve HOF recognition. 
https://www.cooperstowncred.com/larry-walkers-hall-of-fame-case-and-the-coors-field-conundrum/
Before Coors field he already was an established rising star with Expos and no doubt would have continued to put up gaudy numbers. Maybe not as many homers, but more doubles, significant run production quality fielding and overall excellence. 
Think of Vlad had he remained on his Expos trajectory. Also most likely a HOF career. Same thing that propelled Gary Carter, Andre Dawson and Tim Raines into the HOF. All got more recognition in bigger markets, but the core of their careers was established with the Expos.
But Coors Field immediately had the opposite effect. It delegitimized Walker to a notable degree. 
And Walker was much more than homeruns. A five tool player who was consistent in all phases of the game. Injuries are a consideration, but shouldn't be that much of a negative when evaluating his entire career. 
 

Did he have any important contribution in Boston's championship season? 
I didn't realize he bounced around to so many organizations in the last eight years. It would be nice to know what exactly he did if he had any direct impact moving anything forwards anywhere?
On the surface, a nice PR prestige move. Never hurts to have veteran championship minds in the mix. Not sure how tuned in he is to the Angels, but at least he will be a worthwhile observer and sounding board. 
The ideal parallel would be Scotty Bowman in hockey. He already was an HOF coaching legend with multiple championships who became a senior advisor (in his late sixties or early seventies I believe) in Pittsburgh and then Chicago, and once more part of multiple championships in both places. 
I had a strange encounter with Scotty almost a decade ago. While sitting in a coffee shop in an office building here in Vancouver I overheard three older men talking insider hockey stuff. They referred to the refs and various other personnel by their first names and dropped real confidential scouting stuff. I recognized Scotty Bowman right away, having lived in Montreal  in his run as coach of the greatest dynasty in hockey history. His Blackhawks were playing the local Canucks that night in an early playoff round.
As an avid memorabilia collector I went up and asked for his autograph even though I already had multiple others. He obliged somewhat perturbed, but I have been doing that thing for decades (from Killer Kowaski to Mick Jagger and much more) , so it comes with the territory. 
Anyhow, if LaRussa can bring any positive insights it can't hurt. As long as he doesn't meddle too much. 

Fair point, but...Cole had arm problems? Also, you know who were also power pitchers who got paid well into their 30's and "had arm problems"? Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Zack Greinke. 
I'd say the odds are just as good he gets better.
You're right that it shouldn't be Cole or bust, but he alone transforms this team quite significantly. Throw in Ohtani and another solid pitcher and we're starting to look like a legit playoff team on paper.
The risk is there, but I'd rather take that risk when we can than get cold feet and watch Cole become the next Scherzer for another team.

I wouldn't be disappointed, because it would be too big a commitment to a pitcher through his decade of the thirties. A power pitcher who already had arm problems.
You might get a few good years from him at the beginning, but the odds are that his value decreases over time. 
And even if he is great in the next couple of seasons, much more is needed to transform the team into a top contender.  
Money sent his way should be smartly spread between different positions of need. Of course starting pitching is the top priority, but catching, a power hitting third baseman, and depth elsewhere will be necessary.
It doesn't have to be totally 'moneyball' designed, but the Angels have to be smart and not get carried away by emotion and hype. They have been burnt more than enough times by chasing after the biggest hyped free agent of the moment. 
ESPN did have a story earlier in the week saying the Angels are the front runners for Cole. And getting him would certainly be a major upgrade. But it's a 162 game season, and at most he plays about 20% of those. 
I would be happy if he's acquired because he will be an immediate difference maker. But not distraught if goes elsewhere. 
On another note, there is a a great Jeff Fletcher cover story in the current issue of Baseball Digest about Trout. You have to subscribe or buy the actual newsstand magazine, which I did. Baseball Digest is one of the few long running publications (also Street and Smith) that I remember reading as a kid.
https://pocketmags.com/ca/baseball-digest-magazine
I have stacks and stacks of old magazines in my basement that are part of my collectible collections. From time to time it is fun taking a trip back in time to one's youth (along with Topps cards, etc.) and recapture that naive enthusiasm of being a kid.

As for a non-Cole offseason, what if it went something like this:
Wheeler - 5/100 (16 first year)
Odorizzi - 4/56 (12 first year)
Donaldson - 3/66 (20 first year)
Grandal - 4/56 (12 first year)
That's a huge offseason with 60 mil in new money for 2020, which is potentially doable.

I think if they ended up building their new stadium in the parking lot, they can rotate the field away from the current view. Once it's done and they tear down the current stadium, they could put something aesthetic in there.
For Arte, I don't think it's so much about the stadium. I think he wants rights to the land in the surrounding areas.
 

The orange trees are a good idea.
Personally I like the Mission Revival and Mediterranean Revival styles in architecture. Not sure it would really work for a modern stadium but it definitely says "California." Sort of like L.A. Union Station and the Casino on Catalina Island:

 

Adding some type of shade structure wouldn’t hurt. Those mid-summer games in RF are brutal. 

I don't see the Angels signing anyone for more than Trout is getting. At least this year. Partly a symbolic gesture that he deserves to be the highest paid player on the team. Also because it would severely limit what the club can do with other needs. 
Maybe in the next few years if the economics keep getting higher Trout's contract will seen in a different context.
If Cole"s demands and/or a bidding war ensue the Angels will just have to walk away. You can't become fixated on one player. Especially a pitcher for the decade of his thirties. Eight years are a red flag, almost insuring the probability of injury and/or decline for some of the last part of the contract. 
And timing is a factor. If Cole waits months, other options shrink with different players signing earlier elsewhere. 
I would try and get an early meeting with Boras and see what the realistic parameters are. Does Cole want to prioritize certain teams and locations? Could there be any kind of 'home town discount' or creative way of structuring a deal if he wants to play out his career with the Angels? Maybe a bit naive in this day and age, but you never know what really motivates individuals. Especially since the money will be stratospheric to one degree or another wherever he goes. 
If the Angels can get an early, honest assessment, they should be either all in or all out quickly. Personally I would try to spread the money around. Ryu and another pitcher. Or a combo of a Grandal, and a pair of mid priced pitchers. Even a power hitting infielder like Donaldson for two or three years. 
Timing is important. They can't play it like last year when they waited late to get Harvey and the other scrap heap reclamation projects.

Hader could have eliminated this entire story. Instead. A foreshadowing of things to come. 
Washington will seriously decline but so what? The franchise can coast a decade without criticism. Lots of hilite footage to look back on for their fans.

Hader could have eliminated this entire story. Instead. A foreshadowing of things to come. 
Washington will seriously decline but so what? The franchise can coast a decade without criticism. Lots of hilite footage to look back on for their fans.

What a pay season by Howie. Talk about making his hits count! Mr. Clutch.

Verlander and Kershaw really will have their great careers tarnished by post season results. Some of it bad luck, but over time and many opportunities  they haven't risen to the occasion 

It would have been a much more dramatic story line had it stayed a one run game. 
Weird that Martinez blew his mind after they extend the lead. You gotta stay cool under these circumstances.

True, but Verlander has one ring and if he gets another tomorrow, I don't think he will be nearly as criticized as Kershaw. JV's postseason ERA is almost identical to regular season. Kershaw's is a full two runs higher in the postseason. 

Verlander and Kershaw really will have their great careers tarnished by post season results. Some of it bad luck, but over time and many opportunities  they haven't risen to the occasion 

First time in MLB, NHL, NBA that road team has won first 6 games of a series.

Grienke can really add an exclamation point to his career with a win tomorrow. A possible HOF player, now old and sliding into decline. Does he have it in him for the game of his career? And possibly add to his chances for a final substantial contract?  Tune in tomorrow and see. 

Thank you for the kind words, @Duren, Duren. I completely agree with you. In fact, the only reason I signed up for Facebook back in 2008 and Twitter a bit after was to promote what we're doing here. The tapatalk app is awful. I almost went that route years ago until I discovered this forum software, which I purchased. WORTH EVERY PENNY! 
For more on the website's history, check out our about us page: https://www.angelswin.com/about-us/
 

Good story. I'm relatively new here and didn't know the history and evolution of the site. 
I prefer keeping sports forums away from social media embedding. The hockey and football forums I use were also fairly benign, though they both recently migrated to Tapatalk. Which I do not like. Especially since I was on those Forums for over twenty years. All the permutations they went through were more user friendly and less intrusive. 
I don't mind explicit ads, because they are necessary for financial purposes and can easily be scrolled past. But it is damned creepy the way Facebook spies and personalizes the advertising. I only use it to keep casually in contact with distant friends and family. I never used Twitter, though sometimes follow links. 
But to get back to this site, it's very enjoyable to see all the in depth reflections about Angels history past and present . I had almost given up on finding a solid forum with consistent intelligence and insight going beyond what happens in the next game. That stuff is great too, but especially in the off season it's fun to reflect on the history of the franchise and how the present measures up to the past.