Duren, Duren

Eppler is trying to win the most realistic way possible right now while building for a more balanced future.
Prioritizing Rendon over starting pitching tells you that Eppler thinks that great hitting and defense will win more games over the long haul than adding an elite starter.
Very pragmatic and realistic, given the makeup of the current roster. With a lineup that should be in the top third of the league in run production or better, why not accept reality as it is for the near future and try and win by outscoring the opposition? 
It also puts a lot of faith in the new manager and pitching coach to get more out of the current staff. 
There is decent potential for growth amongst some of the returning starters. Ohtani can potentially become a part time ace. And Bundy and Teheran add stability. They can even just pitch a little above average, eat up innings and make the staff better than it was. Not an unrealistic expectation. The strength is in the bullpen. Starters just keeping games close through six innings allows the pen more rest, and the hitters opportunity to break things open. 
  A 'good enough' rotation can work if the bullpen is solid and the offense produces consistently. Last season was about as bad as it can get for a starting rotation. For a number of reasons. Logic tells you they will be improved with the new additions, coaching and management. The string of injuries and bad luck also has to reverse itself at some point.
Embrace the realities of this roster and think positively. There won't be many low scoring pitchers duels or scoreless innings streaks. Just hope for the best when on defense and get excited when the team is at bat. 
Winning is about scoring at least one run more than the opposition. It doesn't matter how it is accomplished.

Stability at the mid/back end of the rotation can be overlooked. If one or both of the top two starters have bad games in succession,  a loss can turn into a losing streak if the rest of the starters don't do their part. 
Obviously the mid/back end starters won't be as good as the top two consistently, but if they keep games close and sometimes exceed their normal expectations then the team can right itself and still win. 
Teheran and Bundy are veterans but not broken down or locked into a cycle of regression. With a powerhouse lineup behind them they should consistently eat innings and keep games competitive.
They both know how to finesse tough situations and get out of trouble fairly well. At least long enough to not use up the bullpen. Not elite quality, but certainly respectable, established major league starters who may yet do better than expected. 
And the cost for both are almost steals. Two regular starters and no significant loss of talent or money. Not low end bargain hunting, but mid level transactions that improve the team immediately.
Like everyone else, I hope there is more to come. Keuchal or Ryu seem the most obvious. Neither are 'A' listers for various reasons, but each may be a 'B - B +' depending on contract and actual performance. I think Ryu may have more potential to be the better ace, but also more risk. Keuchel should be more steady and durable, but won't regain his prime..
Still, either will be a big upgrade from last year.
 

A tepid defense of Albert. Sort of. He's here for a couple of more years, so he has to play a role on the team. Like it or not.
Despite recent years of injury and regression. He really was not a glaring negative in the lineup. 
Close to a hundred RBIs, cut down on strikeouts a little. Some clutch at bats and hits along the way. You don't get that many RBIs by luck. 
His production and stats have settled into a basic 240 - 250 average with 90 plus RBIs. Not superior, but not worse than many other first basemen.
He just needs to start less and maybe not have more than 300 - 350 at bats. Keeps him fresher, allows for a transitional phase into retirement.
If there was a proven better option at first, fine. There isn't at the moment. 
Defense is an issue, but the mix of DH/platoon first basemen and defensive replacement scenarios could reduce his presence to an acceptable degree.
Just because he has faded from his great years and not lived up to expectations doesn't mean he is useless. If he was just a younger, generic power hitting first baseman his production wouldn't bring on the angst it does for some.
Accept the fact that he will be playing a few more years and hope a better option materializes as soon as possible. In the meantime, remember he is a historically significant player who has had a career far beyond almost every player in history.
All greats decline. What will Trout be producing when he nears forty? We don't know. If Albert had his great years with the Angels, more respect would be accorded. 
As a platoon first baseman/DH he isn't the horrible albatross some assume. And obviously there aren't many better options at present. It's a matter of trying to use him to extract maximum value.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml

A tepid defense of Albert. Sort of. He's here for a couple of more years, so he has to play a role on the team. Like it or not.
Despite recent years of injury and regression. He really was not a glaring negative in the lineup. 
Close to a hundred RBIs, cut down on strikeouts a little. Some clutch at bats and hits along the way. You don't get that many RBIs by luck. 
His production and stats have settled into a basic 240 - 250 average with 90 plus RBIs. Not superior, but not worse than many other first basemen.
He just needs to start less and maybe not have more than 300 - 350 at bats. Keeps him fresher, allows for a transitional phase into retirement.
If there was a proven better option at first, fine. There isn't at the moment. 
Defense is an issue, but the mix of DH/platoon first basemen and defensive replacement scenarios could reduce his presence to an acceptable degree.
Just because he has faded from his great years and not lived up to expectations doesn't mean he is useless. If he was just a younger, generic power hitting first baseman his production wouldn't bring on the angst it does for some.
Accept the fact that he will be playing a few more years and hope a better option materializes as soon as possible. In the meantime, remember he is a historically significant player who has had a career far beyond almost every player in history.
All greats decline. What will Trout be producing when he nears forty? We don't know. If Albert had his great years with the Angels, more respect would be accorded. 
As a platoon first baseman/DH he isn't the horrible albatross some assume. And obviously there aren't many better options at present. It's a matter of trying to use him to extract maximum value.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml

Sometimes the best deals are the one's you don't make.
People are reacting reflexively to losing Cole, wanting immediate consolation by quickly acquiring someone else.
Kluber is no Cole. Not even close. 
If he could have been acquired for little loss, fine. But better to keep our top prospects and move on to a new scenario. Cleveland has their own mindset and plan. The Angels just weren't their best option for their own needs. An an already MLB tested pitcher throwing 100 plus is mighty tempting. 
Will Kluber be better than Baumgarner, Ryu, Price, Stroman or any other potential pitchers available in trades or still unsigned? Given his age and health history, a very short term window at most for him. And still a risk.
Eppler has to be pragmatic and move on to other options. Still about a dozen pitchers better, equal or close to Kluber out there. 
 

Sometimes the best deals are the one's you don't make.
People are reacting reflexively to losing Cole, wanting immediate consolation by quickly acquiring someone else.
Kluber is no Cole. Not even close. 
If he could have been acquired for little loss, fine. But better to keep our top prospects and move on to a new scenario. Cleveland has their own mindset and plan. The Angels just weren't their best option for their own needs. An an already MLB tested pitcher throwing 100 plus is mighty tempting. 
Will Kluber be better than Baumgarner, Ryu, Price, Stroman or any other potential pitchers available in trades or still unsigned? Given his age and health history, a very short term window at most for him. And still a risk.
Eppler has to be pragmatic and move on to other options. Still about a dozen pitchers better, equal or close to Kluber out there. 
 

Sometimes the best deals are the one's you don't make.
People are reacting reflexively to losing Cole, wanting immediate consolation by quickly acquiring someone else.
Kluber is no Cole. Not even close. 
If he could have been acquired for little loss, fine. But better to keep our top prospects and move on to a new scenario. Cleveland has their own mindset and plan. The Angels just weren't their best option for their own needs. An an already MLB tested pitcher throwing 100 plus is mighty tempting. 
Will Kluber be better than Baumgarner, Ryu, Price, Stroman or any other potential pitchers available in trades or still unsigned? Given his age and health history, a very short term window at most for him. And still a risk.
Eppler has to be pragmatic and move on to other options. Still about a dozen pitchers better, equal or close to Kluber out there. 
 

You need a manager to get the most out of the talent he has. When he comes to a new team he inherits the roster already there plus whatever changes are made. But the first year is often a matter of experiment. Later on specific players will be targeted who are more exact matches for his needs. 
The new manager needs first hand observation to really get a feel for his team. Spring training will be very crucial in  finalizing how he shapes the team. 
Batting order, on field defensive chemistry, running and pinch hitting skills and so on need to be assessed on the field as well as from stats and past profiles. 
 Plus the strengths and weaknesses of each pitcher. Assistant coaches are very important that first year, when a veteran braintrust observe, consult and strategize. 
Maddon is in an interesting position. He has a  core nucleus with tremendous assets, some others with great but untapped potential and others average or below in various categories. 
The raw materials are his to use as he sees fit. Based on his record I'm sure he will find a way to maximize production. It may take a month or two, but a well oiled machine will be in place before too long.
 
 

This will turn out to be the second most significant player move of the off season. Cole first, then Rendon (Strasburg staying in Washington). The most important amongst position players. 
A perennial all star, current top five hitter, and gold glover in his prime, filling a position of need. A tremendous addition.
The media (and fans)see every event through their own selective filters. If he signed with the Dodgers it would be getting headlines almost like Cole.
The difference is that he can't be written/talked about as the missing piece who will make his new team the immediate Series favorite. Even if he went to Atlanta, Milwaukee Oakland or other already established playoff teams the buzz would be greater.
The story isn't as big because the Angels are perceived as a rebuilding, non contender. The general sports media spend most of their time on the probable contenders. 
But the reality is that this addition will instantly make the whole team better. It won't compensate for weak pitchers, but it helps negate the problem. 
With better infield defense and depth it cuts down on groundball getting by for hits. Potential for more double plays. Allows Simba to range a little more towards second base. And Rengilfo/Fletcher/? to play a step or two closer to the first base hole. And when the shift is used Rendon is much more dependable covering more space. When the infield is drawn in or bunts/slow rollers are in play he is more likely to make the play effectively.
Inner diamond defense is often overlooked, but adding a gold glover is important, and helps the entire inner diamond. And by extension, pitchers.
And remember, we have Maddon managing. He is skilled and experienced at using his whole roster smartly. On defense and at bat.
Maddon will love having Rendon to occupy an everyday spot. The middle of the lineup is as devastating as any in baseball. Angel hitters as a whole were very good going deep into counts. Having Trout and Rendon in the middle will get the other hitters plenty of good pitches. Having Ohtani, Upton, La Stella, Pujols, Fletcher playing regularly in various roles adds enough supplementary power and on base potential. 
Hitting can be sacrificed at catcher for a quality defender. First base probably will be platoon/rotational. A steady power hitter would be ideal, but I think there is enough talent to get the job done collectively. 
Pitching will not be the strength of the team, but with the upgrade in hitting it just has to be better than last year. They have started addressing it and will be improving it more to some degree. And don't forget the new pitching coach. Probably the most important coach of all. 
A really good off season is already in the books (including Maddon and staff) and will get better. The team should be a solid playoff contender. Houston won't be as dominant. Oakland probably won't do better than last year. 
Looking forward to my visit in July to watching some pennant relevant games!
 

Important to make a statement rather stay under the radar. This will help the brand, attendance and productivity on the field. And give stability to the heart of the order for years to come. Not bad. And probably still productive into the transition to the new stadium. 
Pitching doesn't have to be great, just good enough. Certainly there is opportunity for better moves than last year. 
The signal is clear that the Angels are serious. 
 

Imagine a Sandy Koufax scenario applied to Cole.
1962. Age 26. Leads the league in ERA, has a 14 - 7 record. A lot of promise, but not enough to indicate where he would go from there after 7 years of average production. 
Age 27 in 1963. Explodes into greatness. League leading 1.88 ERA. 25 - 5 W/L. World Series championship. Cy Young and MVP. 
The first of four virtually similar seasons, including a 1965 W.S. Game seven win. Then, at age 30, forced to retire because of elbow injuries.
My point is that with pitchers you just never, ever know what may happen long term. Even in the middle of their best season. 
Had Koufax been signed to a Cole deal when he was 26 after his first great year he would have given ample value plus for four years, but the contract would be a big hindrance for the next five years. Still, probably a deal that most would take considering it brought two championships and three W.S. appearances. 
What if he signed when he was going into his thirtieth year though? One season of greatness, nine of financial pain.
Today, an elbow problem like Koufax had could be treated differently and his career would have continued. But he would likely miss a full season in rehab, need another season to see what his stuff could do. And likely revamp his pitching technique. Doubtful he would be as dominant in his prime, but still likely near ace quality if everything went right. But likely not worth his contract. 
The analogy with Cole is purely for arguement's sake, but some such possibility exists that the Yankees won't get the value they are paying for while he is now at peak Koufax level. Even if he is great and they don't win championships the objective they expect is not achieved. 
He is being paid to be the difference maker for World Series wins. And even personal awards and great stats won't compensate for team failure. So the pressure really is on all the other Yankees (players and management)  to justify this deal by proving that they can support Cole well enough to put him in position to do what is expected from him. 
A great pitcher on a disappointing team does not make the fan base happy. 
 

This isn't basketball, where one superstar can instantly transform a team. And even you usually need a complimentary star to work in sync with the superstar to really become elite.
Nor is it football, where the starting qb plays every game and has the ball in his hands for every offensive play. 
A superstar starting pitcher can make a good team great if they have enough talent and depth, but on a weaker team he won't elevate them enough on his own. 
At the least you have to have decent quality elsewhere on the staff. The star pitcher (call him Cole) will only pitch every five games. What happens in the other four makes a team a serious contender or not.
Unless the Angels can find a really good second starter, Cole and the current staff won't be enough to keep their rotation rolling with longish winning streaks. Or consistently win 2 of 3 or 3 of 4. The kind of small series that make up the schedule. 
When you play the same teams 3 or 4 times in a row every day for six months you need to be able to have quality starting depth to insure the chance of winning those series. And resting the bullpen as much as possible.
At this stage in Angel team construction I still would be too intrigued with Cole to not make a serious offer. Can't at least try.
But I still would be ready to aggressively pursue a plan B of free agency and trades. One of Ryu, Baumgarner or maybe someone more under the radar. And also be active on the trade front. Once few agency sorts itself out Eppler should get creative. Bundy was a nice minor deal, serving a purpose. 

This isn't basketball, where one superstar can instantly transform a team. And even you usually need a complimentary star to work in sync with the superstar to really become elite.
Nor is it football, where the starting qb plays every game and has the ball in his hands for every offensive play. 
A superstar starting pitcher can make a good team great if they have enough talent and depth, but on a weaker team he won't elevate them enough on his own. 
At the least you have to have decent quality elsewhere on the staff. The star pitcher (call him Cole) will only pitch every five games. What happens in the other four makes a team a serious contender or not.
Unless the Angels can find a really good second starter, Cole and the current staff won't be enough to keep their rotation rolling with longish winning streaks. Or consistently win 2 of 3 or 3 of 4. The kind of small series that make up the schedule. 
When you play the same teams 3 or 4 times in a row every day for six months you need to be able to have quality starting depth to insure the chance of winning those series. And resting the bullpen as much as possible.
At this stage in Angel team construction I still would be too intrigued with Cole to not make a serious offer. Can't at least try.
But I still would be ready to aggressively pursue a plan B of free agency and trades. One of Ryu, Baumgarner or maybe someone more under the radar. And also be active on the trade front. Once few agency sorts itself out Eppler should get creative. Bundy was a nice minor deal, serving a purpose. 

This trade is very sensible. The Angels starters mostly couldn't last half a game even. An inning eater with an ERA in the mid 4.00s who starts 25 times, goes 125 plus innings.  is certainly a positive. 
Back rotation pitchers are important in the long run. You need some steady, dependable arms to stretch the innings, rest the mid relievers and stay competitive into the last four innings. 
The Angels should have a better offense behind Bundy. More runs scored will let him eat more innings. 
Of course he has his flaws, but he is intended to play a certain role, not be the ace. He has enough experience, knowledge of the league and a very good k rate. What happened in Baltimore is also a reflection of the types of games he was in too, where he had to serve as as a de facto ace and carry more pressure.
A nice, modest move by Eppler. Not the blockbuster trade or signing, but a positive addition for the most glaring position of weakness.

I'll dig through the magazines later. Many are missing covers though. When I was a kid I ripped them off to make posters and put in scrapbooks. But I'll see what I have.

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.