TBailey

I still think that unless they get someone they know they really want...they will keep Kole, and they will bring him back next season on a new and cheaper deal.

Kole makes this team better. Some may not agree and that is fine. But imo, he makes us a better team.

I could definitely see that happening. But I’m simply giving my opinion. I don’t think the Angels are just gonna let him walk so easily as some of us here think.

You can always find room for a gold glove player with pop on your team. At what cost? That’ll be the deciding factor. Kole is still a very important player. Marsh won’t be here yet. Goodwin? Very replaceable.

I don’t think trading Kole is smart especially the way we are going right now. In fact, I hope we bring Kole back next season and for a few more thereafter. He doesn’t need to play RF. He can platoon outfield spots and 1B. Even though he’s not a high average Hitter, his HR production and defense have brought some serious impact to this team. IMO trading Kole is a bad mistake UNLESS we are blown away with a return.

One of the coolest memories I had was when my high school played against him in the first round of CIF in 2008. I was nearly picked off twice by him at first base because I hadn’t seen a dude that tall on the mound with that type of pickoff. He probably had the filthiest curveball ever in HS too. When he was drafted my buddies and I were pretty excited for him knowing “Yo we just faced this guy...that’s crazy” and we still talk about it to this day. Dude was an absolute stud and one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Keep flying, Ty!

He may not be the defensive catcher that Maldonado was but he’s definitely an offensive upgrade. I think we have to consider what catchers there are in the league who are above average with both the glove and the bat. Not many. So you have to choose what you want right now with a catcher. You choose a bat, we will complain about the defense. You choose the glove, we will complain about the offense. It’s what you value.

No, we are definitely watching the same sport. We just have different opinions in the value of the catcher’s position.

I think Lucroy was a good signing. He’s got some power. He’s hitting .260 plus. He’s got good defensive skills. Lucroy has been the best catcher this team has seen in quite some time.

I can’t imagine Eppler looking to trade Simba. Just looking at the totality of circumstances the team has faced since 2014 trying to get back to the playoffs: you don’t trade the best all around short stop in Major League Baseball to back load the truck with prospects. When you have a player like Trout paired with Ohtani, add Simmons, not to mention Adell waiting in the wings, the last thing this team would do is trade a player who’s playing arguably the toughest position on the field. You just don’t do it. It hurts the team even if you get 2-3 promising prospects.

Aren't*****

I agree with you. I think we are too analytical as fans from time to time. The Angels are fielding an everyday lineup right now, which is ultimately the biggest issue.

Harvey really doesn’t look that bad for giving up 3 runs. Working rather quickly, some balls left up. Other than that, he’s composed.

We may have something brewing here

If he can stay healthy when he returns, if he returns, he will dominate. It’s times like these that test a player’s faith. It makes you cherish the game. So if he gets the chance to pitch soon, he’s going to hold on to that moment and ride the bull by the horns. No doubt. I was blessed enough that I played this sport for many years. I dealt with injuries as well. No, not in the pros but playing my way through my entire college career and let me tell you, as an injury keeps reoccurring, anyone would feel the way he does right now. This guy is a awesome and he’s someone that I hope returns to the mound very soon because we haven’t seen the best of him yet.

I miss the days where Simmons knew he was not a power hitter. Come back, Andrelton.

Everyone (including myself) seems to critique Eppler to the core as to why we didn’t go after some of these guys. But this isn’t the first time he’s passed on key free agents. Take a look at Joe Kelley too. It seems he already knows some players success will not translate to what they are demanding in dollars. Obviously that’s been a main issue in free agency already. Bryce Harper is the the only marquee free agent who is actually playing out of his mind right now. I’m sure Eppler knew Bryce would play this well. But his job was to lock up our main fish here (which he did) I’m sure some of these players will turn it around assuming it’s very early on. It’s the sport in itself that can humble any player extremely fast. Trout doesn’t even have a HR yet. He will probably still hit close to 40 of them. But the point is that the talent will eventually show. I know Bourjos and LaStella positions look bald right now for our own lineup but we have to remember that Eppler has had a plan. He’s not dumb. In fact if we had any other gm, I’m not quite sure Trout would be some confident in staying with us. Eppler is a huge reason Trout is here. Which means he’s got something brewing, but some things just take a lot of time and we fans are just impatient because it’s our favorite time of the year (Except Christmas of course ha) but you get the point...

It’ll be a problem all year especially if Eppler really is cool with Bourjos and lastella trying to half slap baseballs.

Didn’t we start 12-3 last season? And look where the ended up. Not saying it’s going to be different or anything lol but you never know. Also, not having Ohtani and Upton really effect this lineup. And they have 1 hr.

First pitch swing roll overs are my favorite.

My thinking is: Fletcher should be the starting 3B and Cozart 2B. Cozart probably plays more loose at 2B. Fletcher just grinds where ever on the field. Makes no sense to keep putting a guy out there who continues to have bad at bats and rolling over weak.

Angels had every opportunity to give Pena the 2 run cushion before he caved in the 3rd. Frustrating to watch 2 quick outs then a disaster unfold. As I type this out and Canha goes yaya. Smh.

@Jay heck yeah! Lol

Hey, guys! New member here. I’m sure Im beating a dead horse, but I scratched my head a little as well when I saw LaStella start the last two days. I thought Fletcher earned his playing time. He’s a grinder. Regardless of OBP numbers, there are times where the lineup just plays out differently when you have certain guys in there. Let’s say kevin smith has a better obp than Lucroy, (not saying he does) it doesn’t mean that Smith is more of an offensive threat. I think they’re just playing the mix and match game especially when it comes to “analytics” now. It’s only game #2. Seeing that Fletch got in the game and had a hit may also be an indicator that Ausmus has a tight rope on players who are just analytical matchups at the moment. Just my thoughts...