mmc

Anyone should’ve been able to tell that a 32 year old having his first season of being an above average hitter in his contract year wasn’t going to be worth a big contract.  

I know we need to use all of our assets to improve the rotation, but I would love to find a way to add Hader to this team.  It would put us in the elite class of bullpens.

I think Austin Romine is another good option for us to consider.  

I think Austin Romine is another good option for us to consider.  

I have a hard time believing that the Orioles care about 5 mil so much that it would restrict their ability to get a pretty decent prospect.  Let's say they could get a Patrick Sandoval type.  If that were available for 5 mil, they'd do it in a heartbeat.  
There was no market for Villar.  

another catching option people around here likes goes off the board 

another catching option people around here likes goes off the board 

According to IB, who is pretty well connected, us and the Sox are the teams going all in on him.  Hopefully this gets done soon.

According to IB, who is pretty well connected, us and the Sox are the teams going all in on him.  Hopefully this gets done soon.

I’d also cut Bemboom for Kruger

I couldn't be bothered to care about the Astros drama, as the alternative is us watching the Dodgers win the World Series.

I couldn't be bothered to care about the Astros drama, as the alternative is us watching the Dodgers win the World Series.

Kevin Maitan - Angels #23 prospect
Juan Contreras - Angels unranked prospect
Yefri Del Rosario - Royals #14 prospect
Abrahan Gutierrez - Phillies unranked prospect
Juan Carlos Negret - Royals unranked prospect
Yenci Pena - Rangers unranked prospect
Yunior Severino - Twins #18 prospect
Livan Soto - Angels #16 prospect
Guillermo Zuniga - Dodgers unranked prospect
Brandol Mezquita - Braves unranked prospect
Angel Rojas - Yankees unranked prospect
Antonio Sucre - appears to be out of baseball
Ji-Hwan Bae - Pirates #8 prospect
 
So 5 ranked prospects in Maitan, Del Rosario, Severino, Soto, and Bae (though Bae has the domestic violence controversy, and never actually signed with the Braves, just had a verbal agreement).

Marlins?  Mariners?

Most of the talk around here is about starting pitching as it is by far our biggest need, but while our bullpen is solid, it certainly wouldn't hurt to add 1 or 2 good relievers to make our bullpen one of the best in the league.  Which relievers do you want the Angels to pursue in free agency?  The best reliever, Will Smith, is already off the board, but I would be very happy if the Angels could sign at least one of Dellin Betances, Will Harris, Chris Martin, Daniel Hudson, Drew Pomeranz, or Steve Cishek.

According to Maria Torres of the LA Times, GM Billy Eppler said Tony La Russa is joining the front office as a special assistant of baseball operations.   Here's the official press release from the Angels:  

Maybe wait until we get more than one productive MLB player before we say it's good?

Maybe wait until we get more than one productive MLB player before we say it's good?

Well it's "good" based on the early returns in the minor leagues. We can circle back a few years down the road to really judge how well he did.