BTH

The Dodgers and Rays are the premier model to follow. Hopefully they do so. Now would be the time.

When will we see other changes besides the change at GM? Both on the coaching staff and in the front office. If Arte didn't trust Eppler to be his GM, why would he trust the guys that Eppler hired? Also, Jesus Feliciano was absent for all but 3 games of the season. What's his status moving forward? (Hopefully everything with he and his family is ok)

There has been speculation that there will be a flood of non-tenders this offseason. I'd imagine that some good 2B options will become available through non-tenders. I think that's the best route for the Angels to go. Wait out the 2B market and get a good deal later in the offseason when a player is desperate to sign.

La Russa plays a critical role in the Dombrowski speculation. He has a voice in Arte's ear, and he's likely pushing for Dombrowski. Conversely, if Arte wants Dombrowski, La Russa is probably gonna be used to help convince Dombrowski. If Arte wants Dombrowski, he's getting Dombrowski. We saw it last year with Maddon.

It's gonna be interesting to see what happens. Regardless of who the GM is, they aren't gonna have an emotional attachment to any of these guys because they drafted none of them. The new GM isn't gonna worry about guys he liked in high school, college, and the minors. Instead, he's just gonna worry about improving the team. Even if it isn't Dombrowski.

I normally wouldn't expect Arte to spend in this situation because owners probably will spend less, but he might have to if he wants Dombrowski as his GM. It's gonna be a lot harder for Dombrowski to help turn this team into a playoff team if he can't spend any money, and Dombrowski may not take the job unless Arte commits to spending money.

I'd give credit to Eppler and the hitting coaches, both in the majors and the minors. Eppler moved Ward off C, and even though he didn't stick at 3B, his offense still blossomed. The hitting coaches throughout the organization have been able to revamp some hitters throughout the organization and they deserve credit for Ward and Walsh, imo. I'd also credit the guy who scouted and signed Jared Walsh in the 39th round, Chad Hermansen.

I'd separate #3 into two separate categories. I think there are players with question marks who *could* perform like a #2 category, but they might not. For example, we've seen both the good and bad versions of Walsh, Upton, and Ward in the past two seasons. They could perform be in the #2 category, but they may perform like a mediocre or worse player. I'd put that as the #3 category and have #4 category be for guys like Pujols, Barreto, Rengifo, and Adell.

@Jeff Fletcher does "around the start of the 2021 season" mean that he may not be healthy at the start of spring training?

-Either a 2B or SS to pair with Fletcher in the middle infield, which leaves Barreto/Rengifo as the backup middle infielders. -A catcher to split time with Stassi and allow Bemboom to go to the minors and be the 3rd catcher if someone gets hurt. -Another bat of some sorts who can either play 1B, 2B, SS, or the OF. This would allow them to have adequate lineup depth if they don't get the needed production out of Walsh, Ohtani, Upton, Ward, or Adell.

There could be some other reasons we are not aware of right now that could've played a factor in Simmons' decision, but if there aren't any then it's a bad look for the Angels. Don't get me wrong. Simmons has the right to opt out, and I completely respect that. It's just a bad look for the Angels if a player is opting out with 5 games to go in the season. I hope it catches Arte's attention because Arte needs to look in the mirror and realize that the way he's running the team isn't working.

I'd like to see it, but it's not going to happen. The Red Sox tried to that very same thing, and it didn't work out. The Red Sox hired Dombrowski as VP of Baseball Ops with Ben Cherington as GM, but then Cherington resigned.

If he keeps this up through the end of the season, I think you have Ward and Adell compete for the starting RF job in ST, with Ward having the edge coming into camp.

If his valued hasn't tanked a ton (which it might have), I'd be looking to move him. The Angels need to win and can't wait for him to develop. If they can get MLB help for him, you have to explore it. But you also can't sell low.

They've got to at least explore an extension with both of them. Not sure if either of them will want to sign an extension, but they need to see.

I agree that Eppler is unlikely to add any big relievers through free agency, but he may not be the GM. If there is a new GM, that person may be more inclined to sign a reliever than Eppler is.

The bullpen is obviously an area of concern for the Angels. The top tier of free agent relievers this offseason include Alex Colome, Ken Giles, Shane Greene, Liam Hendriks, Blake Treinen, and Kirby Yates. Giles and Yates have been injured for most of this season, but have a track record. Who is the best option for the Angels, and could they even add more than one top free agent reliever?

Also, Roenicke is probably gone after the season.

Jon Daniels has been in Texas for a long time. I wonder if that time comes to an end soon.

I want some guys to step up and grab hold of jobs for 2021 and beyond. Stassi: prove that you can be an everyday starter at C. Walsh/Thaiss: one of you step up and take Pujols' job at 1B. Rengifo/Barreto: perform well in the majors and earn the starting 2B job next year. Adell: live up to the hype that you have as a top 5-10 prospect in MLB. Barria/Sandoval/Suarez: grab hold onto a rotation spot and prove that you are a MLB caliber starter. Barnes/Mayers/Middleton: show us who you are. Can you be a trustworthy reliever in the majors?

I doubt it. If you want to keep him, you don't let him go into the season on an expiring contract and he's done nothing so far to make Arte feel better about him.

Agreed, but unfortunately Carpino is Arte Moreno's guy. Caprino ain't leaving until Arte sells the team or he retires on his own.

They could always acquire a PTBNL who isn't in the 60-man player pool. Jays prospects who are in their player pool and their prospect ranking: Patrick Murphy- #21 Santiago Espinal- #23 Kevin Smith- #24 Thomas Hatch- #25 Julian Merryweather- #26 Riley Adams- 28

Watch Farhan Zaidi and the Giants claim him, like they've done with many other Angels who were DFA'd.