BTH

Roster Resource seems to be the closest. Their numbers are accurate (aside from arbitration estimates) and include pre-arb estimates as well.
https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/angels
The hardest part to account for seems to be pre-arb estimates, and Roster Resource at least provides an explanation for how they come up with their pre-arb estimates:
The "estimated salaries for players not yet eligible for arbitration" figure (which is included in luxury tax and "actual" payroll) presumes that, when factoring DL time, each team will need to pay for 33 player-seasons over the course of the regular season. This number is calculated by subtracting the number of guaranteed and arbitration-year contracts from 33(the number of player-seasons) and then multiplying the number that remains (typically around 10-15) by the league minimum salary.

I'd prepare to be disappointed if you think they're going to spend at least 30-40 million. There's a chance they could if Arte opens up his wallet more, but that $151 million number isn't accurate.

The "actual" payroll right now is around $165 million. That includes players with guaranteed salaries, arb-eligible players, and pre-arb players.
That $151 million number you got doesn't account for the estimated salaries for pre-arb players (which is a little under 11M) and Ohtani's arbitration number (which will be 2.5M or 3M.)

The problem is that the actual payroll is only $15-$20 million below what it was at last year (before salaries were pro-rated).
So unless Arte gives Minasian more money to work with, they are somewhat limited.

My point is that OF depth isn't a huge priority. Starting pitching is. 

I'm not sure that the Reds "need to unload Gray." It sounds like they are open to dealing him in the right deal and are listening to offers, but it doesn't sound like they NEED to trade him.
I also think there are more teams out there that still need and will still spend/acquire pitching. The Twins come to mind as one team. I'm not quite sure that they are going to get a discount.

From Jon Morosi: "The Angels are looking to sign a starting pitcher, but Bauer and the team’s pitching coach, Mickey Callaway, had noted philosophical differences while together on the Indians. Bauer and Callaway have communicated since Callaway left the team to manage the Mets, but it’s unclear if the two have reached a point where they are enthusiastic about working with one another again."
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-free-agent-market-after-dj-lemahieu-deal

Id assume they would steer closer to the durability rather than the skills. 

he hadn't signed when you started the thread

he hadn't signed when you started the thread

he hadn't signed when you started the thread

The TV guys are independent contracts of FSW, so Jose Mota actually may not be employed by the Angels but they have the decision making power. As for Terry Smith, I'd imagine that he's employed by the Angels since Arte Moreno owns AM830.
 
 
 

The TV guys are independent contracts of FSW, so Jose Mota actually may not be employed by the Angels but they have the decision making power. As for Terry Smith, I'd imagine that he's employed by the Angels since Arte Moreno owns AM830.
 
 
 

I have tried to get an idea of the extent to which any of those names are realistic and so far I’ve been unable to get further than the fact that they are involved. 

My feeling talking to Minasian is they have a lot of stuff out there, both trades and free agents, and he is waiting for the other side to say yes. 
 
As long as there’s no deadline, it’s hard to justify giving up more than you want to give up so you can make a deal on Jan. 1 instead of Jan 25.
Presumably Minasian is checking in often enough so if another team is about to intercede the Angels can see if they want to up their offer, but short of that you’re negotiating against yourself. 

I think some of you don't know the difference between a play by play guy and a guy who provides color commentary...

I think Minasian's comment about "things happen when they happen" is fine as long as he still accomplishes his goals that he had heading into the offseason by the time ST starts.
If the Angels get the two starters, relievers, catcher, and outfield depth they need by ST, it doesn't matter what order it happened in.
The problem is if the "things" that happen aren't what you wanted to happen because you waited to long.
 
To me, it sounds like Minasian knows his options and is just waiting for things to come together. There are still options out there, so I don't think fans need to go into full panic mode yet. But if everyone starts to sign over the next few weeks and they've stood still, then panic.

Same. And keeping him away from the A's (and potentially other AL West teams) is an added bonus.

Same. And keeping him away from the A's (and potentially other AL West teams) is an added bonus.

I really hope that the Angels continue to add to the bullpen. Astros have now added Baez and Stanek to their bullpen in the last week.

I guess I should have worded my point better. Yeah, there are tons of options for the Angels to improve their rotation because Peters/Naughton/Suarez isn't a high bar to clear. I guess I'm more concerned with whether adding a Walker, Odorizzi, or some other middle of the rotation type pitcher would be enough to get them in the playoffs. The Angels need to make the playoffs, not just marginally improve. Perhaps it is enough if they add to the bullpen, add a catcher to supplement Stassi, and a right fielder, but I don't know if they have the room to make all those additions.
 
(Like pretty much everyone, I didn't expect Bundy to turn out to be one of the better pitchers in the AL last season. Though I did expect him to be better than he was in Baltimore since he was getting out of the AL East and there seemed to be room for him to improve his pitch mix.)

Barria and a prospect that's not in our top 20.
No way am I giving up Sandoval.

I think Minasian's comment about "things happen when they happen" is fine as long as he still accomplishes his goals that he had heading into the offseason by the time ST starts.
If the Angels get the two starters, relievers, catcher, and outfield depth they need by ST, it doesn't matter what order it happened in.
The problem is if the "things" that happen aren't what you wanted to happen because you waited to long.
 
To me, it sounds like Minasian knows his options and is just waiting for things to come together. There are still options out there, so I don't think fans need to go into full panic mode yet. But if everyone starts to sign over the next few weeks and they've stood still, then panic.

I think Minasian's comment about "things happen when they happen" is fine as long as he still accomplishes his goals that he had heading into the offseason by the time ST starts.
If the Angels get the two starters, relievers, catcher, and outfield depth they need by ST, it doesn't matter what order it happened in.
The problem is if the "things" that happen aren't what you wanted to happen because you waited to long.
 
To me, it sounds like Minasian knows his options and is just waiting for things to come together. There are still options out there, so I don't think fans need to go into full panic mode yet. But if everyone starts to sign over the next few weeks and they've stood still, then panic.

Considering that the Angels seem to always disappoint us, I think the most likely move is that they move Terry Smith to TV PBP and have Jose Mota (or maybe Trent Rush) take over as Radio PBP.
I'd prefer that they bring in someone new to replace Victor. I'd first try to poach some of the top up guys like Brian Anderson and Joe Davis, but I doubt that happens.
After that, I would then turn to guys like Aaron Goldsmith in Seattle who have a part time gig, but not a full 162 game schedule. Those people might be attainable because they'd be the #1 guy instead of the backup/fill-in guy.
If that goes nowhere, I think you then turn to former full time PBP guys who don't currently have full time PBP gigs. Such as Mario Impemba, Matt Vasgersian, and Rich Waltz.