eligrba

I can't fault you for your comments.  I certainly think you're misrepresenting the consensus though.  
There's a big difference between hope and actual optimism.  Was I hopeful that Harvey, Cahill, Bourjos, Lucroy, Bour, Allen and Cozart were going to work out? Sure.  Was I optimistic?  No.  Most, even those who generally put a positive spin on things, didn't come close to extreme optimism.  
While many of us acknowledge the likelihood of things going well as very low, I personally would rather focus on that 10% chance even though I know it's unrealistic.  
Outside of what happened to Skaggs, the outcome of this season was fairly predictable.  In fact, I think most thought we'de win 86-90 games if a lot went well and far less than that if it didn't.  
You very well could be right that Arte spends just enough to create that veil of optimism and to keep that 3 mil number where it's at.  Those of us who have done the research know that a top starter and another mid rotation guy fit within that budget.  
Don't treat people like idiots because they want a certain player and think he's critical to the future.  Of course we know he's not on the team.  He'd be an important piece though just like a Trout extension was and just like signing Ohtani was which according to some around here, we had no shot at.  If you don't think people understand all the ways in which things can go wrong then you're just not paying attention.  
Every single poster here understands the realistic view of this team.  But it's a hell of a lot more fun for a lot of us to talk about getting Gerrit Cole and Ohtani coming back strong and Canning getting better and healthy and so many other things that could take this team to the next level.  
I personally look at sports and teams I follow as an outlet to add additional enjoyment to my life and I wouldn't bother with it otherwise if I couldn't find a way to make it do that.   We clearly can't make you think about the good things that might happen as opposed to what is likely so have at your way.  You are absolutely entitled to that opinion.  
 

Anybody that can pitch at least 162 innings with a sub 4.00 ERA, come on DOWN!!!!!!   You're automatically the ace!
Currently, 37 MLB pitchers have a sub 4.00 ERA and are on pace for at least 162 innings pitched (24 in NL, 13 in AL). 
The real disapointment is having only 20 team QS's, when the next lowest in the AL is the O's with 30.   
You CAN'T fix that WITHOUT acquiring a couple of solid innings eaters at the least, preferably Cole plus either Odorizzi or Miley.

I would like to try this "attendance" concept for my work.

I would like to try this "attendance" concept for my work.

I was looking through the preview for tonight's game and they already posted the attendance.  

The Angels need him to start throwing off a mound and doing bullpen sessions.

I’m saying that he may be more interested in playing for the Angels as they enter their window of opportunity than maximizing his potential earnings. He would be foolish not to listen to other offers, but in the end he will be expensive and the Angels will need to pay. I think the past few years of pitching problems only adds to the reality that the Angels need to pay.

Sounds like a great trip.  Enjoy. 

The Angels need him to start throwing off a mound and doing bullpen sessions.

I think Arte does hit the 200 million level but not this year.  I have a hard time believing that he won't hit 200M with Ohtani, Trout, and possibly an emerging Adell on the books.

The Angels need him to start throwing off a mound and doing bullpen sessions.

I think the FO will go after Cole early ... maybe even put a deadline on their offer. They will give Cole a significant offer and put the ball in his court ... “either you want to play in SoCal for the Angels or we’re moving on from you”. I normally don’t like deadline offers but Boras! There’s plenty of good starting pitching to let pass by if Cole’s agent wants to drag on the whole process. It wouldn’t surprise me too if Eppler traded for a second SP. 
 I think the FO will find a way to keep the other Kole ... even if it means picking up his option. This way Eppler can always trade Calhoun at the deadline if Jo Adell is ready ... only costing the team around $7.5M to keep Calhoun with the chance to picking up a prospect or two. ? 
 

I listened to Jim Palmer talk about the lack of mechanics he sees in today’s pitchers. I got the impression that it is not just an Angels problem.

Yes.
Sincerely, 
A Time Traveler from a month ago.

I am using Weaver as my reference.  He signed a contract with the Angels that was very un-borass.

I suspect that Cole will not play the waiting game if the Angels make a competitive offer. 

The best thing about the rest of the season is that we don't have to see those hideous uniforms again

I so don't give a fuck about home runs from a 2nd baseman. I'd rather he hit in the .300's with a high on base percentage and use his speed for leadoff than applauding another over swinging player with high strikeout rates, low batting average and a home run once every 6 games. 

At this point we’re already looking forward to the end of the season. A few things we really hope for in terms of positives during the offseason would be Trout winning his 3rd MVP award, Ohtani completely recovering from TJS, Canning back to healthy, Adell tearing it up in the AZL, and for the Angels to stay in Anaheim... 
First and foremost I’d love to see the Angels finish strong and win, but I also wouldn’t be against us losing for a higher draft pick. Blaze Jordan is an interesting name and currently falls between picks 10-15. Had Jordan waited a year for the draft he’d likely easily be a top 5 pick. 
Coming up will be one of the most anticipated offseasons for the Angels. This offseason could determine our direction for the next few years. The Angels have money to spend and it’s quite apparent they will focus it all towards the starting rotation. Gerrit Cole will be at the top of our list (along with 29 other teams). Angels could drastically strengthen the rotation heading into the 2020 season with a push for an ace and using the farm to acquire more depth. 

I interpreted Middleton's tweet as disagreeing with the original tweet which tweeted an unsubstantiated claim which is not uncommon in today's tweets or by tweeters of questionable tweet-integrity.
 

Pablo, that is.
https://www.mlb.com/news/pablo-sandoval-to-have-tommy-john-surgery

Just imagine this rotation for a second:
Cole, Ohtani, Odorizzi, Heaney, Canning, and a revolving door of Barria, Suarez, and Sandoval. Plus another "flyer" pick up to be the main swingman. 
Is that the best rotation in baseball? Absolutely not. But it's very good on paper, with a chance to be great if Heaney stays healthy and Canning takes a big step forward. Lots of "Ifs" here but that's the best we've got right now. Having a young core of starters who aren't quite ready yet but have all had significant MLB experience is a big deal. Barria will get better. Sandoval will get better. Suarez is a question mark, but he can't be much worse than he has been this year. That's exactly the position the Angels need to be in: Having a rotation of good pitchers with a ton of upside and 3 young guys as depth. We haven't had "depth" in quite some time. But adding Cole, Ohtani and Odorizzi (or Hamels or Bumgarner or Wheeler) pushes everyone back and gives us some nice depth. That's 9 pitchers deep. That's about where they should be.
Remember, Ohtani is seen as a legit frontline starter. He may be on an innings limit in 2020 but to use an old cliche, it's as if the Angels have signed a #1/#2 starter already. Cole is an unquestionable #1 who can throw 200 innings. Odorizzi (again, he's just a placeholder for now) would be a solid 3 starter who can give them 150-160 innings. 
Adding, essentially, 3 starting pitchers, two of which are frontline guys, is a significant bump.
Even if Cole doesn't sign here, the Angels have the option to add an Odorizzi and Hamels and maybe trade for another starter to supplement the entire rotation with quality AND quantity.
It's a domino effect: Add pitchers who can throw 160+ innings, and you see less of the bullpen. The pen isn't completely overworked and things are looking great for the long haul. 
I don't think the division is in reach, yet. But I think the Angels will win the WC in 2020. Eppler isn't dumb and neither is Arte. They know the time to compete is now and doing what they can to surround Trout with legitimate talent is now the number 1 priority. 
The 20's is going to be a far better decade than the past one. We have an owner who is willing to spend money and a GM who is concerned about building the farm system. Haven't seen that since 2004. 
Let's fuckin do this. 
 

I always preferred the California Angels....

I only take them off when he hits a homerun.
 

I thought the problem was Pujols.