Chuck

I don't mind if he struggles out of the gate like Tim Salmon did every year (which is why he never made the all-star team), but if Pujols can carry the team from mid-May through October, I'll be a happy fan.

For those of you asking where to change your display name, you can do that by clicking on your profile pic in the upper right, choose "Account Settings" from the dropdown, then choose display name on the left side bar of options.

Ask and you shall receive. I have added the preview post button in the toolbar. @CaliAngel

Yeah. I mean, even with Rondon who was the prize of the package, I just don't see him ever hitting for any power, possess on-base skills and his glove isn't that of Andrelton Simmons to warrant a promotion based on his defense.

Good.

Yeah this isn't favorites or tenure, just best year vs. other teams players best years. I know the Yankees would crush, but I like our chances.

Yep. R.J. Alvarez, Taylor Lindsey and Jose Rondon were all ranked in the top 10 prospects list by Baseball America that year for the Angels. All of them performed well in the minors, including Morris.

I guess he threw 3 innings on Friday and everything went well.

Skaggs threw three innings in Arizona on Friday, so he's ready to make the next step. Assuming all goes well on Wednesday, he'll start pitching in games with Triple-A Salt Lake.

Yep and he went almost 9 innings. If his stint was short, I'm sure he'd be the guy.

Not if they continue this sucktitude. We've had some guys move up on the prospect rankings. I'd say of the four Rondon would still be a top 10 guy in our system, but if he continues to play poorly in AA this season he'll drop out of the top 10.

Huff signed a minor league deal with the Angels last month and owns a 5.40 ERA and 11/4 K/BB ratio in 11 2/3 innings over three starts with Triple-A Salt Lake. The 31-year-old has a 5.08 ERA over 55 starts and 63 relief appearances in the majors.

Eight prospects from that four-year window -- Elliot Morris, R.J. Alvarez, Mark Sappington,Eric Stamets, Kody Eaves, Adam McCreery, Newcomb and Ellis -- were used in trades that helped the Angels acquire Huston Street, Cesar Ramos, David Murphy, Jhoulys Chacin, Jefry Marte and Simmons. "In that sense of it," Wilson said, "I think it's been successful, because those players, although they didn't play for us, they're getting us Major League players, which is very, very valuable, as well. We're trying to get as many players in the system as we can to give Billy the flexibility to do whatever he can do."

More like, thank you San Diego Padres GM and scouts.

But this also proves that maybe our scouts aren't so bad AO, that other teams scouts could be bad, or that everyone evaluates talent differently. The almighty and all-knowing Keith Law said he wouldn't have traded Jose Rondon straight up for Street, even though we had his option for the next season.

This has nothing to do with his current contract whatsoever. Huston Street was worth just the two months of saves in 2014 for what the trade provided us now (including netting Escobar for Gott). 2015 was a bonus.

For the record... This is not a thread to praise Dipoto, but a reminder that prospects do not always work out. Our entire fanbase should know this full well, but if you read the reactions in that Huston Street trade thread, you'd think we traded 4 Mike Trout's. It still gets me bent thinking we didn't want to cough up Brandon Wood for Miguel Cabrera in addition to Kendrick, Santana and Mathis.

Thank you @John Stellman

Remember the trade that a bunch of people were up in arms about? You know, the trade where we gave up way too much, mortgaged the farm? Let this thread be a reminder that the reason you draft players and develop them is two-fold. See if they fit on your club in the future or be a piece to a trade to acquire a need. Let's take a quick look at the prospects everyone was up in arms about giving up for the much needed closer the Angels needed back in 2014. Elliot Morris: Cannot get out of Double-A since the trade, posting nearly a 5.00 ERA over the past two seasons. Taylor Lindsey: Barely hitting above the Mendoza line and was demoted to Double-A last season. Still there, slashing .219/.306/.358 R.J. Alvarez: Has struggled in the big leagues to the tune of a 7.39 ERA with a 1.71 WHIP. He's currently trying to get out of High-A ball now (9+ ERA) while rehabbing. Jose Rondon: Struggling to get out of Double-A after hitting .190 there last season. Currently he has posted an impotent .247/.278/.355 slash line in Double-A for the Padres with 8 walks vs. 36 strikeouts. Meanwhile, we received Trevor Gott along with our closer Huston Street in the trade. There were members here and fans on social media at the time of the trade who were pissed that we traded the fireballer Gott for Yunel Escobar from the Nationals in a one-for-one trade. Some said that Escobar had a career year last season and it was doubtful that he'd repeat. So far this season, Escobar hasn't missed a beat and has looked like the Angels best leadoff man since 2009, when Chone Figgins was setting the table. Trevor Gott: In Triple-A Gott has posted a 4.55 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and opposing hitters are hitting nearly .300 against him (.295) So basically the Angels got their closer and leadoff man for 5 Rondons that cannot seem to get out of Double-A or make it back to the big leagues. Well done, Angels. Related Threads: ....and it gets really good on page 7 when the Rondon's are announced. Even on page 13 Keith Law tweets that he would not have traded Jose Rondon straight up for two months of Huston Street + an option. lol

Do you see the need in career BABIP vs. FIP for pitchers @ettin? Right now I added career ERA vs. FIP, but I can add the BABIP vs. FIP too.

Do you see dead people too, @happybat4?

I want to keep Escobar as well. Dude is a good hitter, great leadoff guy and seems to be an excellent clubhouse dude. If anything, trade Simmons, Street, Santiago, Shoemaker or Richards as a PTBNL if you can get a good LF prospect close.

Now available ERA vs. FIP for our starting pitchers. I can add relievers too if you'd like. These stats can be found here: Here's an example of what it looks like. Be sure to hover your mouse over the graph lines to see the numbers. @Inside Pitch @Angelsjunky @ettin @Dochalo Matt Shoemaker Career ERA and FIP | PointAfter

Done.