disarcina

On 9/24/2023 at 9:45 AM, fan_since79 said:

Hopefully they'll add a couple more wild cards to make us more competitive.

Only if MLB goes to the recently announced NBA format of an 'in season tournament' -- not sure how that's going to work in the NBA but it sounds like the NBA is trying to replicate -in some fashion - the excitement generated  by March Madness.   My query about whatever. the NBA format will be -  is what do the teams that go out in the first round of the 'in season tournament' do for the rest of the tournament ?   Mid-season vacation?   Play in a 'second chance' consolation round?

On 9/24/2023 at 8:38 AM, Spirit said:

t's a good point.  There were soooo many things we didn't get to.  I actually was messaging with Tim this morning about that.  We will absolutely have him back on and be sure to dig into that one.  I also want to really dig into the di

didn't get the full quote here -- but you sort of did get into the Disney vs. Arte discussion a little bit. Mead mentioned something about R stuff being routed through the Disney 'department' and Disney folks leaving the office 5 pm on Friday when developing events needed to be responded to, addressed.

enjoyed the Mead. podcast.

thanks for doing that.

no one asked him what he is doing these days -- I don't think he's just sitting around the house.

have to listen to this,.

why did the leave the HOF position?  

Seemed like a dream job and then he up and left suddenly. --no. explanation really ever given.

Cue up Bob. Seger : "Still the Same". --  second fiddle in S. Cal. 

That's the Halos history and future.

After this season, I just don't see the Halos doing much the next ten years.

best players in all of MLB and we're a second division team.  Next year Ohtani won't be in an Angels uni and Trout may be gone as well.

New stadium?  Angels will be fortunate if they can negotiate a new lease with the City 0f Anaheim after all the shenanigans that went on with the prior lease extension effort.

I think this Halos team is there.

It matches the dysfunction at the end of the Terry Collins years with the Mo Vaughn fiasco.

The Halos started the new TROUT/ OHTANI era with a lot of promise, hope and potential -- we had two of the best players of all MLB and things were looking up --  and then the reality of 2023 hit.

Now Ohtani's Angels career is over, Trout may be gone next, Arte is on again/ off again selling the team owner, the stadium lease situation with the scandal ridden City of Anaheim administration is in limbo and no better than it was three years ago - heck -  I don't know who's been worse as a municipal partner -- the hapless Oakland City Council/ Oakland Coliseum with the "Las Vegas A's" or the Angels / Anaheim situation.

It feels as if in the last two months - topped off by the Ohtani cleaning out his locker story (a PR disaster that could have been avoided by the front office/ PR folks) the Angels franchise has regressed a decade -- and it may take just long for the Angels to field a regularly competitive team again.   I expect by Spring Training 2024, Ohtani (already gone) and Trout will be gone and the Angels roster will resemble a AAA team much as the line up the Angels will be handing to the plate umpire the next two weeks.

Time to DFA the GM, Manager and - Arte - sell the team !!

Yep - folks - we're at a very  low point for this franchise. -- Halos will never be on even footing with the Dodgers as S.Cal's 'second MLB team' -- at one point during Arte's tenure, when McCourt was destroying the Dodgers brand - that the Halos had a window of opportunity -- that has long since passed -- and now the Trout/ Ohtani era is apparently over.

Disappointment is an understatement.   Sorry for the downer post --  but that's how if feels to be a long time Halos fan this week.

Ohtani out for the rest of his ANGELS career.

I don't see him playing another game in a Halos uni

I don't think Ohtani plays another game in a Halos' uni.

why should he?

his arm is hurt, the Halos games are meaningless at this point, 

he's likely not coming back to Anaheim.

Maybe he can appear for an at bat or two in one or two of the final games at home in Anaheim - just to say goodbye to the fans.

I said it at the time -- what in the heck was LaRussa doing getting back behind the bench at 78 - after he had such a stellar career -- he was beloved in Chicago -- when he was Cards manager and then years later when he was out of managing for a bit --  he would get invited to and appear at the White Sox fan fest events.

at the time he took the ChiSox job at age 78 he was working for the ANGELS as a special assistant to the owner. I think that meant he sat in the owner's luxury suite on those wonderful Anaheim evenings sipping beverages and watching the game from the best seat in the house.  He gave that up to go back on the road for 81 games a year -- and within two years it took its toll.   

1 hour ago, Vegas Halo Fan said:

I'm wondering if this is a prelude to them becoming full time coaches. It does seem like an awkward situation for the coaches who are already in place.

Vegas. Halo -- perhaps but the way I read this move (Salmon and Finley as 'coach like advisors') is that Tempe Spring Training 2024 begins this week in Anaheim with a line up of minor league players.  There's always. extra 'coach advisors' hanging around the Tempe complex during Spring Training.

have to admit, when I saw the grave marker, I broke down a bit.

it's perfect.  thanks for your lovely message - we all miss LOU.

I see this as an upgrade.  Hey, at this point, almost anything can help.

someone explain to me the Halos deadline deal and dump stuff?  I know it. got the Halos 'maybe' under the luxury tax (actually it didn't - but lessened the luxury tax 'penalty fine' amount) but GEEZ there's has to be a better way to do that than to give up some good prospects for truly shorter than short term rental players.

I just see the franchise and the front office in free fall.

sorry to have missed the. ZOOM Wake for Lou.  

I am very pleased to see that so many above were able to partake.

I was one of the posters who actually met LOU several times -- at some of the earlier Angelswin.com functions including the year Chuck was able to get Arte Moreno to talk to us at a private session at Tempe Diablo Stadium

the post from Lou's brother was heartfelt ( I was going to say 'touching but I knew exactly LOU's expected response to that )!  LOU was always fun.  I've been somewhat away from posting here - it's been a tough season, I've been busy- ah- a. thousand excuses.  But I will always remember the jovial fun loving LOU, a guy who's attitude and sprit is representative of the good folks on this board -- only LOU was able to post stuff that was  just a bit better and a lot more funnier than the stuff the rest of post/ posted.

4 minutes ago, Blarg said:

Now hold on there, don't give up yet. There still is O'Hoppe, Schanuel and soon Neto to return from the IL to see how they are going to end the season.

With luck not at Kerlan Jobe. 

O'Hoppe !!! another Halos IR list guy. -- and coming out  of Spring Training and into April - he was looking really solid on defense behind  the plate - and at the plate. -- then he went down -- he was looking like ROY material.

Schanuel will have the opportunity togged  some MLB playing time without a lot of pressure -- that'll be a positive thing. His start has been very promising.

4 minutes ago, Blarg said:

Maybe Arte will reconsider selling the team. 

One can hope. I just don't see the Halos. being anything more than a mediocre team for the next decade under Arte's continued ownership. His change of mind to keep the club during the off season just prolonged the total rebuild schedule this franchise needs.   Just when you thought the Angels  2023. season couldn't get worse......Ohtani and Trout both out,  probably for the season -- as for Ohtani -- why would he play at all the rest of the way?  Why  risk injury to. try to win meaningless games for a team you're leaving......... 

16 minutes ago, Swordsman78 said:

Arguably the worst injury season in Angel history.

The priority will be to add good pitching, a couple starters and BP guys.   The position guys, when healthy are good enough to win the division.

there have been worse -- but this one goes down as one of the most disappointing --  and YES--  us Halos fans have a lot of experience with disappointment.   Now there's absolutely no reason to watch/ attend an Angels game the rest  of this season,.  With Ohtani likely  playing his final games in an Angels uniform -- folks would have come out  to see him play -- now --  they'll stay home and watch college/ NFL football.

1 minute ago, Swordsman78 said:

Imagine if the Angels were 2 games up now in the wild card and Trout and Ohtani are done for the year.

Imagine the Angels anywhere close to playoff spot is all we've done for about a decade. But GEEZ. -  no Ohtani , no Trout,  Dog days of late August / September  -- going to be a lot of empty seats at the ball park.

18 minutes ago, DHangelfan said:

Hey guys, I work a lot, and I'd really like to see Ohtani pitch before he leaves. But, sadly, they never seem to post the day for probable pitchers in advance for him.

Can anyone help me predict the days he'll pitch for the last month? 
 

I appreciate any help! Thank you very much! 

 

 

YES -  after today - NONE.

Trout out again?  Unbelievable.

Ohtani - torn UCL -- is he out for the season, too?   Definitely not pitching again this year.

well, it's not like the Halos are in the thick of the playoff spot chase.  But GEEZ.

Been a tough week for AW.com folks and followers.  GEEZ.  I. guess these. things happen when you've been around some 25 years.  Still - sad to hear, tough to take.  

I'm used to a  respite from 'real world' stuff at AW.com -- not this week.

3 hours ago, Adam said:

Lou once needed new tires, so he rented the same car he had from National and had the wheels swapped out

that is so LOU !!!  Hilarious !!

May he rest in peace -- he brought a lot of joy and fun times to this Board.

On 8/3/2023 at 2:44 PM, Chuckster70 said:

There are so many lessons to be learned from Lou. I plan on compiling a bunch of them in the coming days and creating a separate thread/blog post with them all in there. 

CHUCK - please do that.  If you can get his obit link posted - I would appreciate reading that.

Ah man, just saw this. LOU has been a stalwart poster here for two decades. Heck, I think he goes back to the ESPN board days and that's a long time ago.  I met him at a couple of the functions/ game events that Chuck and the folks who make this Board happen day. after day, year. after year - organized.   My prayers are there for LOU.    May the Angels welcome him. - he's been a faithful servant -- and just a great person on this board.

Chuck -- thanks for letting us know -- my next door neighbor - a dear friend of mine for more than two decades is battling cancer -- it truly sucks.      LOU - you've been a positive force here with witty insightful posts -- heck - you disagreed with me more than half the time so it just shows you know your stuff!!!  My thoughts are with you.

On 7/15/2023 at 2:11 PM, Second Base said:

I think the most likely destination of all is Baltimore. They've just got their window of contention and are stocked with young MLB ready prospects and no where to put them. They could deal from their surplus without hurting the team's future while also making a big push this year. 

Minasian loves his first round picks and hyped prospects. I think he could swing some sort of deal where the Angels get Heston Kjerstad, DL Hall, Dylan Beavers and Seth Johnson from the Orioles. All those guys are furst or comp round picks, all have upside, all are in the high minors and every single one of them is currently blocked. 

I think Baltimore is a real possibility here -- and Ohtani would be a definite two month rental there -- but he could lead them to the promised land of a long run in the playoffs perhaps even a championship- which would give all those young Baltimore players who will be staying put in Baltimore - real playoff experience.   Baltimore - as Second Base points out - has the group of potential minor league. prospects who could be with the Angels for about four to five years under club control

4 minutes ago, ukyah said:

i think the only teams that will have any remotely serious discussion are the teams that can realistically expect to pay his FA rate. i would not expect more than a few teams to be in that position. giants probably, yankees, dodgers, mets. i mean who else can add a 60+ million per year player and still field a competitive roster? this has been the position with arte's unwillingness to go above the tax threshold. arte can't do it with the current salaries, and he's going to be able to do it when doubling ohtani's salary?

normally your comment would be a correct assessment of the situation -- however, Ohtani is the most unique talent to come along - perhaps in MLB. history - certainly in the modern era.  There are two markets for Ohtani - and the value on each changes daily as we get closer to August 1 deadline.   Halos probably now realize (finally) they have ZERO chance of signing him long term -- and need to deal him to get something of value for the greatest player in the game.    Some teams might be willing to over-pay for a two month rental of Ohtani for the stretch run and playoffs giving them a real chance to sell out their stadium the rest of the season and load up on merchandise sales of Ohtani gear - jerseys, hats, shirts, bobble - heads etc. - he also could be the difference between making the playoffs with a shot at winning the World Series - even if there is no way the team can sign him long term. (Houston , Atlanta, maybe Cincinnati, perhaps SF Giants. -others).  Then there's the big boys would want Ohtani not just for the two months but for the extra time in close proximity to him to convince him to sign and stay long term (NY Yankees, LA DODGERS, maybe NY Mets.  Seattle (probably lack the resources).   If this comes down to the deadline wire -- the Angels front office will have to make the choice whether to pull the trigger on getting perhaps.ONE really good top prospect  and perhaps another good prospect  -maybe even a MLB guy (pitcher) under club control for. four more years or so for Ohtani or lose him forever with a draft pick compensation.  The Halos should insist on a draft pick as part of any player deal.  IMO the best chance for a team to over-pay for Ohtani is the NY Yankees who would be interested in signing him long term and feel - right now today - that they are behind the  LA Dodgers on Ohtani's list -- Yankees would be given and stretch run and playoff experience time to convince Ohtani otherwise.       As for the Dodgers - they can probably sit back and wait knowing they are the front-runners for Ohtani right now for 2024 and would engage only if a bidding war breaks out with the Yankees and their efforts to neutralize the Dodgers' advantage.    That's how I see it.

I just cannot see the ANGELS doing nothing and losing Ohtani to free agency.  The front office would be hounded and second-guessed forever if that were to happen.