HeavenlyHalos

2 minutes ago, samwum said:

It's not about what is best for their long term potential. It's about what's the best case scenario for Perry's argument for a contract extension at the end of the year. He needs to be able to point to Neto, Schanuel, and Moniak as success stories this season and sending them down won't accomplish that. 

Point taken, but I was commenting on what is best for the Angels franchise, not Perry's future employment.

11 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

I suppose the silver lining is that the AL West sucks: The Angels are 9-13, but only 2 games behind 1st.

But if and when the Angels fall further behind, it might behoove everyone to re-calibrate expectations and just focus on the rebuilding aspect of 2024 - and that includes Washington. Stop worrying about replacing Neto or getting production from any particular player or position. Start thinking about the usable pieces of the 2025 team and beyond. Given that, Neto and Schanuel are just as well served getting reps in Anaheim as they'd be in Salt Lake.

2024 was always a taking stock/rebuilding year. At 4-2 and 6-4 it was hard not to dream of a nice story ala the Rangers from last year. But how realistic was that, really?

So let's hope Washington re-adjusts soon and starts playing Adell more, and doesn't give up on Neto and Schanuel. See if Canning and Sandoval can turn it around. Continue to coax Soriano along. Etc, etc.

I agree with most of this but an argument can be made that Neto and/or Schanuel would be better off developing in the minors to achieve their best possible long-term potential. Neto especially looks completely lost right now at the ML level, especially against breaking balls. Most fans agree that Adell was brought up way too early and it may have significantly impacted his development. That could also be the case here, of course it is hard to ascertain if that is the case or not. On the other hand, Adell is having the best plate appearance of the "future" hitters (0 WAR, 110 OPS+), sans O'Hoppe, and he has the fewest starts (7). Neto has 20 starts (-0.1 WAR, 37 OPS+), O'Hoppe has 17 (0.5 WAR, 134 OPS+), Schanuel 16 (-0.1 WAR, 52 OPS+), and Moniak 12 (-0.7 WAR, 39 OPPS+). I get that part of that is due to the respective positions they play and all but it is still pretty crazy, especially considering that Adell still has a high ceiling.

Just now, samwum said:

I've lost full confidence in Wash because of this one. I really appreciate the way Wash has emphasized defense, situational hitting, and baserunning, but if you aren't going to play the best players -- get the fuck out.

Hicks was below average against RHP even in his prime. He is fully washed up -- the Yankees paid him ~$30mm to not play for them. Hicks playing against RHP, and hitting leadoff, is flat out fucking ridiculous. 

Right, I didn't care much for signing Wash, but to be fair, it made some sense given how many younger players we are likely to see this year and next and a focus on those fundamental aspects your outlined. Of course, that also brings up the first point of needing to play Adell almost every game which likely will come from Perry DFA'ing him (which he should).

Just now, samwum said:

Very transparent chain of events that have lead to this situation, as I outlined below.

 

 

To be fair, from the reports I recall, Arte forced them to be buyers at the deadline and the other two didn't break the bank. With that said, giving up our second for Thor made zero freaking sense at the time.

In all, I don't really know how to judge Perry as he hasn't been given the same amount to play with financially compared to his three predecessors. This off-season he mostly gets a pass from me because I think the plans changed drastically after Ohtani left, and Arte decided to go into a rebuild and penny pinch. I hope attendance suffers a ton and Arte changes his mind (again) and sells the team. It really sucks having him as an owner when they are in such a large marketplace. Contrast that with the Clippers who have one of the richest owners in sports that is driven to win - he has failed to do so so far but he clearly invests in the franchise. 

6 minutes ago, budice0 said:

If they do hit rock-bottom, it'll mean a high draft pick.  They've been doing .500 regardless of the payroll for so long.  Finally have a chance at top talent in the Draft.

When your payroll and talent lags behind competitors, it leads to certain realities.  We know Rendon.  We know Trout.  If the others overachieve great, but the consensus is this is not a playoff-caliber team.  Ron Washington knows that.

It'll be a long season, but the realities of a rebuild with possible ownership change are looming.  Hopefully for the better. 

If Ron Washington does know that, it makes even less sense that Hicks has started over half of the games so far. He has a -0.5 WAR and a robust 27 OPS+. Just DFA him and start Adell 6/7 games, Moniak against all RHP starters and Sano between 3rd, 1st, and DH.

5 minutes ago, greginpsca said:

I will be surprised if the Angels win more than 2 games the rest of this month.

With 8 games left in the month against Baltimore, Minnesota, and Philly, this is very possible.

Hicks is so fucking bad. Just DFA him already sheesh. I mean, why the fuck are we carrying 5 OFers anyways?

Hey Neto didn't strike out!

4 minutes ago, Swordsman78 said:

Is there one area that this team has improved in?

Some individual performance positives so far: Ward playing at an All star level, Detmers looking like a possible Ace, Soriano looks like a long-term rotation piece, Anderson has rebounded nicely. Adell has a much much better approach. O'Hoppe definitely one of the top Catchers in the game.

Everything else, yeah the same or worse. Defense has been especially ass and the combination of Neto and Schanuel's regression is incredibly disappointing. I will never understand playing Hicks over Adell/Moniak more than maybe once a week, and only against a LHP.

It is really hard to hold any sort of optimism with this franchise as long as Arte around.

I guess maybe they can trade some guys around the deadline with Drury, Estevez, Cimber, and Moore due for free agency. Maybe deal Canning, Rengifo, and Anderson who are only signed (or entering their final arb season) for 2025. The other good news is that they really only have money tied up in Trout and Rendon, the latter of which is only two more seasons. Also, play Adell every damn day moving forward. 

And defense might cost them yet another game. This team is not very fun to watch at the moment. 

Rengifo... again. My god 

Lame way for the no-hitter to end. On the positive, Soriano sure looks to have ace-quality stuff. 

This offense is pretty freaking terrible

Welp fuck this. I'm not watching another shit show of a Sandoval performance. Hope everyone enjoys the remainder of their Saturday

Washington should protest

Aaaand Sandoval does Sandoval things immediately after smh

Seriously wtf? The ball was ruled in play but he is at second base. Also Rengifo continues his horrible defense.

WTF? How are they overturning that? Makes no fucking sense.

Rendon couldn't make it a month. Of course he was actually playing well the past two weeks as well. Shame

2 minutes ago, bloodbrother said:

Yep. I could do without anymore Aaron Hicks, though

Yup, Hicks has done nothing to warrant the amount of PT he has been getting.

2 minutes ago, No Roles said:

ward is a great story ! he waited so many years to make the team...I remember most of all  last decade he be called up when we were outta of it then he just blossomed a few years ago into a great player !

Still under contract for two more seasons after this one too. Pretty much get his prime years under the minimum and arb years. If they actually want to spend money this offseason (Burnes) than I hope they do not trade him at the deadline if we become sellers.

Light it! Won't lose the series now. Clutch at bats in the 9th from the offense. Helps the sting of last night a bit.

Ugh more disappointing defense.

Uno mas... Please get it done this time.