kevinb

I’d put unlimited amount of money on Simmons not being back in an Angels uniform next year.

Are you ok with Simmons leaving the team with 5 games left to play?

Where did I say temper tantrum? I said he quit on his team. There’s 5 games left he’s over it and quit. Doesn’t want to play for the Angels anymore or doesn’t want to play while risking injury before free agency. It makes perfect sense. Youre the only one who sees it as well he quit cause someone in his family was sick and he’s doing the unselfish thing. This is selfish. He quit. It’s fine it is what it is. But you can’t just ignore the facts. No one even knew. It’s not a good look I’m sorry. The family issue that it is, is that he doesn’t want to risk losing millions by getting injured before free agency. So in that terms yes it is a family issue.

Everyone else sees the exact same thing as I do. But you see something different. Come on man it’s not that hard to read between the lines. Even the manager didn’t see this coming.

Like it or not he is quitting on the team. Not finishing the year, and as you said meaningless games that could cost his family millions. It's quitting you can not like the term but that is exactly what that is. The rest of the team is still lacing up and playing. Would you be ok if Trout did the same thing last year before the Angels were eliminated from making the playoffs? How about once the Angels were eliminated would you be ok with it?

Yep talking about the future. Looks like it's all about free agency to me.

Read the press release.

So in game 120-130 if the Angels were eliminated you’d be ok with the entire major league team just opting out of the season?

This is nothing less nothing more than a selfish move. It wasn’t about his teammates at all it was about him and free agency. That’s it and that’s all folks. Good luck to him and his future team.

It would be like Christian Mc leaving week 14 when the panthers are 2 games out of the playoffs. The sun bowl is meaningless. This is still meaningful regular season games. Defend him all you want. But Simmons is a quitter plain and simple. Walked out on his teammates during the regular season. Complete chicken shit thing to do.

If people have a problem with what Dipoto did and what Simmons did just now then I don't know what to say. They're the same thing. Simmons calling it quits on the Angels with 5 games left is the just a bad look. Good luck in the off season Simmons, I hope the Angels don't try and re sign you and I hope you get all the money you are looking for. I am not a fan of this at all, I am not a fan of players quitting on their team. I bet there are multiple people inside that locker room who feel the exact same as I.

Ou position players are good enough. Even if Simmons is gone. The depth is fine in the outfield infield and at the catcher position.

To be fair no one's bringing fans to the stadium this season.

You honestly can't be serious! Albert right below Tiger? Tiger was probably the most popular athlete in the world. He literally by himself created the Nike Golf world. Please tell me even the shoe brand that Pujols endorses? I couldn't tell you who sponsors Albert. Tiger had EA Nike and every other major brand company. Albert is a household name in baseball circles. I bet if you said Albert Pujols to random stranger on the street they wouldn't know who he was. Tiger not only is probably the greatest golfer or at the very least top two greatest golfers in the history of the sport, but he had one of the craziest controversies surrounding him with the sex addict, pills, TMZ thing. Albert has probably never been the most popular baseball player in the MLB. Even in his prime. Agree, I don't think Arte just wants marketable guys. He wants to win. I liken Arte to Jerry Jones. It's his team, he wants the final say and he thinks he knows what's best. For better or worse.

I doubt many people knew who Josh Hamilton was outside of baseball either. Pujols maybe a little more but I doubt even he is that well known outside of baseball. Case in point, when was the last article we've seen about Hamilton since he left baseball? I don't even know if the guys alive, and I am a follower of baseball. Arte is the guy who is signing the big contracts Eppler/Dipoto did the other signings. Arte clearly wanted Pujols, Hamilton and Rendon especially after Arte couldn't sign Cole.

Rendon isn't a star?

“The Angels do not employ a president of baseball operations. At the start of this year, according to team media guides, the Angels employed 43 baseball operations staffers, the Dodgers 62.” I thought the above was a key part of the article. I don’t understand how the Angels do not have a president of baseball operations. I don’t also get how the Angels have 43 staffers 19 less than the Dodgers. There’s a reason the Dodgers have been who they have been of late. Mimic them it’s obviously working. I’d be curious how many staffers is average around the league and if the Angels are above or below that number.

That’s what I think I miss about our pen. When Shields would come in it was basically game over. It wasn’t even about Franky to me although he was incredible. Arguably a top 3 at the time closer. But Shields would come in and it didn’t matter who was at the plate. He was as close to game over as it came. I don’t know what the numbers are but that’s just how it felt watching. He’s throw that two seem fast ball inside and every batter would crumble.

What would be a good FIP?

Will there be a study guide before the mid term? But honestly thanks I’ll look it up. Would you say that stat is the best one for pitchers?

I am very much. I think the young guys are good enough. Even if Simmons leaves. Ward Marsh Thaiss Adell we have plenty of depth in the outfield and infield. Even catcher we have at least average depth.

I definitely do. I don’t know all these new fangled stats. I like ops or ops+ for offense and era for pitching. Hey at least I don’t like wins and losses. Maybe one day I’ll get to FIP. I honestly don’t even know what FIP stands for. On the topic that’s awesome I had no idea we were 6th in the AL. It just feels like we need a couple an ace maybe another starting pitching who’s good to above average. And a couple lock down bullpen arms. This offense I’m comfortable with going forward. Even if Simmons leaves. What would you say this team pitching wise needs in the offseason? Do you disagree with my sentiments?

You know me. I’ll take on all comers haha

Sure Thaiss had an over 700 ops last year. I’d say that’s not sucking.

Maybe we need to rethink Dipotos draft picks. Fletcher Walsh....