Junkballer

Signing Syndergaard with his innings limits and likely initial struggles post-TJS, the prevailing wisdom was that the other FA SP arm would have to be someone who could be counted on to pitch 170+ innings. That doesn't describe Kershaw. Besides, he's going nowhere besides LAD or TX. One or the other.

I doubt that cashing in the necessary trade pieces are Minasian's preferred option so I think it likely that Castillo is the fallback position in case of not being able to sign Ray. If that's the case it is a really good sign after years of negotiating with their primary target, not succeeding and THEN pivoting to whichever picked over produce was remaining. Being that a Castillo trade, by any team, doesn't have lockout urgency attached to it at the same level as the FA's, it seems judicious to lay the groundwork for such a trade as a back-up move early. The Lorenzen signing works for both scenarios, with signing Ray, they trade a SP to some team for SS, and if Castillo, as I think you mentioned earlier, Sandoval or Suarez along with Marsh/Adell and others to Reds. In any event we are going to get a peek into how well Minasian can evaluate players because Lorenzen is definitely the opening move of a upcoming trade.

I think trading Castillo is a bit different than the other trade pieces of the past. It sends a message to their fanbase about at what level they intend to compete at this season and therefore the return, presumably prospects, will need to justify not only the trade value aspect but also from a fan relations standpoint. For all the reasons other teams want him, he is a great fit for the Reds also and while trade value might dip slightly next off-season, only slightly so.

Because of previous reports that indicate that the Reds aren't interested in trading Castillo, I'm inclined to think that they are looking for over the top overpayment offers.

He did play for AZ, but if so, Chuck misspoke when he said "top-tier" pitcher. Wouldn't be the sexy pick, but not the end of the world either. BR has him projected at 4.03 ERA. Meh, but he would provide 160 innings that wouldn't have to be assigned to Canning or Barria. Assuming a low price compared to the "top-tier" arms, it would allow for spending elsewhere and a more balanced club overall.

Stroman relies on more ground ball outs as opposed to strikeouts compared to Ray and Gausman. I could see him looking for a team that does defense really well and don't think the Angels can take full advantage of what he has to offer. Also, speculation has been that he may command a longer term than the other two. Scherzer may be the best choice all things considered, shorter term, best pitcher last year until the Dogs overused him, but for me, the caveat isn't his age as much as how much his AAV will impact filling out the rest of the roster. I'd be happy with any of the 4 but despite all the talk that starting pitching should be their overwhelming focus, there are other significant needs that a lower AAV with Gausman/Ray would fund. Ohtani, Gausman/Ray, Syndergaard, Sandoval, Suarez, (Canning/Barria/etc.) is sufficient if BP gets it's closer and another solid arm, and they don't screw the pooch on SS.

Far beyond ashes, that bird was broken down into its subatomic components.

Yeah, definitely don't see Bauer coming here for a multitude of reasons. Just trying to follow the Phoenix breadcrumbs.

IF this is a hint, Scherzer has played for Arizona. Then again it could be a trade for Trevor Bauer who started his career there and whose career at this time could be considered in ashes.

Yes Chuck, thankful for the AW family, even all the nutty uncles.

My main concern about signing Scherzer is that it may lead to prematurely trading Marsh/Adell in order to fill out the rest of the team's needs, or that they go bargain basement for those spots, including the bullpen.

My guess is that Syndergaard is the biggest name acquisition. I just don't see Minasian going down to the wire on the bigger name SP's and Iglesias. The potential for ending up with the dregs is too high to play the waiting game with them. They will be in on them but when he sees the market for mid-range arms start to shrink further, he will get serious about signing someone along the lines of a Jon Gray, a #3 with #2 potential, and pivot to the BP. I also don't think they'll sign Raisel because his market will be hot and his representation may let bidding go down to the wire. At some point, knowing that they aren't going to commit to an all out bidding war for the most sought after closer available, they will have to make a decision to cut bait and go after a second tier closer or closer by committee approach. Loup allows for that being that they can go after a Graveman, or, go after two late innings guys who want to make the jump to closer and let competition settle the closer role among the three. Lastly, I don't think we see any top prospects included in a trade at this juncture. I get the sense that Minasian knows that there will be opportunity to get better trade value in-season than preseason, especially with the lockout uncertainty, and that he wants to have the prospect capital to be in that game as it unfolds.

Graveman and the pen is equal or better

Congrats to @Robrock30

So does this pretty much guarantee Gosselin being moved?

The Angels need to dump or get off the pot in re: their catcher of the future. Stassi is FA after this season. If he's their guy, extend him soon. Given Stassi not having a history of being able to catch 90 games in any season they need to have that backup C really be a legitimate starter that they'd feel comfortable with down the stretch of a playoff race.

The Angels have too many needs to re-sign Iglesias, not the least of which is to improve the defense. Unless of course they blow up the budget which isn't going to happen, Iglesias fills one hole but blocks others. Perhaps if they could get him to drastically back-load his contract it might happen but again, highly doubtful. They need, at minimum, a mid-range starter with a history of health/innings, a closer, setup arm, SS and backup C. I'd sign Kendall Graveman, and another late innings arm. You can possibly pay for Graveman and the setup arm for the price of Iglesias. I still think Jon Gray is a good bet. He won't be a Stroman, but there is a good chance that outside of Colorado he can adjust to the AL and succeed here. Perhaps it may take the first portion of the season to get his legs under him but he can be had at a reasonable price and likely needs only a 3-year commitment. Trade for a solid defensive SS. He can have a below league average bat. See if there is a reasonable trade market for Fletcher and if yes, plug in Rengifo at 2B. I feel the Angels should seriously explore aiming higher than for a run of the mill backup C. Stassi likely won't start 100 games, possibly significantly less than that, and he seems to get run down towards the end of the season even with a moderate workload. This is an area where I wouldn't mind them overpaying for the purposes of insurance and just pencil in Stassi and the acquisition at 81 games each.

Minasian and Maddon have yachts too?

2021 could've really used a Ruh Roh icon. Hopefully it won't be needed for 2022