Pancake Bear

Yep, agreed on both accounts. Sean-Regan brings up a good point, which I have mentioned as well, that improving the rotation will have an impact on other facets of the team. Stats tend to analyze parts of a team but often miss, overlook, or simply cannot assess the relationship between those parts--the "glue," if you will, which has more to do with chemistry, psychology, mentality, etc. This is also where a manager who knows how to handle personalities and conflicts is very important.
I like to cite a Bill James quote about Pedro Martinez, from his 2000 edition of the Historical Abstract (I wish he'd update that book - the best bathroom reading ever). He said something to the effect that for every pitch in Pedro's arsenal, there was someone who threw it better - but Pedro was really, really good at every pitch, and moreso it was not only the sum of his parts, but how they combined, that made him better than everyone else.

Less stress on the pen. Less pressure on the offense and defense. Makes a gigantic difference across the board, just bringing in 2-3 good-great arms (including Ohtani).

Nobody is content with it. But until Albert is bought out or his contract runs out, we don’t have another option. 

If we go heavy on SP this offseason and finally get a good hitting catcher, I'm good with Walsh and Thaiss sharing the majority of reps at 1B. I think they've both earned the shot.

Rankled? Nah. Just skeptical. 
Its not like guys are afraid they’ll become an addict just by being in the locker room. 
If the problem runs deeper, players will get the help they need and enablers higher up will be dropped from the organization. That will have nothing to do with the reputations of players on the field.

Yep.
“Cole’s going west....he really likes pitching in Oakland.” Oakland won’t be paying him, but you know who plays in Oakland a lot?
“He’s gonna sign with the Angels.”
Cole, “I grew up rooting for the Yankees and Angels.” He turned down the chance to be a Yankee already. 
Also Cole, “It’s awesome being able to hug your mom after the game.” You mean your mom who has season tickets at Angel Stadium?
It is happening. All that’s left is the paperwork. 

Less stress on the pen. Less pressure on the offense and defense. Makes a gigantic difference across the board, just bringing in 2-3 good-great arms (including Ohtani).

Nobody is content with it. But until Albert is bought out or his contract runs out, we don’t have another option. 

No. Like Trout, he wants to win, so, like Trout, he’ll sign elsewhere. Because, like Trout, he knows the Angels will never win this century. 

I don’t see him getting less than Price. That would be the floor, I’d think. Greinke’s is interesting because of how much is deferred. Still, 35 seems awfully high to me, for a guy who doesn’t have as long a history as Price did of success. Cole’s had two insane years. 
Things could go way up, but 32ish will probably be about right, I’m thinking  
 

Nobody is content with it. But until Albert is bought out or his contract runs out, we don’t have another option. 

When did "no war" become a bad thing?
Peace, brother...

This is a cool and good stat.  Thanks ! The Angels should continue with this. 
 
Random dumb stats that don’t mean anything are very precious to me. 

I don’t see him getting less than Price. That would be the floor, I’d think. Greinke’s is interesting because of how much is deferred. Still, 35 seems awfully high to me, for a guy who doesn’t have as long a history as Price did of success. Cole’s had two insane years. 
Things could go way up, but 32ish will probably be about right, I’m thinking  
 

No. Like Trout, he wants to win, so, like Trout, he’ll sign elsewhere. Because, like Trout, he knows the Angels will never win this century. 

Trout just wanted to get his contract locked in before he demands to be traded to a contender

No. Like Trout, he wants to win, so, like Trout, he’ll sign elsewhere. Because, like Trout, he knows the Angels will never win this century. 

My prediction is about 7/224-231ish. If the market goes up, he could get as much as 245, but I see that as the max. 

My prediction is about 7/224-231ish. If the market goes up, he could get as much as 245, but I see that as the max. 

That’s why I said that theoretically they could do that, but only if that’s their only acquisition in free agency or Arte opens his wallet. Guys with opt outs in their contracts usually have front loaded deals. Hence the 35mil.
Regardless, if they sign Cole, it will probably be backloaded. 

sure.  and at this point I wouldn't expect them to.  They are likely still gathering info based on the investigation and assessing their liability but they are gonna want to make this go away as quickly as possible.  More than just financial liability, any sort of media battle with the Skaggs family could lead to more names being dragged through the mud rightfully or wrongfully.  They are going to avoid that like the plague.  
There's another reason to make this go away and I would imagine that MLB will also want the same.  It's the same reason why the dogs trafficking thing got swept under the rug and why mlb won't find anything when they do their investigation nor levy any fines or sanctions.  
The drug problem is rampant throughout all of baseball.  Every team from top to bottom.  If the Angels are hung out to dry on this then they'll just throw all the other 29 teams, mlb, and mlbpa under the bus.  Every team.  Every gm.  They all keep their little black book and it's not just Angels players in there.  They probably all have 'a guy' who supplies that they turn a blind eye and deaf ear to.  There is zero chance that mlb wants another PED type scandal on their hands.  
The Feds don't really care who's using.  They want to know the supplier.  They don't care who else might have known and if MLB acts like they do and starts throwing names about then the Angels can probably name names as well.  
This is gonna stop at Kay.  They'll be a blurb from MLB that the halos are off the hook.  Some time this spring we'll get a brief report that a settlement was reached and in the same article we'll hear about how Zack Cozart is in the best shape of his life going into spring.  If it goes any further than that, it will impact all of major league baseball from the top down.  

Again, Ill just point out here, Cole or anyone else isnt going to give a Fuq that people on the Angels were doing drugs.
In all honesty, you know who would?....
Albert.
And its not like he was in a position to stop it. Or probably even knew.
A decent majority of this board knows an addict / a wife beater / a person whos come close to suicide, etc without ever knowing. Baseball is no different.

Padres are in big trouble!
oh, and lol at rich white guys paying for their illegal drugs via Venmo

This is trolling. It won’t make a difference. Zero. Nada.