Blog Archives
Okay Angels: Why Not Sign Both Gurriel Brothers?
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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We had an old saying when I worked as a baggage handler backs eons ago at an undisclosed airport. It said “The Beatings will continue until morale improves.” Almost perfect to bashing the ownership of the Halo’s until they start spending again
Since the Angels are not eating at the ‘big boy table’ anymore the recent defection of Yulieski Gurriel and his brother Lourdes Jr. may have just provided a decent alternative.
Why not sign both of them to your roster? Perhaps big bro ‘Yulieski’ will give you a hometown discount on his deal if you also ink his little brother. Clearly you could use a 3rd Baseman, and flip Yunel Escobar over to 2nd base in this instance. Read the rest of this entry
The Angels Are Going Cheap In 2016 When They Need To Buck Up One More Time: Sign Fowler!
Billy Eppler and Arte Moreno really need to evaluate how much the 2016 Angels are going to need offense. Easily the worst bench in 2015, coupled with the loss of David Freese so far, the club has not addressed the weaknesses they have at LF and 2B. With Pujols hurt to start the year, this club may be out of it before he returns. At $164 MIL projected they are $25 MIL underneath the limit for payrolls before paying a penalty. Many players are coming off the books after 2016 as well. Spend the dough needed to compete, or risk missing the playoffs – and burning another year of Mike Trout.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part – Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I won’t be the first one to be on this wave of people who think that the Angels are rotting away the career of Mike Trout in a Halo’s uniform.
The best overall player in the American League (and at least for right now) plus the Major Leagues, must be furious with the lack of offensive help arriving in Anaheim this off season.
New Angels GM Billy Eppler is following the directive of Arte Moreno not to spend over the Luxury Tax Threshold. Now it is catching up with them on the field.
Throw in a disastrous move of bringing in Josh Hamilton a few years back – a debacle that will see the club fork out $53.4 MIL over the next 2 year to see him play in Texas. Read the rest of this entry
The Padres Should Definitely Not Pursue Yoenis Cespedes: But The Angels Should
Yoenis Cespedes led all LF for HRs with 35 on the campaign in 2015. He picked a contract year for his best season to date out of the 4 years he has been in the Major Leagues. Cespedes hit 17 HRs with the Mets in 2 months, after smacking out just 18 in the first four months with Detroit. Cespedes finished in the top 40 for both leagues in respective big fly’s, and was tie for 13th overall with Manny Machado and David Ortiz. The 30 Year Old would not be a good fit in San Diego – where they have a similar player in Matt Kemp already. His presence with Trout and Calhoun in Los Angeles would be the best all around Outfield in the Majors should he sign there.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With Yoenis Cespedes still on the open market a lot of speculation is running rampant on which squads should be in the running for his services.
While I am not sure I buy the theory at all, the Padres have been said to be checking in on the big Cuban star.
This type of signing would be a monumental mistake in my view.
I would hope that A.J. Preller would have learned his lesson by acquiring high strikeout, low OBP players that have power that may not translate to their home park in Petco Park. Read the rest of this entry
Zack Greinke Should Re-Sign With The Dodgers If Deal Is In The Neighborhood
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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With the Dodgers losing yet another Series in the playoffs they have some big questions about their offseason forthcoming. Don Mattingly will likely be fired. Then there is the Zack Greinke situation.
The 31 Year old RHP has a legitimate shot to be the NL Cy Young Winner this year (if it is not Jake Arrieta) – and he couldn’t have picked a better campaign to do this with an opt out clause in his contract. He will command a hefty sum in the winter.
Here is the problem….The Dodgers new brass doesn’t like to spend the kind of money like the old Ned Colletti days, and this may pose a problem to sign one of the best four pitchers in the game the last few years. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 26, 2015
Matt Slocumb – AP
The AL East is wide open and Rangers fans need to welcome Josh Hamilton back with open arms.
That and more on Episode 915 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Matt Harvey, Angel Pagan, Wei-Yin Chen, Jimmy Paredes, Justin Upton, Michael Brantley, Rubby De La Rosa and Daniel Norris all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 13, 2015
Photo by Kevin Sullivan (No Relation) Orange County Register
The relationship between the Angels and Josh Hamilton is tearing apart at the seams. Team owner Arte Moreno claims it has nothing to do with money.
OK Mr. Moreno. Prove it. Cut Hamilton. Eat the money.
I challenge the owner of the Angels on Episode 902 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Miguel Cabrera, Nathan Karns, Zack Greinke, Andrew McCutchen, Cody Ashe and Adam Jones all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
Royals Vs Angels Preview 2014 ALDS
The Angels are finally back in the postseason after a couple of years absence. They have the best 1 – 9 lineup in the AL, an extremely deep and revamped Bullpen, and starters like Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson have lots of playoff experience. Add a roster full of World Series heroes of not so long ago, and it could be a recipe for a long postseason run. They also have the luck of the draw with playing the Royals in the 1st Round, with only having to face James Shields once, while their top duo of Jered Weaver and Matt Shoemaker are slated to tow the hill in 4 of the 5 games.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
No time to rest for the tired and weary. After an emotional, and jaw dropping game for the Royals on Tuesday night, they will fly to Anaheim to meet the top seeded Los Angeles Angels in the LDS Round.
You have to realize that Mike Scioscia is running the gauntlet on the running prowess of Kansas City even as we speak,
There will be no 2 – 3 or extra jackrabbit’s for the Royals squad, who were definitely aided by a lax Roster enforcement for Wild Card play, and also by the early game injury to Geovany Soto.
Chris Iannetta and Hank Conger will have to be ready for the speed demon club, that features several guys who can swipe bags on a whim.
If there is one thing going for Kansas City right now it is rhythm of repetition having played on Tuesday, while the Halo’s have been licking their chops in Orange County all week at the beach.
The Angels clinched so early, it would have been about 15 days since they have played a meaningful game in Game #1. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Angels Pitchers Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree Shows A Nice Year Revamp!
How All Of The Angels Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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The Angels management had to look back on the 2013 Relief Core – and worry about their long term future. This was because not one guy had a decent year, and most guys were well north of 4 ERA’s.
Jerry DiPoto has rapid fired a bunch of trades and signings since then, to solidify a great Bullpen it was once a late inning disaster waiting to happen on a nightly basis.
So how did he accomplish this? What assets did he give out in order to make it happen?
The 1st domino to fall was signing Joe Smith to a 3 year deal as the team’s primary set up man for Ernesto Frieri.
After that it was the David Freese deal – in which Reliever Fernando Salas came with him from the NL champion St. Louis Cardinals for Randal Grichuk and Peter Bourjos. Read the rest of this entry
Angels State Of The Union For 2014: A Hot Start Is Paramount For Success
The Angels have spent almost a half of a billion in Free Agency over the last 3 years, and all they have to show for it, is back to back 3rd place finishes in the AL West. The team also featured an anemic Bullpen in the 2013 campaign. But with AL West rivals all having significant injuries both to start the year and long-term for 2014, this has opened up the door for the start of the 2014 campaign at least. It is incumbent that their top guys stay injury free, and spend exactly no days on the DL, because they don’t have suitable replacements to step in. With poor starts to both of the last 2 years, this squad looks to break this trend this seasom.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Hunter Stokes (Our chief writer) wrote a piece that was picked up by MLB Trade Rumors blogroll, stating that Jerry DiPoto has done a poor job in constructing the current team based on the roster tree here.
I agree with him 100% on this, especially on the moves, the Bullpen not being 100% finished yet, the Starting Rotation too reliant on their top 2 pitchers – and we have had several of their fans take some jabs at us for going with these notions.
The club’s brass has had a better winter in 2013 going into 2014, then they had last year, however it still doesn’t alleviate the fact, this team can’t sustain one injury to any of their top players because of said moves to deplete their depth.
The Starting Staff is composed of 60% of youth that is not used to toting long innings in Garrett Richards, Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs.
The team has a lot of players that will strikeout a lot, so it is also important to receive key HRs at crucial times in the game.
The club will also lose 34 HRs worth of power they received from Mark Trumbo in 2013, but it was the right time to move him. Whether they received enough of a return is yet to be determined, but it also cut down the whiffs for 2014.
Which Manager’s Seat Is The Hottest In The MLB – 2014?
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
There are many expectations in 2014 for a lot of the MLB clubs.
Realistically, only the Houston Astros and the Minnesota Twins could be ousted from playoff contention before we even play in the American League.
The National League has several more teams with improbable chances to post a postseason berth in 2014.
The Mets, Marlins, Twins, Cubs and Padres are the longest shots on the board to nail down play in October as well.
Out of those teams, Chicago just hired Rich Renteria, and the other 5 teams would likely let the year play itself out before thinking of a skipper’s switch.
With those teams listed, I highly doubt the current bench bosses will remain in position by the time the clubs become good. Read the rest of this entry
Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim State Of The Union: Is It Time For Jerry DiPoto To Be Fired?
Mike Trout must feel like he will receive some better help from a full season of Pujols coming. Heading into the 2013 campaign, they looked to have almost a historic 1 – 4 lineup. Instead. it was a disaster. Maybe the 2014 year will be different. With players like Vernon Wells and Joe Blanton still collecting money on the payroll – to the tune of $26 MIL in 2014, their teams salary structure is a disaster. Those two guys are really horrible – or not even playing for LA anymore.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
“Stoking The Fire” – Week 10
As someone who follows the Angels from a distance, I have had it with Jerry DiPoto.
Whether it is the direction of the team’s brass that has been affected, or Arte Moreno himself, this team is heading on a one way ticket to salary hell.
So how does the GM respond this winter?
He trades his 2nd, 4th and possibly 5th best OF on the Roster Depth away – without yielding a OF back in return.
He has added on a couple of players (David Freese and Raul Ibanez) that Strikeout as much as the rest of the clan. Good work man!
Am I missing something? Does he not see this is the recipe for disaster?
Angels 2013 preview – 2014 wont be as optimistic:
The Mark Trumbo Trade Watch Continues in LA: Could He Be Headed To STL, TB, MIA, PIT Or Other?
The Angels have spent almost a half of a billion in Free Agency over the last 3 years, and all they have to show for it, is back to back 3rd place finishes in the AL West. The team will lose Jason Vargas this year, and the Angels are expected to non-tender Tommy Hanson. The team also featured an anemic Bullpen in the 2013 campaign. If the Angels are wishing to trade Mark Trumbo, they best acquire 2 Pitchers that can fill in their weaknesses. Los Angeles have a surplus of OF/DH and 1B on the Roster with Hamilton, Pujols and Bourjos. Trumbo will be a heavy commodity sought after because he has 3 years of Team Control left with any aspiring club that brings him in.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Angels have doled out nearly half a Billion in contracts over the last 3 winters of Free Agency and have nothing to show for it but heartache, misery – and a team that was once a perennial playoff favorite dropped under .500 for only the 2nd time in the last decade during the 2013 season.
Hemorrhaging funds for a club not competing can’t sit well with the team owner Arte Moreno. Amidst in all of this would be a contract for Mike Scioscia as manager for $5 MIL a year, that renders him unfireable, and even untradeable.
This team is loaded with talented players like Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, Howie Kendrick – and of course Mark Trumbo.
Mark Trumbo’s 1st 24 HRs of 2013
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 4, 2013
Warner Brothers Pictures
Who is the Hall of Famer who used steroids? And what should Arte Moreno do instead of moving the Angels?
Those topics and more, today on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Andrew McCutchen, Homer Bailey, Jon Lesterand Ben Zobristall owned baseball on September 3, 2013.
To see the up to date tally of “Who Owns Baseball?,” click HERE.
Subscribe on iTunes HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 24, 2013
Photo: Wally Skalij – LA Times
Who is to blame for the mess that is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?
GM Jerry DiPoto?
Manager Mike Scioscia?
Maybe it is the fault of Arte Moreno.
Those questions and more on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Adam Wainwright, Chris Archer, Torii Hunter & Khris Davis (not Chris) all owned baseball on August 23, 2013.
To see the up to date tally of “Who Owns Baseball?,” click HERE.
Subscribe on iTunes HERE.
2 And A Hook Podcast Ep #9: LAA, SD, MIA And SEA Chat With Great Guests
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Follow @mlbreportsFriday, June.28, 2013,
MLB reports and The Benchwarmers Show present 2 and A Hook Podcast.
‘2 And A Hook’ is an expression from Baseball: ‘Throw the guy 2 Fast balls and then a Hook’ (AKA Curve Ball, Wiggly one, Chair etc..)
By James Acevedo – Host (Podcast Veteran ) Follow @yankeeman1973
Guests On The Show
On today’s podcast, brought to you by MLB Reports ( www.mlbreports.com ) & yours truly The Bench Warmers Show, I talk to the boss man Chuck Booth as he returns to do his segment! 8 Minutes and a 18 Segment Follow @chuckbooth3024
Chuck makes a HUGE announcement about MLB Reports & then we talked about contract stuff like arbitration, Super 2, & service time…
Also we talk about these guys Wil Myers, Yasiel Puig & Chris Archer on why they should have been up in the major leagues since the beginning of the season!
Then I talk to LAA correspondent Joshua Jones (34 Minute Mark and a 18 Minute Segment) Follow @JoshJones4 about the Angels season & what might or might not happen…
Next up was Bernie Olshansky (53 Minute Mark and a 13 Minutes Segment) Follow @bernieolshansky about the padres & what moves they might make for the future…after that i talked to Mariners/Marlins correspondent.
The last guest of the show is the 2nd longest active writer on the MLB Reports website Sam Evans (1 HR and 12 Min Mark and a 25 Min Segment) ( @RJA206 ) as we get into the mariners/marlins & whats been going on with both of these teams!
I then get into everyone’s favorite segment Stats & Facts (29, Minute Mark (5 minutes) 1 HR, 7 Min Mark ( 5 Minutes ) and, 1 HR 37 MIN (20 Minutes) – so go check it out & SPREAD THE WORD!!! Thanks Read the rest of this entry
The LA Angels Have Got To String Together A Big Stretch Of Wins – And Quick!
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Follow @mlbreportsWednesday, June.26th, 2013
J.B. Shuck and Peter Bourjos have done their job, Howie Kendrick is Batting .321, Mark Trumbo is on pace for a 35 HR – 100+ RBI campaign, Errick Aybar is solid, and Callaspo is okay for a Third Baseman. The team has suffered from the #3 and #4 hitters, and inadequate Starting Pitching – other than C.J. Wilson and Jason Vargas. The Bullpen has also been abysmal with the exception of Sean Burnett. The club has gone 9 -14 since their big 8 game winning streak last month.
By Josh Jones (Angels Correspondent): Follow @joshjones4
Gut-check time
The 2013 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are at a crossroads. Seventy-six games into the season and the team has not had the ability to find prolonged success in order to climb back into the AL West standings.
The club is currently 34 – 43 after being swept over the weekend by the Pittsburgh Pirates before trouncing the Tigers for the 4th straight time this , yet they still find themselves considering the unthinkable: being sellers at the deadline. They are 10 Games behind both of the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers – while they are 8.5 Games out of the last playoff spot holder.
LA Angels Preview – They haven’t lived up to the Hype yet:
MLB Team Power Rankings: Week 7
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Follow @mlbreportsMonday May.20/2013
The Padres have played great baseball since they plugged Chase Headley back in the lineup. Players like Yonder Alonso, Will Venable, Everth Cabrera and even Kyle Blanks have bashed the ball around. Since a lot of the NL West clubs have not run away with the Division, the San Diego club has entered the picture for the Division Race.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
The Rangers are #1 again based on the Division lead they currently possess, plus the fact they play all of these teams a total of 76 Games this year.
The Braves (rose their division lead to 2.5 Games with a 4 – 2 week), and Padres (18 – 13 in their last 31 Games and have been clubbing the ball lateley) were the biggest movers up for the week standings by climbing 6 spots apiece.
The biggest drops were the San Francisco Giants (hate their Starting Pitching right now – except for Madison Bumgarner) and the Baltimore Orioles (late inning magic might be dying – and still need a DH + a Veteran Starter or 2).
The Los Angeles teams keep losing ball games – and the Blue Jays lost 2 straight versus the Yankees just when they looked to be on track.
Cleveland is still ranked outside the top ten because I don’t have faith in their strength of schedule in the next month starting May 21st: 2 vs DET, 4 @BOS, 2 vs CIN, 2 @CIN, 2 vs TB, 3 @NYY, 3 @DET, 3 @TEX, 3 vs WSH and finally 3 vs KC. If they are above .500 after this stretch, I will be impressed.
Maybe A Managerial Trade Between The Angels And Dodgers Would Shake Things Up!
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Follow @mlbreportsFriday Apr.19/2013
The Los Angeles clubs will surpass the New York Clubs for combined Payroll in 2013. The Dodgers will spend between 225-250 Million and the Angels will spend in the range from 150-175 Million. I have predicted a Freeway World Series for 2013 based on the talent for both clubs. With a slow start for each club (LAA 4 – 10 and LAD 7 – 8) Perhaps they should consider trading skippers.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
It is no secret to anyone out there that I predicted the California Freeway Series for the Fall Classic this year. At the 10 % clip of the regular season, I am not going to confuse anyone with the Amazing Kreskin.
I still have faith that the LA Angels will start tearing it up soon. plus the Dodgers will begin to play to their own water level.
Both clubs have amassed too much talent to be wallowing in the bowels of mediocrity for too long.
I thought entered my brain this morning as I worked. One of the many things I am able to do working at nights is think about the game of baseball
Then it came to me… Trade Mike Scioscia to the Dodgers for Don Mattingly!!
Don Mattingly Post Game comments on Carlos Quentin:
Mike Scioscia speaks on Jered Weaver and Josh Hamilton:
The Los Angeles Angels Roster in 2013: State Of The Union
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Follow @mlbreportsSaturday, January.05, 2013
With Trout, Trumbo and Pujols in the lineup for the next decade, plus Hamilton for the next 5 years. I could see the Angels appearing on another top 10 decades win list. Question is will they make a World Series? They have not been to the dance since 2002 when they won it.
Josh Jones (Angels Correspondent): Follow @joshjones4
Look-back at last year: 2012 was a year, much like this upcoming season, with expectations as high as the sky moon. The Halos stole future Hall-of-Famer Albert Pujols and Texas ace C.J. Wilson from their respective 2011 World Series teams and looked to have a strong rotation headed by the trio of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Wilson. The team fought its way to a 89-73 record, missing the playoffs by a mere four games despite having more wins than the eventual AL Champion Detroit Tigers (Yes, I’m still bitter).
This year, Arte Moreno and the Angels front office decided once again to go big-fish hunting, giving outfielder Josh Hamilton a 5-Year Deal worth $125 Million. Hamilton gave the Angels quite a logjam in the outfield and Designated-Hitter, leading to the trade that sent designated-hitter Kendrys Morales to the Seattle Mariners in return for Jered Weaver’s college teammate and fellow innings-eater Jason Vargas. You can read a post a fellow writer here at the MLB Reports wrote about that very trade here . Angels General Manager Jerry DiPoto also poured some money into the bullpen and back-end of the rotation, signing hurlers Ryan Madson, Sean Burnett and Joe Blanton. .
Albert Pujols Highlights from 2012- Parental Guidance is Advised for watching the video:
MLB Reports 
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