Some items from Anaheim…
- Shohei Ohtani received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow in October, Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci reports. The treatment was simply “a preventative measure,” in the words of Ohtani’s agent Nez Balelo, who added that PRP injections are commonly used in such a fashion in Japanese baseball. Teams were made aware of the treatment during Ohtani’s recruitment process, and the two-way star underwent a physical to confirm his health to any interested clubs. One team official said that the PRP information “didn’t change the equation” about Ohtani’s value and potential.
- The Angels are still weighing the possibility of using a six-man rotation next year, though GM Billy Eppler told reporters (including Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register) that they’ll make their decision before Spring Training. Using a sixth starter would provide extra rest for the rotation, which is no small concern given how most of the Halos’ starters have undergone significant arm injuries in recent years. In Ohtani’s case, pitching in a six-man rotation would more closely resemble his regular schedule in Japan, while also allowing him more time to recover from getting at-bats as either a DH or outfielder when he isn’t on the mound. Eppler suggested that Los Angeles could also use J.C. Ramirez as a reliever and frequent spot starter, rather than a full-on six-man rotation.
- The club still plans on a seven-man bullpen, so if the six-man rotation idea comes to fruition, that will leave the Halos with 13 pitchers on the roster and one less spot available for a bench player. With a shorter bench a possibility, the Angels will be focused on adding a versatile player that could fill more than one of their remaining needs (backup shortstop, fourth outfielder, and right-handed hitting platoon third baseman). “I always put a premium on flexibility, but it might be a little bit more now,” Eppler said. Fletcher suggests that Eduardo Nunez or Freddy Galvis could be fits for the Angels in terms of handling multiple duties.
- “Some industry chatter” has identified the Angels as a potential trade partner with the Rays for Evan Longoria, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. It isn’t yet clear if the Rays will even be shopping their longtime star, though if they did, it would take a shift in the Halos’ thinking for them to pursue Longoria. Beyond the financial cost (Longoria is owed $81MM through the 2022 season), the Angels were planning to use Luis Valbuena and a right-handed platoon partner to handle the hot corner, while focusing more attention on their more pressing need at second base. Adding Longoria as the everyday third baseman would create a logjam for first base/DH playing time between Valbuena, Ohtani, Albert Pujols, and C.J. Cron, though potentially Valbuena or Cron could be dealt, maybe even as part of a Longoria trade package.
davidcoonce74
In Jeff Passan’s “The Arm,” he details how Japanese youth leagues regularly abuse their pitchers arms- it’s akin to the Perfect Game series/showcases here in America, only much worse, because there’s still a theory among Japanese baseball people that more throwing is better, not less. Passan details a pitcher who, in a youth “world series” in Japan, threw 772 pitches in a 5-day tournament. That pitcher, whose name I don’t recall, was all washed up by his early 20s because of this sort of abuse. Not saying this is Ohtani’s treatment or fate, but it should give some pause – a lot of Japanese pitchers Ohtani’s age have a lot of wear-and-tear on their arms already.
thecoffinnail
100% agree.. The only Japanese pitchers I have seen have a career past their early/mid 30’s was Nomo and Kuroda.. And Kuroda came over to MLB late in his career.. There are so many examples of Passan’s theory being true, Dice-K, Irabu, Iwakuma, (I am sure I am leaving many out). As well as Tanaka having arm issues his first season and now starting to show shoulder trouble this past season.. I have left Darvish out because he is just entering his 30’s.. We can see if he makes it through his next contract before I add him to the list.. We have yet to see a pitcher as young as Ohtani coming over and having an MLB training staff on hand at such as young age might help alleviate some of the mileage they put on his arm in the amateur ranks.. Time will tell, but having a pitcher of his caliber (even if his arm falls off after only half a season or he winds up being no more than a decent #4) for the league minimum, against the tax threshold, for the Angels is a major coup.. If he signed a contract similar to Tanaka’s I would be a bit worried..
majorflaw
“As well as Tanaka having arm issues his first season . . . “
But was that a result of over use in Japan or difficulty adjusting to a five man rotation/pitching more often here? How was Tanaka used in Japan, I get the sense that the superstars are humored while the scrubs are abused.
But before we draw any conclusions about usage patterns for pitchers in Japan shouldn’t we know exactly how pitchers are used there? Gotta be a study somewhere, a Japanese Bill James Abstract. Details do matter.
aff10
Counterpoint. If you’ve got a few minutes, I really recommend Ben Lindbergh’s recent piece on this for the Ringer. He kind of shoots down the idea by comparing Japanese pitchers to U.S. pitchers of similar skill and performance, it makes for a really good read on this topic.
theringer.com/platform/amp/mlb/2017/12/5/16737454/…?
andrewgauldin
Valbuena, Cron, and a few prospects for Longo? Let’s do it.
thecoffinnail
That won’t happen.. Longoria is the face of the Rays franchise.. He sells tickets and is way more valuable to them than just a stat line.. They are going to have to be blown away where the majority of fans believe the Rays absolutely robbed the other team blind for them to trade him. He gave them a big hometown discount when he signed his extension (many were predicting him to sign the first $300 million contract if/when he hit FA at 29) and his contract has an AAV of under $10 million. Any team up against the luxury tax would love to have him on their payroll the next 4-5 years at that price.. He obviously wants to stay in Tampa and the fans want him there.. He is the big fish in the little pond right now, in Anaheim his endorsement market would disappear playing next to Ohtani and Trout..
jd396
Longoria sells tickets? The fans want him? What tickets? What fans?
thadwaugh
Don’t be so sure. The Rays are as open to blowing it all up this offseason as they have ever been under Sternberg. Not saying it will happen but for the first time in a decade, they might just strip it down and do the Astros thing. They are clearly more than a piece or two away and have a lot of youthful talent that needs to start developing at the MLB level.
Kayrall
NO ONE was predicting Longoria to get 300 million…
lucienbel
I feel like Longoria would be a bad move for the Angels. He’s getting older and it seems like they’d only get a good year or two out of him.
thecoffinnail
I know he wouldn’t be the sexy choice for the Angels but Ben Zobrist would be the guy to fill all of their defensive needs off the bench.. I know he has a full no-trade through this year but I doubt he will see much playing time in Chicago if they keep Baez, Russell and Happ.. The Cubs will probably eat almost all of his contract and the Angels could then choose a bat first guy of their liking for the final spot..
Baseball really needs to modernize a little bit and allow for a 26 man active roster.. With the way teams are having pitchers throw for max velocity these days it only makes sense to switch to a 6 man rotation and give the starters an extra day of rest.. Going to 6 could help dampen what seems like a never ending list of injured starters and might get a few more starters to go longer than 5 innings.. Perhaps, even prevent relievers like Betances from appearing in 40+ games and throwing 45-50 innings in the first half of the season so they have a dead arm for the last month..(Hopefully, the lighter workload they gave him last year will help him rebound in 2018..)
Sorry about the Yankees reference on an Angels thread but Betances is one of the relievers who I know most of the stats for off-hand.. I am sure the Angels (as well as most teams) have a similar reliever that you can use as a reference (multi-inning high leverage guy)….
BaseballRebel
That guy would be Bedrosian on the Angels aka ‘Bedrock’
I like your idea of Zobrist but I don’t think he’s even on Eppler’s radar lol
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
having another reliever or 6 starter won’t stop people from using their best one a lot
Matt Galvin
Talk to Rays about Miller cost lesser then Longoria would. Try Otani at 2B when not Pitching.
cmancoley
Yeah let’s just throw our ace all around the diamond. It’s comments like these that make me appreciate Eppler that much more
jgb2412
Seriously! Are people just not intelligent or does he truly believe that is a good idea?
BaseballRebel
If the Angels plug in Longoria they will only have 2 LH bats in their entire lineup… and that’s when Ohtani is hitting, so half the time 1 lefty. (Calhoun).. lol I think it’s imperative we find a switch hitting 2B or pure LH and keep Valbuena at 3B, based on the fact there are more RH pitchers in the league and they fare better against RHH
angelsfan4life
If the Angels do get Longoria, Valbuena would play first base. When Ohtani is pitching, he won’t be hitting that day.
angelsinthetroutfield
I like Kipnis to solve the Halos 2B vacancy if he’s made available. May be pushed out of a spot in CLE and a star level player when healthy. Contract through 2020 at a reasonable price as well. What would it take?
mlb1225
Angels should sign Moustakas, and Nunez to fill 2B, and 3B.
Line-up:
1.) Nunez (2B)
2.) Trout (CF)
3.) Upton (LF/RF)
4.) Calhoun (RF/LF)
5.) Moustakas (3B)
6.) Simmons (SS)
7.) Pujols (1B)
8.) Ontani (DH)
9.) Maldonado (C)
rez2405 2
You forgot the word “not” after should
mlb1225
Why? They need a 2B, and 3B. Moustakas, and Nunez would really solidify their line-up.
angelsfan4life
mlb1225 I agree with you on Nunez and Moustakas. Where I disagree with you is the way the lineup should be. I would rather see it like this,
1: Nunez
2: Calhoun
3: Trout
4: Upton
5: Moustakas
6: Pujols
7: Ohtani
8: Simmons
9: catcher
imindless
I disagree with nunez. I think kinsler is a better fit both from a defensive standpoint and offensively I forsee a rebound. If going on lefty hitters you go after kipnis and moustakis.
cmancoley
Because we can get a way better 2B like Cozart or Walker and either tough it out with Valbuena or platoon Frazier w him. Then we would have a lot more money to play around with for a potential top of the rotation starter or lockdown closer
angelsinthetroutfield
I comfortable with Val at 3B vs RHP. Dude had a terrible 1st half but beyond solid the last 3 months. I’m expecting a full season of production this time around. That leaves 2B as the only “true” need and Nunez doesn’t cut it for me. Not a good defender and really struggles to get on base. Not an Eppler like move. Kinsler, Harrison, Kipnis, Hernandez, Walker, Cozart all seem more likely to me.
angelsfan4life
Kinsler is 35. Just had his worst season of his career. I would rather get someone younger, than be looking for a second baseman next year at this time. Nunez fits the Angels on two counts. First give the Angels a second basemen for the next 3 or 4 years. And gives them a speedy lead off hitter.
angelsinthetroutfield
Would rather have 1yr of Kinsler than be stuck with multiple years of Nunez. Plus Kinsler isn’t the only other option. Solarte and Spangenberg are also on the table along with the plethora of others I mentioned.
angelsfan4life
Then why not Kendrick? Younger had a better season than Kinsler. Can play multiple positions. Wants to come back and play for the Angels.
angelsinthetroutfield
Wouldn’t be opposed if we end up settling for a 2B
rpoabr
Howie’s days of playing 2B full time are over. He’s more of LF and emergency 2B at this point.
imindless
Angels roster
Kinsler/Kipnis
Calhoun
Trout
Upton
Moustakis
Pujols
Ohtani
Simmons
Maldonado
Then valbuena can flex between 3rd and 1st.
Trade cron for relief pitching.
coolerking17
Angels won’t sign Moustakas or anyone requiring loss of draft pick. They need to strengthen the farm and there’s plenty of alternatives.
jgb2412
But now with Ohtani that may have changed! I truly don’t want Moustakas, but of all the current 3B available he is the best option. Now with Machado wanting to go back to SS that is one less option for the Angels. Only other options are Donaldson and Arenado, and both aren’t free agents until next year.
Angels still need at least 1 more LHH, which would be 2B then. The options are Hernandez, Walker or Kipnis. I’m really intrigued with the option of Kipnis, especially since Walker wants 4 years now.
jules
Agreed. Besides, Longoria is getting up there in age and his left-in-contract years would put the Angels in the same predicament as with Pujols….
balloonknots
Angels farm looks like crap
Just don’t see them improving their team thru trades as you have give up quality near ready farm hands these days!