Angels general manager Billy Eppler said following the signing of Trevor Cahill, the signing of Matt Harvey and the re-acquisition (via waivers) of Parker Bridwell that the Angels’ “numbers are increasing” and “getting to an area that provides us a lot more comfort than we had even a week ago” (link via Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register). Eppler spoke of an “uptick” in the efficacy of Harvey’s slider and changeup following his trade to the Reds, adding that he’s done his due diligence on Harvey’s character and reputation off the field. With Cahill and Harvey penciled into the rotation alongside Tyler Skaggs and Andrew Heaney, the Angels would appear to have their top four starters in place. Bridwell, Jaime Barria, Nick Tropeano, Felix Pena and Dillon Peters are among the options for the fifth spot, and the Halos also have J.C. Ramirez on the mend from Tommy John surgery. It still seems possible that the Angels could add another arm — they were tied to Dallas Keuchel once again over the weekend — but they’ve at the very least improved their depth with a pair of relative upside plays.
More from the division..
- The Rangers “are not done acquiring” catching help this offseason, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan writes in his latest Rangers Inbox column, though he indicates that the team isn’t expected to be in the mix for J.T. Realmuto as the Marlins look to move him. Texas could add some more veteran depth to pair with defensive whiz Jeff Mathis, it seems, but a high-end acquisition doesn’t appear to be in the cards. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is the other option atop the Rangers’ catching depth chart at the moment, but he’s still developing and has more experience at both second base and third base than he does at catcher.
- The trade of Jurickson Profar to the Athletics as part of a three-team swap was part of the Rangers’ ongoing attempt to build a sustainable young core of pitching talent, writes Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. General manager Jon Daniels spoke particularly highly of left-hander Brock Burke, the Rays’ minor league pitcher of the year. “We think he reached a different level this year and think he might have another gear to get to, too,” said Daniels of his new prospect. The Rangers added three upper-level arms in that trade, and the $750K of international bonus allotments they acquired could be further invested in adding some young arms.
- The Mariners have absolutely gutted their bullpen this offseason with the trades of Edwin Diaz, Alex Colome, James Pazos and Juan Nicasio, to say nothing of outrighting Nick Vincent and Erasmo Ramirez. At present, there’s no clear answer as to who will be the Mariners’ primary option in the ninth inning, and GM Jerry Dipoto recently suggested that there may not be one answer to that question (link via the Tacoma News Tribune’s T.J. Cotterill). “Probably similar to what we did when we first moved [Diaz] into the closer role or when we got here and signed Steve Cishek,” said Dipoto. “It’s having multiple guys who have some experience doing it.” Dipoto did mention righty Anthony Swarzak when discussing potential closing options, but there’s clearly room for some additions in the Seattle ’pen beyond last week’s low-profile signing of Zac Rosscup.
Very in depth analysis
Mariner closer… King Felix?
That is actually not a bad idea. He can uncork for an inning and not worry about being tired. Kind of John smoltz ish
Smoltz had better stuff later in career, Felix can’t get anyone out.
Smoltz had a decision. Retire at age 35 or go to the pen. At age 34 he had Just missed a season due to injury … A little different than a guy that strait suxks now
If Felix would understand where he’s at that would be a good move.
It’s a terrible idea. So if he throws as hard as he can for an inning he hits 92 now?
Trying to get value out of someone who no longer provides it …is a bad idea?
His only chance is as a starter and he won’t have value trade wissvanyway
Not every closer is a flame thrower. Giving Felix a clear vision for his future might increase his longevity. He’s got a perfect game and cy young under his belt time to change direction or hang up the spikes.
That would be awful. Nothing to show the guy can still pitch at MLB level.
Mariners won’t need a closer coz they’ll be out of the game by the 6th inning.
LMAO!!!
the Angels rotation doesnt impress.
the M’s bp went from scary to zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
M’s have a bunch of young BP arms they will turn loose this year. They will get flukey with one of them.
Losing Diaz hurts though.
I’m curious to see how Matt Festa develops. He’s not a young arm but Shawn Armstrong looked great last 3-4 weeks of 18’ season.
Eppler and Angels rotation not trying to impress anyone. The additions are one year deals to stay competitive until Ohtani comes back and Griffin Canning comes up. Eppler has been shrewd. Halos dont really have mula to make a splash.
However if Kole reverts back to his normal hitting and if we get a decent backstop and if we get Cozart back to 2017 status and if we sign Kikuchi or Dallas and if all pitchers remain healthy and if we get a lefty in the pen and if we have good d up the middle we can compete.
Easy peasy right?
Signing Keuchel or Kikuchi isn’t making a splash. Thought you said the Angels don’t have the “mulah” to do that?
I hope Kikuchi ends up in Seattle.
MLBTR Staff, I’d love a historical graph over the sites history charting the offseason calendar with signing and trade volume. I wonder if there are specific times/days that see the most action every year….
They’ll get right on that for you.
Grow up, he’s not the first to mention something like this and this site has compared certain days of the year on several occasions. It’s something many followers are interested in.
Nice attempt at trolling though..
That would be a ton of work.
Who cares about those teams. The A’s have the best fans in the game.
noisy, sure. but best? not!
You and JTO. What a great start.
Lol! Best fan base? You went from the largest stadium to smallest by closing the upperdeck, and still can’t sellout games.
Ouch
He didn’t say the best fan base, he said the best fans. HUGE difference.
Baseball fans who are A’s fans might be the best in the game. As an Angel fan, I can tell you A’s fans are clearly better than Ms, Astros and Ranger fans.
Of course that’s a very low bar.
27th out of 30 teams in attendance last year, but I’m sure you will try to find a way to blame that on the Giants.
The Giants only have fans because of that brand new ballpark. The A’s have always been the best supported team in the Bay Area. Oakland is the reason people visit the Bay Area.
How is a 20 year old ballpark new ?
That ballpark is almost 20 years old. The A’s have zero support. They have tried unsuccessfully to get a new ballpark for two decades. No support there. The city won’t update their current stadium. No support there. The only games (including opening day) that they sold out was when the Giants and their fans came to the game. No support there. I know exactly one A’s fan and I have lived in San Jose for almost my entire life. Everyone else is a Giants fan. No support there. The A’s have tried to move out of Oakland for almost thirty years. Nobody wants them. Oakland is, and always will be, the red-headed stepchild of the entire Bay Area. You guys are Cousin Oliver.
Love how the a’s couldn’t even sellout a free game. Lol. Great fan base
Last stat I’m aware from a few years ago (when both teams were competing):
When the Giants and A’s are playing separate games on TV at the same time – Bay Area viewers will watch the Giants game over the A’s by 7 to 1……and that ratio has held for years – yet another reason the Giants have money and the A’s don’t.
that is the most negative post ever. Now lets look at the facts. Before the giants got their stadium the A’s out drew them. It was the giants that were going to move out of town. Oakland ruined the stadium by spending money to bring back the raiders. The raiders make over made the stadium ugly. Please you know 1 A’s fan that sounds like pure BS to me. Hey i know more A’s fans than giant fans so I guess that means the A’s are more popular. A’s tried to move to San Jose but the giants threw a hissy fit over it but when the giants wanted to move to San Jose the A’s gave them the thumbs up and signed over the rights. San Jose wanted the A’s but the giants blocked the move. Now that Oakland is looking at a new location I wonder how much money the giants will spend on blocking that move? Kind of how they spent money on a group to block the Fremont site that was once proposed. Those are the facts so get them right.
Simple solution…move the A’s back to where they started…Philadelphia!
I heard there’s a decent stadium there just waiting for a MLB team to play.
“Oakland is the reason people visit the Bay Area” HAHAHAHAHA
@arc89 I have no reason to lie. I know one A’s fan. But let’s move on from that and talk about facts. You’re griping about the A’s being blocked from moving to San Jose. Doesn’t that scream about how loyal they are to their own city? The Giants never moved to San Jose. They had a claim to that fan base and it was a wise business decision to keep it and deny the A’s abandon Oakland to move there.
The Giants can’t and won’t block them from moving around the East Bay (they don’t even have the rights to). Your “fact” is a lie. The Giants didn’t block Fremont. Fremont didn’t want the A’s. Find me a factual article that says different and I’ll agree with you. I just looked for a few minutes and couldn’t find anything that even hinted to that.
However, the whole point of my post was arguing successfully against Toakland claiming the A’s have the best-supported team. Not sure why you went left field on it when I was simply stating actual facts I can back up.
Fact is the Giants tried to move to San Jose but was blocked by voters. So please don’t pretend they are 100% loyal when they tried to move. Fact the group that protested the A’s moving was funded by a mystery group. It was so many years ago there is probably no record online. We are talking almost 20 years ago so of course it is long since gone. Its like trying to find anything about the giants attempted move to San Jose. Did I back Toakland claim A’s have the best fans? No maybe the most loyal fans but every team have them. The bay area has always been a bandwagon area. Which ever team is winning gets the best attendance. The Giants were the winners the last 7 years but now the A’s are winning you are seeing 10X more A’s caps and shirts. Even you know that is the truth. Did the A’s out draw the giants before the stadium? YES.
They used to,before they moved to Oakland
the a’s also had a new stadium built for them in 67 (give or take a year or 2) in kc before they left overnight to oakland while the stadium was in construction
Both of them.
Both of them.
hope eppler’s new pitchers are better than the ones from past years. if harvey improves as he indicated and cahill stays healthy the rotation looks good.
You have a strange definition of good.
No, you’re just a Cubs fan.
Matt Harvey is dog meat…
your breakfast?
how long did you ball boy there?
what is dog meat?
angels have very good defense. especially in the middle. sure the rotation is not excellent but it may not have to be. and if the new hitting coaches can add .050 to the team obp who knows how well they do?
exactly
i agree. now if we can be healthy we should be able to compete.
potential wildcard
If the rotation is healthy, it will probably be good.. If it’s sustains one injury, it will likely been good.
If 80% to 100% of it’s initial five man rotation goes down again, it will be a 500 team, like it has in each of the last three years.
Of course, most teams can’t even say that. Most teams wouldn’t even sniff 500 if 80% to 100% of it’s rotation went down.
yep
good on paper and in theory. Otherwise he wouldn’t have signed them. Eppler sees groundballs from Cahill abd bounce back from Harvey. imagine if that works. it could
good on paper. good in theory. good idea if it works.
The rotation is clearly missing a TOR arm. They could surprise and be a competent group of Harvey recapture some of his old form and Cahill remains healthy for a full season. And the rest of the starters stay healthy. That’s a lot of question marks for a group that has proved anything but the last few years.
Heaney is a top of the rotation arm.. I’m not saying he’s a top of the rotation pitcher, just arm, His K to BB rate is elite. His Ground ball to fly ball rate is elite. His horizontal movement was the best in baseball.
There is a lot to like about him. If he’s healthy, he’s likely to be very good. I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes the next step.
he also needs to learn to trust his weapons.
i think this could be his year. skaggs too for that matter
I’m not sure what that mean… trust his weapons.
Is BB/9 was 17th best in baseball last year.. He allows too many HRs.
Look again at his GB to fly ball rate. It’s average. Therein lies his problem. Perhaps he throws too many fastballs. He ranks 17th in fast ball percentage.
I’m an orioles fan I’ve seen guys with TOR stuff never become that far too often. I’m not saying Heaney can’t make the jump by any means but from an independent observer that seems to be a serious need. They need to figure out the backend of the pen and probably get themselves a catcher too.
Heaney needs to learn how to pitch inside to batters. Hitters know he is scared to pitch inside. So hitters lean out over the plate and wait for him to leave a pitch up. A 6 run road era, is not good. One road win all season, is not good.
yes. the uncanny amount of putching injuries has been eerie
Barría is an interesting SP. He put up decent stats his first year and has always shown really good control in the minors but also hit off a lot too with. My pick for the 5th spot would be Pena. He’s a late bloomer, but he has finally learned how to pitch really effectively.
good enough on paper
I don’t think anyone is really in the mix now for jt
But, maybe, the doyuers might make a push for the right offer. I really don’t see anyone else trying to grab him in a win now approach
It takes two to tango. Two years of Realmuto for five years of Bellinger, plus prospects? Uh, yeah. lol
Yeah everyone know that won’t happen but if they want something good and doyuer expendable it could happen
I rather them not get him but on paper that makes sense
I don’t see how you can describe that rotation full of .500 level arms as good. I’d call it mediocre.
Because wins don’t matter Billy!
Neither does batting average.
how about mediocre plus?
How about mediocre minus?
Very random, but someone send me the link to the first ever MLBTR article. I’d be interested in reading the news at the time (2005-ish maybe?)
Mariners should be all over Boxberger and Strickland.
They both had average of below seasons last year and are good rebound candidates to trade at the deadline.
Pass unless they are cheap
dipito is all over anyone and everyone. schizzo
Don’t worry they won’t have many games to close anyway.
Agreed!
Mariners should try openers, might help bring up Hernández’s stock and ship him out mid season for something.
$27,858,000?
They’re getting nothing for him, that’s dead money.
As an Astros fan, I like what all these teams are doing, for different reasons:
-M’s: making a rebuild really interesting.
-Rangers: rostering 25 guys that no one else wants. Seriously, who on that team has trade value?
-Angels: making themselves irrelevant, despite having the GPOP and some other high end players. Years from now, fans and writers will look back, and say: “how were they not able to get Mike Trout to the postseason other than that one time that they got swept? “
You must be a bandwagon. The Astros were in worse condition than the Rangers are in now 7-8 years ago. But go ahead, laugh.
I’ve been with the Astros since 2004. I suffered through the terrible years. I know a weak roster when I see it.
kiddo!
bring back j r richard
“No one else wants”? I think Mazara could bring back something decent. Guzman was in his first year and really young. I could see someone wanting Gallo, I think his numbers only go up when he is protected in a lineup. I’m not saying Grade A people, but come on, you’re telling me there is better players or players with more potential at each position on every team?
A slight exaggeration, but not by much. Mazara and his .750 career OPS isn’t exactly amazing. Moose can’t get a job and he’s arguable better than Gallo. So, who would trade for Gallo if they can sign Moose.
I’m not saying there aren’t legit major leaguers on the team, I’m just saying that none are impact players. I would be surprised if a single player on the 2019 team is worth 3+ WAR.
I actually wish the Rangers were good because I like the in state rivalry. However, Jon Daniels hasn’t demonstrated that he has a plan for about three years.
He really doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I wouldn’t worry about it.
He’s just another fan without a clue.
As an Astros fan you probably have the right to a smug grin right now. Been a pretty good few years ;0)
Re – M’s – did you expect anything else? I know Jerry Dipoto seems about as popular as transmittable diseases in the West, but he has at least blown up the building as quickly as possible. He has at least played the game at top level and acted in scouting roles prior to GM roles.
Re – Rangers – not particularly upset either..
Re – Angels – all Mike Trout (or the fans & writers) has to do is look at Albert Pujols contract for the majority of the answer. They’d get three years of Trevor Cahill for one year of Pujols.. So nine Trevors given there are three years left on Pujols contract. They have – to be fair – had desperate injury issues with their rotation for like, ever. Now that Scioscia (with his epic dislike of stats) has gone, a manager with a better respect of “red zone” medical info might look after a rotation better. Given their value as a franchise has increased from $180MM in 2003 to $1..75 billion this year is Moreno their biggest asset & their biggest problem? They are an intriguing fail…
My A’s? One of 11 AL teams playing for the 2nd wild card spot….
Take care…
I enjoy following well run teams.
Hey Mariners……I am a lefty. Probably top out around 78-80 MPH……I am willing to learn off speed pitches (no, 78-80 mph is my fastball, not my change piece)…..terrific mound presence, late live action on my 80 MPH heat and command of the zone
Please contact me at 1-800-BULLPEN or inquire wiithin
he was a halo starter 2 years ago. went to lb state. older bro was a dodger
Should go a poll of Jerry dipotos next trade candidate lol.
too much of a head-spin!
he would trade the batboy id he could
The AL west should be interesting this season
.how will the Astros do if they lose Dallas ? If that happens that’s 40% of their rotation gone without good replacements (at this point). They can possibly lose cole
AND verlander after the season too
.how will Oaklandl do with practicality no starting rotation (if things stand) ? They have fiers, manea (who is still recovering from tommy john) and that’s basically it. Anderson is as fragile as glass. Their pen and lineup are good though
.the M’s realized that they mainly won 90 games last year because of diaz. Time for a rebuild and they are doing just that. I know they can’t wait for felix’s Contract to expire
.Anaheim is in between which is where you don’t want to be. If they are mediocre/bad again this season they will have to make a choice and possibly do the unthinkable….. trade trout
.rangers are a mess, nuff said. As someone mentioned above they have no real tradable assets on their roster unless they eat choo’s Salary
Astros will win the west in 2019 imo
I think Colin McHugh steps up and is a very solid #3 for the Astros, which lessens the blow a bit for Keuchel potentially leaving.
the last sentence is a foregone conclusion most fans in al west accept. however, winning the division is not the only way to go to postseason.
Speaking of which since it’s agreed that the Astros and Indians will win their divisions two of the wild card teams will more than likely be out of the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s and rays. While one of the 3 East teams listed wins the division. Should be quite exciting indeed ! Hopefully the Yankees win the division this upcoming season as they haven’t won it since 2012
wildcard in west will be halis
We likely make moves but no need to rush them, we do have back end guys that can get through enough innings and we do have Jesus Luzardo amongst some touted arms to come.
I think we will possibly sign another and make a trade for one.
I really thought Dallas would sign shortly after the Nationals got Corbin..
As a fun fact, I googled Corbin Washington to see how long ago the news broke. Turns out there was a George Corbin Washington, grandnephew of George Washington. I guess it was meant to be.
lol!
Eppler trying to spin those 2 signings. He might of well been truthful and said hey didn’t want to spend of anyone of quality and tried to make it look good by signing 2 has been. I don’t like it at all when players leave for just dollars but if I were Trout the car would be warming in the drive way to get away from this clown of an organization.
if he signed 2 top of the rotation pitchers he wouldn’t have any money left for the pen, catcher and rf. it’s a trade-off.
yes. although i still hace hope for kole. love that d
thus is as good as money allows given other needs dude. catcher abd lefty bullpen.
eppler inherited albert. and hamiltons contract. handcuffs. i say hire pujols as hitting ibstruxtor or bench coach
The Angels starters over the last 4 years have better better than average for 4 seasons in a row, especially when you look at injuries and declining speed and control issues. Finishing wt .500 is a big feat of endevor. The biggest problem has been why to many 230 hitters in the line u0. Look at the amount of HR’s that Trouty hits with no runners on base, maybe the higheet rat3 in baseball. A walk is as good as a base hit. BTW, lowering the fight field wall was not a good choice.
A walk while good isn’t as good as a base hit. Base hits drive in runs while walks don’t (unless it’s with the bases loaded which isn’t really a common occurrence). Walks In front of or in between hits however is a different story
Hey Gramps! Our pitching injuries have been stifling over the past few seasons. I can’t find an official stat, but I think our hitting with RISP was atrocious last year too.
if it all came together we would compete fir pennant. i get bummed when trouty touches home plate with no one else thete
Hey Grandpa, how about proof reading before you post your comment?
The biggest problem for the Angels over the last several years have nothing to do with Eppler. Arte negotiated the Pujols’ ridiculous contract. DiPoto signed Hamilton and C J Wilson. Those three signings cost first round picks. DiPoto gutted the rest of the organization so when injuries hit there were no prospects to call on. Eppler has spent his time building the farm. He won’t sign a player who requires draft pick compensation until he stocks some more top picks. 2020 should see Adell, Jones Canning and Suarez being prominent parts. The Angels should be solid by 2022. Pujols’ crippling contract will be done and hopefully Trout re-signs. Eppler has a plan and he is sticking to it.
You missed a few commas there trout27….and this is an interesting sentence: “Arte negotiated the Pujols’ ridiculous contract.” Try proof reading before you post and especially before you tell someone else to proof read.
“Efficacy” I have never used or heard of this word haha!
Felix as closer misses the point that he is least effective in the first inning. Fatigue not the problem. Father Time is undefeated.
I hope the Rangers don’t push Isiah Kiner-Falefa back to catching this year as they did last year. His play at 3rd base looks like a young Adrian Beltre with a good Glove, good range and reflexes with a strong accurate throw to first. What I really like his his approach to hitting, making contact with runners on base. with few strike outs. As the Rangers approach this season as possible the worst team in the history of baseball we’ll be looking for a few bright spots. I not sure last year what the Rangers hitting coach was trying to accomplish but it sure didn’t have anything to do with contact hitting. Should be a lot of seats available this year.