11:24AM: Maddon’s contract is a three-year deal worth $12MM, Jeff Fletcher tweets.
10:03AM: The Angels have hired Joe Maddon to be the team’s next manager. Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group reported (Twitter link) that an agreement had been reached, after MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported earlier today that Maddon and the Angels were closing in on a deal. Official terms of the contract haven’t been released, though ESPN.com’s Jesse Rogers reported that Maddon is expected to earn roughly $12MM-$15MM over a three-year deal.
“We are thrilled that Joe is coming back home and bringing an exciting brand of baseball to our fans,” Angels GM Billy Eppler said in an official press release from the team. “Every stop he has made throughout his managerial career he has built a culture that is focused on winning while also allowing his players to thrive. We believe Joe will be a great asset for our Club and look forward to him leading the team to another World Series Championship.”
The signing represents something of a homecoming for Maddon, who was a member of the Angels organization from 1975-2005. After playing four seasons of minor league ball in the Halos’ farm system, Maddon transitioned into scouting, coaching, and managing within the team’s minor league ranks before joining the Major League coaching staff prior to the 1994 season. Maddon worked as the first base coach and bench coach, serving in the latter role in 2002 during the Angels’ World Series championship year.
From there, Maddon went on to amass a 1225-1044 record over 14 seasons managing the Rays and Cubs, a resume that includes eight postseason appearances, four division titles, both an American League and National League pennant, and (of course) the 2016 World Series title that ended the Cubs’ championship drought after 107 years.
The 65-year-old Maddon has developed a reputation as one of the game’s more innovative motivators and thinkers, though as far back as a year ago, it seemed like rumors were already swirling that 2019 would be Maddon’s last year at Wrigley Field. Those rumors came to fruition after the Cubs missed the postseason for the first time in Maddon’s tenure (though the team still had a winning record at 84-78), and the Cubs announced that Maddon wouldn’t be brought back on a new contract for 2020 and beyond.
This technically isn’t Maddon’s first time managing the Angels, as his long tenure with the club included two separate stints (totaling 51 games) as an interim manager. But now he’ll officially take over in the dugout following the abrupt and rather surprising dismissal of Brad Ausmus, who was let go just one season into a three-year deal with Los Angeles. Speculation immediately began to build about a Maddon/Angels reunion as soon as Maddon’s parting with the Cubs became official, and since Ausmus’ firing came quickly after Maddon became available, it seemed like it was only just a matter of time before Maddon returned to Anaheim. Still, the Angels did some due diligence in their search, also speaking to former Buck Showalter, John Farrell, and Johnny Washington about the manager’s job. Showalter was the runner-up for the position, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweets.
Maddon also received some interest from the Padres about their managerial vacancy, though seemingly no official connection between the two sides was ever made. With eight teams in search for new managers this offseason, the fact that Maddon only formally interviewed with the Angels could indicate that they were each other’s top choice all along, as Maddon would have seemingly been a fit for several other teams in need for new bench bosses. The Phillies, for instance, have been looking at veteran managers and theoretically would’ve been a prime fit for Maddon, a Pennsylvania native.
The Angels are coming off a 72-90 record in Ausmus’ only season as manager, a disappointing year on the field that was overshadowed by the tragic death of Tyler Skaggs. Maddon will now be taking over an organization still reeling from Skaggs’ loss, as well as potential future ramifications that could stem from the circumstances surrounding his death.
In terms of on-field matters, the Angels haven’t had a winning record since 2015 and have reached the postseason only once in the last ten seasons (a three-game sweep at the hands of the Royals in the 2014 ALDS). It isn’t a sterling record for any team, though the Angels’ lack of success particularly stands out given the presence of Mike Trout. Despite having baseball’s best player for the bulk of the decade, Los Angeles has been consistently hampered by injuries and a lack of return from high-priced acquisitions (such as Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Vernon Wells, and C.J. Wilson).
Between Maddon’s hiring and the fact that Eppler is only under contract for one more season, the Angels seem poised for an aggressive offseason in order to finally get back into contention. The Halos are widely expected to pursue starting pitching, and the position player side could be improved from within should stars like Justin Upton or Andrelton Simmons rebound from down years. Shohei Ohtani is also expected to return to the mound following Tommy John surgery, giving L.A. the full benefit of his two-way skills as both a starter and a designated hitter.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Expected, yet big news.
Showalter, I imagine, was a very distant second.
Theo isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Look at theo’s track record. He just did lousy in Boston and Chicago. He can’t even keep his dog from peeing in the house.
Give me World Series rings from 2 different teams with dog pee any day
2 rings with two organizations is lousy? Get a clue m8
Amazing to me how Theo gets so much credit for 2004. What about the hiring of Grady Little? Tito got the blame for the 2011 collapse after which Theo left. At the time he was in Boston, how much power did he really have? 2019 really shows me ownership runs the show in Boston. Given the investment it’s understandable. Theo did bring the Cubs their championship and raised the team’s value incredibly so. Yet, the Cubs and Sox face parallel moving forward issues. Big contracts making future budgeting tricky.
This is either lame satire or a lame brained. Either way I am a fan
Why is he not? because he let Joe walk even though everyone was tired of Joe’s stick? don’t get me wrong I love joe Maddon for what he did for the organization but pulling starters way to early, trying to destroy bullpen arms, the lineup choices he made. it was time for him to go.
Joe’s stick LOL do you mean schtick?
Maddon is overrated.
HUGE upgrade from one of the worst managers in baseball to one of the best. Angel fans should be excited! Congrats
Team needs some healing.
Joe should provide that for them.
World Series championship with this team? LOL. They got one elite player and a terrible pitching.
Well…. I for one, am shocked!
Well, not that shocked…
Joe is coming home
Well……..Home to Maddon is actually West Hazleton Pennsylvania……Just sayin….
Yeah but going back to an org you worked for 30 years and have a home at is not?
More like Welcome Back
True home to him is Hazelton. However he does have and has had a second home in Long Beach California that he kept since his Angels days. Over that 30-31 year Prior Angel stint he spent more time in Southern California than Pa.
But he still gets back to his hometown and seems to do a lot there charity wise.
Big news, won’t make a difference for the horribly shaped roster, would’ve much rather saw him with the young energized padres
I really thought the Padres job was clear cut for him. almost identical to the Cubs setup when he arrived there
Of course taking the Padres job would have meant butting heads with the Dodgers. Maddon probably had his fill of the David versus Goliath saga as a Ray versus the Yankees and Red Sox. He’s also not getting any younger and looks at the Angels gig as perhaps his last as a skipper, retiring with the organization he began with while perhaps also securing a front office position when his managerial contract is up.
Well, taking the Angels job means butting heads with the Astros, so I don’t see much difference.
He also spent several years butting heads with the Yankees and the Sox. He ain’t scared.
Successfully I might add…..Dejected Red Sox fan here, Joe always had that team ready to play the Red Sox and Yankees
think I’d be more worried about dealing with a real foe, Houston. not the Dodgers in the NL worst
It means butting heads with Moreno as well.
I had him tabbed for the Padres too. Now that he’s off the board, I’d like to see Ron Washington take the skipper job for the Padres.
Are you a local San Diego dealer or bail bonds man?
This is truly one of the best comments I have seen.
Hammer;
Washington’s a good man.
Ease up, cowboy.
Horrible cut? They have better pieces than padres in almost all areas and can spend big on pitching this offseason. Angels have trout and ohtani lol padres have tatis and….upside in there farm? Heard that for years from padres fans, padres org is inept as it gets and dont have deep pockets to compete. Manny and hosmer look great so far….
I’m sorry but we are talking about the Same Angels right? The ones with 0 pitching correct?
Sure the overall numbers were terrible, but most of the culprits for those numbers will not be back. Bullpen has some nice pieces. Robles, Buttrey, Bedrosian, and Ramirez all had sub 4.00 ERAs in 50+ appearances. Middleton will be back 100% for a full season and looked very good in 11 late appearances.
Rotation is the real issue. Heaney is a low end #3 high end #4. The rest is all young guys (Canning 23, Barria 22, Suarez 21, Sandoval 22). Plus a couple of guys coming back from injury (Tropeano and that no-name Ohtani).
Plenty of money to shower on Gerrit. Pick up a few fillers and hope one or two of the young guys develop into solid starters and they have a decent staff.
Hardly “0 Pitching”
Hoss, Agree mostly with your view, especially the
bullpen. The starting pitching, not so much.
Suarez or Sandoval better as lefty which they lack in the bullpen.
Barria, Trop, Pena – good Triple A pitchers.
Canning and Heaney, middle guys in rotation.
Ohtani ; too valuable as a hitter – so he starts 20 games max.
like Babe did back for the Red Sox.
They need depth: experienced reliable pros (3) to give 150 IP each.
Going for Cole at 35 million a year might be a reach at this point.
As a Padres fan, sadly I have to agree. Not for lack of trying. The rotation is a mess, lacks veteran leadership. The outfield is a disaster. Machado I can see turning it around but I dont like second and Hosmer, I don’t see as a long term solution.
Not sure Ohtani makes that much of a difference yet.
You can’t come out calling the Angels roster trash compared to the Padres. Tatis and Paddack are great talented ball players.
Beyond that, you have tons of dead weight loss with hosmer and Myers. your rotation and bullpen somehow compare to our ugly rotation.
The padres MLB roster isn’t completely lush with young talent just yet. So why would he waste 2-3 years rebuilding when you can walk into a very competitive situation, if the Angels sign two top tier pitchers this summer than we’re very close to favorites in the top WC spot.
…. you are definitely putting up a homer post here. Close to favorites for the top WC spot? You still play in the West and have to play Houston, and Oakland plenty of games. Boston will rebound and be back in the mix next season, the Yankees aren’t going anywhere. Tampa Bay is also better. That’s 4 teams that will almost certainly finish with a better record, unless Angels make some huge pitching additions it ain’t going to happen. And I’m not a fan of either the Padres or any of the other teams I’ve mentioned.
And padres have to play against giants dodgers and diamondbacks whom all are much better squads. Houston and a’s are the only thing stopping angels.
They just finished 18 games under .500 and you just said very competitive lmao it’s gonna take all of 95 games to get a wild card spot so I assume you’re predicting Maddon will get you about 23-24 more wins?
So the fact that there entire roster was plagued with injuries including mike trout and ohtani and upton for half the season means nothing? You lack of baseball knowledge shows please stop talking when you no nothing makes you look dumb.
The Rays has 24 injuries and the Yankees had 30!!!!!! You named 4 people but I lack knowledge, senseless fan.
@kc38…………….amazingly, the Cubs went from 73 to 97 wins in Maddon’s first season………exactly 24 more wins.
“You lack of baseball knowledge shows please stop talking when you no nothing makes you look dumb.”
It’s always fun to see insults slung like a boomerang.
The Cubs changed a lot more than just their manager in 2015. Schwarber, Bryant, and Lester were big contributors, as well as Baez in his first full season. Arrieta won the Cy Young and Rizzo mashed even more than the year before.
Different situation with LAA. They’ll have to once again rebuild their pitching staff and do so without a ton of payroll flexibility.. Then there’s the injury concerns..
The Angels suck. They won’t sign any top tier anything. They’re a team that’s happy stealing money from their fan base and scoring drugs for their players.
LOL. Earlier this year they literally just signed the largest contract in sports history.
It seems to me that the Angels have signed a few “top tier” players during the Arte Moreno era, none bigger than with the Mike Trout extension. Their problem was that two of their biggest signings were for a future HOF player on the wrong side of thirty and another star who had substance abuse issues.
I called the Joe Maddon signing with the Angels the moment it became official he was not returning to the Cubs. I also stated that the Angels would fire Brad Ausmus first before signing Maddon, something the Cubs failed to do with Rick Renteria following the 2014 season while they negotiated with Joe and ultimately signed him.
Another prediction I made was that free agent Gerrit Cole will return home to Newport Beach and be the Angels opening day pitcher in 2020 and beyond. That will cost Moreno a pretty penny and would be reminiscent of when the Cubs signed FA Jon Lester shortly after they brought Maddon on board in 2015.
Not to mentioned signed ohtani and upton last year lol get your facts straight if you are gonna talk smack
I wouldnt stop there id assume angels will add one of bumgarner, hamels to gerrits welcome home. Pair that with growth from canning and ohtanis return and that rotation looks much much better.
Telling everyone your predictions that sounds awfully obvious isn’t impressing anyone
To say the least, not entirely fair. Regardless of the rights and wrongs of that situation it involves somebody dying. Still proud of your comment?
Dude, like 90% of people who follow baseball predicted that Joe would be in Anaheim when the Cubs didn’t renew his contract.
Some predicted that even before the Cubs season was officially dead.
You can’t notice the obvious and act like you’re Quasimodo.
Lol. Quasimodo was the hunchback of Notre Dame.
Maybe you’re thinking of Nostradamus?
Lol. I snort laughed when I read this. Sorry…couldn’t resist.
awwww did mommy say you couldn’t use her credit card for fortnite? hahaha
Unless he really had a hunch.
99%
I’m crying right now…
They both had M’s and D’s and U’s in them. Anyone could make that mistake. hahahaha
I’ll take the Padres pitching 10/10 days over the Angels. Much much more talent and a closer who is shut down and you did just say Meyers and hosmer was dead weight, I’m sorry but what is Pujols? What was Harvey? Cahill? Cozart?
And upton sorry
Cozart has been anchor of the franchise in true nautical sense:-)
Um on 1 years deals? Hows hosmer and myers negative war for the next 5/6 years working? Besides tatis what do the padres have that stands out beside a bunch of 4th outfielders and middle of the rotation arms lmao. As a dodger fan i see how terribke padres are year in year out. But keep that same energy with the angels when there rotation feature cole, ohtani and bumgarner will you still take padres patchwork rotation? Lol sure bud
Lmao i forgot about will myers hahaha hosmer myers and regression from manny machado hahaha for a small market that is death. Padres are overhyped from padres faithful tired of losing but the bottom line is it would take much much more to close that gap between dodgers than it would to close gap on astros.
What? Lol the Angels finished well below .500. They have a lot of work to do and need a whole new rotation. They can’t catch up to the Astros or A’s in one offseason.
Without trout or ohtani playing most games down thr stretch angeld were playing 500 ball at all star break but okay
Sure they can. Example: The Twins went from 78 to 100+ wins teams can and do make 20-25 game improvements. Sign Cole that’s a huge get for the Angels staff and a loss for the Astros staff. Add 1 more tier 2 SP along with Ohtani, Heaney, Canning and it’s a decent starting 5.
From .500 you need another 16+ wins for a wildcard. And please stop putting bumgarner in the rotation already when the offseason hasn’t even started and AL teams would eat him alive, you say I have no knowledge of the game but every single comment you’ve made has made no sense
Why would Bum get eaten alive in the AL?
Yeah .500 ball. Astros and A’s were playing way better than that all year. Last year the Angels had trout and ohtani healthy for most of the year and still sucked. Look at their run differential, they’re terrible. Need new pitching and some help for trout.
Ok now where’s the offense coming from? The twins had mlb ready prospects poised to make a big jump. They were also in a much weaker division. I don’t think the Angels have the talent and money to make enough moves to overtake the A’s or Astros.
Moreno will sign Cole or some combo of guys like Strass and Wheeler. I think he’s going all in. JMO.
You know what the Angels roster is going to be. Can you tell me?
Can you tell me how many games Upton and Simmons will play? Can you tell me how many starts Canning, Ohtani and Heaney will make?
He’s got some work to put in for sure.
Very much so.
Welcome home Joe!!
Home would actually be the Philadelphia Phillies since he was born and raised there. It would be welcome back Joe!
He spent 30 years there and has a house in the area. Welcome home, Joe.
Doesn’t he live year around in New Port Beach? He’s been at a few kids coaching clinics in the offseason in OC.
It is more like Welcome Back Joe!
Joe, welcome home.
Brea, CA
He spent more time in orange county Calif those 30 or so years then in PA. Welcome home Joe.
Hey gozurman1, just wanted to let you know that Joe said “I’m glad to be back home” in his statement.
Checkmate
Maddon, Trout and Ohtani on the same roster. That’s pretty nice. But is it enough to catch up to the Astros?
Not in a million years. Only chance that have to improve a lot this off-season is cole, if that don’t sign him nothing is changing in the standings
They probably won’t. Padres and Yankees will be all over him.
@lowtalker1 what even more moronic is thinking that padres have a chance to sign anyone Over the angels….angels will have 70/80 million in cap space to add 2 impact pitchers one being cole (whom from teammates is head to dodgers or angels his 2 favorite teams)
Keep that same energy when they nab the top arm next winter and become a relevant franchise.
And the Angels will be all over Cole as well. Cole was raised in Orange County Ca and pitched for UCLA. Angels are not shy about paying big bucks and they are the favorites to sign Cole.
They need more than Cole to compete. the team is not very good and they can’t buy a new team. 2 tough teams top of the division both young and strong.
Where do you come up with $80 million in payroll space lol are you insane
Hi, I play for the Astros and I just watched the yankee fans throw objects on the field in game 3 of the playoffs. Yes, let me play there, for sure. Idiots.
If you count Arbitration which is 60.6 million estimate angel have 195.4 million already spent . That leaves 13 million and that includes buy out Calhoun 14 m for 1 million. Long way from 80. million
Cole will sign with whoever offers him the most money. Angels need to stop trying to play the hometown card and either pay the man or go away.
Signing of Ryu, Wheeler, and say Keuchel, along with a bullpen arm would probably do just fine. And it’d probably cost the same as signing Cole. Cole still is not going back to Houston.
You’re suggesting adding $65 million dollars to the payroll for next year.
If wheeler gets AAV $15million, Ryu AAV $20million, Keuchel AAV $20million, and random bullpen arm for $10million. What world do you live in if you think cole is getting $65mil a year lol
Probably because he values cole signing closer to 35-40 million per year over 5-7 years. Meaning he doesnt think ryu or wheeler or keuchel are reaching the numbers you suggested. I dont see keuchel with age and how he pitched outside of houston earning more than what eovaldi sign for in terms of aav. Dont forget bumgarner and strasburg if he ops out which he might.
Last time I checked 40 million isn’t 65?? Maybe I’m wrong but anyone who thinks Angels will compete next year is completely lost
Meh, I think they could line up some deals and do a special sendoff to Albert.
Cole, Madison bumgarner, ohtani and Canning.
This rotation + the lineup we have staying healthy. Could be dangerous. Us and the Stros will compete for the division, really for the first time since Lunhows run.
Keep in mind astros are about to get expensive. Look at the estimation for what there star players will command, this team could look much different come next year.
Angels fans are dumber than I thought, I now see why California is in such bad shape
because your tour group only went to the places you deserve. of course that’s the california you could afford to see.
The Astros end is nearing. They have to start paying these guys. Can’t pay em all.
This is the dumbest comment I’ve read.
That’s not even enough to catch the A’s
came here to put this
Domino ONE has fallen!
Cole will be there shortly as well.
he spells his name with a K and he’s already there.
Kerrit Kole.
Made me spit my water out, good one man
Well of course he’s there because he isn’t here.
Yeh Cole hamels
What happens when the angels finish under .500 again? Do they fire after a year again as a scape goat or do the owners give Eppler the axe?
Below 500 again this year, means the end of Eppler.
Maddon already has a ton of credibility with Angel fan given his track record.
He’s got 3 years at least with our fan base.
If scoisia got 19 years i think maddon has got plenty of time.
angels fans(not trolls, not wagoners) are very loyal and happy fans. when they can watch trout play why wouldn’t they be happy? the team is only one of 4 teams that draw 3 million fans annually.
Depends if they sign pitching.
Now I’m not saying the moves are entirely unwarranted, but, I find it ironic that both of Maddons most recentertaining posts came from the firing of a manager still under contract, who arguably did not have the pieces in place (health or otherwise being outside the mgr control) to do a whole heck of a lot more than they did.
As opposed to other managers who get hired by teams after firing managers who had contracts in place? What is your point?
Most managers aren’t let go after the first season, of a multi year pact, coming generally as a surprise to all concerned.
Go read up on what happened before Joes last 2 hirings and come back more educated when you can make an intelligent post (although well give you some leeway on the intelligent part, laboring under the clear disability you have in that dept)
Moreno wanted to hire Maddon the last time he was available but the Scioscia contract got in the way.
This time around, Moreno was going to make a different choice.
I find this news completely shocking. Nahh.
Who saw that coming
It’s official now. Yeah!!!!
We made the first real splash this off-season.
Who called it when they said they wouldn’t announce until there was a day of no baseball.
Someone called it on here. MLBTR you’d right again
I’m only surprised it didn’t happen immediately after firing Ausmus. Anaheim interviewed maddon before they even fired Ausmus.
welcome home!
Welcome Back Maddon
You have 40 Sweat Hogs to whip into shape with 25 Graduates getting their Major League Diploma with 15 hitting the books.to study harder making Joe proud!!
From one losing team to another. Good luck
Now Girardi to Philly.
No, Girardi will be the Metropolitans skipper in ’20
Hopefully they appreciate him unlike the Cubs.
The only way the Angels catch up to the Astros is if they can sign Gerritt Cole away from them.
I suspect they will along with a few other pieces this offseason. Even if Cole doesn’t come home to Newport Beach he won’t be returning to the Astros with their luxury tax concerns, in part due to a rotation that already has two pitchers earning $33MM (Justin Verlander) and $35MM (Zack Greinke) apiece for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Cole’s AAV is sure to be in that neighborhood when the ink is dry on his upcoming free agent contract.
Zach came to town with money paid down. Not to say they won’t owe him a ton, but, it softened the blow some.
I’d imagine there is some wiggle room depending how high the market goes, and the length of the deal.
If I’m the astros the real deciding factor is length of contract. They don’t mind high aav it seems, if the years are right. (Now that flies in the face of the lax threshold comments, but, if they’re going to pay tax let it be the next 2 years or so before they get penalized on QO compensation (if there even is any next cba)
Oh, looky here, the guy who thinks he’s smarter than everyone else in the room.
Well, he has been in baseball for almost 40 years. Certainly smarter than most, and most definitely smarter than you.
I thought the Angels wanted to go to the playoffs.
This is great for the Angels. They still have a lot of work to do, but it’s ridiculous (and probably just trolling) to suggest they can’t possibly beat the Astros. For one thing, the addition of Cole to the Angels would be subtraction for the Astros. But the Angels will add more pitching, and will hopefully start beating the odds when it comes to injury and tragedy.
In the meantime, it’s impossible to predict what might happen to the Astros and other teams in terms of performance and injury. It’s not an open and shut case against the Angels.
As of today, the Astros are likely still the favorites to win the AL West in 2020. However, like you said, they’re almost surely going to lose Cole. McHugh, Chirinos, Miley, Rondon, Smith, and Harris are all free agents as well.
Additionally, can Houston expect ace caliber numbers from Verlander again? I suppose they can, but JV is at a volatile age where it wouldn’t be wildly surprising if his numbers fell off some, and/or injuries became an issue.
Now, could he pitch a fully healthy season and dominate again? Surely it is possible, and if anyone can do it, it’s Verlander. Again, none of this is to say the Astros are going to struggle next year, rather, just some things to consider.
It’s going to be an interesting off-season for the entire AL West.
The Angels finished 35 games behind the Astros. That would take an uncanny set of circumstances for the Angels to finish anywhere close to the same record as Houston. I despise Houston and wish someone could topple them, but it won’t be the Rangers, Mariners, or Angels next year or even the year after that.
Only 4 Million per year in LA. Maddon can’t even afford a studio apartment in LA on that salary.
Yeah, but it will be enough to keep his office’s wine rack full of the best Merlot in SoCal.
Awesome news well done. This is gonna be great for them moving forward! Gonna definitely try to watch more games!
Yada Yada you experts. How many of you genius’ liked or pushed for Mike Scioscia to be fired (forced out)? How embarrassing for him. What’s the difference between him, Maddon, and Showalter? The gm’s from the hiring of VWells on should be made to jump off the Queen Mary Plank. Here’s a couple gems besides the obvious huge contract issues to the wrong people. Zack Greinke let go. Howie Kendrick let go.
You’ll love him Angel Fans! Fooorrrr about a year…that’s when the petting zoo’s, pajama parties, legion week’s, lack of batting practice, lack of infield drills, lack of fundamental’s lack of accountability, etc. starts to kick in.
Just remember two basic tenants of a Joe Maddon coached team…1) When things are going well, it’s all Joe Maddons doing and 2) When things are going bad, it’s all somebody else’s doing.
FlytheW1616,
You need to take a chill pill. I too like the Cubs it was his time to go. Did he not bring a World Series title to Chicago making him a legend in Cubs history. No need to be all bitter about it this shelf life was up. The guy won a World Series title. Look at the Red Sox win a title and then miss playoffs Gm gets canned. We live in a world of what now not past. Sadly that gets ya fired even when you have a better resume then the person coming in!
Joe Maddon has never blamed anyone else when things go bad
Joe Maddon is now dead to me.
Not renewing Maddon will go down as one of the dumbest decision the Cubs have ever made in the history of their franchise.
Theo and Co. will hire Ross, it won’t go well, and they’re gonna limp out of town in two years when their contracts are up.
yeah, this year was such a blast with maddon. it was time for both to move on.
I guarantee you next year won’t be such a “blast” either with that roster. What then?
It was a smart thing. One of the smartest things they’ll do
Expected but disappointed to see it happen. IMO, I think Maddon would do much better with a club like San Diego. The Pads have young talent and are nearing the same stage the Cubs were in ‘14-‘15. Sadly, the Angels are not ready to win anything and Joe can’t wring water out of rocks.
Joe’s talent is in raising youngsters to learn the big league life, then supporting them with positivity and developmental coaching.
I’m afraid the Angels are just dead weight unless they suddenly discover how to build a roster.
Oh well, at least Joe will keep the local reporters and fan base entertained with his pressers!
Good ol’ Johnny Washington never gets his due.
A lot of San Diego smack. It reminds me of the Philly/Trout smack last year.
The last time the Padres won 78+ games was 2010. At least with fans of the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers talking smack is they have something to smack about… but the Padres?
The only thing they have shown is they can be as obnoxious, with little to no achievement, as the Phillies fans.
Yawn.
I thought this should also have been posted in Cubs news. We were all interested in where he would go.
Looks like mike trout actually might win more than one play off game in his career.
If Anaheim signs gerrit Cole. Maddon will pull him out in the 6th inning with only 70 pitches while he has a perfect game going. And he’ll do that at least 5-8 times. Anaheim Angels fans beware of this. His act will get old fast.
Maddon never pulled a cubs starter with less than 100 pitches unless they were getting crushed.
ChiSoxCity
I love Joe but a Cubs starter was dominating a World Series game and Maddon pulled him, even though he had thrown well under 100 pitches. My memory says it was precisely 63 pitches.
You’re memory is worth what? I trust Joe and his 3x Manager of the Year, 2x World Series championships and 25 years of coaching/managing experience over your one memory of him pulling a pitcher in a game. cubs fans are such morons. I’m so glad Joe got out of there and went to a team with classier fans. He’s earned the respect and appreciation he’ll get with the Angels.
An Angels starter going 6 would be great for us.
Wrek you are evidently not a student of the game
If he couldn’t win with the Cubs, how can he be expected to resurrect the Angels. Angel fans, don’t expect much.
Couldn’t win with the Cubs….lol
Uh, what?
With Joe Maddon set to take the helm for the Halos, and IMHO, 100% the right manager for the job. Let’s face it, it’s been a harsh and depressing past 5 seasons, good for a .483 winning percentage, a sensational amount of injuries and, of course, the grieving and coping with the tragic loss of Tyler Skaggs. I don’t want to get sentimental so let’s move on to my personal and optimal off-season for the Halos.
The Angels only have five guys with guaranteed money going into next year. Trout, Pujols, Upton, Simmons and Cozart at, on or around, $114M next season. Angels owner, Arte Moreno, has never dipped into the luxury tax, but I get the sense that missing the post-season 5 consecutive years will be enough to loosen his wallet enough, but still staying well below the luxury tax line. Now I don’t have the exact dollar amount with arbitration and so forth but I’m estimating they’ll have around $60M to play with after move #1 below.
First thing’s first; our own. No free agent of our own should be retained, including the Team Option on Kole Calhoun. Kole had a nice bounce back year with an improved approach at the plate from his disastrous 2017/18 seasons, but a far cry from his best years 2014/15/16. His WAR has plummeted from a cumulative 10.4 down to 5 over the course of the past 3 seasons. There is no need to pay an exorbitant amount of money when it’s best allocated to the starting rotation, especially when the Angels have the best outfield prospect in baseball in Jo Adell.
Extensions:
1. Andrelton Simmons. Taking a recommendation from Jeff Fletcher of the OC Register, “Angels could explore an extension that could overwrite his current 2020 salary ($15M) and instead spread that money out over the length of the new deal in order to free up extra payroll space…” If he would accept a 4yr/$48M extension, I’d say do it.
Signings (Qualifying Offers to hell if it’s just one season. Go big or go home):
1. Gerrit Cole. Spotrac.com estimates his market value at 6yrs/$182,354,820, good for $30,392,470 per year. I think that’s a little low. I’d offer 7yrs/$224M, good for $32M per year. Billy Eppler shouldn’t blink and just do it.
2. Madison Bumgarner. Fangraphs.com had his performance (not actual) earnings pegged at $25.5 this year. Who am I to argue? Well, I will. He’s not worth quite that much, especially with a pitcher with a year work shy of 2000 innings. I like Bleacherreport.com, estimated value of 5yrs, $110M, good for $22M per year.
3. Will Smith. Spotrac.com estimates his market value at 3yrs/$24,582,957. Again, I think that’s a little low. I’d offer 4yrs/$36M.
4.. Martin Maldonado. 2yrs/$4M. Backup Catcher, mentor and insurance for our newly traded for young catcher below.
5. Adam Jones. 1yr/$2M to be your 4th outfielder and insurance behind a young Jo Adell.
6. Matt Kemp. 1yr/555k to be your 5th OF, backup 1st Base and DH.
Trades (Buckle up folks):
1. Trade LF Justin Upton (Must be persuaded to waive his NTC) to the San Francisco Giants for 3rd Basemen Evan Longoria. Additional pieces (The likes of Taylor Ward and/or Luis Rengifo) can be added to appease whichever side, but that’s the starting framework. Evan Longoria is due $15.1M in 2020 ($2M paid by the Rays), $18.7M in 2021 ($2M paid by the Rays), $19.7M in 2022 ($5M paid by the Rays) and a $13M Team Option or $5M buyout for 2023. Upton is scheduled to make $21M in 2020, $23M in 2021 and 28M in 2022. An annual savings of $9.1M for the next 3 seasons for the Halos. Longoria’s UZR is 3.1, so still above average and his wRC+ was 101 last season. Not great but still solid. The Giants have some interesting minor league outfielders in their pipeline, but not ready by 2021/22 so I see Upton as a solid fit for them. The Giants outfield lacks power and production. Upton fits that bill nicely.
2. Trade SP Andrew Heaney and Catcher Kevan Smith to the St. Louis Cardinals for their #1 catching prospect, Andrew Knizner. It’s beneficial to both clubs. Angels get the 10th best catching prospect in baseball. The Cardinals get a starting pitcher with upside and 2 more seasons of team control after the potential departures of SP Michael Wacha and SP Adam Wainwright. Heaney is likely to make in the neighborhood of $5M through arbitration and Knizner is scheduled to make $555k, so almost $4.5M in savings for the Halos.
3. Trade INF Zack Cozart to the Tampa Bay Rays for anything, with the Angels eating $11M. The Rays are the kind of team that enjoys retreads and seem to always get the best out of them, especially when it’s super cheap. With the Angels picking up $11M of the $12.6M due, it’s an awfully low risk for the Rays. It’s also nice he may be able to play 3 different positions, if healthy. I believe he’s worn out his welcome with Angel fans. He certainly has with me.
25 Man Roster and Lineups:
1. David Fletcher – 2nd Base
2. Andrelton Simmons – SS
3. Mike Trout – CF
4. Shohei Ohtani – DH
5. Evan Longoria – 3rd Base
6. Brian Goodwin – LF
7. Jo Adell – RF
8. Albert Pujols – 1st Base
9. Andrew Knizner – Catcher
Bench:
1. Martin Maldonado – Catcher
2. Tommy La Stella – 2nd Base, 3rd Base, 1st Base
3. Matt Thaiss – 3rd Base, 1st Base
4. Adam Jones – OF and DH
5. Matt Kemp – 1st Base, OF, DH
Starting Staff:
1. Gerrit Cole – Every 5th Day (All starters revolve around the schedule of Cole and Bumgarner)
2. Madison Bumgarner – Every 5th Day (See comment above)
3. Shohei Ohtani – Every 6th Day (Manage the workload)
4. Griffin Canning – Every 6h Day (Manage the workload)
5. JC Ramirez, Patrick Sandoval, Jamie Barria, Nick Tropeano, Jose Suarez, Taylor Cole, Dillon Peters, Felix Pena – Every 6th Day (Whoever has the hot hand, lots of shuttling to and from SLC)
6. JC Ramirez, Patrick Sandoval, Jamie Barria, Nick Tropeano, Jose Suarez, Taylor Cole, Dillon Peters, Felix Pena – Every 6th Day (Whoever has the hot hand, lots of shuttling to and from SLC)
Relief Staff:
1. Noe Ramirez (RHRP)
2. Hansel Robles (RHRP)
3. Ty Buttrey (RHRP)
4. Kenyan Middleton (RHRP)
5. Cam Bedrosian (RHRP)
6. Will Smith (LHRP and Closer)
Addition by subtraction is the name of my game this off-season and shuffling around players that I think better serve the Angels on the field and in the clubhouse. My off-season places their payroll in the neighborhood of $163.8M before estimated player benefits.
Jesus!
But at least he had fun conjuring this up for us.
I definitely did, thanks!
I stopped reading after “With Joe Maddon”
lol,Hot Air
I stopped at “With” ,to much hot air
I think pitchers are too volatile for a 7 year deal. While Cole is at the top of his game right now, where will he be in year 3 or 4 of a 7 year $30m+ AAV contract? That would risk way too much money for the long term. We have done that way too many times and have been burned on almost all of them. I probably wouldn’t offer more that 4 years but with a healthy AAV, maybe your $32m or more.
I stopped reading after that…too much speculation.
It’s a fansite and I love speculating. Especially considering how they Angels haven’t been in the playoffs in five years. It’s all as fans, we can do this time of the year.
It was fun to read even if far-fetched. Some sounded plausible. You certainly were generous with the contracts so the players would like you. Thanks for the post
Halo,
Total waste of time like cheering for the angels!.
Halo,
Enjoy the playoff baseball take it crazy talk elsewhere.
Sasha,
Don’t encourage him
Thanks. I’m happy you enjoyed it!
It’s a fan site… where else would you like me to post? SMH. If you don’t like it, don’t read it.
Halo,
You have way to much free time on your hand. That has to be the longest post in history of these forums. Did anyone actually read the whole thing?
Haha! I worked on it over the weekend. It wasn’t done in one sitting. I doubt any more than 1 or 2 people read the entire thing. I enjoy speculating as a fan.
I’ve got both, thank you. Have you ever heard of a hobby?
Anthony Rendon will go to Anaheim not evan Longoria..
Also Longo isnt a Free Agent. Anaheim doesnt have anyone the giants want.
I would be thrilled if the Angels signed Rendon, but not at the expense of ignoring their largest hole, their pitching.
Please reread the post. I never stated Longoria was a FA. He, in my opinion piece, would be acquired VIA trade.
Quit kidding yourself that the Angels have nothing the Giants would want. There are holes throughout the Giants roster.
Halo,
Your delusional thinking they’ll get Rendon. You need starting pitching before Angels have a chance. Wasting Trouts talent in Angel Land. He and Betts are the best two all around players in baseball.
You sure do get angered quite quick. Might want to talk to your dr about this and get him to prescribe you something or figure out something that works for you.
The Angels do have nothing other then Trout. Whens the last time they A) Made the playoffs? B) Won a World Series?
Rendon will get about 40-45mil less after going 1-22 in the world series after the Astros/ Yankees sweep the Nats.
Marner#16: Where did I write in my off-season plans that the Angels would sign Rendon? You can’t just make stuff up and then argue it. Haha
I hope for your sake that you say something intelligent one day. One last thing… please learn how to spell, you uneducated and illiterate troll.
bawahahahahahahahaha! You must be joking!!! I’m done with you. Keep rooting for your Red Sox from Canada, Mr. Bandwagon.
Halo,
Then stop replying to my messages then. Been watching them since the days of Nomar. Why wouldn’t I cheer for them with all the great players they’ve had. In case you wanna do the math that’s 23 years of cheering for them. Keep enjoying your losing team. Call me when they make the playoffs! That’ll be an accomplishment in its own.
You r such an idiot. What’s the difference between Mike Scioscia and funny boy Maddon? You really think Cole will have an arm left after the 2019 playoffs? 2 Words Bum Garden. This is Coles big year I wouldn’t pay him $30 dollars next year. He’s being used up just like Bum Garden was for SF. You n your stupid huge contracts.
Haha, why are you so angry??? I won’t waste my time tearing down your mindless logic. Have a good day, guy.
halo,
Your a clown… spewing off at the mouth cause you didnt get your bearded ladys kiss! Really buddy boy that’s the best you’ve got. I’ve cheered for the Red Sox for the majority of my life where the expectations of nothing less then a World Series Title every year is acceptable. But for you PLAYOFFS are you kidding me you’d be lucky to win a game!!!
Dont teams usually wait till after the world series to announce these moves?
only when there is no playoff games.
Hopefully those player-option practices work well in Anaheim.
Good luck Joe. Thanks for 5 great years with the Cubs. Too bad you and the Cubs couldn’t win at least one more World Series. You had some flaws like all managers and coaches in any professional sport. Your biggest flaw however with the Cubs was not being able to out manage some of the mistakes created by the Cubs front office. Good luck with the Angels. The rather laid back southern California vibe should and will do you some good.
no manager can out-play the mistakes created by front offices. they are not walking on water, either.
“You had some flaws…”—yeah, those flaws are Theo Epstein.
If the Angels remain relatively healthy and somehow finds an ace, they’ll be competitive. If not, they wont.
There is not a baseball man in the world that knows that will or will not happen. But based on past history, my guess is they wont stay healthy. They haven’t been healthy for years, I have no reason to believe that will change. But if t does….
it was only a matter of time.
welcome home Joe.
What was even the point of them interviewing all those other guys?
The motto will go from the Cubs’ “Try no to suck” to “Try not to do drugs.”
Why are the Padres fans surprised Maddon didn’t end up in San Diego. He didn’t interview with the Padres. In fact, he only interviewed with the Angels based on what I read.
That first sentence was a question, so…?
I can see the headline now. “ Eppler the Genius signs Drew Pomerania and Jeremy Hellickson to 2 year $30,000,000 deals”. When ask about the signings Eppler was quoted as saying “ I expect big bounce back years from both. It is in their DNA”. Questioned why Eppler gave both a 2 year he replies” well I am going to get fired at end of 2020 and wanted to piss away as much as Arte’s money I could. He has gotten used to it”.
I like Eppler but even my 9 year old raised his eyebrows when Billy dropped $11 mil for one year of Matt Harvey.
I think Maddon gets more credit than he deserves. His players seem to love him and there’s definite value in that, but that 2016 Cubs’ roster was just loaded and he still almost cost them the WS with overusing certain members of his BP. I think the Angels will improve under him, but unless they go big and sign Cole *and* another top FA, I doubt they’re better than a .500 team. You have Trout, Simmons (who had an off year and missed time), Ohtani (when he’s healthy), and… It’s just not enough. Adell looks like a star, but you don’t know until he has sufficient time in the majors. They have some bad deals that are just killing them and I don’t think they’ll be true contenders until they can use that money on better players.
The real question is: if the angels somehow win it all under Maddon, will cub fans attempt to count it as part of the “dynasty” they started in 2016?
The one that saw them give away the division to Milwaukee last year (then lose the wild card to boot), and completely fold in September this year.
You have to give credit to MIL and to STL too. I’m not saying Joe Maddon is a poor manager. I just want to point out that as good as Maddon is, he can sometimes over-manage. Remember, 2008 was a year of mediocre AL teams. During the 2016 WS, if Tyler Naquin played even passable CF, the year would be added to CHC’s list of woe and not to CLE’s.