For years, there have been commonly cited (and generally deserved/accurate) narratives surrounding the Angels: They’re squandering the primes of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. They can’t keep their roster healthy. They overspend on the wrong free agents. Holy cow, do they need pitching.
There’s merit to each and every one of those criticisms, but perhaps the longest-running critique has been that the Angels are in dire need of starting pitching. Year in and year out, the team would trot out an expensive core of position players while hoping to patch things together on the pitching staff.
Generally speaking, the Angels have shown an aversion to committing virtually any long-term risk to a starting pitcher. The team’s pursuit of Gerrit Cole is an exception to this thinking, but he may have been the exception. And the (obvious) fact of the matter is that even if the Angels were legitimately interested, Cole chose to sign elsewhere. The last time the Angels signed a free-agent starter for multiple years, Jerry Dipoto was the GM and Joe Blanton was inking a two-year deal.
That the Angels haven’t spent on starting pitching is just a fact — one that spans multiple general managers, thus pointing more toward an ownership preference. The team’s lack of investment beyond one-year deals, often for former stars in need of a rebound (e.g. Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Julio Teheran), was generally apparent in the results. A repeated inability to develop homegrown arms is as big a factor, if not a larger factor of course, but from 2016-21, the Angels’ rotation ERA ranked 20th (4.78 in 2016), 12th (4.38 in 2017), 19th (4.34 in 2018), 29th (5.64 in 2019), 29th again (5.54 in 2020), and 22nd (4.78 in 2021). Taken as a whole, the 2016-21 Angels ranked 24th in the Majors with a 4.76 rotation ERA and 29th with just 39.8 fWAR out of their starting pitchers — about 42% of the nearby Dodgers’ MLB-best 92.4 fWAR in that time.
With yet another diappointing season brewing in Anaheim, it’s tempting to assume that it’s more of the same. The Angels, once again, stuck to one-year free agent deals for Syndergaard and Michael Lorenzen. They didn’t trade for anyone meaningful. And yet… the Angels’ rotation this season has not only been pretty good — ninth-best ERA in the sport — but finally appears poised for some longevity.
Ohtani, of course, is at the center of all things Angels — well, when Trout isn’t homering in seven straight games — and he’s been a huge part of the Angels’ rotation success this year. A lower innings count will probably keep Ohtani from legitimate Cy Young candidacy, but he’s tossed 141 innings of 2.55 ERA ball with a 33% strikeout rate that trails only Atlanta’s Spencer Strider for best in the game among starters. For once, Ohtani isn’t the only horse pulling his weight, however. Here’s a look at the next three up in the Anaheim rotation:
- Patrick Sandoval, 25, LHP (controlled through 2026): 132 1/3 innings, 2.99 ERA, 23.6% strikeout rate, 9.3% walk rate, 3.19 FIP, 3.95 SIERA
- Reid Detmers, 23, LHP (controlled through 2027): 113 innings, 3.82 ERA, 23% strikeout rate, 9.1% walk rate, 4.03 FIP, 4.13 SIERA
- Jose Suarez, 24, LHP (controlled through 2026): 91 1/3 innings, 3.84 ERA, 22.3% strikeout rate, 7.9% walk rate, 4.03 FIP, 4.03 SIERA
It’s an impressive group of lefties all under 26 years of age and all controlled for at least four seasons beyond the current campaign. Health and year-to-year volatility are obviously considerations with any group of starting pitchers, but the Angels still have a solid trio here on which to build.
Sandoval is the “most experienced” of the bunch, though he’ll finish the season with just over two years of big league service time. Yesterday marked the 18th time in 24 starts this season that Sandoval has allowed two or fewer runs to an opponent.
The Halos originally acquired Sandoval from the Astros alongside a $250K international bonus slot in exchange for a Martin Maldonado rental back in 2018. (Maldonado re-signed in Houston a couple years later and has since signed an extension.) It’ll go down as one of the best moves now-Mets GM Billy Eppler made during his time as general manager of the Halos, as Sandoval looks to have established himself as a high-quality hurler.
While the 25-year-old southpaw isn’t a flamethrower, he’s turned in an above-average strikeout rate, a slightly worse-than-average walk rate, a strong ground-ball rate, and very good marks in swinging-strike and opponents’ chase rates (13.1% and 35.6%, respectively). He generates plenty of spin and whiffs with his breaking pitches and sits in the top quarter of big league pitchers in terms of limiting hard contact.
Dating back to last season, Sandoval has a 3.28 ERA in 219 2/3 innings. He’s fanned nearly a quarter of his opponents in that time — a bit more than a batter per inning — and kept nearly half of the batted balls against him on the ground.
Among the 104 pitchers who’ve totaled at least 200 innings since Opening Day 2021, only eleven have induced swinging strikes at a greater clip than Sandoval, and the names atop him on the list are a group of the game’s best: Corbin Burnes, Shane McClanahan, Max Scherzer, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Clayton Kershaw, Robbie Ray, Shane Bieber, Carlos Rodon, Cole and Ohtani. Not bad company! Sandoval has also posted the ninth-lowest opponents’ contact rate, trailing only Burnes, Cease, McClanahan, Freddy Peralta, Bieber, Kershaw, Scherzer and Blake Snell. Again — not a bad list of names with which to surround oneself.
Good as Sandoval has been, it might be Detmers that proves the best of the bunch. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 draft, Detmers sprinted through the minors and made his big league debut less than 14 months after being selected. Had there been a minor league season in 2020, the former Louisville standout might have reached the Majors even sooner.
Last year’s debut was rough for Detmers, and there’s no sugar-coating that fact. He was excellent across three minor league levels but was absolutely rocked in the Majors, yielding a 7.40 ERA with disappointing K-BB numbers and a hefty five long balls allowed in just 20 2/3 innings (five starts). Not the way anyone wants to make his debut — and certainly not a top prospect and former first-rounder who comes with a good bit of hype and lofty long-term expectations.
Detmers improved early in the 2022 season, even throwing a May 10 no-hitter against a contending Rays club. Skeptics could point out that he managed only two strikeouts that day, but a no-hitter in any capacity is a feat. The greater course of concern was simply that Detmers’ no-no was bookended by general mediocrity; as of late June, Detmers had a 4.66 ERA and 5.36 FIP in 58 innings. His career, to that point, included 17 starts of 5.38 ERA ball with peripherals that generally matched.
On June 22, Detmers was optioned to Triple-A. On July 8, he came back a different pitcher. Detmers threw 47.8% fastballs, 21.5% curveballs, 16.6% sliders and 14% changeups prior to being optioned. Since returning, he’s thrown 42.7% heaters, 32.4% sliders, 15.3% curveballs and 9.6% changeups. The slider usage is way up — nearly doubled — and all other offerings have been scaled back a few percentage points.
Prior to being optioned, Detmers’ 4.66 ERA/5.36 FIP were backed by an 18.6% strikeout rate, an 8.9% walk rate, a 35.9% grounder rate and an 8.7% swinging-strike rate. Since returning and ramping up his slider use, Detmers touts a 2.95 ERA/2.62 FIP with a 27.5% strikeout rate, a 9.4% walk rate, a 42% ground-ball rate and a 12.5% swinging-strike rate.
Detmers has given up eight runs in his past 9 1/3 innings — beginning the very day I mentioned this altered repertoire in a broader piece for our Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers… sorry for the jinx, Reid — but he also threw his slider less frequently in Monday’s start than he has since the June 21 outing that saw him optioned. It’s also worth pointing out that Detmers is up to 119 innings on the season between his one minor league appearance and 22 big league starts; there’s probably some fatigue for a pitcher who only threw 82 2/3 innings last year and didn’t have an actual minor league season in 2020.
The bottom line for Detmers is that he features high-end breaking stuff, even if his fastball is more hittable. Opponents are hitting .206/.257/.302 and have fanned in 29.2% of the plate appearances Detmers has ended with a slider this year; they’re hitting .192/.288/.365 off the curve and punching out at a 27.1% clip. No wonder he’s throwing the heater less and less often.
Not to be overshadowed, the 24-year-old Suarez has had a fine season of his own. He’s flown even more under the radar than his two teammates — so much so that I initially planned to title this “The Angels’ Pair of Promising Lefties” before reminding myself what a strong season Suarez has had.
Suarez hasn’t been as flashy as either Sandoval or Detmers. He throws a bit softer than both (92.8 mph average fastball compared to 93.3 mph for Detmers and Sandoval), doesn’t have a gaudy strikeout rate and is about average in terms of his walk rate. Suarez limits hard contact nicely, but not anywhere near league-leading levels. He’s posted solid but not elite marks in swinging-strike and opponents’ chase rate. Suarez hasn’t excelled in any one specific category, but he also hasn’t been bad or even much below-average in many areas, either.
It’s not the dominant ace profile around which to build your rotation… but no one’s asking Suarez to be that. He’s the Angels’ fourth starter right now, and he’s posting solid numbers while averaging 5 2/3 innings per start. It’s the second straight year that Suarez has notched an ERA right in this same vicinity — he was at 3.75 in 98 1/3 innings last year as a swingman — but he’s improved each of his strikeout rate, walk rate, swinging-strike rate, chase rate and first-pitch strike rate. Suarez has been more aggressive in the strike zone, and a quite likely corollary has seen hitters chase off the plate more often (while making contact on those chases at a lower rate than in 2021).
It’s not an out-of-nowhere development, either. Suarez doesn’t have the big-time draft pedigree that Detmers does. Still, he was a well-regarded prospect in an admittedly thin Angels system, even reaching top-100 status at FanGraphs back in 2019, when he was listed baseball’s No. 79 prospect. At the time, Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel noted on their scouting report that an uptick in velocity elevated Suarez to “project as a good fourth starter,” which is exactly what he’s become.
Understandably, the long-term focus for Angels fans is on what the future holds for Ohtani. Will he be traded? Can a new owner somehow convince him to sign an extension, even though Ohtani has publicly stated a desire to win? Those questions might not be answered until it’s clear who’s purchasing the team and when that theoretical new owner might be installed as the club’s control person.
At least for the time being, however, Ohtani is in line to return for his final season of club control, when he’ll both serve as DH and the ace to a staff that can follow him with a pair of solid No. 2/No. 3 starters (Detmers, Sandoval) and a quality No. 4 starter (Suarez). It’s a very nice foundation on which to build a starting staff, and while the Halos might need another starter — or even two, if they continue to deploy a six-man group — for once, the primary question surrounding them won’t be, “When are they going to get some pitching?”
CJ Wilson was the last Pitcher Arte spent big $ on. That was 11 years ago. I could see how Wilson’s racing/wild man ways would make Arte skittish for a while but not 11 years and counting. I don’t know what sort off off-season to expect with him trying to sell the team now etc..
sort **of** off-season
Guessing above and beyond Trout and Shohei, that Arte will give Perry guidelines on what he “can” and “cannot” do this off-season right? Won’t do Halos any good if Arte renders Perry an absolute lame duck this off-season..
TrumboJumbo
What the article misses is that Mr. Minasian has been building an infrastructure to work with pitchers since he got there, as well as picking up young pitching prospects by the boatload. More of those guys will be up in 2023.
The narrative that: 1) The Angels are a 2 man team, and 2) they don’t have any pitching outside of Otani, no longer holds. Glad they brought up the 3 starters here.
The Angles rank 9th in MLB in ERA and 6th in the AL because of more then those 3 starters and Otani. Yes, they don’t have a true closer, but their bullpen is very good…good enough to trade Iglesias.
Unless a new administration comes in before 2023 and changes everything, the Angles are positioned to be able to continue to develop young pitchers. It’s defense and hitting they need to address next.
Sam The Man,
I saw a comment where you pointed out the prosperous outlook on some of their pitchers and what Perry has done thus far. Spot on. The 2 player narrative has always been a farce (dubious assertion) and I’ve never given it much credence or though. I certainly have nothing against Perry. Take the reigns off and let the man do his thing. With Ohtani, who knows what sort of deals and wheeling and dealing are in the works with that guy…maybe he is gone come the winter meetings. I have NO idea and I mean 0. I will say with Trout, when the day comes that he wants to go he is gone, and FAST. Halo fans will understand. I don’t have any qualms or regret in saying that my loyalty is with Mike and not the Angels. Mike Trout IS the Angels….Shohei too now….It will be a very sad day if and when either of them depart. Very sad.
credence or **thought**
TJ – I am more interested in building around Trout than keeping Ohtani. I think Ohtani is great but he’s always one blister away from another Tommy John surgery in my mind. I think his value for us is what we can get in return to build the team Trout deserves.
The problem with LAA is that they always seem to be stuck in the mud. I can’t imagine them moving Ohtani, no matter what the package.
And is Adell being punished? He has an extraordinary 33/1 K/W in his last 26 games. It feels almost like are trying to embarrass him. Does the press ever question why he is not in the minors?
JB – I think the Angels are more worried about embarrassing themselves because they advertised Adell as the next Trout. If he’s in the minors where he belongs, they have to admit that maybe they were wrong about him. That’s my take. I have been saying since Adell made his horrible debut that he should be at AAA for a full season before he is even considered for the majors. He has yet to spend an entire season at any level of the minors. That’s not fair to him and his development. He has always had a huge strike out rate, even at AAA. Maybe he’s figured some things out on defense, but who knows.
Hopefully new ownership gets it and we don’t see Adell until he can hit in AAA, and at least not until 2024 even if he does hit there. But I’m sure they won’t ask for my opinion.
(I’m sure I’ll get a counterpoint from Halo11. We’ve had this debate before.)
I remember having that conversation with one of the ‘Halo’ posters two years ago when he got promoted. The Halo pointed out his ranking. I pointed out:
1-He was only 21, so there was no need to rush him.
2-The Angels were out of contention almost immediately, so no reason to rush him.
3-Most importantly, he was one of the worst players in the PCL. In 2019, he had a 43/10 K/W, with -0- HRs, and a poor fielder. It’s almost impossible to be that bad.
Maybe he was never going to be any good, but he needed a full year in AAA, maybe more. Even in 2021, he still had a 99/22 K/W in AAA. IMO, that never translates well into MLB success.
Couldn’t agree more, JB.
The loss of the 2020 Minor League season has taken its toll on many prospects; esp Adell.
A lot of good points here, but no way is Nevin staying the head coach. Staying on the coaching staff, okay I’ll buy that, but not head coach.
hi dirk – I don’t buy that argument. There are plenty of prospects who dealt with 2020 who are doing well. Adell, on the other hand, has never shown the skill that was hyped, even prior to 2020. He has some luck with the long ball in AAA when he’s there but that’s about it. Either way, he should not be on the major league roster until he has sustained success in the minors.
In my opinion, Adell is a super athletic guy with a low baseball IQ (base running, throwing to the correct base, etc) and average baseball skills. I believe his best version will be a defensively challenged, low on-base, high strikeout guy with alot of pop.
Adell’s high prospect status was always based on his athleticism, not his baseball skills. Working with him everyday, the Angels should have seen this and traded Adell when he was overrated as a top prospect a few years ago. Now many fans see Adell’s lowered ceiling and probably every major league front office sees it, as well.
I have always rooted for Adell, and continue to do so, but I believe the Angels missed an opportunity to capitalize on his prospect status.
Well Ohtani hasn’t been enough to fill the seats, I watched some Angels highlights the other day and the place was empty.
But, Ohtani has brought a lot of fans and a lot of attention to the Angels, a lot of Ohtani fans in the world,I’d say he has to has to have the best selling jersey and apparel of any player in baseball, and if the Angels can start winning games, that will translate to ticket sales too.
Winning without Trout or Ohtani is unlikely, they are too huge stars, what the Angels need most is for Rendon to get back the player he was when he signed that huge contract, and they need another Ace, and I hate to say it, but Trevor Bauer would be the perfect fit on this team, for one, he could fly under the radar somewhat as Trout and Ohtani stars are so bright nobody will pay him too much attention. And, the Angels can low ball him on a short term deal.
They also need Mickey Moniak and Joe Adell to breakout of their cocoons, two heralded prospects, I think Moniak was a first overall pick.
Keep Fletcher around, Rengifo had a promising season, Ward had a great year.
Bauer would be a nice fit though at 2 years / 5M
IDK on Bauer. Guys with baggage always concern me.
Yeah Bauer’s status is somewhat concerning, but he can pitch, I guess you have to get him on a team friendly contract, but he can pitch no question about that, and wouldn’t have to lay out a big deal on a player like Rodon, which frankly the Angels can’t afford it they are resigning Ohtani.
Be nice to get him off the Dodgers next season, the Dodgers probably waive him at some point.
Yeah, would be nice to get his arm but it would have to be a relatively cheap one year deal with plenty of team flexability like you said. My other concern is his ego disrupting the clubhouse vibe. Overall I’d say pass.
How was the clubhouse vibe during that 15 game losing streak?
Pretty somber I imagine. They could win without Bauer, but they could potentially win it all with Bauer as the Angels window really opens up in ’24 after Rendon has been back for a year and Ohtani has been signed long term, O’Hoppe will be starting at catcher, Moniak will be raking, Kean Wong will be up, the farm of pitching prospects will have produced some solid bullpen arms, Detmers will be in top form, the back of the rotation will be solid with Sandoval and Suarez, I think it’s a deal you have to seriously consider if your the Angels.
Ohtani, Bauer, Detmers, Sandoval, and Suarez is a nice rotation.
Someone mentioned earlier about Bauer and his “baggage” etc..My guess would be because of that, Arte might be more than skittish about bringing him aboard. He got burned with Hamilton and his issues pretty bad. So if they did sign him I can’t see it being with Arte. It might draw more negative attention than Arte wants on the way out. I have no idea when the team sells which is why it is so hard right now to predict future signings/trajectory. My gut tells me the sale happens right after the season ends though.
I was a Josh Hamilton fan too, great player, don’t know much about his faults other than the substance abuse, but Hamilton had a couple good seasons with the Angels considering.
I was a huge fan as well. Angels had to eat over 50 mil on the deal I believe. Yes his major issues was the substance abuse, and it was no secret, but nobody expected what happened. Everyone wanted the best for the guy but it did get ugly at the end. Guess it’s been about 7 years now.
Don’t even want to hear the story honestly I’ll remember him as having gotten it together for a great run and a successful career and as far as his personal life goes wish him all the best in conquering any demons that may afflict him.
Ditto. But thats why Arte won’t sign Bauer.
There are other pitchers out there. We don’t have to rely on Bauer luckily.
I don’t know, being on the hook for Rendon’s deal makes signing Bauer cheap look like a potential windfall, and with Trout’s back thing, even though Trout has looked fine since returning, that costovertebral disfunction has to be in the back of the managements mind, Trout has to keep his conditioning and diet tip top, and probably won’t be as effective in those later years of his deal as he could have potentially been considering the possibility his back continues to be an issue, so the next three to four seasons are of utmost importance for the Angels.
Yeah Rendon’s type contract is nothing new to us. We aren’t chomping at the bit to get o’l Bauer though so it’s not like it is “opportunity lost” to a lot of Halo fans. It’s cool if you are a huge fan of his not all of us are though. Can’t agree on everything right?
There is no head coach in baseball, there is a manager. You have to look at the big picture. Arte is determined to sell the club so he isn’t going to allow spending on Free Agents or sign any pitchers to multiyear contracts. He will try to maximize revenue by keeping Ohtani for as long as he is the owner. Ohtani is worth 10 million a year in advertising alone. He draws fans and constant media attention.
Don’t get your hopes up that 2023 will be any better than this season.
Trouty, we won’t. We know how to temper our expectations after many moons of dissapointment.
I’m hoping 3 years. Maybe win two titles in a row and make up for lost time. Trout will have plenty left in the tank the next 3-5 years. No doubt in my mind.
I am a Bauer fan because he is a great pitcher, really had a mind to be one of the greats, the allegations and hoopla around him is irksome, irks me everytime I hear anything about it to be honest, but I’m also a baseball fan and to me it would be good to see him pitching again with a contending team, and the Angels are right there. The fact that they aren’t in a position to make a big splash in FA and that they really don’t have a superior farm (albeit one with the potential to fill some gaps) makes it even more sensible to extend a team friendly offer to Bauer. All the reasons they won’t are really all the reasons they should. I couldn’t pass up Bauer for what looks like a real bargain of a deal in terms of potential on field production. Off the field I guess you have to hope he reels in the nonsense and that his current predicaments have quelled to the point where they are not a distraction to the team.
Yeah. I know what you mean. It “irks” ME so much that I don’t really want him on the Angels. Not sure he even makes it back to the show actually. He has over 100 mil to his name so I think he will be “OK” at least. Don’t think I’ll be able to shed any tears for the guy one way or another.
I still say no to Bauer after reading the debate. There are likely more ghosts waiting to jump out of is closet. We don’t need the distraction.
miller – I’m sure the clubhouse was likely somber during the losing streak and probably most of this season. But adding a negative influence like Bauer would would make it that much worse. Your “dream scenario” sounds great on paper but a lot has to fall into place for all of that to line up. There’s plenty of pitchers to add to the rotation and BP not named Bauer who could have the same impact without the baggage.
Love the respectful debate BTW. So many dooshes on here lately who don’t understand the concept of a “point/counterpoint” conversation.
I’d say a 1 year deal on a minimum AAV, with innings and performance kickers, and a team option for 2025.
Bauer could break the record for highest annual average value and lowest annual average value.
If it doesn’t work out, release him and he’ll be home a journeyman pitcher or be on his way to Japan.
I’d be reluctantly ok with a 2023 deal at $2m plus incentives, a team option for 2024, and a package of behavior clauses that allows the team to cancel the contract. It would include any past behavior that comes to light that was previously unknown. And the team could trigger the cancellation based on allegations leading to suspension, not having to wait for actual charges or convictions.
That would be my offer to get his arm in the rotation. The problem is Bauer’s and Boras’ egos would never agree to those terms.
Bauer – ”he can pitch”…………….really, that’s all that matters? He’s a sick, low quality human being and the Angels don’t need that in their clubhouse. And don’t think for a minute that he would ”fly under the radar.” While I have alway thought the name Los Angeles Angels is ridiculous (admittedly I’m old school but have always considered them the California Angels; beyond that Anaheim Angels or even The OC Angels if the desire is to be more regional). That said, regardless of their official name they are still located within the second largest TV market in the country. Throw in the 24 hour news cycle we live in somebody like Bauer is not going to fly under the radar.
One other point relative Mr. Bauer……..it was reported that several of his Dodger teammates didn’t want him back and I suspect there are players on every MLB team that would feel the same. These guys have wives, daughters and sisters and I suspect many of them would have an opinion on this as well. I understand that neither the players or their families have any say on who’s on the roster (although input from someone the calibre of a Trout, Ohtani, Kershaw, Betts, Cole, Verlander, etc would undoubtedly be sought) Bauer and the baggage he would bring don’t need to be asked to join the party.
“scum bag Bauer is, but pitch he can” -Yoda
I don’t know I talked to Yoda about it, he’d sign him to a minimum deal with performance kickers.
Low quality humans, I’m probably one of those, I’ve fessed up all my “sins” and misdeeds so I believe anyways. And continue to sin in many ways but do my best to stay faithful in my beliefs and righteous in my actions. This world isn’t for me but I’m stuck here like the rest of you slags. I like baseball, and I can forgive Bauer. God bless all the scum bags and low quality humans of the world.
“…all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“…live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1
Yay…. let’s go Angels!!
Yay Buddy!
It makes no sense for Anaheim to go after any of the Big 3 FA pitchers this offseason (deGrom, Verlander, Rodon). They need to focus on figuring out how to lock up Ohtani to a long term contract. If Ohtani really wants out of Anaheim then they should trade him this offseason and then try to sign one of these FA pitchers but none of them provide the same overall value of Ohtani. He’s worth $40M/year easily.
If Ohtani HIMSELF wants out this off-season then yes, I agree, trade him. I feel like he is in a similar spot as Soto was with the Nats. New ownership pending etc…People, don’t be surprised if o’l Trout wakes up one morning someday soon and says: “Eff this I wanna go to the Dodgers.” He likes the So Cal weather too much to go back east. And he likes his big mansion in Newport Beach. He might just be at the point where he is getting fed up. He is a patient guy.
TrumboJumbo;
Angels fans have to accept the fact that MLB is not a 2-man sport, and if they lose one or both of those guys they have to move on.
I don’t buy “the clock is ticking” narrative. Their payroll is already high. Don’t bring Yankee / Red Sox fan arguments in here – i.e. spend spend spend. Teams win today by making the players they have under contract better. The Angels have started to do that. Mr. Minasian came from the Braves organization – that’s what they do.
1. You know that the drive from Newport Beach to downtown LA is horrific. Trout would be better off driving down to play for the Padres. But I doubt he wants to play anywhere else – he and his family are established in Orange country with friends and relatives. Nor do I see Otani wanting to leave the area unless he has to. They see the pitching getting better, and Phil Nevin is the Angels answer to Brian Snitker and Rob Thomson – a players manager and baseball lifer.
2. Fletcher is a terrific 2B. Then need to get an solid 2-way SS; get Rendon and Walsh healthy, and another OF. Make no mistake – the most important position on an MLB team is Catcher. All teams need at least 2. While Max Stassi and Matt Thaiss are a good way to start, Mr. Minasian made a great move that no one is discussing in trading for Logan O’Hoppe. He can handle a staff and call a game as well as hit. He has a chance to be one of the better Catchers in MLB and should be with the team in 2023.
Mr. Minasian is doing everything right.
For all intents and purposes I agree with all of that. Trout doesn’t wanna go anywhere nor does Shohei. And yes, if he ever DID wanna fly the coop, SD might be just as likely. I am excited to see that you recognize Fletch and his talent. Fletch is the man (Eckstein 2.0) and Joe Maddon was smitten with his ability before he even came over. You are sadly right about either of them leaving and having to accept it and move on. Then again, lets just keep them in Anaheim for the next 10 years. Both of them. As far as another outfielder, we are waiting on Jo Adell to come around and hoping to get Pederson haha Seriously..
TrumboJumbo;
If you didn’t know….
Nevin and Francona used to coach together years ago with the Tigers. They’re friends.
When they both got thrown out of the game the other night in Cleveland, Tito called up Nevin to come over and watch the rest of the game in the Guardians clubhouse together. They did.
–
One other thing – Arte did not say he was selling…said he was considering it. That team is on the verge of being very good. He might want to hold on for a year and see what happens. The value of the team won’t go down in a year.
Nevin and Tito watching the game together is a hoot haha. I will say though Sam, I think the team will get sold. I don’t feel this came to fruition through mere happenstance. Arte has had a rough few years, for various reasons. No need to air out his dirty laundry here. He may have even been given an ultimatum. All and all, that team is getting sold. I would be truly stunned/stymied if it didn’t happen immediately following the season. As I said though, that is the crux of it. How long will it take to fully finalze the deal? Dot I’s and cross T’s? They are in limbo right now regardless and I for one am not expecting the world of them this off season. 2 or 3 years to get them in solid contention anyway it’s sliced. Just my opinion.
If they accept my job app for “regional talent scout” I’ll personally find them a few stud pitchers. At this point thats all I can/am willing to offer them.
Sandoval is horribly underrated. Another name out of the Luhnow-era pitching factory as well.
Nice piece. All three are probably just cracking the majors in a deeper organization. They were rushed to the bigs out of necessity.
I like this core and there’s a homegrown bullpen coming out of AA soon.
Give it another year and the Angels likely have pretty much a homegrown pitching staff. Which we’ll need in order to fill holes around the Trout and Rendon contracts.
Amazing…. The Angels have three “promising lefties” two perineal MVP candidates in Trout and Ohtani, a Hall of Fame manager who has had tremendous success every where he went and yet they still are terrible….
This season the blowpen was really bad and most of the offense sucked. The Angels got off to a good start but mostly scored off of home runs. When that happened they stopped winning. Minasian did a bad job on the bullpen and didn’t improve the offense at all. Hopefully they get a good new owner who will spend to fix Arte Moreno’s mess.
When Detmers was sent down to Triple A he worked with the Bee’s pitching coach a few days. Then he made a Triple A start and struck out 14 batters. I think that was over six innings. Maybe he should be the Angels’ pitching coach.
Very good article, with much needed good news for us Angels fans! I agree that our pitching prospects are looking bright, but I can’t help but keep thinking that are “raising the floor” more than “we are raising ceiling”. I am not just taking about pitchers either. With the obvious exceptions of Trout/Ohtani/Fletcher all other players are suspect at best. I have high hopes for Ward/Rengifo and even still Adell, but I am not sold on Walsh, Rendon or Thaiss, Suzuki will be replaced with O’Hoppe so that should solidify that spot as early as next year. Rendon may or may not return to form, but either way represents that last of the bad contracts.. We need a #2 starter, a closer, a 1st baseman and a better utility player to take over the infield to help better manage between injuries. I think that role best suits Rengifo if we can get a better 2nd/SS to work with Fletcher. To be clear, they are righting the ship, but too, slow. I know, easier said then done. Show more speed by signing Ohtani by the end of the year, even if that means one year of luxury tax. Nothing but positive waves for 2023!
Walsh is the real deal man don’t give up on him!
I like him, but he struggles against lefties. Another high floor, but low ceiling guy.
I’m OK with high floor guys. Feel like the Angels have plenty of high ceiling guys, but need more high floor guys who I believe are on the way.
Finally, the Angels receiving some recognition for their starting pitching. And no mention of top pitching prospect Sam Bachman. And I haven’t given up on Griffin Canning who should be a decent back-end rotation guy. Or Jaime Barria, who I always preferred over Suarez but seems as though Barria has been relegated to mop-up man.
Plus many intriguing young arms such as Ky Bush, Chase Silseth, Mason Albright.
Now, if only the front office could learn to trust the starting pitchers instead of regularly removing them in the 5th inning every time a baserunner makes it to 2nd base. What this article fails to mention is the low innings as a result of having a 6-man rotation and not being allowed to get deeper into games.
Actually pitching has gotten better with Perry the Platypus making it one of his main priorities since he got there. The lack of lineup depth has really hurt them though. Trout, Ohtani and who else you got? Two months of Taylor Ward playing way above his pay grade is not going to get it done.
If these pitchers aren’t trade or extension candidates, why even write this article? This is MLB TRADE Rumors, not Generic MLB Site No. 427