2018 Hot Stove League

[totdprods]

21 minutes ago, TroutField said:

Me too, he gave up the most hits of any qualified starter last year. Sounds like a time bomb 

I think you could get Gio and get reasonable enough production for dramatically less dollars and years. 

Happ, Corbin, and Eovaldi were all probably on the wish list, but at the end of the day, the Angels simply couldn't compete with the money being offered or locations they were preferring. Keuchel is likely to fall in that same category.

[Angel Oracle]

Trade for a solid DURABLE and NOT DECLINING starting pitcher, sign Robertson to a two year deal, sign an innings eater to a short term deal (no more than 2 years), and acquire a decent veteran catcher, and I would be satisfied.

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

On 12/8/2018 at 9:23 PM, Chuckster70 said:

 

Jim Bowden

Throwing his annual Yule log against the fan!

[Troll Daddy]

Angels were in the mix for both Corbin and Eovaldi ... I suspect they will be in on Keuchel too. 

[Ochocinco!]

So Bowden picks 7 teams for two players considers it some fking insight?

[2112]

11 hours ago, Angel Oracle said:

Lots of pitching and no more complementary players like Joyce, Maybin, or Blash

Blash (from baseball-reference.com):

February 21, 2018: Traded by the New York Yankees to the Los Angeles Angels for player to be named.

 

Hmm....  they still haven't named the player???

[Angel Oracle]

Kluber is 5 years older than Bauer, and has put a lot of mileage on his arm over the past 5 seasons.   His WHIP/ERA have been mostly elite in that time though.   Is he just one of those pitchers with a runner arm?   I don’t remember his delivery using any extra oomph or having the dreaded inverted W.

Bauer was somewhat durable over the past 5 seasons, but did have DL stints in at least three of those seasons though.   Is he durable enough?  His 2018 season was an elite one, but it followed FOUR 4.00+ ERA and 1.30+ WHIP seasons.   2018 = fluke or finally realizing full potential?

[totdprods]

Jon Morosi‏Verified account @jonmorosi 1m1 minute ago

Sources: Corey Kluber trade talks have intensified. #Dodgers are among the teams involved. @MLBNetwork @MLB

[Ochocinco!]

3 minutes ago, totdprods said:

Jon Morosi‏Verified account @jonmorosi 1m1 minute ago

Sources: Corey Kluber trade talks have intensified. #Dodgers are among the teams involved. @MLBNetwork @MLB

Of course

[Pancake Bear]

Per Ken Rosenthal on the Athletic this morning (paywall), the Angels were quietly making a run at both Corbin and Eovaldi, fwiw. 

[popo85]

Dodgers will probably include Verdugo 

[totdprods]

One random Twitter user mentions Angels  interested in Edwin Jackson, and a MLB Espanol source tabs the Angels as being interested in Keuchel.

[popo85]

2 minutes ago, totdprods said:

One random Twitter user mentions Angels  interested in Edwin Jackson, and a MLB Espanol source tabs the Angels as being interested in Keuchel.

Would be what his 11th different team if it happens, does he have the record? 

[Lou]

4 minutes ago, totdprods said:

One random Twitter user mentions Angels  interested in Edwin Jackson, and a MLB Espanol source tabs the Angels as being interested in Keuchel.

¡Órale!

[floplag]

10 minutes ago, popo85 said:

Dodgers will probably include Verdugo 

From what ive read they dont want to move him, but might in this case.  The Dodgers are begging to move Kemp and possibly looking to deal Puig.   I have no interest in Kemp but i am among the few who have always kinda like Puigs intensity.  alas, he doesnt fit what Eppler is likely looking for.  

[totdprods]

Joel Sherman‏Verified account @Joelsherman1 41s41 seconds ago

#Yankees shooting high with Sonny Gray, asked #Reds about 1 of top prospects, OF Taylor Trammell, which was a no go. Sign NYY can get something good for Gray or that they simply or asking high before settling low, Could also always partner with a prospect to get more.

[totdprods]

Buster Olney‏Verified account @Buster_ESPN 56m56 minutes ago

These are really ugly numbers for the players union, from @SlangsOnSports: the most FA relievers to sign ML deals in any offseason is 43. Last year: 39. This winter: 68 relievers, only 4 signed to ML deals so far.

 

Another reason why Eppler tends to not spend on the pen. I think he's been ahead of this and knows he has a good shot at replicating the successes he's had on waiver claims and ST invites for vets, and there's no shortage of those arms.

[jordan]

7 minutes ago, totdprods said:

One random Twitter user mentions Angels  interested in Edwin Jackson, and a MLB Espanol source tabs the Angels as being interested in Keuchel.

Well, Edwin Jackson has never played for the Angels so it would seem like he's bound to make his rounds at some point.  There are probably fewer teams he's played for than he's not played for. 

[Lou]

Jerome Williams retired. Looking to become a coach. 

Good dude. 

[totdprods]

Just now, jordan said:

Well, Edwin Jackson has never played for the Angels so it would seem like he's bound to make his rounds at some point.  There are probably fewer teams he's played for than he's not played for. 

I don't buy the random Twitter account as being an actual source in any way, but he would make sense.

He and Anibal Sanchez had decent seasons last year, would come very cheaply, and would constitute a good lotto-ticket placeholder at #5 - if they flop, you bring in Pena, Canning, Suarez, etc. Better be improving the offense/catcher and at least a high-end SP though.

[totdprods]

Just now, Lou said:

Jerome Williams retired. Looking to become a coach. 

Good dude. 

One of my favorite Angels. He was fun to watch in those otherwise forgettable seasons.

[jsnpritchett]

Somehow, Edwin Jackson is still only 35 years old.  Seems like he should be about 57 by now.

[Docwaukee]

35 minutes ago, totdprods said:

Buster Olney‏Verified account @Buster_ESPN 56m56 minutes ago

These are really ugly numbers for the players union, from @SlangsOnSports: the most FA relievers to sign ML deals in any offseason is 43. Last year: 39. This winter: 68 relievers, only 4 signed to ML deals so far.

 

Another reason why Eppler tends to not spend on the pen. I think he's been ahead of this and knows he has a good shot at replicating the successes he's had on waiver claims and ST invites for vets, and there's no shortage of those arms.

to me this means Billy will get a couple of major league relievers on the cheap as opposed to waiver claims.  The reliever market moved first last year and a bunch of guys were signed by now making 7-9 mil per season.  I think everyone realized what a fool's errand that was.  

back of the napkin math tells me that a lot of useful players are going to be stranded after the upper tier teams spend on or trade for the top players.  Leaving mid and lower tier teams an opportunity to grab some good talent with the bargaining chip that they probably don't need them considering where they are at.  I think Billy will be fishing from that end of the pond.  

He does need to make sure we get at least one solid starter and another that can be a back end guy though.  

[Vlad27Trout27]

Future all-star closer...Kaleb Cowart, just got claimed by Dipoto as a Ut/RHP.

[ettin]

We were finalists on Eovaldi and were in on Corbin: