OC Register: Ron Washington doesn’t think Angels need star additions to contend

[AngelsWin.com]

CHICAGO — Ron Washington is convinced the Angels can be contenders as soon as next season, and he doesn’t think they need to go big in free agency to do it.

The Angels manager said before Thursday’s game that he’s not anticipating they will add any superstars.

“When I say big-time acquisitions, I’m talking about going out getting a pitcher where we’ve got to give him $30 million or go and get a player where we got to give something like another contract like (Anthony) Rendon or Mike Trout, that’s what I meant by that,” Washington said. “That’s what I meant by that. And I’m not the one that makes that decision, but I can tell you, we’re not going to make acquisitions like that.”

Washington’s disclaimer is worth noting, because the Angels still could go big in free agency if that’s what owner Arte Moreno decides he wants to do. The Angels were coming off a 90-loss season when they signed Rendon to a $245 million deal in December 2019.

General manager Perry Minasian is expected to address the team’s offseason plan with the media next week.

Even if Washington doesn’t see any stars coming to the Angels, he said he believes they can make a dramatic turnaround from what is currently a 63-95 team. The Angels have equaled the franchise record for losses.

“I look at the positives,” Washington said. “Of course, we know we lost 95 games. No one liked that. I certainly don’t like it, because it’s on our record. Nobody want to be a part of a losing situation. You know you would like to be a part of a winning situation…  But we were running youth out there, guys that were learning. I think – not think, I know – if we’d have had guys that we depended on to be the guys that get things done around here, we wouldn’t have gotten to this point. But even though we got to this point, there still was a lot of positive learning going on.”

Washington also clarified what he meant by a quote attributed to him in the Los Angeles Times.

“We’re going to get some baseball players who may not be superstars, but they know how to play,” Washington told the Times. “We forgot to bring real baseball players into the organization. Nothing against those guys here, but they’re not big-league baseball players and they certainly can’t help us win a championship.”

On Thursday, Washington said he “misspoke.”

“I didn’t mean it the way it came out, where I’m saying the organization is not giving me big-league players,” he said. “It’s players that have to grow into big-league players. Bottom line.”

Beyond that, Washington wouldn’t be specific on what the Angels need this winter.

“I think you’ve always got to look in every area,” he said. “You’re always going to look at starting pitching. You’re always going to look at the bullpen and you’re always going to look at the players. When we get together this winter, that decision will be made. But for me to sit here right now and say what we are going to have to acquire, I think we just got to wait and evaluate the team and see what’s out there.”

NOTES

First baseman Nolan Schanuel was out of the lineup a day after fouling a ball off his right leg. Schanuel said he’s hoping to play in the final games this weekend. Schanuel has been hit frequently in the legs by foul balls this year, so he said he’s thinking of getting a bigger shin guard. “He might have to wear a catcher’s shin guard,” Washington quipped. “He just makes contact so much and the pitches he’s drilling into himself, most hitters wouldn’t even get to. He’s got to learn to get that head out a little better.” …

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Outfielder Jordyn Adams is still out with a sore knee, but he said he’s available. He also said he’s hoping to be in the lineup this weekend.

UP NEXT

Rangers (RHP Jacob deGrom, 0-0, 1.35) at Angels (LHP Reid Detmers, 4-8, 6.67), Angel Stadium, 6:38 p.m. PT Friday, Bally Sports West, 830 AM.

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[Hubs]

I agree. They gave Drury 343 PA's and he performed to a -1.7 WAR. Huge drop off from last year with a 1.9 WAR in 485 AB's.

But Aaron Hicks at -0.7 in just 63 PA's has got to be the worst player to play for the team. Though Keston Hiura's -0.6 in just 27 PA's is also spectacularly bad. 

Moniak, Sano, Calhoun, Adams, Stefanic, Teodosio, Paris, Goodrum, Kavadas, and Tucker all also had below replacement level value, which is crazy. 

Those 12 guys had 1582 PA or 27% of the teams total and contributed basically -5.9 WAR. 

 

[Angels 1961]

Washington needs to be fired he was one driving the bus. He stopped the bus and threw players under it and drove off.

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

12 minutes ago, Angels 1961 said:

Washington needs to be fired he was one driving the bus. He stopped the bus and threw players under it and drove off.

If you think firing Washington solves anything by all means but the wheels fell off the bus a while ago. They’ve just been plodding along on the axles in denial. 

[Angelsjunky]

2 hours ago, AngelsWin.com said:

“We’re going to get some baseball players who may not be superstars, but they know how to play,” Washington told the Times. “We forgot to bring real baseball players into the organization. Nothing against those guys here, but they’re not big-league baseball players and they certainly can’t help us win a championship.”

On Thursday, Washington said he “misspoke.”

No you didn't. Man up, Wash - you spoke truly.

[Angels 1961]

35 minutes ago, Catwhoshatinthehat said:

If you think firing Washington solves anything by all means but the wheels fell off the bus a while ago. They’ve just been plodding along on the axles in denial. 

Getting in a younger manager to maybe grow with this team. RW has proven he is too old to manage.

[tdawg87]

They don't. They just need like 3-4 guys who are capable of giving them 1.5-2 WAR seasons. 

Good luck with that, Perry. 

[Dtwncbad]

2 minutes ago, Angels 1961 said:

Getting in a younger manager to maybe grow with this team. RW has proven he is too old to manage.

Yeah, the players and manager should be a match.  But I’m thinking they keep Washington and go out and get some way older players.

[Angel Oracle]

The man may have dementia?

He does realize they are 63-96?

Just 12-32 the past 44 games, the same exact record as the ChiSucks!

Haven’t seen a whole lot out of his managerial/teaching skills.

Same mistakes are still being made.

Edited Thursday at 09:14 PM by Angel Oracle

[Swordsman78]

5 minutes ago, Dtwncbad said:

Yeah, the players and manager should be a match.  But I’m thinking they keep Washington and go out and get some way older players.

Dave Chalk was pretty good and. Is available 

[Swordsman78]

2 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

The man may have dementia.

He does realize they are 63-96?

Just 12-32 the past 44 games, the same exact record as the ChiSucks!

Haven’t seen a whole lot out of his managerial/teaching skills.

Same mistakes are still being made.

Can't wait to see the 2025 hype video.

[Angel Oracle]

Can Grich still play?

[Kendo36]

I don’t know how you can look at this roster and think Wash is the problem. He’s at least trying to get the most out of the young guys that are actually decent. And for the most part, Schanuel Neto & O’Hoppe responded well. Adell’s defense improved. Moniak has always been trash. The staff was broken before the season even started. Resurrecting Canning, Detmers, Sandoval, Suarez is not even something Jesus could pull off. Soriano being the lone bright spot for the future. Happy we have a manager that gives a damn. 

[Chico]

Fire this burnt-out has-been Arte, then fire yourself, you friggen moron.

[Ron Mexico]

So Wash pretty much said Arte is going cheap again next year 

[Inside Pitch]

8 hours ago, tdawg87 said:

They don't. They just need like 3-4 guys who are capable of giving them 1.5-2 WAR seasons. 

Good luck with that, Perry. 

Fill the black holes.

[katie]

Ron Washington seems like a very nice man and a good baseball coach.

I do not think he should be managing a Major League Baseball team. 

[Tank]

so some of you think that a younger manager would have been able to get more out of this group of players? hilarious. 

we have a talent issue. 

we've had a talent issue on the roster for too long. 

this is a perry problem, not a wash problem. 

[tdawg87]

9 hours ago, Inside Pitch said:

Fill the black holes.

Gross.

[totdprods]

I’m so confused. Why is anyone complaining? Are some of you just realizing this was a rebuilding year? This team was pretty much always gonna suck this year. 

And yeah, it’s also not surprising they sucked more the last two months. They traded away two productive relievers, they shut down one of their best starters in Soriano, lost Rengifo and Adell to injury, and played out the year with 4A minor leaguers on goodwill/cup of coffee big-league opportunities, all while they’re productive young core understandably slowed due to the grind of a full year. 

As to Washington’s comments…he’s right. We didn’t win with big money stars (Ohtani, Trout, Rendon) so why would that change now?

The goals this year were building depth, developing the kids, and perhaps changing the culture and improving some org rep. More of the same next year probably. 

A good compromise would be locking in a vet SP, a vet hitter, and a vet reliever this winter, 1-3 year deals, just to help bridge the old to new, take pressure off the kids, and give them some tradeable assets at deadlines.

[tdawg87]

4 hours ago, totdprods said:

I’m so confused. Why is anyone complaining? Are some of you just realizing this was a rebuilding year? This team was pretty much always gonna suck this year. 

And yeah, it’s also not surprising they sucked more the last two months. They traded away two productive relievers, they shut down one of their best starters in Soriano, lost Rengifo and Adell to injury, and played out the year with 4A minor leaguers on goodwill/cup of coffee big-league opportunities, all while they’re productive young core understandably slowed due to the grind of a full year. 

As to Washington’s comments…he’s right. We didn’t win with big money stars (Ohtani, Trout, Rendon) so why would that change now?

The goals this year were building depth, developing the kids, and perhaps changing the culture and improving some org rep. More of the same next year probably. 

A good compromise would be locking in a vet SP, a vet hitter, and a vet reliever this winter, 1-3 year deals, just to help bridge the old to new, take pressure off the kids, and give them some tradeable assets at deadlines.

Yep. 

On your last point, there are a few options available. Blake Snell, for one (IP gets credit for this idea because without looking into it I would have hated it).

As for a reliever, I love David Robertson. He's old but not showing signs of slowing down. Should only get 1-2 years. 

Vet hitter? Yikes man. That's a tough one. What position? I've suggested DeJong before as he's not going to cost a ton and can spell 3rd and SS if needed. Carlos Santana could be a great mentor for Schanuel, maybe help him tap into his power while keeping that high walk rate and low K rate. Unfortunately he's 1B/DH. But could be a nice option if Schanuel is struggling.

 

[Dgar24]

4 hours ago, totdprods said:

I’m so confused. Why is anyone complaining? Are some of you just realizing this was a rebuilding year? This team was pretty much always gonna suck this year. 

And yeah, it’s also not surprising they sucked more the last two months. They traded away two productive relievers, they shut down one of their best starters in Soriano, lost Rengifo and Adell to injury, and played out the year with 4A minor leaguers on goodwill/cup of coffee big-league opportunities, all while they’re productive young core understandably slowed due to the grind of a full year. 

As to Washington’s comments…he’s right. We didn’t win with big money stars (Ohtani, Trout, Rendon) so why would that change now?

The goals this year were building depth, developing the kids, and perhaps changing the culture and improving some org rep. More of the same next year probably. 

A good compromise would be locking in a vet SP, a vet hitter, and a vet reliever this winter, 1-3 year deals, just to help bridge the old to new, take pressure off the kids, and give them some tradeable assets at deadlines.

This exactly. 
Team is rebuilding . Yes Arte sucks . Yes Ron might not be the best n game manager.But he brings a lot of coaching skills and energy to team.

Yes Minasian has some misses on his resume , all GM’s do.  But name someone who’s basically building team drafting straight to the majors.

Fading at the end of season is no surprise, most of team has never played 162 games.

I haven’t spent at stadium in years due to Arte’s ownership. 

I also watched a lot of bad baseball the last 10 years. I must be ill cause I enjoyed the heck out of the young kids . 

Like your plan Totdprods

 

 

a

 

[Inside Pitch]

4 hours ago, totdprods said:

I’m so confused. Why is anyone complaining? Are some of you just realizing this was a rebuilding year? This team was pretty much always gonna suck this year. 

This is where I am...   Soriano, Kochanowicz, Joyce, Schanuel, O'Hoppe, and Neto made for some progress, as did Adell becoming a good defender with legit speed power.  They can also turn the page on Canning, he's proven he can't pitch unless his FB is working.  Work on some other crap this winter... A non negative MIFer would be a good start.

[BTH]

18 minutes ago, Inside Pitch said:

They can also turn the page on Canning, he's proven he can't pitch unless his FB is working.

I worry they won’t. The way Wash has spoke glowingly about him all year, despite the issues.

[Blarg]

18 minutes ago, Inside Pitch said:

This is where I am...   Soriano, Kochanowicz, Joyce, Schanuel, O'Hoppe, and Neto made for some progress, as did Adell becoming a good defender with legit speed power.  They can also turn the page on Canning, he's proven he can't pitch unless his FB is working.  Work on some other crap this winter... A non negative MIFer would be a good start.

Yeah, the negative WAR backups are an issue. Along with only having a couple of pitchers not afraid to pitch. 2025 will be a repeat of this season with Moore learning how to play at this level as well.

Hopefully their draft gets them one player closer to being a full lineup, but that is not going to be a fast conversion from draft to contention. Perry is going to have to score better in free agency and trades.

A little better than league average guys to carry some load as backups has to materialize. They can't be looking at Kyren Paris or Jordan Adams level players as their backups.