Inside Pitch

There was a recent article that stated guys like Boras are bemoaning advanced proprietary analytics because it doesn't allow for the agents to counter with their own analysis of the data... So, yeah, I think you're right and that a lot of teams are looking at FA a little differently than they did in the past.. More and more we are seeing teams lock guys up early and keeping guys from hitting FA. There will always be guys that want to push for FA and will do so ala Grienke but, things do seem to be changing a bit.

Context is everything -- they used "struggled" when describing Kyle Tucker too and in neither his nor Jones' case was it's usage a matter for concern -- in both cases the players in question were being touted for what they are doing despite the "struggles." Honestly, the OP's post is prime case of someone trying to validate their opinions more than anything else. To that end, here's the opposing usage of keywords.. "started hitting, continued to do so", "speed, plus raw power" "three plus pitches", "physically projectable", "touching 96". I understand you think they would be wasting this season by not doing something now -- but have you at all considered that "maybe" they believe they'll eventually be able to cash them in on a player they want, a player they believe can help them beyond being a rental? If recent history is any indication Eppler isn't afraid to move a prospect, even THE top prospect should a situation arise where he can obtain someone that can be a difference maker on some level.. You may very well see a trade made in the off-season. Anyway, it seems pretty obvious the current FO isn't willing to mortgage the future as easily as the previous one did while at the same time being much more willing to move a prospect than the Stoneman regime ever was.. I'd call that a happy medium as far as Angel front offices go.

Lookout Landing -- I saw that post too -- and the funny part is he downplayed some of our injuries and incorrectly believed Tropeano had pitched this year. But his side by side comparison was pretty much an indictment of the smartest man in the room.

I meant posters..... but I see where he could have been talking about those three.

Be specific -- which fat man? Many to choose from here. Welcome to the board.

There are so many cool little things in this article -- love the bit about sending Maldonado an IPad even before he's seen the pitchers to get him acclimated with what they do...... I know it's a long road back to being a legit contender again, but everything seems to point to them making strides in the right direction.

Sickles midseason top 20 review.... he's basically looking at how they have done -- not a new list https://www.minorleagueball.com/2017/8/14/16145426/mid-season-review-los-angeles-angels-top-20-prospects-for-2017

There was never any question about his arm strength but there were concerns about how well he moved behind the plate.. He's got his pop time under 2.0 seconds most of the time.... being under 2 secs is a nice but not as important as people would have you believe.. So far he's caught 38% of would be base-stealers in AA... and 31% in High A... So he's been decent but nothing to write home about. All in all, he's doing fine. Nobody will complain about a 30% CS % if he's putting up a .350 OBP as a catcher. Being at AA, I'm guessing he's in line to start working with Jose Molina on the finer points of pitch framing soon... If he can get that part of the catching game down, keep his CS% over 30% and get on base anywhere close to where he has in the minors he will be considered one of the better Angels catchers in recent history.

At the very least he can't hurt.... There is no carry-over, he's a FA after the season. BBRef has Cinci paying 13 mil of his 14 mil salary too...

I'm not as high on Gordon as most people here seem to be and I wouldn't want him as a leadoff hitter at all. Cant really argue if Cespedes would be wprth the cost without knowing the cost, but he's someone you at least ask about IMO.

Walker and Bruce were pending FAs.. Cespedes is signed through 2021. Contract status had everything to do with the Met's decisions. They don't have a reason to move him. He's definitely the type of guy they likely want, but they wouldn't be the only team interested and they have the least amount of organizational currency to offer.

Yes, the Executive of the year award...

Yup... His K rate in High A is ugly -- his walk rate is pretty brutal too.. First taste of the level and all that -- but, his peripherals aren't as good as his triple slash numbers. Still, it's his age 19 season (20 now), and he's not having the bat knocked out of his hands.

Troy Glaus was on an HOF pace for 3B until injuries derailed him... His age 26 comp was Reggie Jackson, from 27 through age 31 it was Mike Schmidt.

Clearly your friend used the Force...

The issue is that he's taken a loss... So, how could they be 12-0 when he's recorded a loss... That game would count as an appearance. Terry and Mark goofed it seems.

Yep -- there is no way around the loss..

No decisions and an appearance as a RP?

Jerry Dipoto....

My God ESPN has become a total joke... This is actually the second story on their MLB page right now... "Judge's slump doesn't affect BP. Even though he may be in a slump, Aaron Judge still proves he can hit the ball far as he cranks a few home runs during batting practice." I mean -- sure am glad to know that despite getting the bat knocked out of his hands Judge is still having great BP.. They let Jayson Stark go and then have stories like that -- no wonder they are fading away.

He's faking so we don't catch on to his being from Krypton.

Anyone know how many trades he's made this season?

Good Call

Yes -- a team trying to crawl out from under the mess left behind after years of playing to get to the postseason should undermine their efforts and... do whatever it takes to make the postseason. I hope they stay the course. They are already ahead of where I thought they could be given the mess Dipoto helped create. if someone is willing to trade a useful player for Bo Way -- great. But if it's Jam Jones. Hard pass.. This isn't a new stance for me ... I was one of those that groaned when we made the Clevenger deal... and before the overvaluing prospects narrative starts -- please note my position on the Simmons and Grienke trades. As far as the potential financial benefits of making the post season.. I'm not interesting in lining Arte's pockets -- he's already rolling it in.. I'm interested in them making a return to being perennial contenders.. What they are doing right now given everything that's gone on is pure gravy... I'm enjoying it, and I won't lose any sleep if they ultimately fall back into the second division... Any money Arte makes this year isn't likely to get thrown into the team next year -- he's pretty much said as much. He goes year to year and the limit is the tax figure unless "something makes sense". To date -- nothing has "made sense".

Nothing is up... Baseball is hard... Slumps are a thing.