The January 25, 2016 edition of Los Angeles Angels news includes a non-revelatory rumor about the C.J. Wilson trade market, the sad truth that the team is nearly out of chances to improve left field, and more…
The Story: A few teams have checked in on acquiring C.J. Wilson
MWAH Says: …but the Angels haven’t heard anything worth doing yet. Darn those secondary clauses, always messing with your hopes and dreams. Again, I’ll reiterate that the odds of the Angels trading C.J. Wilson being traded before he can recoup some value by taking the mound in Tempe next month are slim to none. Once teams see that he’s healthy—*crosses fingers*—expect the offers to improve.
The Story: Yoenis Cespedes signs three-year pact with Mets that has opt-out after 2016
MWAH Says: A deal the Angels could’ve afforded, even with Arte Moreno’s restrictions. Not that Cespedes would have taken that contract from anyone but the Mets, of course, but it still smarts. When even Jon Heyman knows that hand-wringing about the luxury tax was a bigger mistake than everything Josh Hamilton, you done goofed. Dexter Fowler is now the team’s only chance on the open market to not punt left field, but his qualifying offer makes him pretty much un-signable.
The Story: Billy Eppler opens up about taking the reins in Anaheim
MWAH Says: David Laurila’s interviews with players and front-office folk are always great, and this one is no exception. Eppler gives some specific details about how he expects the new front office to work, including a nugget on how the new analytics crew will operate as a standalone department.
The Story: Competition for late-innings bullpen role with Angels will be fierce
MWAH Says: After Huston Street and Joe Smith, the Halos’ relief corps is a whole bunch of question marks. My guess is that Fernando Salas will get first dibs at the seventh inning, but whether he can hold onto the role is another question. I’m hopeful for a return to greatness from Mike Morin and a similar return to form from Cory Rasmus, but relievers are such fickle creatures.
The Story: Mike Trout, weather reporter
MWAH Says: It was only a matter of time before the Millville Meteor(ologist) ended up on the Weather Channel. Dude’s got a second career waiting for him when he retires in 15 years or so.
The Story: Jered Weaver rocks out with Dan Haren at J-Lo concert
MWAH Says: Well that’s a sentence I never expected to write. Weaver’s dance moves are about what you’d expect from a 6’7″ white guy.
The Story: Diamondbacks trying to trade Aaron Hill, but having no luck
MWAH Says: Hill is 34, is owed $12 million in 2016, and is sub-replacement in his last 900 plate appearances, so of course they’re having trouble trading him. Given how low his cost is bound to be, though, gotta wonder if the Angels might take him off their hands as another 2B option. He’s gone four years between 5 WAR seasons before, maybe he can do it again?
The Story: Padres designate OF Rymer Liriano for assignment
MWAH Says: Liriano has lost his top-prospect sheen since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2013, but he’s still put up solid numbers in the high minors—.292/.383/.460 in Triple-A in 2015—and is only 25. He’s got a much higher ceiling than the other fringe outfielders the Angels added this winter, so there’s no reason not to take a flyer on him.
The Story: Password used to hack the Astros was some variation on ‘Eckstein’
MWAH Says: Probably ‘Eckst31n’ or something similar. Hilarious.
The Story: Jo-Jo Reyes signs minor-league deal with the Marlins
MWAH Says: Remember when he pitched an inning for the Angels last year? No? Well, apparently he did, and now he’s in Miami.
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