The December 4, 2015 edition of Los Angeles Angels news includes C.J. Wilson believing he can be “All-Star caliber” pitcher in 2016, Billy Eppler indicating that ownership’s stance on the luxury tax is “fluid”, and more…
The Story: C.J. Wilson all clear for 2016, confident in rebound
MWAH Says: The Angels are in a weird place with Wilson. I don’t expect them to try trading him until late April or May, when teams inevitably start scrambling for pitching as injuries take hold. But if he is pitching like an All-Star at that point, do they still have incentive to trade him? And if he’s not, will they be able to make the trade worthwhile? I think he inevitably gets dealt, if only to try keeping the team under the luxury tax, but I don’t think it’ll be a simple decision.
The Story: Openness to push past luxury tax limit will be evaluated on “case-by-case basis”
MWAH Says: Several articles yesterday played up the idea that Billy Eppler’s new comments about the luxury tax situation being “fluid” and “case-by-case” mean that this is the year Arte Moreno finally goes over the $189 million mark. Color me skeptical. Moreno has been touting the “right player in the right situation” for a few years now, but that player’s never materialized. And if the “right player” ever does show up, I have zero confidence it’ll actually be the right player. When Eppler says it’s “case-by-case”, he means that Moreno gets the final OK. Meaning he could potentially decide Jason Heyward/Justin Upton are asking too much, but boy that Daniel Murphy guy sure had a great October! It’s not like he hasn’t done it before.
The Story: Kole Calhoun open to move to LF for Jason Heyward
MWAH Says: Kole Calhoun, professional mensch. The thought of two Gold Glovers playing alongside Mike Trout in the outfield is almost too much to handle. I’m getting all verklempt just thinking about it.
The Story: Why the Angels need Jason Heyward more than anyone else
MWAH Says: Someone want to make sure this gets into Arte Moreno’s mailbox?
The Story: Why Jason Heyward deserves a $300 million deal
MWAH Says: I agree with the sentiment, but it’s like all those articles about what Mike Trout “deserved” and how his extension was the deal of the century. Sure, in a vacuum, the Angels got a bargain; in reality, though, they paid him record money in each year of the deal, which is by definition not a bargain. Unless you’re Alex Rodriguez, the market just doesn’t make big leaps. It moves incrementally. That’s why David Price is getting only slightly more than Clayton Kershaw, and why Zack Greinke is asking for only slightly more than that. The biggest deal ever given to an outfielder is Matt Kemp’s eight-year, $160 million extension with the Dodgers. As promising as Heyward is, he isn’t going to suddenly double that. Does that mean a $200 million contract is a bargain? I don’t know, but the Angels should definitely pay it.
The Story: A tentative Angels spring training schedule has arrived
MWAH Says: Only four months away from real, live baseball! Tickets for the Cactus League go on sale December 9, just in time to make a nice Hannukkah or Christmas gift.
The Story: Hiroshima Carp agree to post RHP Kenta Maeda
MWAH Says: Japan has very different posting rules than Korea, so if the Angels wanted in on Maeda they’d going to have to fork over some serious dough. The max bid alone is $20 million, which they’d absolutely have to make to even get to the negotiating table. And that table isn’t exclusive, meaning they’d have to compete with the Dodgers and other deep-pocketed clubs that are more open to spending big. I doubt the Halos even get involved.
The Story: Inland Empire affiliate hosts vigil for San Bernardino victims
MWAH Says: A moving gesture to bring the community together following a horrible, horrible tragedy.
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