The January 21, 2016 edition of Los Angeles Angels news includes Billy Eppler dancing around a question about other potential moves this winter with the grace of a deer on ice, an odd suitor joining the mix for Yoenis Cespedes, and more…
The Story: Billy Eppler severely noncommittal about making a major move between now and April
MWAH Says: Dude gave a six-sentence answer to Alden Gonzalez’s question about what the rest of the offseason holds. Every one has some sort of qualifier: “Hard to say” (x2); “things can come quickly/late”; “can’t say done/not done”; “something could pop up”; “we’ll just have to see”. Like, I get it, no GM comes out and says who they’re trading/acquiring before it happens. But maybe reel in the non-answer a bit? A simple “We’ll see…” with a shrug and a wink would get fans in an excited tizzy for weeks, even if nothing came of it. The kind of comment above, on the other hand, just makes everyone ornery.
The Story: Yoenis Cespedes a fit for the Nationals?
MWAH Says: No, no he’s not. But that’s not stopping Washington from making him an offer, apparently. Just where they expect him to play is something of a mystery, with Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, Ben Revere, and Michael Taylor already making for a crowded outfield. Best guess is the team tries to unload Werth, but with a career-worst season on the books, $42 million owed, and a full no-trade clause, it’s not like buyers are going to come running.
The Story: The draft that doomed the Angels
MWAH Says: The Halos had five of the first 40 picks of the 2010 draft and have only Kaleb Cowart and Cam Bedrosian to show for it. Well, expect for Taylor Lindsey, who was swung to San Diego for Huston Street. And Kole Calhoun, who was selected later on. No, it wasn’t a great draft, but to say it “doomed” the current squad is a bit much, especially when 2009’s class was an all-time great one.
The Story: Three acquisitions look to bounce back in 2016
MWAH Says: Craig Gentry and Daniel Nava definitely fit the bounceback candidate mold, but I’m less convinced about Al Alburquerque, for whom mediocrity has always been the norm. He had a sparkly ERA in 2014, but his peripherals were more or less the same as ever.
The Story: Top MLB lineup quartets, ranked
MWAH Says: The Angels have the fourth-best lineup quartet heading into 2016, according to Steamer projections. That’s severely skewed by Mike Trout, of course, who by himself would be like sixth on this list. So take from that what you will.
The Story: Sean Newcomb ranked #4 LHP prospect in baseball
MWAH Says: This one’s gonna hurt for a while.
The Story: ‘Critical’ moment arrives for Pirates, other small-market teams
MWAH Says: Can’t help but feel for these poor billionaires in such trying times. The league is flush with money like never before, how ever will they survive if the new CBA doesn’t fit their every need!?!
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