Mark Trumbo understands the realities of his situation as a soon-to-be 34-year-old free agent slugger, but he’s not ready to call it quits yet, per The Athletic’s Dan Connolly. While he’s not officially retiring, he knows his playing days might be at an end. As for the next step of his career, he would like to teach hitting at some level, but he needs an opportunity on that front as well. As he contemplates his future while in baseball limbo, Trumbo even considers coming back as a two-way player. Trumbo was drafted as a pitcher before an arthritic elbow pushed him off the mound, so it’s not as far fetched as it might seem. Still, the career .249/.302/.459 hitter is probably a safer bet to enter the coaching ranks than return as a pitcher – but you never know. Let’s check in elsewhere around the AL…
- The Angels have until December 31 to opt out of their stadium lease or else remain there through 2029, and team officials met with city officials to discuss their potential options, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. Obviously, there’s not a ton of time to make a decision, but the possibility of extending the deadline is in play if the team and city make progress on a new plan before year’s end. Previous negotiations focused on the city leasing land to the team so they could develop ballpark’s surrounding area into revenue steams such as shops, restaurants, and hotels. That revenue could then funnel back into a ballpark fund. The cost of the land lease seems to be a sticking point for now, but both sides will continue working towards a deal. Either way, the Angels appear fixed on remaining in Anaheim.
- Orioles manager Brandon Hyde kept reliever Hunter Harvey on a strict usage limit last season, though they preferred not to advertise the plan to opponents, per MASN’s Roch Kubatko. As Harvey made the transition from starter to reliever, he was not to be used on back-to-back days, and they slowed his usage even further when his arm wasn’t recuperating as quickly as they expected. Harvey, 25 in December, hopes the restrictions are lifted this season, though it will depend on his health as the season approaches. After 7 appearances and a 1.42 ERA in his debut in 2019, Harvey appears a lock to make the roster should his health allow it, which has often been the problem for the former first round pick. If Harvey survives the spring without any setbacks, expect him to have an opportunity in high-leverage situations for the Orioles, perhaps even as the club’s nominal closer.
If Trumbo can play 1st still I wonder if Seattle would have an interest until White is ready.
Dipoto has traded trumbo like three times so I doubt that
I still catch myself thinking about the dreaded “what if” where Dipoto would have just kept Trumbo for the 2016 season instead of trading him for a backup catcher, then acquiring an abysmal Adam Lind for a lottery ticket package that included a useful rotation piece. Trumbo was an adequate first baseman at the time and already had spoken about how he was clicking with the Mariners hitting coach (Edgar), so of course when he was traded he went on to have his best professional season while the Mariners recouped negative value from the first base position and then missed the playoffs by a single game. A lineup of 2016 Cano, Cruz and Trumbo could have been some stupid fun. What if.
that is dipdip for you. he ruined the farm of the angels just because he couldn’t get along.
While I partly agree with you, haven’t the Angels been in a constant-win now since Trout’s emergence? While it did include some questionable trades (he’s had some on the M’s too, obviously), weren’t some of the biggest faults of the Angels the gargantuan free agent signings? The kinds of free agent signings Moreno would probably have a larger involvement in. I’m not an Angels fan though, so maybe I’m missing some obvious faults.
The earlier prospect trades for the M’s were made in the same manner, the supposed win-now or die mentality, but sprinkled with ones that were simply busts. The Trumbo trade specifically was supposedly about ownership demanding X amount of millions be done away with before contracts were signed or whatever, and with Trumbo’s notable power surge at the end of 2015, arbitrators were likely to gauge his price up. Especially since they love their counting stats. After they shipped him off for nothing but dollar relief and a supposed racist backup catcher, they traded for Lind and signed Dae-Ho Lee.
IIRC Trumbo literally has no cartilage left in his troublesome knee. I hope he gets into coaching.
That would be pretty rad if Trumbo was able to come back as a pitcher. Rooting for you, big fella.
It’s refreshing to hear a player humbling himself with reality. The big paycheck may be gone but there still should be an opportunity in the majors for him. Good luck in finding that next gig.
That .751 career OPS might hold him back, though I suppose it hasn’t in the past.
His career OPS is 0.761 with above average career OPS+ of 108
Always liked Mark as an Angel. I wish we had never signed Pujols and kept Trumbo.
Couldn’t agree more!
Trumbo is a great guy, but statistically doesn’t compare to Pujols 2012-2019. Not even close.
But the money spent could have been used on pitching. Pujols was brought in as a splash,to take talk away from the Dodgers but on the field, everyone knew it was an overpay. 10 years?
That’s a whole different argument, but they DID spend on pitching that offseason. CJ Wilson was signed the same day as Pujols that winter.
Almost immediately after signing Pujols, the Angels signed a 3 billon dollar TV deal. Overpay based on performance, not an overpay based on what he brought in.
Should’ve kept Hunter, Trumbo and Greinke over Pujols.
When the Pujols contract was signed, we were all still accustomed to the PED aging trajectory so the contract didn’t look THAT bad.
If Pujols could’ve used the WWE vitamin pack then he would be past Ruth, Hank, and Bonds. Maybe even tantalizing is with a possibility of overtaking Rose. But alas, we want clean baseball rather than exciting baseball stories.
Such a smart comment. Steroids really kept the guys young and healthy longer.
Disagree with your AP theory
This is a fallacy. The TV deal was in the works for months prior to the Pujols and Wilson signings.
excited to hear Hunter Harvey in a high-leverage role this season
Trumbo participated in the Angels Christmas party for disadvantaged youth a few days after being traded. He passed out toys, smiled, took pictures with the kids.
It didn’t get much publicity, and he didn’t want it, but that’s the type of guy he is.
he’s also the type that does not give back to his former high school and gets into drunken bar fights but hey, to each their own
Maybe he didn’t like his experience in that high school…..
References?
Has Villa Park engaged him on “giving back”?
Plenty. Have a friend that worked in the program. Always would reach out, and he’d never respond or come back
Interesting, maybe he will now as he will have more time. Ha.
@cookmeister
Maybe your friend and his pals treated Trumbo badly in HS. Maybe they always accused him of being a “drunken bar fighter.” Lots of people had bad HS experiences and don’t go back… Instead they pay it forward. Sounds like that’s what Trumbo did. Good for him.
My son went to VPHS. Unless you’re one of the mega families, it’s like all high schools, and can be tocix for some kids.
I saw Trumbo around at The Harp in Costa Mesa or at active skate shop and he was always friendly and positive, especially with fans and kids. Hope something works out for the guy.
And honestly, not all bar fights are equal. Unless you were in it, you don’t know the details. Was always class and low profile at the Harp.
I’m close to the VP baseball program and a close friend of Marks let’s be clear he has given back to the VP baseball program he gave large sum of money to fix the field and he shows up to there golf Tournament almost every year. For u to bad no the guy who is giving back so much is completely out of line!
Actually that’s what I’ve heard about Mark. I played high school and college baseball in SoCal and still have quite a few contacts. That’s why I said “interesting”. But I do have to say, I’ve had a few guys flake on me and it can raise eyebrows. I don’t, but I’ve known of people getting butt hurt over these types of incidents.
Trumbo back to the Angels on a minor league deal, with an invite to spring training. Pujols won’t be able to play everyday. Ohtani won’t DH three games a week. So if Trumbo is healthy he could get AB with the Angels and help fill one need the team has.
Ohtani will dh EVERYDAY except the day before, after and the day he pitches. That’s up to four days, the same in his first season.
Reading comprehension, is not your strong point is it? The day before, the day of, and the day after equals 3 games a week. Pujols won’t play everyday either. So that opens up the opportunity to play first once or twice a week as well.
They have said they are not going to shut down Ohtani the day before and after he pitchers. One of those days he’s going to hit. Ohtani will be available five days a week.
Not to mention Ohtani is not going to make 30 starts. Pujols can DH those times when Ohtani is not.
No way should this team waste, and yes that’s the right word, a roster spot on Trumbo.
” Harvey appears a lock to make the roster should his health allow it, which has often been the case with the former first round pick. ”
I disagree with this; I feel that his health has often *not* allowed him to do things such as make rosters and pitch.
Umm, no you have actually agreed completely with the statement in quotes…
I feel bad for how Trumbo’s main offensive career has crested and quietly concluded but he’s a baseball player. He’s a gamer. Why not go back to the Angels as a two-way player like Ohtani but without the concern of his career ending on injury, given his status as a veteran nearing the end of his playing days. I think he has the potential to be a Mark Reynolds, Justin Morneau or Jason Giambi type who knows they’re not really playing for big money at this point and just plays to prove he still can…and winds up earning a decent contract again and a starting/platooning/being a heavily used bench bat role. 150+ AB’s a season, 5-15 HR’s.
Is Hunter having the same arm problems his dad have?
Trumbombs will be missed. I’m sure he’ll get a 1 year 3 million deal in Seattle or someplace. He can still play 1st and outfield on occasion though really only to give someone else some DH at bats, I wouldn’t rely on him for more than a total of maybe 25-30 games anywhere other than DH
So the Angels have to have something worked out by the end of the year. That’s another reason the Angels wont wait around for Cole.
If they are going to sign Cole, it’s likely to be sooner rather than later. If Boras is going to reject all offers, then I believe Cole is going somewhere else.
I think that’s a reach…I don’t see how the 12/31 stadium deadline relates to signing ANY free agent.
They COULD sign a second tier FA SP before Cole and still be in on Cole in Jan/Feb IF he hasn’t signed by then.
I respect you think it’s a reach, but Moreno made his billions in marketing. There are so many reason why the Angels will not play the waiting game with Cole. This is one of them. He signed Pujols, then shortly after a 3 billon dollar TV deal. Cole gives them more leverage.
The Angels need a good starting pitcher. They are not going to wait around hoping for Cole and getting stuck with a Ryu as their best pitching addition. They are not going to be the team without a chair when the music stops.
I’m basically following your argument but sticking on one point. So, if the Angels won’t wait around for Cole because they don’t want to get stuck with Ryu–whom many call the best second-tier choice (and others, of course, call him the 2nd or 3rd best second-tier choice, behind MadBum and/or Wheeler)–then who will they go to in order to not get “stuck”? Stras? Who should they be willing to get “stuck” with if not Ryu? Not sure how walking away from Cole early helps them. At least not as early as 12/31.
angels need 2 great starting pitchers. sign cole and wheeler.
@macstruts. I’m not suggesting they “get stuck”, I’m saying they could sign a second *needed* SP first, then sign Cole. They honestly need 2 SP.
Personally I think it’s a better strategy to sign the cheaper guy first, then sign Cole.
Let’s say the Angels offer Cole 240 million for 7 years and Cole turns it down, I think they’ll pull the offer and reunite Callaway and Wheeler.
I think Wheeler will sign this year.
If you wait for Cole, Madbum and Wheeler will be off the board. The Angels can’t afford two of them. If the Angels miss on Cole, the Angels are screwed.
Take Wheeler, then Tehran or Ryu or Kuechell. Then a catcher. Don’t wait for Cole.
I think they could lock up Wheeler (17-20m aav) then still go for Cole (32-34m aav) and a Catcher (3-6m aav).
the Angels salaries sit at roughly 130m after arb signings. If 208m is the tax number, they have some room to spend $55-60m and remain below the tax this year with some good $$ coming off the books in 2020 and again 2021.
I don’t think they can get both Cole and Wheeler. If they wait for Cole and miss out, then they end up with two questionable starters.
The Angels need one of the top three, and Wheeler is coming off the board early. I’d be shocked if they could get two out of the top three.
If u would have asked me years ago if I though trumbo was gonna be elite player for a while, I would have said yes. He had so good years in his career, but I would have been wrong on that
Trumbo couldn’t get on base, run or play defense. It’s insane the Orioles gave him so much money. He never had a chance to be an elite player.
He needs one more year for his ten year pension. Take the minimum and hope you can latch on with someone. Since there is a 26 man roster now, he’s got a chance.
Good point. A lot of fans dont think (or know) about the 10 year pension. Most of these guys retire in their 30s; that pension is gold.
Guys like Trumbo (and Lind, and Gattis) make me want a DH in the NL. I want as many good hitters getting as many at-bats as possible.
Or even better, a league where each team can choose before they season whether they want a DH for all 162 games or not. If you slug .850 at age 30, you shouldn’t be out of baseball at 34 even if you aren’t a plus in the field.
I agree. Some guys can put it all together and that’s a beautiful thing. Trout or Bellinger, for example. But some guys can only pitch. and some guys can only hit. And that’s okay in my book. I LIKE seeing a JDM or a Nelson Cruz as much as I LIKE seeing Cole or Stras. Players don’t all have to be multi-dimensional. In fact, with the new 3-batter rule, I admit I’ll miss the LOOGY. Not enough to want to go back to 7 pitching changes, but I will miss it.
My son went to VPHS. Unless you’re one of the mega families, it’s like all high schools, and can be tocix for some kids.
I saw Trumbo around at The Harp in Costa Mesa or at active skate shop and he was always friendly and positive, especially with fans and kids. Hope something works out for the guy.
And honestly, not all bar fights are equal. Unless you were in it, you don’t know the details. Was always class and low profile at the Harp.
White Sox need a DH Trumbo…
Garrett Cole will be your teammate with 300 million
first part, maybe. second? dream on!