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Angels Notes: Trout, Lorenzen, Duffy, Bradley, Moniak, Iglesias

By Mark Polishuk | August 13, 2022 at 8:22am CDT

Mike Trout has been cleared to run and throw, and the former MVP is scheduled to take batting practice on the field today.  Trout and Angels head trainer Mike Frostad spoke with reporters (including Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register) yesterday, with Trout expressing confidence that he’ll be able to return to the lineup “sooner rather than later.”  A more specific timeline isn’t yet known, as Trout may require a minor league rehab assignment.

Trout has now missed a full month of action due to left ribcage inflammation and back spasms, and Frostad’s past update about Trout’s larger-scale back problems (a costovertebral dysfunction) left concern over both Trout’s short-term and near-term future.  Given that Trout ended up missing almost all of the 2021 season due to a calf problem that just kept lingering, fans probably won’t be fully relieved until they actually see Trout back on the field, no matter this latest positive news about his rib injury.

More on the Halos…

  • Frostad also provided details on several other injured Angels players, including 60-day injured list members Michael Lorenzen, Matt Duffy, and Archie Bradley.  Lorenzen has thrown two bullpen sessions this week and will face live batters on Tuesday.  The right-hander (who has sidelined by a shoulder strain) is tentatively expected to be activated from the 60-day IL when first eligible on September 2.  Duffy’s first eligible activation date is August 26, and the infielder is slated to start a minor league rehab assignment next week as he makes his return from back spasms.  The news isn’t as good on Bradley, who has been out since late June with a fractured right elbow and has yet to start throwing, though Frostad suggested that Bradley could start throwing this week.  Given Bradley’s long layoff and the amount of rehab still to come, he might not pitch again in 2022.
  • Mickey Moniak’s season was though to be in jeopardy when the outfielder fractured the tip of his left middle finger, which sent him to the 10-day IL on August 7.  Frostad said that Moniak’s stitches were removed yesterday, and depending on how he heals, might be able to return even if Moniak might still be playing through some discomfort.  Acquired from the Phillies as part of the Noah Syndergaard trade at the deadline, Moniak played just five games for the Angels before hitting the injured list.
  • The Mets and Yankees were among the teams also interested in acquiring Raisel Iglesias prior to the deadline, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman writes.  However, neither New York club was willing to cover all of the $51.5MM remaining on Iglesias’ contract, while other teams were willing to take that deal entirely off the Angels’ books.  Los Angeles ended up moving Iglesias to the Braves for Tucker Davidson and Jesse Chavez, but though the Halos dealt Iglesias and Syndergaard, Shohei Ohtani remained.  “Half the teams or more” around baseball inquired about Ohtani, Heyman reports, and Heyman views owner Arte Moreno’s refusal to trade Ohtani as a missed chance.  With Ohtani set for free agency after the 2023 season, there has already been a lot of speculation that he could be on his way out of Anaheim, and in search of a potential record-setting contract that reflects his unique two-way skillset.
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Los Angeles Angels New York Mets New York Yankees Notes Archie Bradley Matt Duffy Michael Lorenzen Mickey Moniak Mike Trout Raisel Iglesias Shohei Ohtani

Fernando Tatis Jr. Suspended 80 Games For Performance-Enhancing Drug Violation
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160 Comments

  1. TheOpener

    3 years ago

    He’s a 2-4 WAR level player going forward in terms of what can be expected in terms of actual production. Prime ended with the 2019 season at the latest- arguably 2018 since that was his last season as a complete player, but definitely no later than 2019. The red flags began with the 2019 season and they were highlighted big time in 2020. He has been around a 4-5 WAR level player since 2019- 4-5 WAR pace in 2020, 2 WAR in 2021, 4 WAR up to this point in 2022. With the latest injury, he will be a 2-4 WAR level player.

    Reply
    • Dustyslambchops23

      3 years ago

      What is the point of a comment like this?

      You don’t know anything about what he will or won’t be going forward.

      16
      Reply
      • TheOpener

        3 years ago

        Just like people were incredulous when I posted that he was a 4-6 WAR level player going forward after seeing his across the board decline in 2020. He’s a 2-4 WAR level player now.

        Reply
        • 5toolMVP

          3 years ago

          Didn’t 80% of the league have an “across the board decline” in 2020? I recall so many players, all-star caliber players, having numbers that were just unbelievably low that year.

          6
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Never heard that and you can put it in quotations all you want to, doesn’t change the reality of it. His SB dropped to practically zero after already declining dramatically in 2019 and have never recovered at all, his defense was terrible- and it was below average last year as well, and his OPS dropped nearly 100 points- and now this season represents significant decline at the plate 2 out of 3 seasons since 2019- including with a lower OPS than 2020. This season/latest injury should finally (mostly) put to rest the mass delusion that Trout is “still in his prime”.

          Reply
        • mlb1225

          3 years ago

          Trout’s OPS+ is 169 and his career average OPS+ is 176, so he’s still producing right around his career average rate. His OPS+ is the same as when he won MVP in 2014 and 1% higher than his historic rookie season. Even if we low-ball him and say he produce at a 150-160 OPS+ rate for the rest of his career, that’s still top of the line production and MVP-caliber hitting. Will he ever hit for an OPS approaching 1.100? Maybe not, but a .950-1.000 OPS hitter is still going to rank among the top 5 hitters in the sport. He might not swipe many base anymore, but he’s still fast. Trout’s defense has ranged anywhere between well below average to well above average. This year, he’s a solid CF defender with +3 DRS and +3 outs above average.

          6
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          He won’t produce at a 150-160 OPS+ rate for the rest of his career- not even close. Didn’t happen for Cabrera, didn’t happen for Rodriguez, didn’t happen for Pujols, won’t happen for Trout. And 5 WAR is now the ceiling.

          Reply
        • cecildawg

          3 years ago

          opener? you win. you have the most words. your bully pulpet works.
          yawn. Trout’s on his way out. OK? now go take a map. bullys get
          tired.

          1
          Reply
      • MuleorAstroMule

        3 years ago

        It’s pretty in-line with the ZiPS projection system update we saw for Trout.

        2023: 4.9
        2024: 4.5
        2025: 3.9
        2026: 2.9
        2027: 2.2

        I guess the “point” of a comment like that is to make people aware that he’s no longer in the discussion as one of the top five guys in baseball, which for a lot of us is a bit shocking. But the injuries are adding up and time comes for us all.

        Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      3 years ago

      Who are you even talking about you lunatic? WAR cant be predicted like this. Star players usually have at least 1 massive year from 35-40.

      6
      Reply
      • TheStevilEmpire1

        3 years ago

        Exactly! He must have been one of those guys who said back in 2019 that Paul Goldschmidt’s 2.8 WAR that season was the beginning of his”decline”.

        1
        Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Stevil: There are obviously exceptions to the rule. Trout isn’t one of them- years of decline signs at this point from him, in addition to being a fragile, physical wreck (unlike Trout, Paul isn’t a fragile, physical wreck). You actually think he’s still in his prime…

          Reply
        • User 2079935927

          3 years ago

          You do know that Trout was having his best year last year when he got hurt?
          Also he was having a comparable if not better year this year.

          1
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Neither last year or this year would have been his best season- not even close. And staying on the field is a huge part of value, obviously. Last year his defense sucked and his SB were completely over (have been since 2019). This year- lowest BA of his career, lowest OBP of his career, and of course no SB. So not only was he definitely not on pace for his best season either last year or this year, but in addition, projected stats of what he might have finished with are irrelevant. What he actually produces is all that matters.

          Reply
        • cecildawg

          3 years ago

          quiet now.

          1
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Here’s a thought: maybe a poster who has more than 1,600 PA in MLB would know what he’s talking about.

          2
          Reply
        • TheStevilEmpire1

          3 years ago

          My comment was directed at MuleorAstroMule, not at your original post. I actually agree that a decline is inevitable, however, leaning hard on ZiPs forecasting has proven to be, shall we say “less than accurate”.

          My feeling is Trout is destined to be penciled in as a DH sooner vs. later, which will make his contract look relatively average at best and an albatross if he declines into mediocrity at the plate.

          2
          Reply
        • DonOsbourne

          3 years ago

          And there it is….

          1
          Reply
        • TheStevilEmpire1

          3 years ago

          Donovan Osbourne was one of my favorite players growing up a Cardinal fan. 1996 couldn’t have happened without him. His career was cut way too short, really good ballplayer.

          1
          Reply
        • DonOsbourne

          3 years ago

          96 was a magical season in many ways. I loved that whole team (except maybe Ron Gant). Osborn was fun to watch and yes his career was too short.

          1
          Reply
    • prov356

      3 years ago

      Opener – Yet if your team somehow acquired Trout, you would brag about having the best player in baseball on your team.

      5
      Reply
      • TheOpener

        3 years ago

        Prov356, Trout is now worth less than the lowest rated prospect in baseball in terms of a trade, because it would be idiotic for anyone to take on the remainder of his contract ($37 million per year through 2030) given his age, fragility, and general decline.

        Reply
        • prov356

          3 years ago

          opener – “Trout is now worth less than the lowest rated prospect in baseball in terms of a trade”

          Is that an official ranking or more conjecture from you? If it’s from an official ranking source, please provide the link.

          9
          Reply
        • aragon

          3 years ago

          You are a dumb troll.

          3
          Reply
        • prov356

          3 years ago

          aragon – please clarify who is a dumb troll.

          Reply
        • aragon

          3 years ago

          Isn’t it obvious? The-toilet-opener!

          3
          Reply
        • aragon

          3 years ago

          The toilet opener.

          2
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Gave the reasoning in the post. He would be worth the equivalent of the lowest rated prospect in baseball for a trade only if Anaheim covered a portion of his salary. 31 years old with a fragile, shattered body (including his latest permanent injury) and general decline and no superstar performance since 2019 and owed $37 million per year for the next 8 years. He will be nearly half a decade removed from superstar production- or even star production- once next season arrives.

          Reply
        • MuleorAstroMule

          3 years ago

          Fangraphs, in their trade value series, ranked Trout’s contract as the 47th most valuable in baseball. That’s down from 13th last year. He’s certainly not untradable. There’s just not a lot of surplus value for the cost there.

          1
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          They only included him as a suck-up move. They are well aware that he shouldn’t be on the top 50 list at all, so they put him almost at the very end just so he could still be included.

          Reply
        • cecildawg

          3 years ago

          your lips must be tired, opener.

          2
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Guess what? Maybe a poster with more than 1,900 PA in MLB would know what he’s talking about.

          Reply
        • Eaglefeather

          3 years ago

          Sounds like someone is jelly!

          1
          Reply
        • AngelsFan1968

          3 years ago

          Wow! About 10 minutes ago you had 1,600 PA. Now you’ve got 1,900. That’s awesome!

          9
          Reply
        • Poster formerly known as . . .

          3 years ago

          Do you get the impression this guy is trying to get credibility for his comments by pretending to be a former major league player?

          4
          Reply
        • dirkg

          3 years ago

          What was TheOpeners WAR in the last 10 minutes? 300 ABs in 10 minutes is epic.

          3
          Reply
        • carllafong

          3 years ago

          You have lost your mind. Trout at $36M is a bargain. He has not declined. He has had injuries, that’s fair, but Ohtani had TJ surgery, Judge has been hurt his entire career, Mookie Betts has been battling injuries, Bryce Harper has missed half the season with injury, and on and on we can list injured players. Trout is at the top of performers every year and he still has 24 homers– even with all the time missed. He sells jerseys and puts fannies in the seats. You don’t think Trout in centerfield for the Mets puts them over the top? He’s 30, not 40. If Moreno was smart he’d get 12 prospects for Ohtani and Trout while saving $60M to spend on talent, on top of the $60M coming off the books. How would they not better after remaking their farm system overnight and with all this money to spend? Moreno is horrible, and not forward thinking. Trade Walsh and all the rest– they could be a constant contender in 2-3 years.

          1
          Reply
        • Poster formerly known as . . .

          3 years ago

          Did that insurance salesman ever reach you, Mr. LaFong?

          Reply
        • prov356

          3 years ago

          Well said Carl but nothing gets through to this guy. I disagree with trading Trout, however. I am all in on Trading Ohtani to get a haul to finally build a contender around Trout as I’m sure he was promised by Moreno.

          Reply
      • DarkSide830

        3 years ago

        Well that would be stupid given that he isn’t.

        Reply
    • Redstitch108* 2

      3 years ago

      Opener: wrong. Dead wrong.

      Reply
      • TheOpener

        3 years ago

        Also look at his K rates: they began shooting back up in 2020 to go along with the general drop in hitting (and overall decline)- another indicator of decline. 2017-2019: 140 Ks per 162 games. 2020-2022: 187 Ks per 162 games. BB rate has gone down as well- although the difference isn’t nearly as pronounced as the Ks.

        Reply
        • pohle

          3 years ago

          wow. an absolute generational talent has shown some slight decline as he gets to the other side of 30. trout is still one hell of a ballplayer even through the injuries and even with a “decline” in all those categories he is still very above average as a major leaguer, while he may not be a picture of health.

          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Major decline before 30. Try again. Albatross contract.

          Reply
        • Angels & NL West

          3 years ago

          Trout’s value was never derived by his SB totals. That said, his sprint speed is still elite at 29.5 ft/sec – same as Julio Rodriguez and a tick behind Jo Adell.

          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          When a player goes from being one of the best base stealers (and base runners in general) in MLB to never stealing bases and being timid in general on the basepaths, there’s value lost. For all intents and purposes, he has now has the effect of a player with average speed (even though he’s still faster than average) who never steals bases. Pitchers don’t even have to pay attention to him anymore.

          Reply
        • Angels & NL West

          3 years ago

          Bobby Witt Jr. and Trea Turner, the two fastest players in MLB have 22 and 20 SB’s, respectively. This isnt the era of Henderson and Raines. SB’s aren’t a thing.

          Trout goes 1st to 3rd with the best of them. Again, not much value lost by not stealing a handful of bags. And probably not a good decision with Ohtani hitting behind you.

          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Trout averaged 26 SB at a phenomenal success rate (similar to Beltran’s), now nothing.

          Reply
        • Angels & NL West

          3 years ago

          Trout still has elite speed at 29.5 ft/sec. Ohtani now hits hits behind him. Not a good idea to attempt a steal of 2B with a guy at the plate that can score you from 1B. But as a guy with 1900 ABs, you already know that.

          2
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          I’m out of here.

          2
          Reply
        • kdub53

          3 years ago

          Thank the good lord above. Opener is out of here!!

          3
          Reply
        • Col_chestbridge

          3 years ago

          Baserunning is more about jump and twitch than sprint speed. It’s also not just about steals – going 1st to third or second to home on a single, or 1st to home on a double, or beating out a double play ball grounder is also important. Fangraphs has a metric that measures that ability more completely than simple stolen base numbers – BSR. He was between 5 and 10 at his prime. In 2020 and 2021 he had abbreviated seasons but he still put up around 1.5 each season, which would put him roughly on track for his usual production if it were extrapolated. This year, though, he’s a negative.

          I think we need more than 1 year of bad production year to call Trout over his prime, but it’s certainly worth monitoring.

          Reply
        • Angels & NL West

          3 years ago

          BsR is new to me. I found an explanation of BsR by googling it and exploring Fangraphs, but I can’t find a BsR leaderboard anywhere on Fangraphs. Can anyone provide some direction?

          Reply
    • Halo11Fan

      3 years ago

      I remember the certainty and loudness from posters like you that Ohtani would never be a two way player I remember the silence when they were proven wrong. Before Trput went on the DL, he was in the top three in WAR in the AL. Now he’s 6th.

      He’s 4th in wRC+ and he’s a CF, and playing it well. You people are nuts.

      2
      Reply
    • Netflix&RichHill

      3 years ago

      The problem with your post isn’t that people don’t think trout is on the decline, it’s that the numbers can be confirmed anywhere online and you’re over exaggerating his decline. Trout was on pace for about 7 WAR in 2020 and he was pacing for about 7.8 WAR this year. If you’re saying that he’s a 2-4 WAR player because he’ll miss a large swath of games every year, sure, I think we all fear that, too. But if Trout can play 120-145 games, we’re still looking at a 5-7 WAR guy.

      1
      Reply
      • TheOpener

        3 years ago

        Pace is irrelevant, aside from the 2020 season (when he played at around a 5 WAR pace by the way). Actual production is all that matters and he’s a 2-4 WAR level player now in terms of actual production.

        Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          K rate way up beginning in 2020, BB rate way down beginning in 2020 (was wrong in the comment when I said the BB difference isn’t nearly as pronounced as the K difference), posted the lowest BA and OBP of his career this year, no longer a base stealer- used to be a great one- or an aggressive base runner in general, 31 years old, can’t stay on the field, hasn’t posted more than 4 WAR since 2019- and only played at around a 5 WAR rate in 2020. 2-4 WAR average over the next 3 seasons with a 5 WAR ceiling. Won’t try to guess about beyond the next 3 years because that’s a long time in baseball, but likely will be a sub 2 WAR player at that point.

          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Last thing I forgot to mention is his defense- never great to begin with aside from 2012, but very solid. Terrible in 2020, bad in 2021. No longer reliable with the glove (I don’t count 2013 against him because he was great in CF in 2012 and was then moved to corner OF). The stats are screaming decline. Have a nice day.

          Reply
        • Halo11Fan

          3 years ago

          Pace is not irrelevant. Trout is still elite, will likely remain elite for several more years.

          If you are writing Trout is going to be limited to 100 to 120 games a year, then fine.

          Then write that, you make it seem likes he’s not an elite talent. He is.

          Reply
    • Show all 58 replies
  2. 30 Parks

    3 years ago

    Trout should learn to play through injuries now & again. Bryce Harper wants to play baseball, tough-it-out, at times I don’t get the same impression from Trout. Here’s hoping Trout can stay on the field.

    2
    Reply
    • Dustyslambchops23

      3 years ago

      Teams and trainers take less chances when teams are 16 games back at the all star game

      8
      Reply
      • 30 Parks

        3 years ago

        Agreed, Dusty. The Angels’ mediocrity lends itself, down the stretch, to “shutting down” certain players. Would be great to see Trout play 150 games next year.

        7
        Reply
  3. Mickey777

    3 years ago

    Agree with Heyman. Angels lost their best opportunity to trade Ohtani to receive maximum return. I think we have seen the best of Ohtani’s career. Hard to imagine any human even a freak like Ohtani burning the candle at both ends forever. I think we will start to see him breakdown next season. Sure hope I’m wrong though, he’s fun to watch!!!

    11
    Reply
    • AverageCommenter

      3 years ago

      I think he’s still got a few years left in the tank, but he still needed to be traded. If the Yankees were offering anything like it’s rumored they did, why not take a haul of prospects that can actually give you a full team, not a 2 player team

      4
      Reply
      • 5toolMVP

        3 years ago

        What was the rumored Yankees offer for Ohtani? I must’ve missed it. Was it 3 or 4 of the yanks top 5 prospects?? Was HOF* prospect Volpe included??

        6
        Reply
        • A'sfaninUK

          3 years ago

          I was just admiring Jesus Montero’s HOF plaque! Those Yankees media and fans sure know their stuff! 100% of Yankees prospects are HOF-bound! Yeah man, that’s really happening!!

          1
          Reply
        • AverageCommenter

          3 years ago

          Apparently the Yankees were letting them pick and choose from anything more or less, so they may have been willing to trade Volpe and the Angels said no

          Reply
        • pinstripes17

          3 years ago

          The Brokeland A’s are a joke and moneyball was a failure. Sucks to suck I guess.

          3
          Reply
        • 5toolMVP

          3 years ago

          Specifically which yankee prospects did they offer for Ohtani? According to what news source?

          You speak in vague generalities. All BS hearsay as if they offered the world or something resembling a top offer. GTFO with that nonsense.

          1
          Reply
    • TheOpener

      3 years ago

      2 great seasons in half a decade in MLB and neither of those seasons were phenomenal production- especially not this season. To put it into perspective, Ohtani’s best season’s value (last year) would have been Trout’s 5th best season, and this year he’s significantly worse. 1 of the most overrated players I can remember and not trading him before the deadline this year was just another major misstep by the most dysfunctional organization in MLB. Already middle aged by MLB standards and will turn 30 the 1st season of the next contract- it would be stupid to resign him even if he was interested in staying in Anaheim (which he isn’t).

      4
      Reply
      • Dustyslambchops23

        3 years ago

        Hard to tell if you are a parody account or not tbh

        6
        Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Right, don’t reply with facts. You’re nothing. All that ultimately matters is production, not how a player produces (pitching and hitting vs being a typical player). The saved roster spot is a myth because an awkward 6 pitcher rotation is required for him, and even if it wasn’t, it’s not like teams are desperate for an extra roster spot. He produced 9 WAR in his best year and he will finish with around 7 WAR this year. Aside from that, he has never produced more than 4 WAR and he was horrible in 2020.

          3
          Reply
        • Dustyslambchops23

          3 years ago

          Man, what an absolutely pathetic, miserable view of baseball.

          No context, no mention of injuries, age, the fact that he moved across the world and needed to adjust to a new ball and league.

          Ohtani’s last 2 seasons have been 2 of the greatest seasons by a baseball player ever, at his age 26 and 27 season. You’re saying oh, he’s not worth as much as Trout’s prime as some ridiculously high bar for you to say he’s overrated.

          Again, all of your comments make me question if you genuinely understand baseball or if you’re just a guy trying to be funny on the internet. If it’s the latter, you’re excelling at it

          7
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          His best seasons arrived at 26 and 27, which is typical. He’s not going to be a superstar in his 30s- in fact, he likely won’t be able to be a 2 way player for much longer, which will reduce his value a lot since his production is fairly evenly divided between pitching and hitting.

          3
          Reply
        • Dustyslambchops23

          3 years ago

          Lol ok? Like thank you captain obvious, players performance declines with age. What a brilliant observation, do you realize you are wasting your gifted baseball mind on the mlbtr comment boards. You might need to go work for the rays or dodgers front office with that type of analysis.

          6
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Ok, so you acknowledge only 2 great seasons up to this point and that he can’t be expected to be great for much longer. Thanks.

          Reply
        • Dustyslambchops23

          3 years ago

          Depends what you define as great, if you are saying it’s Mike trouts prime is the only great than yes.

          I don’t get in to the habit of trying ‘predict’ how great a great player is going to be going forward and honestly neither should you.

          Did you look at Ohtani’s 2020 season and say oh year comes a 9 WAR season in 2021? No ofcourse not. Just enjoy the absolute freak of a baseball player Ohtani is and stop worrying about how many Wins above replacement he’s going to be when he’s 36.

          6
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Never said it wasn’t extremely impressive that he performs both as a hitter and a pitcher.

          Reply
        • Dustyslambchops23

          3 years ago

          No you just called a guy who is going to put 16 WAR in the last 2 seasons ‘one of the most overrated player ever’

          Like most openers in baseball, you suck

          7
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          I said one of the most overrated players I can remember, which is a lot different than 1 of the most overrated players ever. 9 WAR and around 7 WAR in his best 2 seasons and nothing even close to that otherwise.

          Reply
        • Omarj

          3 years ago

          Do yourself a huge favor. Instead of trolling here. Go ask troll actual MLB players and ask them how effin hard it is to pitch and hit. Maybe start with NL pitchers past or present. Ohtani has to prepare for both every day, and is under thr highest scrutiny, from people like you, and all of Japan follows everything he does. He uses his speed to steal or hit a triple, or maybe infield hit then goes back to pitching. Or pitches a 20something pitch inning then leads off. Just be a little open to how much preparation, pressure, dedication, then consider how he’s improving vs looking at WAR or basic stats. Consider his age when he came over and the TJ surgery. So yeah, it would be been great to see him younger and performing, but it is what it is, and appreciate it, and understand his peers and former legends are in awe of this guy. Now have a beer and enjoy the weekend

          5
          Reply
        • cecildawg

          3 years ago

          Nostradamus – the opener (bully boy with stats)

          Reply
      • kdub53

        3 years ago

        I thought you were out of here, opener?

        2
        Reply
    • Show all 20 replies
  4. notagain27

    3 years ago

    I hope Trout also doesn’t have Ringworm!

    12
    Reply
  5. darkstar61

    3 years ago

    “might be able to return even if Moniak might still be playing through some discomfort”

    Why is it so important he plays even if he’s still hurt?

    Reply
    • cookmeister 2

      3 years ago

      Audition for next season

      Reply
      • darkstar61

        3 years ago

        But if he’s playing hurt, you aren’t going to get a guage as to how he’ll perform next season when he’s not

        It’s just silly

        1
        Reply
        • User 2079935927

          3 years ago

          Dark-He’s not going to play if he feels he can’t. But if he does choose to do so He will have some discomfort. Stop being a drama queen.

          Reply
        • darkstar61

          3 years ago

          “Playing through some discomfort” is why Trout has 115 games played over a 2 year span, why Fletcher has played 26 this season, why Rendon has merely 155 games in 3 seasons with the club, why Upton was rarely on the field for long or playing productively over his 5 years, why Ohtani has 54 starts over a 5 year career, why Canning has 25 sarts over the last 3 years, why Skaggs was self medicating to the point it killed him, and on and on

          It’s not dramaqueen to question why the team keeps doing the same exact dumb thing while just expecting different results

          2
          Reply
  6. TheGr8One

    3 years ago

    All that matters is production not how a player produces. Isn’t what they produce called production? Like, by definition of the word? Hit me with some more WAR talk and tell me I’m nothing like every other reply to your nonsense

    1
    Reply
    • TheOpener

      3 years ago

      Ok, so you’re 1 of the people who ‘doesn’t believe in WAR’. The point about how a player produces is that many think Ohtani has extra value because he produces from both the mound and from the plate, but it’s irrelevant- especially when a 6 pitcher rotation is required for him.

      Reply
      • prov356

        3 years ago

        opener – I think you are alone in your assessment of all things baseball.

        5
        Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      3 years ago

      WAR is just a sum of all the basic stats you value, what is the problem here?

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        3 years ago

        Because it’s a matter of valuation. For example, there may me a metric based on, say, HR, AVG, and SB. However, the metric may value SB significantly more than I do, and HR much less than I. Should I live then by said metric?

        2
        Reply
  7. Boston2AZ

    3 years ago

    Good news about Trout. He’ll be ready for the Angels’ September pennant chase.

    6
    Reply
    • Kevin28786

      3 years ago

      LMAO

      1
      Reply
  8. Kevin28786

    3 years ago

    Mike Trout: The Biggest Loser

    Coming to a ballpark near you!

    2
    Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      3 years ago

      Trout is anything but a loser.

      The GM and owner of the Angels is the magaloser here. Maybe he should have spent more on pitching, and less on “their own”, like signing the useless Rendon when you already had 3B options and no pitching.

      1
      Reply
      • User 2079935927

        3 years ago

        There we’re no 3B options. Trust me.

        2
        Reply
        • angelsfan4life

          3 years ago

          So Cozart was the Angels starting third baseman before Rendon. Cozart couldn’t hit or field. The Angels problem this season, hasn’t been their starting pitching. It’s been the fact that they can’t score runs.

          1
          Reply
      • Kevin28786

        3 years ago

        Nah, Trout is comfortable losing and making piles of money. A winner would have gotten the hell out of Anaheim a long time ago.

        1
        Reply
  9. A'sfaninUK

    3 years ago

    Weird how both NY teams acted like brokies at the deadline. Or how their scouts and front offices did a bad job saying Iglesias wasn’t worth that deal, when he was.

    1
    Reply
  10. Gwynning

    3 years ago

    “The Opener” should “close” shop. Terrible takes.

    8
    Reply
    • User 163535993

      3 years ago

      WAR is the most useless baseball stat since the ” Quality Start”.

      2
      Reply
      • Dustyslambchops23

        3 years ago

        It’s a good catch all stat, but it is not the be all end all of a players value and performance.

        5
        Reply
        • tstats

          3 years ago

          wRC+/OPS+ (take your pick although I prefer the former) combined with OAA is the best combo IMO for hitters and ERA+/FIP for pitchers

          3
          Reply
        • darkstar61

          3 years ago

          Ironic,

          WAR = basically wRC+/OPS+ plus OAA factored for playing time

          WAR = basically ERA+ plus FIP factored for playing time

          Results are hitters WAR is very, very accurate to what they actually accomplished on the field

          Pitchers, not so much. The main ingredient of pitching WAR, FIP, assumes a baseline skill needed to pitch in the MLB so it corrects for just poor performance. Things like flat fastballs, tipping pitches, etcetera, are inadvertently corrected for, despite the pitcher possibly having those issues. So FIP, and therefore Pitching WAR, is more best case scenario situation, not a true representation of ability shown

          2
          Reply
  11. prov356

    3 years ago

    MLBTR must have changed how the comment section is administered. It’s been all jacked up for about a month. It triple posted my comment above and the edit timer disappears if I refresh for new comments. It never used to do that. It’s been very glitchy.

    11
    Reply
  12. SugaMonkey

    3 years ago

    I think Alanis Morissette summed up Mike Trout’s career quite nicely!

    “A young man turned 27. He signed a 400+ contract extension, and his career died the next day, and isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?”

    3
    Reply
    • prov356

      3 years ago

      Bold move quoting Alanis Morissette lyrics on a baseball site. Your on man-card probation for 30 days.

      10
      Reply
  13. User 163535993

    3 years ago

    I sure hope the Cubs were one of the teams calling about Ohtani. A rotation next year of Ohtani, Stroman, Steele, Thompson, Hendricks / Killian/Wesneski/Asad/ Wicks inspires some real potential. Maybe Moreno is tired of playing High Money, real Life Fantasy Baseball and at least pretends to have someone develop a Farm System. The Cubs finally got a GM who saw the need to hire first class Minor League instructors with a plan. The Angels IMO need to seriously consider an approach like that. Thoughts Angels Fans?

    Reply
    • Dustyslambchops23

      3 years ago

      Are cubs really at a point where they should be traded 4-5 top prospects for a player 1.5 years away from free agency?

      I wouldn’t doubt it because lately it seems like they don’t have a clear vision, not trading their valuable expiring contracts was a weird move, as was the stroman signing.

      4
      Reply
      • User 163535993

        3 years ago

        The Cubs aren’t as far away as people think. They also have enough quality arms to trade a couple and OF’s and C’s too and get an ACE. Ohtani is an ACE. Yeah, an ACE might emerge from the group I mentioned but your’e never sure. I would want Ohtani to really just pitch. Then the next day I would just let him PH to rest his arm. Then and only then would I let him DH or maybe teach him to play 1B where he doesn’t have to throw much if at all. For 1 and a half years and a chance to extend, I’d take the risk.

        Reply
        • Dustyslambchops23

          3 years ago

          I think they are better off playing in free agency.

          If they believe they are getting closer, it might make sense for them to bring in a quality arm and probably SS, use money and keep prospects.

          1
          Reply
        • User 163535993

          3 years ago

          There are no Aces in FA this year. The only 2 I know of are deGromm and Verlander and I don’t see either flipping teams.

          Reply
        • TheStevilEmpire1

          3 years ago

          The Cubs have some decent young players. How they approach free agency in the next couple years is critical. I think they need to do some very precise spending on the right players to get back in contention.

          Reply
    • DarkSide830

      3 years ago

      At least three of Steele,Thompson, Killian, Hayden, or Wicks are in the package so that rotation woln’t look that hot.

      1
      Reply
      • User 163535993

        3 years ago

        You’re not going to get 3 P’s for 1 1/2 years. Keep dreaming. At least not that highly ranked anyway.

        Reply
  14. Mystery Team

    3 years ago

    Mike Trout showed what he’s become last season when at the end of the year he literally said if the Angels were in the race he could have played. I guess it never dawned on him that they need him to have a chance to be in a race. I don’t care what anyone says no player should ever miss that much time for a strained calf. Not torn strained. I think the problem is how teams view these players they give these exorbitant contracts to. If they get the slightest ding they’re instantly trying to IL them. That’s a problem because in the real world when you get more money at your job you’re expected to produce more. Not in baseball nope in baseball larger contracts means more time on the IL protecting the investment. Trout may have been the best player in the game for a stretch but he is no longer that. He will go down in history as a great hitter but he’ll never be considered a winner.

    5
    Reply
    • Dustyslambchops23

      3 years ago

      Trout and Ohtani were both healthy and performing well and the angels were still losing and no where close to contention. I agree with a lot of what you’re saying, but the angels are not a deep or balanced team and the last person who should be blamed for their lack of success is Trout

      2
      Reply
      • Mystery Team

        3 years ago

        He deserves plenty of blame. Obviously not all but a good chunk as he’s not rushing to get back any time soon. He seems to love the IL way too much. Who knows how last season might have played out if he didn’t go stale on the IL for a strained calf. Ohtani had an incredible year but when a guy making $37M sits out almost the entire year for something minor that’s a killer. How much money do they have to make trades and add to the team? Not much at all. Do they even want to spend not knowing how long Trout is gonna sit for? They have so much money tied up in two guys that are living on the IL in Trout and Rendon. I’m not blaming him for everything but a player like that has to speak up within the organization to make it known that winning is the most important thing but it’s hard to do that when your ass is entrenched on the IL for stretches. Those fans deserve better than their two highest paid guys barely playing yet taking up over $70M a year in salary.

        2
        Reply
        • User 2079935927

          3 years ago

          What? Trout speaks quite a bit how he wants to win.

          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          At least he’s showing his support for the team by traveling with them. Oh, right- a lot of the time he doesn’t even do that. $37 million per year.

          Reply
        • kdub53

          3 years ago

          You really can’t quit can ya?! Haven’t seen a troll like opener in all my days!
          You said you were out of here…so be gone. Even if you had an MLB Career you’re cleay obsessed and jealous of Mike trout. Honestly…it’s pathetic.

          3
          Reply
  15. Arte Moreno

    3 years ago

    The Yankees never met my asking price. Heyman is usually wrong about these things. Why not come to me and ask me directly?

    1
    Reply
    • 5toolMVP

      3 years ago

      Dad are you drinking again?

      Reply
  16. Angelic Visitations

    3 years ago

    Also, I wouldn’t trade Ohtani for Yankee prospects. Yankees prospects are drastically overhyped and rarely amount to anything in the major leagues, particularly their position players.

    1
    Reply
    • Dustyslambchops23

      3 years ago

      That’s all prospects my friend

      1
      Reply
      • User 2079935927

        3 years ago

        Yeah but over the years Yankees prospects get a lot of play and when they finally come up and play for the yankees or get traded to another team. they flame out. The Yankees over hype these guys up so they can get more in a trade..

        Reply
  17. Dogs for Hire

    3 years ago

    @The Opener – Do you know anything about baseball itself or do you just read stat sheets and watch the home run derby?

    4
    Reply
    • TheOpener

      3 years ago

      A huge amount about baseball.

      Reply
      • User 2079935927

        3 years ago

        Opener guys like you are laughable. If Ohatani or Trout were on your team you wouldn’t be spewing this garbage. Guys like you always try to put down these players like their some kinda mirage and they can’t possibly be this good.
        Go away and go root for whatever team it is you follow. Your post reek of jealousy.

        4
        Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Maybe a poster with more than 1,900 PA in MLB would know what he’s talking about.

          Reply
        • Eaglefeather

          3 years ago

          You said 1,600 PA earlier, which is it?

          Maybe you forgot one of your seasons!

          6
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          1,900- 1,600 was a typo. Guess what? Former major league players actually exist.

          Reply
        • Angels & NL West

          3 years ago

          If you say you have 1900 major league ABs, I will take you at your word. That said, you have not posted a single comment that suggests you have any perspective on the game.

          4
          Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Point taken.

          2
          Reply
        • pohle

          3 years ago

          and guess what? they dont automatically know everything.

          1
          Reply
        • kdub53

          3 years ago

          You’re a true, bona-fide idiot opener. And now you’re repeating yourself. that’s it! Your benched!!

          2
          Reply
  18. DarkSide830

    3 years ago

    The Iglesias and Syndergaard situations are exactly why LAA is going nowhere with their current FO group. Parting with a pick to overpay for Syndergaard for just one year was a miss, and then compounding the Iglesias mistake by selling low on him. I like Davidson and I can see Moniak finding himself in LAA, but they should have gotten more for the two of them after the investment they made in both arms in FA.

    3
    Reply
    • 5toolMVP

      3 years ago

      Thor cost a 2nd rd pick, and was likely gone in 2 months anyway…Moniak previously struggled with Philly but 47 mlb games is hardly a good sample to call anyone a bust.

      He was showing signs breaking out/finding himself before the broken finger. Moniak could easily out perform the loss of the 2nd round pick, and at a quicker timeline as well. A 2022 comp pick may take 3-4 years whereas Moniak has put in the time and may have a new outlook since the move west. It’s sucks the injury happened I was looking forward to see how his season played out. Now we wait til ST and see what he’s got.

      1
      Reply
      • User 2079935927

        3 years ago

        5toolMVP- I agree. I like the small sample size I saw of Monica. Plus we got a good catching prospect. Sure it was gamble to signing Thor. But who knows maybe he can come back in 2023. As crappy as this season has been. I like the possibilities going forward. Rengifo has finally shown some promise. Fletcher is back..Now we have find out what is going with Walsh.
        All the money coming off the books we can sign some pitching and a good corner OF.

        Reply
      • User 2079935927

        3 years ago

        Whatever Monica can do for the Angels.will be a lot better than what Marsh was providing.
        .

        Reply
        • 5toolMVP

          3 years ago

          Monica is good at her job. Lol

          It’s Moniak.

          1
          Reply
        • User 2079935927

          3 years ago

          It was a typo. Meant Marsh.

          Reply
  19. bravesallrhe way

    3 years ago

    trout is done. another wasted contract by the Angels

    1
    Reply
  20. User 2976510776

    3 years ago

    Besides the money, id be interested to see how other teams would play Ohtani. Frim what i gather, Ohtani does what he wants w the Angels, but contenders would challenge him more i think. Would some ask to try to play some 1st or LF? Would they ask to pitch more often or deeper into games? Or how about more relief and less starts. Would they work on his hitting stance swing etc? Maybe thats why he wasnt ready for an outright trade request.

    Reply
  21. taco guy

    3 years ago

    I really wish Arte would look at the successful organizations and model himself after those owners and back the F off and let the baseball people do their jobs.

    Reply
  22. Old York

    3 years ago

    I wish Trout all the best to get back on the field and finish off his career. I doubt he’s in CF much more but should still contribute well enough.

    1
    Reply
  23. astrosfansince1974

    3 years ago

    Typo alert on the Moniak blurb: “season was though to be in jeopardy.”

    Reply
  24. CALgoldenBears

    3 years ago

    “With Ohtani set for free agency after the 2023 season, there has already been a lot of speculation that he could be on his way out of Anaheim, and in search of a potential record-setting contract that reflects his unique two-way skillset.”

    Please Giants offer a blank check to Ohtani. Bring some relevance back to the Bay Area

    Reply
    • TheOpener

      3 years ago

      Ohtani couldn’t handle the pressure of being on a team with a winning tradition. Some of the reason he chose Anaheim was to limit exposure.

      Reply
      • williemaysfield

        3 years ago

        He chose a team in LA to limit exposure. Lol
        Maybe Seattle or Minnesota but LA. Ok. He wanted to pitch and hit so that limited him to the 15 Al teams.

        Reply
        • TheOpener

          3 years ago

          Except for the small fact that Anaheim isn’t in LA and the team in Anaheim receives nowhere remotely near the coverage as the team that’s actually in LA.

          Reply
        • williemaysfield

          3 years ago

          The los angeles basin. It’s still a major market.

          Reply
      • User 2079935927

        3 years ago

        Wrong. He chose the Angels
        A. They’re on the West Coast
        B. They’re were willing to let him hit and pitch.
        Get your facts straight.

        2
        Reply
    • Rsox

      3 years ago

      I wouldn’t rule out the Giants or the Mariners when Ohtani hits free agency. It also makes you wonder how the Dodgers approach their offseason this year. If they go big on Trea Turner that might keep them from being able to pursue Ohtani. Odds are better than not that he stays out west and the only team that can really be ruled out is the A’s (though that would be one heck of a surprise move if Billy could pull it off)

      Reply
  25. TheStevilEmpire1

    3 years ago

    The broader scope is that the Angels have been ran questionably for so long that its almost bad comedy at this point. The bad contracts this franchise has been saddled with time after time is absolutely insane.

    If you take a close look at just how bad their farm system has been since Trout came up, it’s just alarming. They’ve produced a long line of subpar major leaguers to compliment him both on the hitting and pitching side.

    They may have to trade Otani just to get some relevant pieces to build around again. I feel badly for Angel fans.

    Reply
  26. DonC.

    3 years ago

    This site needs a down thumb too!

    3
    Reply
  27. uvmfiji

    3 years ago

    Mike Trout has one career post-season hit. ONE.

    1
    Reply

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