In a recent edition of the Willard and Dibs podcast, ESPN’s Buster Olney predicted Blake Snell will sign with the Angels, based on “conversations with people…who know Blake” and Snell’s apparent enjoyment of pitching in southern California. Olney added the natural “depending on where the money falls” caveat, and things could also change depending on how the pitching market might yet play out, in regards to injuries suddenly changing the outlook for a would-be contender. Agent Scott Boras said this week that he’d been hearing from some new suitors in regards to Snell and Jordan Montgomery since Spring Training opened, though both pitchers remain unsigned as we’re now into the second week of March.
The Angels were linked to Snell back in December, with Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle writing at the time that Snell was “their priority” as a front-of-the-rotation pitcher to replace Shohei Ohtani. There hasn’t been much public movement between the two sides since, though the Halos also haven’t done anything else to upgrade their rotation, as their offseason pitching moves have been largely focused on bullpen additions. The Angels have traditionally been reluctant to sign pitchers to big multi-year commitments, though since Snell is reportedly open to taking a shorter-term contract (likely with at least one opt-out clause), this could help find common ground towards a landing spot in Anaheim.
Other items from around the AL West…
- It has been about three weeks since Josh Jung was shut down due to calf soreness, and the Rangers aren’t yet ready to him “ratchet up his running program,” according to Jeff Wilson of Rangers Today (X link). Another MRI on Jung indicated some improvement with his calf, but the team is still being cautious, which is understandable given Jung’s important role as the starting third baseman. Jung has already made his mark with a big rookie season that included an All-Star nod and a World Series ring, with Jung hitting .308/.329/.538 slash line in 70 postseason plate appearances. It seems possible that Jung might need to start the season on the 10-day injured list if he misses much more Spring Training time, though the injury doesn’t appear to be overly serious.
- AJ Pollock is at the Mariners’ spring camp in something of an unofficial coaching mentorship role, Shannon Drayer of MyNorthwest.com writes. MLB Trade Rumors has learned that Pollock is still exploring his playing options and hasn’t officially retired, though since the longtime outfielder just turned 36, it isn’t a surprise that he might be exploring what’s next once he does decide to hang up the cleats. Pollock played in 49 games for Seattle last season before being traded to the Giants at the deadline, and hit only .165/.215/.308 in 144 total plate appearances. Pollock has an .892 OPS over 422 PA just as recently as the 2021 season, though he had a subpar year with the White Sox in 2022 before his bigger performance dropoff last year.
- Justin Verlander told MLB.com and other reporters that he threw around 60 pitches during a bullpen session on Friday, and is up to lower-90s velocity on his fastball. It seems like another positive step for Verlander as he continues to ramp up after a minor shoulder problem delayed his start to Spring Training. The Astros have already announced that Verlander will begin the season on the 15-day IL, though that placement is just to give him more time to get ready, rather than any true concern over his health.
- Since both Verlander and J.P. France have been slowed by shoulder issues, the Astros rotation is a bit of a question mark as Opening Day approaches. While the team gauges what arms might fill in for Verlander or France on a temporary basis, The Athletic’s Chandler Rome notes that Houston will be in particular need of starters due to a busy early schedule. The Astros play 20 games in the first 21 days of the season, and Rome feels the club could even go with a six-man rotation in April to keep everyone as fresh as possible. That would open the door for Ronel Blanco and Brandon Bielak to both make the rotation if France also needs some IL time, or one of Blanco/Bielak could work as a long reliever.
The baseball media always talks about the “gauntlet tough” AL East, but in reality, the AL West has won 2 World Series since the last one won by the AL East.
The Oakland A’s function as a AAA team playing at the MLB level so they dimmer that light a bit. All 5 teams in ALE are competitive.
“The Oakland A’s function”…I think most people and teams would consider 2 World Series wins to be a lot more important and impressive than being “competitive”. Isn’t “competitive” what they say when you lose, but not by a lot?
The point is the AL East is better 1-5 than the AL West. Yes, two WS victories since an AL East team won one–what of overall records? Beyond Texas last year and Houston the last few years, how long has it been since one of those teams was truly competitive?
what an odd measure you are using, the Red Sox were dead last in the east mean while they would have tied for second in the central and finished a head of both the angels and A’s out west while playing 4 better teams more often
“The point is”…Is the goal in baseball to be “competitive” or to win the World Series?…Do be sure to report back when they start awarding trophies for being “competitive”. “Competitive” is what teams say when they know they’re not going to win anything important, am I right?
The goal in baseball is to win your division every year, and then to hope you get lucky in the playoffs. Baseball was never meant to be a game where a great team had to jump through multiple playoff opponents in order to win it all. But now it is.
Its literally been one year of the Orioles being good. AL East people chill.
Who cares how tough the division is, if you are not first you’re last!!!!
I dont think any of that matters come October, one would think they’d be better due to the more “competive” competition if thats the case but i guess not
And 0-7 last year in the playoffs speaks pretty loudly
3-10 in 2022…winning
And 5 of those L’s at the hands of my World Champion Rangers!
The Red Sox are the A’s of the East
Do you think Boston will win more games than the A’s?
I dunno, is the Red Sox owner intentionally busting up the team to leverage a move to Atlantic City where corrupt politicians promised a massive amount of taxpayer money and favoritism?
“Intentionally busting up”..I think you need some more tin foil, bro. That’s ridiculous. The Redsox will never leave Boston and certainly not to move to Atlantic City. This isn’t the 1920’s of Nucky Thompson, bro.
Sarcasm ain’t no joke bro.
You realize the crappy As phenomenon is only very recent. They were #1 in the AL West in 2020 and in 2018-2019 came in 2nd.
Both divisions are difficult and speak to the fact that both the AL and NL centrals are punching bags for the league.
Oakland has won nine WS and the Angels one. Te Angels are more Iike a AAA team
Now let’s count the number of WS wins since 1995.
I’d be surprised if My Halos signed Snell. But stranger things have happened. He won’t be ready for the season tho….
I just don’t know what spending that money will do ? He carry a 5 war – Angels better off loosing 5 more games without him next year
It moves them closer to contending. That’s what it does. They may not compete this season but perhaps in 2025 depending on how some of their youngsters continue to develop and remaining healthy.
That’s why I’m against an opt out after the 2024 season.
My thoughts on the kids is that while playing in the minors the Angels affiliate teams were te bottom of the barrel, it sure how much help they will be!!
Helps in contending? Contending for what last place?
Boras said new teams have inquired about him and Montgomery!
Teams: hey Scott, is your guy willing to take a short term deal now? If so, we might be interested.
@winslow would rather have Montgomery because he doesn’t have a pick attached and you could trade him at the deadline. If he’s having a good year, because that’s almost guaranteeing a opt out. If the angels look like contenders you just keep him for the year. Really not a bad situation.
@Hudler you don’t sign Montgomery (or Snell) to trade them at the deadline. If you sign one of them, it’s a commitment to win now and in the future. They would come with a no-trade clause to prevent this.
@orange2001 Montgomery will have a opt out every year. I’m not sure if he will get a ntc clause. He really has no leverage now. Hes going to look for a one year opt out with three years guaranteed incase of a injury. Also I said if they are out of it, doesn’t hurt to do also said if he has a good year, because you know the angels wouldn’t resign him, and he would leave.
Contenders for what fourth place
Nope fifth, not sure if u read it try again.
Waiting for Ohtani to leave then suddenly signing the biggest pitcher on the FA market sounds on brand for them.
I would say Yamamoto and ohtani were, he might’ve thought that. That’s why he’s still unsigned.
Ohtani is not going anywhere for ten years and he will be 39 when his contract is over!
@ bum This came out of left field. My point was snell wasn’t the biggest free agent still isn’t or atleast not a needle mover reason why he hasn’t signed. The big fish in the small pond were ohtani and Yamamoto most of the reason why the market dried up.
Except Ohtani isn’t really pitching next year…
Looks like snell isn’t either. The biggest free agent pitcher on the market, not signed because every team is saying no thanks
Snell would give the Angels a much better chance of actually being decent this year. Lineup and RPs actually look decent, assuming health and rookies playing at at least last year’s level. If for some crazy reason they made the playoff, he would be critical to them doing anything.
@rposter. I think The Angels are going to be alot better in 24 than alot of people will give them credit for. Washington has changed the mindset and the culture of the team in the short time he’s been here. Will it translate to a winning season ? Who knows.
Anything is better than the last few years.. Nothing against Nevin. But I’m glad Perry hired Washington. I can see why The Rangers were good when Washington was at the helm.
Can Washington pitch?
Down vote
two years guaranteed, with a team option for a third year. high incentives maybe to 40 with a cy, with above 20m guaranteed per year, and a high buyout for that 3rd year (10m or so). snell gets a chance to prove he is worth it, team gets a bargain rate and protection against injuries and opt-outs. maybe boras wouldnt bite, but thats the offer the angels should make.
At 31 I would think Snell is looking to solidify his career before age starts to slow him up, he is not a Verlander!
Only if they include Don and Mud in the deal.
If any team knows how to overpay, it’s the Angels.
@Jimmy- No dollar figure was in the article. So what’s the with the overpay comment? Just had to put something out there huh?
Yeah you’re right, Anthony Rendon’s .236/.361/.679 is totally worth 7/245mm.
don’t forget Josh Hamilton and pujols
Pujols signing led to a Mega TV contract.
What’s with the overpay comment? It’s March 10th and no team believes he worth his asking price.
That should tell you something.
Rendon and Puljos are good examples of over payment
The Mets were determined to take the overpay crown away from the Angels.
Hmmm your post was worth about 2 Cents.
Hmmm and your post was worthless, fool.
Snail to the Angels 4years $110mil with a couple opt outs!! Let’s go Peary!!!
It’s Willy and dibby!
Snell has bad contract written all over him.
Actually he doesn’t have anything written on him. He doesn’t even have tattoos!
If the Angels sign Snell, he should not get an opt out after his first year.
He also walks five guys per nine and doesn’t go deep into games. My guess is Angel fans are expecting too much.
So you want a guy with 5 BB/9 IP and doesn’t pitch deep into games around longer than just one season?
gbs. Seriously, you are better than that.
I’m saying there are flaws in his game. He’s not worth the big contract, but if he does pitch well, this team is unlikely to win in 2024, and he’ll opt out. If he’s bad, the Angels are stuck paying him. So there is no way the Angels can benefit from the signing.
The Angels only chance is if they sign him, he pitches well, and the Angels lock him in for 2025.
If he signs somewhere else with an opt out, and he pitches well, the Angels will have the opportunity to sign him in 2025. They won’t lose a pick, and in 2025 they’ll have a better opportunity to compete.
This isn’t rocket science.
HaloFan,
Sorry, I was being somewhat flippant.
I agree Snell has flaws. He was very lucky to work around all those walks.
These 3-year deals with opt-outs are land mines for teams, but that’s the price of doing business.
Gbs42, you are one of my favorite posters. I was kinda surprised, but now I realize it was a kind of a joke.
Halo11Fan, the feeling is mutual. Good luck to your team this year. If they sign Snell, may he and Trout have healthy and productive seasons!
Snell pitched at Petco a very difficult park to hit homeruns, with the Angels short fence in right field and an earlier park all around it will be difficult all around to duplicate what he did last year!
@halos11fan teams don’t what to lose a pick for snell if he leaves in a year. I say go for Montgomery you could trade him at the deadline if they’re out of contention, and he’s having a good year should be able to get atleast a decent player or two. Essentially buying prospects, but shoot they could use some.
Neither really makes a lot of sense if they can opt out after 2024. You don’t give big bucks to a player you intend to trade at the deadline.
They both somewhat make sense on a three year deal if the opt out is after the 2025 season.
@halos11fan dodgers were doing that to jumpstart the rebuild years ago. Doesn’t make sense for the angels to do it, because that’s not a angels move. It was speculated Montgomery would get a bellinger deal with opt outs. Probably trying to squeeze out more money otherwise it would’ve been done.
Snell was the best pitcher in baseball last year, but you read the posts here and you’d think he was average at best
@Brew. But Everyone on here is an expert. They’re not working for a MLB team simply because no team will pay them what they’re worth.
Maybe we just understand how to read data.
2019 to 2022. 3.95 ERA. 104 ERA plus. 3.9 BB per 9. Not once 130 innings.
You have to be a fool to pay him based on 2023. Most teams seem to know this.
Hard to reach 130 innings in 202o, but he was very good that year. But yes he shouldn’t be paid based upon just last year.
Right, that’s why I didn’t include averages. But that’s still three years he didn’t get to 130 innings.
Some minor injuries/ailments will do that. Overall he hasn’t been that injury prone though, at least never anything serious, and he went 6 innings or more 20 of 27 games last year after a poor April, so it’s a general myth that he only goes 5 innings per game. But I’m mainly just providing evidence that he’s a good pitcher and not quite worthy of the trashing he gets by commenters here. Any team would love to have him, if they can afford.
Just to be perfectly clear, I didn’t say he only went five innings. He walks so many, and strikes out so many, he doesn’t go deep into games. And by deep I mean more than six.
The Angels bullpen will still have to lockdown those wins, and that’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Halo11Fan- Snell is a complicated player. Take a deep dive into his stats. He seems to have good control in some ways but just doesn’t give in. He is great at painted strikes. He does not miss in the zone. He does not pitch at last years level every year but never has had a truly BAD year. Yes about 130, the Rays were quick to pull. Just look at the WS.
I have dug into him. He’s gonna walk people, he’s gonna strike out people, and he’s smart enough to let a batter get himself out and when they won’t, and he needs the out he’s good enough to get it.
He’s hard to hit. But I still don’t like the idea of paying full price and I hate the idea of allowing him to opt out after 2024.
He’s also a slow starter and this delay will likely hurt.
Halo11Fan- I think we pretty much agree on Snell. What is “FULL PRICE” though. $160-190??? How many years. I think 6 years at a bit over 30 with no opt outs or bonuses. I think most fans will over rate him or underrate him. You should not expect a repeat of 23, but he is very consistently not bad. I think 6 years is way better than opt outs for sure.
Just because he was given an award, doesn’t make him the best pitcher in the league. He wasn’t. At all. Cole is/was superior.
Cole’s ERA was nearly a half a run greater. But I didn’t say he’s the best pitcher in the league, just that he was last year.
You literally said he was the best pitcher in baseball last year, and he wasn’t. ERA is not a complete indicator of how good a pitcher is. Cole dominates Snell as a whole, but you choose to just select ERA as criteria. In reality, there were at least 4-5 pitchers better than Snell last year. He didn’t deserve the CYA.
Apparently he deserved the CY to the voting committee, but not to Beff Jagwell
Stop crying @Brew88 because I threw a fact back at you that you said, and then immediately denied. Man up or change your tampon. But, you appear to be a Brewers fan so you live a miserable life.
1 or 2 great years does not mean much.
He far above average for his entire career though
The only downside to getting Snell, for me, is bumping Silseth, who I’d love to see have a shot at being a regular starter. That said, by the time Snell is ready to take the hill, perhaps Silseth shows he’s too good to go back to AAA. It would be a nice problem to have and depth is key. Angels are way better with Snell than without so hopefully Arte and Perry get it done.
I would push Tyler Anderson to long relief.
@angels2Ws silseth might not make the team to start because they might’ve to wait until saurez implodes. If they don’t sign a pitcher they still have plesac looking for a roster spot. Didn’t think it was anything to worry about but saurez is having a good spring with no options. Especially when I saw something about a dead arm weeks ago.
Pleasac was sent down. It’s possible Silseth will start at AAA.
@halos11fan I can’t remember if plesac signed a minor or major league contract. They might’ve to cut him loose if he doesn’t make the roster by a certain time.
@rex he signed for a 1 yr @ 1 million. He was sent to the minors on Saturday so that tells me he still has options. It’s where he belongs at the moment considering how he’s pitched this spring.
There is zero reason for the Angels to sign him. They aren’t competitive and it would be a significant waste of money while blocking a younger arm who could gain mlb experience. For Snell, it would show that he only cares about money, and not winning.
You now how you get competitive ? You sign good pitchers. Who is Snell blocking? Absolutely no one. The Angels have zero front end starters and are filled with interchangeable 4s and 5s.. We are ranked the worst or next to worst farm system, but you think Snell is blocking big arm talent? Is he blocking Anderson and his nearly six ERA? Good, block away.
You know how to lose year in and year out. Overpay for free agents and lose draft picks.
Yes and no 11, of coarse u don’t want to massively over pay, but on the picks, getting a TOR pitcher which the team vitally needs. It’s not a horrible thing to give up a 2nd, and 1m in pool money for it. These probably 2 players have such a low hit rate on being a plus player in the bigs. So it’s not as bad as most think in taking a guarantee pitcher of need. I’d be down for 3/4 years, just no buy out after the 1st year for sure.
Like my stat league auction, let me know the price and I’ll have a firmer opinion.
He’s just not the pitcher that many think he is.
True that, it is all about how the contract is structured.
Seriously dude, what leading team isn’t buying some elite pitching? Yankees? Dodgers? Toronto? Baltimore traded for it and gave up young talent– aka draft pick capital. Draft picks are highly overrated. Yes, we don’t want to lose all of of our picks, but we’re not. Losing a second round pick when he have a compensatory first rounder in a ddition to the 8th pick overall is definitely worth Snell, who gives this team a real chance to make the playoffs. How many years do we go with a rotation of 4s and 5s? We lost Ohtani, but you think we stand pat and do nothing? We wait two years for Caden Dana to mature? Sign Montgomery and there is no draft pick compensation. We already have a compensatory pick for Losing Ohtani. This argument you make is tired. We are a major market that has not signed a single starting pitcher or position starter and you think that’s great. Balance is the key. Add one pitcher this year and next year you add another through trade or free agent signing– or the draft where they might take Brody Brecht, but to do nothing is absurd. What victory do you feel winning 73 games for the third year in a row? You do understand we pay to see the team win– right?
No, I do agree. If things break right with the youthful guys, they just might be a TOR, or Snell away of actually getting a WC. Best case scenario currently, I have them coming up a little short.
You are delusional if you think signing Snell makes the Angels competitive. It makes them lose a competitive balance draft pick while throwing away money on a guy who can’t pitch into the 6th inning. The bullpen will then give away the game and make his start useless.
I also never said he was blocking a “big arm talent,” that was you being further delusional. I said signing him blocks SOMEONE from gaining mlb experience.
You just have to just laugh at all the haters, that give teams zero chance at even being competitive. BTW, it’s good to get people to laugh Jeff, but most do it by not embarrassing themselves.
I think the Angels can be competitive, but so much has to go right. I don’t blame any non-Angel fan not seeing it.
@halo11 the only part of the team I dont see being better is the starting pitching. Everything else feels better watching the games I’ve seen this spring. Wash has got them working a lot on base stealing, not going for the easy outs, better plate discipline, and especially infield defense, as this article talks about
mlb.com/news/zach-neto-working-on-defense-with-ang…
It’s spring lots of minor league pitchers and hitters, will see how well a poor pitching staff will do! Even Rendon is playing that should tell you the level of talent playing in the spring.
Hahahahaha that dude said they look better after watching minor leaguers for two weeks. Delusional.
They all mostly care about money. As would most of us if we were negotiating a contract. Why should he be any different?
Of course new teams are checking in to see how far the price drops, BUT the Angels are literally the only team with the budget to add a $30M a year pitcher. Seattle doesn’t have it. Giants say they are done. Red Sox are a big no and so are the Yankees who are not paying 110% tax. Toronto is out. The Angels are it.
Seattle has it. They just won’t spend it. Snell would give them a shot at dealing a pitcher for a MUCH needed bat. But, we’ve come to expect less from this ownership.
They all have it if they want to-sign him- Seattle doesn’t. If they did, Snell would be pitching for them because Seattle was his first choice being from there. The Angels are just waiting Snell out. My guess is the Angels don’t want a one a one-year opt out since they will loses a second round pick. Maybe they give Snell 5-years at $150M with an opt out after year two?
I think this has to be a consideration for the Boras camp and I expect Snell to sign this week. If he goes two weeks that’s only one week before the season starts, so basically Snell misses most of April. That’s a problem and this is where players get injured trying to speed up their training trying to catch up. At some point even the Angels are going to say pass. Boras has played a dangerous game and lost. Chances are Snell gets what the Yankees offered and he turned down.
Angels need to trade Trout if they can get him to agree – time to rebuild
The biggest issue is that they won’t get full value on him. They will have to eat at minimum half of the contract since he has shown he can’t stay healthy. Even paying half won’t get top 10 prospects in return. They’d have to eat most of the contract to get a haul of talent in return.