1 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 1: Well, greetings Angel fans, and welcome to the debut episode 2 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: of Halo Territory, the newest member of the Foul Territory Network, 3 00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:21,320 Speaker 1: where we'll be talking all things Angels. We'll try to 4 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:25,400 Speaker 1: keep you informed, hopefully keep you entertained, and hopefully no 5 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:28,680 Speaker 1: subject will be off limits. My name is Mike di Giovanna. 6 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 1: I'll be hosting the show along with Mark Trumbo, former 7 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:32,839 Speaker 1: Angel slugger. 8 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 2: Mark. 9 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 3: Welcome to the show. Thank you, Mike. I'm excited for this. 10 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:42,280 Speaker 3: I think that we have quite a few great topics 11 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:44,959 Speaker 3: to cover, and I think the Angel fans will really 12 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:46,239 Speaker 3: enjoy it all right. 13 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 1: For those who don't remember me, I'm now a semi 14 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 1: retired sportswriter. Spent forty one years at the Los Angeles Times, 15 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: thirty of those covering Major League Baseball, twenty of them 16 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 1: as an Angel's beat writer, and for the last ten 17 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 1: years of my career, I went back and forth between 18 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 1: the Angels and Dodgers. Mark needs no introduction, but for 19 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 1: those who don't remember, he played ten years in the 20 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:13,400 Speaker 1: Big leagues hit I believe two hundred eighteen home runs 21 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:17,440 Speaker 1: and a fair number of those with the Angels. That 22 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:21,000 Speaker 1: went a long way so glad to have Mark aboard, 23 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:24,119 Speaker 1: and today we're going to talk about is. 24 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:25,400 Speaker 2: Let's be frank. 25 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:29,040 Speaker 1: It's been a pretty uninspiring winner so far for the Angels. 26 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:33,000 Speaker 1: They've made five moves that will impact the big league roster. 27 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:36,840 Speaker 1: Four of them involved pitchers. Biggest move as they traded 28 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:41,200 Speaker 1: for Grayson Rodriguez, a young pitcher from the Baltimore Orioles, 29 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:46,320 Speaker 1: for slugger Taylor Ward. They also signed Alec Manoa, a 30 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:51,280 Speaker 1: former All Star coming off injuries. They signed Jordan Romano 31 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: and a veteran left hander, Drew Pomerance, and they acquired 32 00:01:55,360 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 1: an infielder from the Boston organization, Vaughan Grissom. I've heard 33 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 1: these moves in some places be described as lottery tickets, 34 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 1: in that they're cheap and they could pay off big, 35 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 1: and in other places they've been described as reclamation projects. 36 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 1: I do think most of them tend toward the ladder, 37 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:18,839 Speaker 1: but I will say, in Grayson Rodriguez's case, this could 38 00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 1: be a lottery ticket. Mark, you played with Grayson briefly 39 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 1: in the Oils organization. What are the Angels getting and 40 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 1: what is the challenge is going to be for this 41 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 1: kid coming off a pretty major injury. 42 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 2: Well. 43 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:36,360 Speaker 3: To be honest, when I saw the news of the deal, 44 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 3: I know Taylor was a guy off the rumored to 45 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 3: possibly be on the move at some point for the 46 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:48,119 Speaker 3: last few years, and I think some other teams made 47 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:51,519 Speaker 3: sense along the way. The timing, you know, could have 48 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 3: made sense at any point. But I think the Angels 49 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 3: did very well, and I was frankly quite surprised that 50 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 3: they landed a guy like Grayson Rodriguez, who I was 51 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:05,799 Speaker 3: there when he got drafted and I remember probably watching 52 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 3: his first outing and especially his first big league camp. 53 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:13,200 Speaker 3: A tremendous arm went healthy. His fastball is top tier, 54 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 3: it's kind of plays from an upshoot delivery. It's going 55 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,200 Speaker 3: to be in the mid nineties, if not close to 56 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 3: one hundred, and it's a premium offering. I mean, there's 57 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 3: no two ways about it. He's a frontline starter. One 58 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 3: two went healthy, and he's got a really nice split 59 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 3: finger to compliment it. I think the question mark is 60 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 3: going to be his slider, or it has been, but 61 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 3: I think that's where you pair him with a guy 62 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:44,240 Speaker 3: like Mike Maddox, with a tremendous amount of experience working 63 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 3: with all types of pitchers. 64 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 2: But some really good ones. 65 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 3: And you know, hopefully he can take a look at 66 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 3: it and you know, see something that you know may 67 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:54,920 Speaker 3: make sense. Maybe it's simplifying the pitch, or maybe it's 68 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:57,800 Speaker 3: you know, something outside the box too. But I think 69 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:00,120 Speaker 3: the biggest thing for Grayson is going to be staying healthy. 70 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 3: And you know, he does have a fair amount of 71 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 3: injuries that for a young player is not great. But 72 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 3: he doesn't have a lot of wear and tear on 73 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:10,800 Speaker 3: the arm either, which I think is you know, a 74 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 3: huge upside And if this pans out, you know, it 75 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 3: could end up looking like a steal for the Angels. 76 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:16,479 Speaker 2: Yeah. 77 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 1: The obvious subside here is he's still young. He's in 78 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 1: his twenties and four years of club control, and as 79 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:28,160 Speaker 1: we know, you know, developing good young pitching has been 80 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:30,719 Speaker 1: a struggle for this Angels organization for a few years. 81 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:35,440 Speaker 1: Taylor Ward, on an expiring contract, had a great year 82 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:40,719 Speaker 1: last year, but he was hitting free agency. How important 83 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 1: was the four years of control aspect in this deal 84 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:47,480 Speaker 1: and could this kid be their ace eventually? 85 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 3: From what I've seen, and I've seen quite a few, 86 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:55,839 Speaker 3: you know, pictures over the years, he does have the stuff, 87 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 3: He's got the look and he's got the demeanor too. 88 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:00,719 Speaker 3: I think that's a big deal too. I saw a 89 00:05:00,760 --> 00:05:04,920 Speaker 3: guy that wasn't afraid whatsoever. He wanted to go out 90 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:07,720 Speaker 3: there and battle each and every you know time he 91 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 3: took the ball. True competitor, also quiet, you know, which 92 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:15,240 Speaker 3: is at times which you know you want a young 93 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 3: player listen more than you speak. But he's going to 94 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:20,720 Speaker 3: mature into a guy that you know is going to 95 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 3: be counted upon. And as far as the contract and 96 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 3: years of control, it's all upside. I mean, he's extremely 97 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:32,120 Speaker 3: affordable right now, he's got four years under team control, 98 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:36,279 Speaker 3: and then you know, hopefully blossoms into a premier starting pitcher. 99 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:39,479 Speaker 3: And there's a hard decision down the road there as 100 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:42,599 Speaker 3: far as Ward, you know, you're going to have to 101 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:44,919 Speaker 3: make up a lot of the power production that he 102 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 3: provided somewhere, and we can get into kind of where 103 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 3: that might be, but I'm not sure it's going to 104 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 3: come from the existing guys on the field necessarily. 105 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:58,080 Speaker 2: So that'll be. 106 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 3: Interesting for a team that relied heavily on the home 107 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 3: run last year to you know, score runs. 108 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 2: But I think that. 109 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 3: Frankly, that I'd rather have a premier starting pitcher, which 110 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 3: is what you know, likely we can get in Grayson 111 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 3: Rodriguez and fill an outfield need elsewhere. 112 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 1: Let's talk about a couple of the reclamation projects. Alec 113 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:23,680 Speaker 1: Manau was an All star a few years ago with 114 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 1: the Blue Jays coming off Tommy John surgery. You know, 115 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 1: at his peak, he I think he went sixteen and 116 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 1: seven and two twenty four ERA and thirty one starts 117 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,919 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty two, one hundred and eighty strikeouts and 118 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:39,600 Speaker 1: one hundred ninety six innings. Those are pretty good numbers, 119 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:43,160 Speaker 1: but it's been a while. What do you think of 120 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:46,159 Speaker 1: this signing and where do you see this guy fitting 121 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: in the rotation? Assuming he has a pretty healthy bounce back. 122 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:56,480 Speaker 3: I think this would be a high upside candidate. Obviously 123 00:06:56,480 --> 00:07:00,760 Speaker 3: there is some risk here too. I think when healthy, 124 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 3: he is an Indians eater, obviously, has a big personality, 125 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 3: seems like a very tough competitor, but he's got some 126 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:12,720 Speaker 3: issues as well that. 127 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 2: It's going to be up to him. 128 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 3: I think, if we want to call it what it is, 129 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 3: it looks like some maturity things at times, and being 130 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:23,280 Speaker 3: a professional that includes, you know, coming into camp in 131 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 3: good shape. I don't think you can gloss over that 132 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 3: it's a big deal for a starting pitcher. I think 133 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 3: playing here in Anaheim, it's it's a little bit sneaky. 134 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 3: It's a hot place to play. The summers are some 135 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:41,920 Speaker 3: sun you know, unrelenting at times, and it's in my mind, 136 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 3: very important to be in good physical shape to be 137 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:47,400 Speaker 3: able to go out there, especially on day games and whatnot. 138 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 3: But if he's healthy, I see him. You know, the 139 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:53,520 Speaker 3: strakeouts are nice, but to me, he's more of a 140 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 3: ground ball pitcher. And we turned I believe the most 141 00:07:56,560 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 3: double play is in the game last year, and if 142 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 3: you can have another that induces that kind of contact, 143 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 3: that's great. But again, you know he's coming off Tommy John. 144 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 3: He did return to play last year briefly, but for 145 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 3: whatever reason, the Blue Jays decided to move on, and 146 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:18,280 Speaker 3: then I believe the Braves claimed him and they also 147 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 3: moved on if I'm not mistaken, But you know, we 148 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 3: got another guy that former All Star to slott it. 149 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 2: I think he's making. 150 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 3: Two million bucks or maybe a little under, So it's 151 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:31,239 Speaker 3: a lot of upside there too if it goes well. 152 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:34,920 Speaker 1: A lot of questions in this bullpen right now. The 153 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:38,439 Speaker 1: Angels lost Kenley Jansen to the Tigers. He was a 154 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:40,719 Speaker 1: pretty good signing last year. I have to admit I 155 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 1: was very impressed with how Canley pitched. But they don't 156 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 1: have a closer right now, and we just don't know 157 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:50,160 Speaker 1: about Ben Joyce. When the guy's healthy, he's throwing one 158 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:53,840 Speaker 1: hundred and five, one hundred and four. Great, he's your closer. 159 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: But this team does not have a clear cut closer 160 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:01,360 Speaker 1: in my mind right now. And they did add at 161 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 1: least to the bullpen with Jordan Romano as a former 162 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:08,439 Speaker 1: closer with the Blue Jays, but I don't think anyone's 163 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:09,440 Speaker 1: going to expect. 164 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 2: Him to close. 165 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:15,439 Speaker 1: Drew Pomerantz a really nice bounce back year. A veteran lefty. 166 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:18,839 Speaker 1: He's thirty seven, but when you look at the year 167 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:22,520 Speaker 1: he had last year in Chicago with the Cubs, I 168 00:09:22,559 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 1: mean you can almost kind of bank on him. Not 169 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:29,760 Speaker 1: so much a reclamation project in my mind. But Jordan 170 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:32,559 Speaker 1: Romano interesting guy, you know, an All Star closer with 171 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 1: the Blue Jays just a few years ago. Really rough 172 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 1: year of the Phillies last year. There were some elbow issues, 173 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 1: there was a nerve issue with his finger. I just 174 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 1: I don't know how much of that, you know, if 175 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:46,559 Speaker 1: he's healthy, how much better a pitcher he is. But 176 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 1: I don't know when he was with the Blue Jays. 177 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:52,160 Speaker 1: I never even when he was closing and having good years, 178 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 1: he never struck me as that kind of dominant closer 179 00:09:56,000 --> 00:10:00,600 Speaker 1: you could rely on. What's your thoughts on these two guys? 180 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:04,840 Speaker 3: Well, Palm Rance, I really like I think that I 181 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:10,640 Speaker 3: was a bit surprised that he chose to play here. Frankly, 182 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:14,160 Speaker 3: he's at the point in his career. He's had a 183 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:18,640 Speaker 3: great career, and I know personally he got me out 184 00:10:18,679 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 3: a lot more than I got half I faced and 185 00:10:20,360 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 3: quite a bit at least, and you tend to remember 186 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 3: those things. 187 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:25,439 Speaker 2: But I also know him a little bit off the field. 188 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:28,520 Speaker 3: He's a very nice guy, and he's at the point 189 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 3: where he could choose to play anywhere, and oftentimes guys 190 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 3: like that will want to play for a team that 191 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:38,800 Speaker 3: is likely to contend, which I you know, For being honest, 192 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:40,760 Speaker 3: I'm not sure that we're there. I'm not sure that 193 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:46,120 Speaker 3: we're all that close, to be honest, but things could align, 194 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:48,839 Speaker 3: and you know, a lot of things could be very 195 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 3: surprising this year, so you can't rule anything out. But 196 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 3: I think it's a guy adding like a guy like 197 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 3: Drew is going to be nothing but good. I think 198 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:01,080 Speaker 3: he's incredibly reliable. He can get both right handers and 199 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:03,960 Speaker 3: left handers out, and it seems like his stuff is 200 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 3: as good as ever. 201 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 2: He's got a tremendous curveball which very tough to hit, 202 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 2: let's say. 203 00:11:09,160 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 3: And then Romano, I I don't know about his health, 204 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:19,199 Speaker 3: and it seems like he's he fits into the mold of. 205 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:22,040 Speaker 2: Kind of a coin flip. 206 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 3: I think when even when healthy, he was kind of 207 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 3: one of those closers that would like maybe he wouldn't 208 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 3: like to, but he made it interesting quite a bit. 209 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 3: Some traffic on the bases, and as you know, a 210 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:36,480 Speaker 3: teammate and a defender, sometimes that can really wear on 211 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:39,440 Speaker 3: you a little bit. Sometimes you do like the clean 212 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:42,040 Speaker 3: ninth inning, and I think that's what Kenlee Jansen did 213 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:45,439 Speaker 3: an excellent job of. When he came into the game, 214 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:48,920 Speaker 3: you know, it was usually over and he brought a 215 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 3: lot of veteran leadership and I think he did a 216 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:57,319 Speaker 3: tremendous job. And I think I was hopeful, I say ay, 217 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 3: but I think the Angels fans were that he would 218 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:03,840 Speaker 3: consider coming back. It seemed like things went very well 219 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 3: playing for the Angels, but for whatever reason, I think 220 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:09,720 Speaker 3: he's gonna play for the Tigers next year. 221 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:12,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, who do you see closing right now? If Ben 222 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 1: Joyce camp, if he's not ready, certainly at the start 223 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:20,080 Speaker 1: of the season, you Ryan Zephyr John and guys like 224 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,920 Speaker 1: that moving back to the rotation. 225 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:25,640 Speaker 2: So yeah, I. 226 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 3: Would actually say Kirby Yates makes sense for me. I 227 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 3: know last year wasn't his best, but being reunited with 228 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 3: Mike Maddox, who they were together in Texas and he 229 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:44,320 Speaker 3: had some very nice seasons there and his split finger 230 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 3: was somewhat missing in action for what I understand last year, 231 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:50,160 Speaker 3: and that's his bread and butter for the most part. 232 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 3: So it's one of those things where the field, you know, 233 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 3: maybe just lost the feel to some degree and a 234 00:12:56,880 --> 00:12:59,600 Speaker 3: little bit of confidence in it. But those things can 235 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:02,839 Speaker 3: change quite quickly too. And that would be my pick 236 00:13:02,880 --> 00:13:07,480 Speaker 3: on paper, you know, as somebody on the outside. There 237 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 3: could be somebody else that they have in mind internally though, 238 00:13:10,360 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 3: so I don't know. 239 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, full disclosure. 240 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 1: We forgot to mention him at the start of the 241 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:18,360 Speaker 1: show when we talked about additions another veteran guy when 242 00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: his split is right. I mean, he's really tough, but 243 00:13:21,679 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 1: he was never right with the Dodgers last year. Really 244 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:30,560 Speaker 1: good dude, It'll be really interested once again. Another reclamation project, 245 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,360 Speaker 1: but a veteran arm who is not that far removed 246 00:13:33,800 --> 00:13:37,360 Speaker 1: from some pretty good years with the Padres. 247 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 3: Very true all these guys, although Vermano I think is 248 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 3: a little bit younger, but age is not necessarily on 249 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:47,960 Speaker 3: everyone's side, and I think that when you're dealing with 250 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 3: guys that are in their mid to late thirties, it's 251 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:55,520 Speaker 3: not you never want to overuse a reliever, but with 252 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:59,880 Speaker 3: guys like that, you really have to be careful because 253 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:02,520 Speaker 3: you know, a thirty seven thirty eight year old body, 254 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:07,520 Speaker 3: it doesn't recover as quickly. You know, injuries probably have 255 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 3: played a point if they've gotten to the point where 256 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 3: they are but still playing a thirty seven thirty eight 257 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:15,920 Speaker 3: years old or older, and you know, those guys generally 258 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 3: know themselves better and might advocate more, you know, for 259 00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:21,600 Speaker 3: a day off when needed. So you're gonna need to 260 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:24,400 Speaker 3: find ways to pick up the slack and have some 261 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:28,280 Speaker 3: of those swing guys, maybe Zephyr John and others show 262 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:32,760 Speaker 3: multiple innings to make sure that you know health is maintained. 263 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: Let's talk a little bit about some of the guys 264 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:39,160 Speaker 1: still out there who I'm sure some angel fans would 265 00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:42,280 Speaker 1: love to see, and frankly I would too. I mean, 266 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:48,160 Speaker 1: the Angels did clear some payroll room when they, you know, 267 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:53,240 Speaker 1: renegotiating Anthony Rendon's contract, cleared some of his money off 268 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 1: the books, deferring his salary for a couple of years, 269 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 1: So they appear to have the financial resources to make 270 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:02,479 Speaker 1: a decent move. To me, the guy who fits perfectly, 271 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:05,160 Speaker 1: I'm not saying this is going to happen. I would 272 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 1: suspect it probably won't is Cody Bellinger. I mean, first 273 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:12,400 Speaker 1: of all, the Angels are a desperate need of left 274 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:16,560 Speaker 1: handed hitting, especially in the middle of the lineup rank 275 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:18,920 Speaker 1: Right now, the only decent left handed hitter is Nolan 276 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: shan Well, the first baseman. And while I'd probably rather 277 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 1: have no other guy up there at the plate, if 278 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 1: you need to get a runner in from third base 279 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 1: with Nuneer one. 280 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 2: Out, he's the guy. 281 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 1: But I don't think he's ever going to hit more 282 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,560 Speaker 1: than fifteen or twenty homers in the big leagues, so 283 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 1: he solves that, and there's a huge void in center 284 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 1: fields right now. I don't think you're going to want 285 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 1: to put Joe Adell back in center. I know they 286 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:44,280 Speaker 1: don't want to play Mike Trout there too much. So 287 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 1: if you could get a guy like Bellinger defensively, would 288 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 1: really show up the outfield defense and allow you to 289 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 1: keep Adell and Trout and if need be, Jorges Solaire 290 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:58,360 Speaker 1: on the corners. How big of a move would that 291 00:15:58,440 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: be if they could somehow get into. 292 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 3: The bit, Obviously it would be great. This is one 293 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:11,760 Speaker 3: of these times where it makes almost too much sense 294 00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 3: unless you're the one having to cut the check. Yes, 295 00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 3: you know, as a fan, we have a need, we 296 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 3: have multiple needs. Like you highlighted, his defense has always 297 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 3: rated extremely highly, incredibly athletic guy, and he is that 298 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:36,200 Speaker 3: left handed power hitting back that is highly coveted and 299 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:39,440 Speaker 3: and for a team that you know, quite frankly is 300 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:42,480 Speaker 3: in desperate need of some left handed pop, he solves 301 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 3: that need. But you know he's coming off another strong year. 302 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 3: He's still young. He never seems to age, to be honest, 303 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:53,320 Speaker 3: He's always somewhere around twenty six or twenty seven. 304 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:56,880 Speaker 2: I could be a little older, but I don't know. 305 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:57,400 Speaker 2: I don't know. 306 00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:02,320 Speaker 3: If he has interest in playing here. I don't know 307 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:05,000 Speaker 3: him personally, so I can't answer that. But I do 308 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:08,600 Speaker 3: know one thing that can sway people's decisions, and you know, 309 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,679 Speaker 3: it's the same thing that always does. So I think 310 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 3: if we're going to want to get a guy like that, 311 00:17:13,040 --> 00:17:15,480 Speaker 3: we're gonna have to really pay for him. Maybe overpay, 312 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:17,800 Speaker 3: but sometimes that's what you have to do if you 313 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:18,520 Speaker 3: want to land the guy. 314 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:24,159 Speaker 1: Yeah, for sure, a great clubhouse guy, proven winner. I 315 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 1: do know the Yankees have reportedly made a few offers. 316 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:29,359 Speaker 1: The Cubs are in the mix, the Mets are in 317 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:33,160 Speaker 1: the mix. So he's got some big market teams out 318 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:36,800 Speaker 1: of one that'll have you know, we'll have some great options. 319 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:40,399 Speaker 1: Not sure what it's going to take to sign Cody 320 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 1: at this phase, but you know, you're looking at the 321 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:49,480 Speaker 1: nine figure commitment. Who else out there, especially maybe among pitchers, 322 00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 1: do you think the Angels should pursue right now, Mark, 323 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:55,320 Speaker 1: or is there maybe an Alex Bregman or Suarez type 324 00:17:55,359 --> 00:17:58,800 Speaker 1: of third base who would be on your wish list 325 00:17:58,920 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 1: right now? 326 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:02,120 Speaker 2: Well, I can tell you. 327 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 3: Who I thought made a ton of sense and a 328 00:18:07,280 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 3: little bit unfortunate was Michael King. I think he is 329 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:16,439 Speaker 3: a tremendous starting pitcher, ground ball machine, and compared to 330 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 3: some of these other guys, maybe like Framberg or Soar 331 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:25,920 Speaker 3: as more affordable for whatever reason. And you know, he 332 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:28,080 Speaker 3: already came to an agreement in December, a couple of 333 00:18:28,119 --> 00:18:31,159 Speaker 3: weeks ago, so he's off the board. And so you 334 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:37,320 Speaker 3: get into other guys, and you know, Bellinger, Kyle Tucker, 335 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:40,000 Speaker 3: guys like that. You know, these are one A players 336 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:42,399 Speaker 3: that are going to command a ton of money. 337 00:18:43,119 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 2: But beyond that, you. 338 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:48,119 Speaker 3: Know, it starts to look a little bit like slim pickings. 339 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:51,120 Speaker 3: A guy like Chris Bassett could make some sense if 340 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:54,360 Speaker 3: you're looking for more starting pitching depth on the relief side. 341 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:59,639 Speaker 3: Evan Phillips coming off injury, but you know, when healthy, 342 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 3: an all star caliber arm, a tremendous teammate as well. 343 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:07,439 Speaker 3: I know, you know from playing in Baltimore, and he 344 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:10,600 Speaker 3: really blossomed with the Dodgers, and we'll see what happens there. 345 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:15,439 Speaker 3: But centerfield is a big question mark. I think the 346 00:19:15,480 --> 00:19:17,040 Speaker 3: glove of Tiodosio. 347 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:19,879 Speaker 2: Uh, you know, how can you not like it? 348 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:24,800 Speaker 3: Guys, Range is as much as I've seen, maybe too 349 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 3: much so at times, but I think he's working on 350 00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:31,600 Speaker 3: that with some of the guys, but that is, you know, 351 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:35,199 Speaker 3: it's a work in products, let's say. And you know 352 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:39,960 Speaker 3: in this day and age, the premium defender automatic out 353 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:42,480 Speaker 3: at the plate, you just don't see too many of them, 354 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:46,399 Speaker 3: whereas you know maybe decades past, you maybe out of 355 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:48,800 Speaker 3: the shortstop position would be all right with that catcher 356 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:53,000 Speaker 3: center field not as much, but especially now, you just 357 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:55,880 Speaker 3: can't have somebody who you know isn't bringing a lot 358 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:57,359 Speaker 3: to the table in that regard. 359 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:01,080 Speaker 1: You know, it wasn't that long ago where the Angels 360 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 1: were always in the mix for big time free agents. 361 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 1: I mean they signed Albert Poolholz and CJ. Wilson in 362 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 1: one day back in twenty twelve, you know, over three 363 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:18,720 Speaker 1: hundred million in commitments, Josh Hamilton a year later, Anthony 364 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:22,880 Speaker 1: Rendon in two thousand, you know, before twenty twenty. And 365 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:26,920 Speaker 1: certainly you can't blame Ardy Moreno for being gun shy 366 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 1: about dipping his toes into those waters. After this Rendon contract, 367 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:34,919 Speaker 1: seven years, two hundred and forty five million will go 368 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:38,280 Speaker 1: down as one of the worst contracts in big League history, 369 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:41,680 Speaker 1: So you really can't blame him along those fronts. But 370 00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:43,520 Speaker 1: you know, they were in on Garrett Cole that year 371 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 1: as well. Lately, you just don't hear the Angels mentioned 372 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:50,800 Speaker 1: even it with some of these big time free agents. 373 00:20:50,840 --> 00:20:53,280 Speaker 1: Now you were a free agent, you're about a decade 374 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:56,840 Speaker 1: removed from free agency, but I know you keep up 375 00:20:56,880 --> 00:20:59,639 Speaker 1: with the game, you keep up with the current players. Like, 376 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:04,200 Speaker 1: what is the perception of the Angels organization right now 377 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:08,320 Speaker 1: in the eyes of you know, free agents and you 378 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:10,840 Speaker 1: know what could be going through their heads when they 379 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 1: look at this organization, this team, and when they have 380 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:16,639 Speaker 1: that decision to make You know, is that going to 381 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:18,399 Speaker 1: help or hurt the Angels. 382 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:23,479 Speaker 3: Well, if we're being honest, which is I think what 383 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:26,280 Speaker 3: we're aiming to be on this show, it's not the 384 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:31,160 Speaker 3: most desirable destination currently. There's no other way to put it. 385 00:21:31,160 --> 00:21:33,879 Speaker 3: It seems like, you know, the biggest thing, in my 386 00:21:33,960 --> 00:21:41,640 Speaker 3: opinion is a former player, is what are the chances 387 00:21:41,680 --> 00:21:45,080 Speaker 3: that you're in for a potentially very long season if 388 00:21:45,119 --> 00:21:48,040 Speaker 3: things don't go well as far as the winning and 389 00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:51,360 Speaker 3: losing goes, Because that can really wear on guys. And 390 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 3: you know, once Junior rolls around and the team's you know, 391 00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:59,080 Speaker 3: potentially already out of it, you know, it just is 392 00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:01,440 Speaker 3: not not a great thing, and then you're going to 393 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 3: possibly be dealing with trade talks and other things, so 394 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:10,480 Speaker 3: that's not ideal. It seems like hopefully the they're able 395 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 3: to dial in the issues in the facilities. I know 396 00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:18,440 Speaker 3: there were at least one one issue raised as far 397 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 3: as the air conditioning, but I'm sure that's rectified by now. 398 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:24,800 Speaker 3: But you know, I think that there's some things that 399 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 3: they could do to make it a lot more attractive 400 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:31,520 Speaker 3: living in southern California. People love it, you know. I've 401 00:22:31,560 --> 00:22:33,359 Speaker 3: yet to meet a guy that doesn't want to live 402 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:36,400 Speaker 3: near the beach, and the commute is usually quite reasonable, 403 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:39,800 Speaker 3: and things like that matter as well. So I think 404 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:42,480 Speaker 3: sometimes it's very easy just to think, you know, years 405 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 3: and dollars, but free agency is a lot more than that, 406 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:49,800 Speaker 3: and you know, to echo your point, some of these deals, 407 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:53,440 Speaker 3: especially the Rendoan one, it was a stinker. It didn't 408 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:58,120 Speaker 3: work at all. He didn't zero all stars, very little production, 409 00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:03,520 Speaker 3: and it's very unfortunately they paid a fortune for a 410 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:06,399 Speaker 3: guy that provided next to nothing. I think he'll be 411 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:10,399 Speaker 3: known more for some of the unfortunate incidents with the 412 00:23:10,440 --> 00:23:13,000 Speaker 3: cast and you know, getting in there with a fan 413 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:16,560 Speaker 3: in Oakland than anything he did on the field, So 414 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:18,239 Speaker 3: I don't want to be too critical of him, but 415 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:22,200 Speaker 3: you know, he didn't provide hardly anything to the team. 416 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:24,720 Speaker 1: Do you think I mean, we're talking about a team 417 00:23:24,760 --> 00:23:28,560 Speaker 1: that has had ten losing records in a row, coming 418 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:31,000 Speaker 1: off a couple of ninety loss seasons, having made the 419 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:36,040 Speaker 1: playoffs since twenty fourteen. Is it just those factors that 420 00:23:36,119 --> 00:23:39,160 Speaker 1: are weighing in the minds and eyes of these potential 421 00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:42,160 Speaker 1: free agents? So is there something else about maybe how 422 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:47,080 Speaker 1: this team has been run over the last ten years ownership? 423 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 1: I mean I wrote a story in twenty twenty two 424 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:53,800 Speaker 1: just looking at the lost decade, you know, the last 425 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:56,720 Speaker 1: ten years at that time, and you know, I think 426 00:23:56,760 --> 00:24:00,000 Speaker 1: the term I used then was that they're in baseball purgatory. 427 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:04,840 Speaker 1: You know, they've sort of they've had these opportunities to 428 00:24:04,960 --> 00:24:08,240 Speaker 1: sort of rebuild. The owner has refused to rebuild. To me, 429 00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 1: the year that really stands out is twenty twenty two, 430 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:14,440 Speaker 1: when Showhy was a full year and a half away 431 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: from free agency. They could have got a boatload of prospects, 432 00:24:18,720 --> 00:24:21,439 Speaker 1: maybe some you know, young major leaguers in a trade 433 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:24,280 Speaker 1: like that. I heard the name Jackson Merrill kicked around 434 00:24:24,280 --> 00:24:27,720 Speaker 1: then you look what the Washington Nationals got for Juan 435 00:24:27,840 --> 00:24:30,480 Speaker 1: Soto a couple of years ago. I mean, that's a 436 00:24:30,520 --> 00:24:32,679 Speaker 1: deal they might have even been able to make in 437 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:36,520 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three before Show Hey ended up signing with 438 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:40,359 Speaker 1: the Dodgers. Is there something beside, you know, just the 439 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:43,760 Speaker 1: losing and the perennial losing that has sort of held 440 00:24:43,800 --> 00:24:49,119 Speaker 1: them back. I think that's probably the biggest thing. I think, 441 00:24:50,920 --> 00:24:52,000 Speaker 1: you know, I think. 442 00:24:53,359 --> 00:24:56,199 Speaker 3: There's just an uncertainty, like you said, about where are 443 00:24:56,240 --> 00:25:00,199 Speaker 3: they look, what is the direction of this franchise, know, 444 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:04,880 Speaker 3: bringing to a guy like Ron Washington. I was there 445 00:25:04,920 --> 00:25:08,399 Speaker 3: for the introductory press conference. I remember a lot of 446 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:13,360 Speaker 3: energy in the room, some bold predictions that didn't quite 447 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:18,119 Speaker 3: get there, run down the West and whatnot, you know, 448 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:22,879 Speaker 3: last place. So it's not necessarily any one person's fault, 449 00:25:23,040 --> 00:25:26,879 Speaker 3: but I do know that it didn't really work, and 450 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:28,080 Speaker 3: from what. 451 00:25:28,119 --> 00:25:31,640 Speaker 2: I hear some of the tactics used. 452 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:34,000 Speaker 3: I remember they banned the cell phones, and as a 453 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:36,840 Speaker 3: former player, on the surface, I found that to be 454 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:41,240 Speaker 3: very juvenile. I know that there were daily classroom type 455 00:25:41,280 --> 00:25:46,439 Speaker 3: settings that a veteran player really wants no part of. 456 00:25:46,520 --> 00:25:48,720 Speaker 3: You don't want to listen to thirty minutes of talks 457 00:25:48,760 --> 00:25:52,159 Speaker 3: on base running. That's a spring training thing. I know, 458 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:56,960 Speaker 3: with a younger team, maybe it seems imperative to for 459 00:25:57,160 --> 00:26:01,480 Speaker 3: the teaching, but at some point, these are grown men 460 00:26:01,520 --> 00:26:04,080 Speaker 3: at this and they're going to have to, you know, 461 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:06,120 Speaker 3: go out there and get the job done. But they 462 00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:08,760 Speaker 3: want to be treated as such too. And one of 463 00:26:08,800 --> 00:26:11,040 Speaker 3: the big problems I think is, you know, you're rushing 464 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:13,440 Speaker 3: some of these guys to the big leagues, cutting out 465 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:17,439 Speaker 3: quite a bit of the development that used to take place, 466 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:20,560 Speaker 3: and so you're at kind of a conundrum where they're 467 00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:23,120 Speaker 3: they're still in need of some of the basics. 468 00:26:23,160 --> 00:26:24,879 Speaker 2: Maybe it's sliding, maybe. 469 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:28,480 Speaker 3: It's you know, just simple core fundamentals that have been 470 00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:32,120 Speaker 3: overlooked because of the haste to bring them up. And 471 00:26:32,200 --> 00:26:34,439 Speaker 3: most of these guys have held their own for being honest, 472 00:26:34,480 --> 00:26:38,240 Speaker 3: but there's nothing that can make up for the sheer 473 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:42,240 Speaker 3: amount of reps that guys quite you know, they used 474 00:26:42,280 --> 00:26:44,359 Speaker 3: to get. At least when I was coming up, I 475 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:46,600 Speaker 3: was told you had to master the level. That was 476 00:26:46,680 --> 00:26:50,840 Speaker 3: what we were told. What that means not exactly sure, 477 00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:53,080 Speaker 3: but I do know what it equates to a lot 478 00:26:53,119 --> 00:26:54,720 Speaker 3: of playing time, a lot of at bats and a 479 00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:57,880 Speaker 3: lot of experience and you cut, but you get used 480 00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:00,159 Speaker 3: to it and you see all types of situations. So 481 00:27:00,160 --> 00:27:01,480 Speaker 3: when you get to the big leagues, it's not your 482 00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:06,040 Speaker 3: first time being exposed to some plays that quite frankly, 483 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:09,000 Speaker 3: don't happen very often, but for these guys, maybe it 484 00:27:09,040 --> 00:27:11,880 Speaker 3: is the first time and sometimes you'll learn the hard 485 00:27:11,880 --> 00:27:12,359 Speaker 3: way like that. 486 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:15,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, these are going to be some topics we'll explore 487 00:27:16,359 --> 00:27:19,480 Speaker 1: later in the show. Certainly player development a big issue 488 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:23,840 Speaker 1: with the Angels. So that we'll wrap up this debut episode. 489 00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:29,640 Speaker 1: Please like and subscribe and join us. Later in the week, 490 00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:32,399 Speaker 1: we'll be talking to Sam Blum, the outstanding writer for 491 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:36,080 Speaker 1: The Athletic, about the Tyler Skaggs trials, so that should 492 00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:39,080 Speaker 1: be very interesting. Until then, we'll see you next time 493 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:40,600 Speaker 1: on Halo Territory.