1 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:13,239 Speaker 1: Play Angel fans, Welcome back to Halo Territory on Mike 2 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 1: Di Giovanna, former La Times baseball writer and host of 3 00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:20,080 Speaker 1: the show, and glad to have my co host back, 4 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: Mark Trumbo. How are you doing today? Mark? 5 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:24,360 Speaker 2: Hey? Okay, everything's cool. 6 00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 1: Good to hear. Hey. We're gonna do our first Angels 7 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: mail bag today, So I want to thank a lot 8 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:35,000 Speaker 1: of the viewers and listeners in advance. Got a nice 9 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:39,080 Speaker 1: little batch of questions. As you might suspect, a few 10 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 1: of them are centered on the owner, Artie Marino. So 11 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:45,639 Speaker 1: we'll try to get to as many of them as 12 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: we can today and we'll be doing mailbags regularly. So 13 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 1: if you don't hear your question today, I'm sure we'll 14 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 1: get to it eventually. So first question from Mike Trout apologist, 15 00:00:56,840 --> 00:01:00,280 Speaker 1: what needs to change to turn this thing around? Is 16 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 1: our only hope that already decides to wake up one 17 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:06,080 Speaker 1: day and sell the team? Mark, what do you got? 18 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:12,800 Speaker 2: I think that's an interesting question. I don't think necessarily 19 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:18,319 Speaker 2: the answer is going to be needing to sell. Although 20 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 2: I assume this will be a reaccramed question, I actually 21 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 2: know what will be. But I think that to get 22 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 2: this thing moving in the right direction, and I maybe 23 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 2: someone can convince me otherwise. Excuse me, but building a 24 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 2: better farm system it just seems imperative these days. It 25 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:40,040 Speaker 2: seems like the blueprint. If you're not going to be 26 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 2: a team that's spending a ton of money, that's the 27 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:46,760 Speaker 2: way to go. Maybe thes were the pioneers of it, 28 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:49,080 Speaker 2: at least in the recent trends. But I was looking 29 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:51,320 Speaker 2: at the Brewers today, for example, and how are they 30 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:53,960 Speaker 2: able to get it done? A year in and year out. 31 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:56,640 Speaker 2: They consistently put a win product on the field, a 32 00:01:56,760 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 2: number of division titles, and it seems like they have 33 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 2: some things are excellent, a developing pitching, bringing in the 34 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 2: right guys that maybe similar to the Halos sometimes cast 35 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:11,799 Speaker 2: off elsewhere. I don't cast offs is kind of rough, 36 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 2: but that's what it is. And they seem to be 37 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:15,840 Speaker 2: doing a very good job. So I would kind of 38 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:18,480 Speaker 2: look at a team like that and try and steal 39 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 2: some of their moves if I were somebody in charge. 40 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:22,760 Speaker 2: What do you think? 41 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think there's a there's almost an elegance to 42 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:28,440 Speaker 1: the simplicity of this question because there is no easy 43 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 1: answer for the first part of it. You know what 44 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:33,800 Speaker 1: needs to change to turn this thing around. And I 45 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:37,080 Speaker 1: don't think already just selling the team is a simple answer, 46 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:39,919 Speaker 1: because even if he wakes up tomorrow and decides to 47 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:41,800 Speaker 1: sell the team, that's going to be a you know, 48 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 1: months to year long process where there's going to be 49 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:46,959 Speaker 1: transition and there's going to be a lot of uncertainty 50 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: and you just don't know what's going to happen, and 51 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,160 Speaker 1: you don't know who's going to buy the team. But 52 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:55,080 Speaker 1: short of already selling the team, certainly, I think there 53 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 1: needs to be an overhaul of the player development system. 54 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:02,240 Speaker 1: Totally agree with you. And this team's finished with a 55 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:05,639 Speaker 1: losing record for ten straight years. They've had a couple 56 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:08,720 Speaker 1: of ninety lost seasons in there. How is it when 57 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 1: you're picking in the top ten to fifteen and even 58 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:14,639 Speaker 1: in the higher in the draft almost every year, you're 59 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:17,799 Speaker 1: not able to turn that farm system into a top 60 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 1: you know farm system. They've been ranked in the bottom three, 61 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 1: I believe in many of the rankings for five straight years. 62 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 1: And when you're consistently losing like that, how have they 63 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:32,519 Speaker 1: not been able to turn you know, some of their 64 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 1: veteran valuable pieces. We've talked about it before, show Hey, 65 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 1: Ittari and twenty two and twenty three classic example, could 66 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:44,600 Speaker 1: have turned them into a lot of prospects. You know, 67 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:46,760 Speaker 1: they've done a couple of those deals, but certainly not 68 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 1: enough now in arties. What has been twenty one twenty 69 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 1: two year tenure of owning the team, there's sort of 70 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:58,120 Speaker 1: been three tenants to his ownership. One he refuses to 71 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:02,480 Speaker 1: tank and rebuild. He just has never liked that idea. 72 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 1: Two he despises paying a luxury tax. I think he's 73 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: only gone over that thing once by about a couple 74 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 1: one hundred thousand dollars in his entire ownership. And Three, 75 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 1: he's willing to spend money, as we've seen with many 76 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 1: of these contracts, but he takes great pride in operating 77 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:23,039 Speaker 1: in the black. And now things are starting to fall 78 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:26,400 Speaker 1: apart with those at least a couple of those things. 79 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:31,159 Speaker 1: The TV contract for one, we had evandrelis to the 80 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 1: Athletic on the show two weeks ago. They're losing maybe 81 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 1: thirty to forty percent of their annual revenues. That's like 82 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:42,920 Speaker 1: forty to fifty million. So now he's losing money, So 83 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 1: now he doesn't want to spend money, and it's this 84 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 1: terrible cycle that they've been in for a long time 85 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,840 Speaker 1: now where we're getting all these free agents signings like 86 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:55,480 Speaker 1: we have this winter. You know, a lot of reclamation projects, 87 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 1: a lot of guys on the rebound, a lot of 88 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:01,480 Speaker 1: guys you're hoping and praying and wishing have bounced back 89 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 1: years and as the Dodgers, well, it's unfair to compare 90 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 1: any team to the Dodgers right now, but look at 91 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 1: the Blue Jays last year. They went from worse to first. 92 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 1: How they do it? You've got to have a couple 93 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:14,720 Speaker 1: of stars and a lot of great complimentary pieces, and 94 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:17,520 Speaker 1: a lot of things have to go right and right now. 95 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 1: You know, Mike Trout is not that star Zach Netto 96 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,840 Speaker 1: could be. But I don't see any other stars in 97 00:05:23,920 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 1: this team, and to me, the complimentary pieces are just 98 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 1: not elevated to a point where they're going to bring 99 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 1: this team in the playoff contention. Ah from Scott t 100 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:38,280 Speaker 1: this gives you an idea of some of the fans 101 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 1: we have. Why follow this team when will already sell? 102 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:45,600 Speaker 1: Why can't they do anything well? I will say they 103 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:48,560 Speaker 1: do one thing really well, and that's strikeout. They struck 104 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 1: out I think the second most times in Major League 105 00:05:52,839 --> 00:05:54,680 Speaker 1: history in a season. I forget the exact number is 106 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 1: somewhere around fifteen or sixteen hundred. That's crazy to me. 107 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 1: But I mean they'd do a couple things, well maybe 108 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 1: mark and expand on some of those, But in terms 109 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:08,120 Speaker 1: of following their team, I mean, heck, they're the Angels. 110 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:13,279 Speaker 1: They they break your hearts, They've they've thrilled you over 111 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:15,920 Speaker 1: the years when they were in the playoffs almost every 112 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: year back in the two thousands, and you know, that's 113 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 1: how it is when you're a baseball fan. You know, 114 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:23,360 Speaker 1: you got to live through the hard times to enjoy 115 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: the good times. 116 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:29,599 Speaker 2: I would agree if you're still around after the last 117 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:33,719 Speaker 2: handful of years and you know experienced, you know, if 118 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:36,240 Speaker 2: you're old enough some of the bad times and what 119 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:41,160 Speaker 2: they're going through now, you just have to hold out 120 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 2: hope that there is a plan. I think at the 121 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:44,920 Speaker 2: end of the day, that's what I would want as 122 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:48,040 Speaker 2: a fan. That is kind of on the fence. Possibly 123 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 2: the phrasing of the question. I think there was some 124 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 2: rhyme in there as well. You know, it's your choice, 125 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:59,680 Speaker 2: you can watch this club or not. We don't work 126 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:03,280 Speaker 2: for the so you know, all I can say is 127 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 2: there are some good players out there. There are some 128 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 2: intriguing draft picks from this most recent season, and I 129 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 2: think there's a couple guys in the minor leagues that 130 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 2: actually have more upside than maybe they're getting. But at 131 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 2: the end of the day, you got to go out 132 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 2: throwing ball games. We sent it on the last episode 133 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 2: with Caleb Joseph, which is quite good if you guys 134 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 2: didn't get a chance to watch it. A little under 135 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 2: the radar, but we cover some of those things about 136 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 2: the Blue Jays and their recipe for success, and I 137 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,680 Speaker 2: think that gives more insight into the way that at 138 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 2: least that club is doing it and how the Angels can, 139 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 2: you know, like I said before, steal some of these 140 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 2: things the other teams that are operating now. The Blue 141 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 2: does have a bigger payroll, but the Brewers do not, 142 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 2: the Rays do not, the Guardians do not. So let's 143 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 2: look at what they're doing and see if we're matching up, 144 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 2: especially on the pitching development side. I'd say that's a 145 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 2: big key yeah. 146 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 1: And I don't know exactly what the Tiger's payroll is 147 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 1: off hand, but they're caught up in the same FanDuel 148 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 1: Sports TV situation that the Angels and a bunch of 149 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:09,440 Speaker 1: other teams were, and they just signed for Amber Valdez 150 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:12,280 Speaker 1: for what one hundred and fifteen million for three years 151 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 1: the other day or yesterday. I mean, it's not impossible. 152 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: You do have to have an owner as willing to spend. 153 00:08:17,720 --> 00:08:20,720 Speaker 1: And we talked about it before. It's hard to blame 154 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 1: already for being a little gun shy after this Anthony 155 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 1: Rendon contract. And unfortunately, you know, Mike Trout still has 156 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 1: five years and north of two hundred million left on 157 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:31,800 Speaker 1: his deal. It's still a little bit of an anchor 158 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: on this club. And when you factor in all these 159 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 1: financial losses and Artie's inability to stomach those kind of 160 00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: financial losses, it adds up to a guy who's not 161 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 1: willing to spend the money right now to feel the winner. 162 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:48,840 Speaker 1: And as Mark mentioned on a previous show, this is 163 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:53,680 Speaker 1: not the destination Anaheim was in the first decade of 164 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 1: this century. You know, you have to overpay to get 165 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:00,760 Speaker 1: really good players here. And there's not a lot of 166 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:03,680 Speaker 1: good free agents coming on the market every year like 167 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 1: there used to be because so many teams lock up 168 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:08,840 Speaker 1: their young stars. So it's a really tough situation the 169 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 1: Angels are in right now. From Jordan Harris, should we 170 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:16,680 Speaker 1: trade Mike Trout for a lot of good prospects, What 171 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:17,600 Speaker 1: do you think, Mark. 172 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:24,600 Speaker 2: No, I don't think so, And I think it's an 173 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 2: answer that most angel fans that are in tune probably 174 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:31,319 Speaker 2: are aware of. But Mike Trout's value is not at 175 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 2: an all time high. This would not be selling at 176 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:41,080 Speaker 2: the optimum timing what the package or the return would 177 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 2: be at this point part of the research I did, 178 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 2: and it kind of coincides with what I thought, maybe 179 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:51,720 Speaker 2: a couple top ten prospects from an organization, maybe a 180 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:55,440 Speaker 2: major league ready player three for one type thing. But 181 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:58,880 Speaker 2: there's a huge issue with the contract and the money, 182 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 2: you know, especially if Mike is unable to play the 183 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 2: field and becomes a da tonally that creates some further 184 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 2: trouble in that regard. So I think this is one 185 00:10:12,559 --> 00:10:16,400 Speaker 2: of the rare opportunities to have a guy finish his 186 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 2: entire career with the same club, which may not matter 187 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 2: to some, but it's very rare these days. And he's 188 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:28,120 Speaker 2: had many opportunities, possibly to go elsewhere, he's chosen to 189 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 2: be loyal to this club and he's put up incredible numbers. 190 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 2: This is the tough thing with these longer term deals 191 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 2: is sometimes you're looking at the back end of it 192 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:42,440 Speaker 2: and thinking that it's not equitable any longer. But if 193 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:43,839 Speaker 2: you were to look at what he did in the past, 194 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:46,120 Speaker 2: I mean, he's a first ballot Hall of Famer, no question, 195 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:49,600 Speaker 2: and I'd like to see him finish strong. I don't 196 00:10:49,640 --> 00:10:53,880 Speaker 2: know if five seasons is reasonable to expect quality numbers, 197 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:55,880 Speaker 2: but I'd say if we can get three out of 198 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 2: the five with respectable seasons, then that would be awesome. 199 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 2: I'd be you know, personally, I'd be very happy with that. 200 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 2: I think he would like to get more, but you know, 201 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:08,360 Speaker 2: he's not getting any younger. He's got some knee iss issues. 202 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 2: And as far as trading him, I do not think 203 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:13,440 Speaker 2: that makes sense. You might have a different opinion. 204 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:17,200 Speaker 1: I don't necessarily think I'd like to see the Angels 205 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:19,640 Speaker 1: trade Mic. The problem right now, as you mentioned, for 206 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,920 Speaker 1: him to generate even a decent return, he has to 207 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:26,599 Speaker 1: not necessarily get back to that Mike Trout level we 208 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:29,200 Speaker 1: saw when he was winning all those MVP awards, but 209 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:32,080 Speaker 1: he needs to get back to a level where he 210 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:34,440 Speaker 1: is able to play the field, you know, at least 211 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:37,079 Speaker 1: fifty to sixty percent of the time. Whether that's I 212 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:38,719 Speaker 1: don't know, if I'll go back to center, whether it's 213 00:11:38,760 --> 00:11:41,959 Speaker 1: right or left. He needs to provide some value defensively, 214 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:46,960 Speaker 1: and he needs to you know, stabilize his offense once again. 215 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:50,559 Speaker 1: I don't think he needs to have MVP seasons to 216 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:56,120 Speaker 1: sort of you know, find that value again. But he 217 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 1: has to, you know, get his ops over eight hundred, 218 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:03,080 Speaker 1: you know, hit thirty homers, drive in ninety to one hundred, 219 00:12:03,679 --> 00:12:09,280 Speaker 1: you know, and maybe in year twenty twenty eight or something, 220 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 1: if you're still not competitive and Mike still looks like 221 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: he has something left, and it's clear that the Angels 222 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:16,559 Speaker 1: are not going to be a team that's going to 223 00:12:16,679 --> 00:12:19,080 Speaker 1: contend for a while. Maybe at the deadline there is 224 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:20,439 Speaker 1: going to be a team that, hey, we need a 225 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 1: right handed bat. You just never know, my you know, 226 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:25,840 Speaker 1: another team may see that value the other you know, 227 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 1: the Angels are gonna have to probably use a significant 228 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:30,960 Speaker 1: portion of Trout's contract to even make a deal like 229 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 1: that happen. But you know, I grew up a long 230 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:37,679 Speaker 1: time ago, and I love the idea of you know, 231 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 1: Derek Jeter playing his whole career the Yankees. I was 232 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:42,480 Speaker 1: a huge Mets fan as a kid. When they traded 233 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,319 Speaker 1: Tom sever my favorite player. I think I was twelve 234 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 1: or thirteen. I remember crying that day. You know, it's dramatic. 235 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:52,079 Speaker 1: We don't see that as much anymore. But yeah, Mike 236 00:12:52,120 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 1: Trout's been extremely loyal to owner Arti Marino in the city, 237 00:12:56,040 --> 00:13:00,480 Speaker 1: in this franchise, and it'd be a much happier if 238 00:13:00,520 --> 00:13:03,480 Speaker 1: he were to regain some of his form. But if 239 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:05,719 Speaker 1: they're in the same situation that they are now and 240 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:10,240 Speaker 1: trying to rebuild, and you know he's starting to, you know, 241 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 1: show some flashes at that point, you might have to 242 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:19,360 Speaker 1: get what you can for. Okay, next question from Anna 243 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:23,080 Speaker 1: no whoever that is, why is it we hear from 244 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 1: Arty about the Angels losing money and having to cut payroll, 245 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:29,000 Speaker 1: but we didn't hear much about the profits the organization 246 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 1: made out of the Trout and poolhost years, or the 247 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 1: Japanese sponsorships in the Otani years. Well, I don't expect 248 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 1: people to read everything we've written over the years, but 249 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:43,920 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty three I did write a story and 250 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 1: was able to get this sourced out from pretty reliable 251 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 1: sources that the Angels in the latter latter years of 252 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 1: Otani were making between about ten to twenty million dollars 253 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 1: extra a year in marketing revenue, so they were generating 254 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 1: some money there. Bob Nightingale with the USA Today went 255 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:04,439 Speaker 1: a step further, I think right around that time he 256 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:06,600 Speaker 1: said they were making about twenty five million a year. 257 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 1: Now at that time, when the Angels are still generating 258 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:12,400 Speaker 1: their TV revenue, you know, that was a nice little bump. 259 00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:15,839 Speaker 1: But when you look at what the Dodgers have been 260 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:18,720 Speaker 1: able to do with Otani and the way they've been 261 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:22,440 Speaker 1: able to monetize him, it's not even close that you know, 262 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:26,160 Speaker 1: their reports that the Dodgers are making one hundred million 263 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 1: a year just on Otani, and Otani alone is making 264 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 1: one hundred million in endorsements, which is obviously why he 265 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:36,920 Speaker 1: was able to defer sixty eight million out of his 266 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 1: annual seventy million dollars salary. So those things are out there. 267 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 1: I think with the TV deal and the collapse of 268 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:48,600 Speaker 1: the TV deal right now there is more of a 269 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 1: spotlight on the Angels losing money, and as we've said, 270 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: already hates to lose money, but we have you know 271 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:59,320 Speaker 1: when the good times are rolling. We've reported that. I 272 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:01,880 Speaker 1: just think right now how they've fallen on hard times financially, 273 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:04,600 Speaker 1: and it's really reflected in the kind of winner they've 274 00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 1: had in free agency. Okay from Billy Bob eighty four 275 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:16,240 Speaker 1: seventy six. Do we have Kurt Suzuki as a fall 276 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 1: guy this season? He is on a one year contract. 277 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 1: I don't know how far you can fall with that deal. 278 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: But what do you think, Mark, I don't think so. 279 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 1: Kurts had a tremendous career in the game. I don't 280 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:31,560 Speaker 1: think that that would be a reasonable thing to do 281 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 1: to a guy that, by all accounts seems like a genuinely, 282 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 1: very nice person. He's well liked universally. And if that 283 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 1: was or is your plan, I can't get behind that 284 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 1: at all. 285 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:49,760 Speaker 2: I don't think that's good for business. And you know what, 286 00:15:50,080 --> 00:15:52,040 Speaker 2: we got to see what he's capable of. This is 287 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:55,480 Speaker 2: a great opportunity for him. It's well, one year deal. 288 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:58,760 Speaker 2: I guess that's the way that you know it goes. 289 00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 2: It seems a little bit tough. I'm assuming most managers 290 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 2: would want at least three seasons or more to prove 291 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:10,360 Speaker 2: what they have going or can do, but maybe this 292 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:12,600 Speaker 2: is the type of thing where you can really thrive 293 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 2: if he thinks that. You know, not that he thinks, 294 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 2: but it's it's going to be tough. There's no way 295 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:21,440 Speaker 2: to I guess that's what I'm trying to get that 296 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:23,760 Speaker 2: there is a lot of pressure with one season. If 297 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 2: it doesn't go well, you don't have a lot of leverage. 298 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:29,760 Speaker 2: So I think for Kurt's sake, it'd be awesome if 299 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 2: they were a competitive club at least most of the season, 300 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 2: but I'd rather not. You know, it'd be pretty tough 301 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 2: to see if he was just showing the door. And 302 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 2: you never know when you're going to get another opportunity either. 303 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 2: So I think that's kind of the tough thing about 304 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:45,760 Speaker 2: jumping into the coaching side or managing side is if 305 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 2: it doesn't go well, you know what, if it can 306 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:51,760 Speaker 2: be tough to rebound if you don't have anything tangible 307 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:53,200 Speaker 2: to say, hey, look what I did here. 308 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, I know. It is his introductory press conference. He 309 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 1: actually said he was okay with a one year deal 310 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 1: because it gives him a chance of proved himself. And 311 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:03,280 Speaker 1: I think I don't forget the exact number of years, 312 00:17:03,320 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: but most of his contracts at the end of his 313 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,440 Speaker 1: career were one year deals where he had to prove himself. 314 00:17:09,280 --> 00:17:11,960 Speaker 1: I don't think anybody is expecting Kurt Suzuki to work 315 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:16,080 Speaker 1: miracles here. If they were to finish somewhere near five hundred, 316 00:17:16,119 --> 00:17:19,359 Speaker 1: I think that would be a huge step forward. But 317 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 1: I think they they've given him a chance to at 318 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:24,080 Speaker 1: least assemble a coaching staff that to me looks a 319 00:17:24,080 --> 00:17:27,440 Speaker 1: little intriguing. I you know, getting a guy like Mike 320 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:30,760 Speaker 1: Maddox to coach your pitchers, that's a pretty good get. 321 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:34,320 Speaker 1: You know, really veteran, experienced guys. He's won at places 322 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:39,160 Speaker 1: in the past, very respected. Brady Anderson was a real 323 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:41,920 Speaker 1: I think out of the box, outside the box higher. 324 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:46,119 Speaker 1: It'll be really interesting to see what he does philosophically, 325 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:50,400 Speaker 1: approach approach wise with these hitters, and as far as 326 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:54,720 Speaker 1: game planning and you know, managing the game. I'm not 327 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:57,000 Speaker 1: sure what kind of guy Kurt is going to be. 328 00:17:57,160 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 1: You know, he's a former catcher. Is he going to 329 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:02,440 Speaker 1: be a guy that sort of stresses things like Mike 330 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:05,800 Speaker 1: Sosha used to stress with situation hitting and a little 331 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:08,160 Speaker 1: more bunting. Maybe a hit and run here and there, 332 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,280 Speaker 1: contact I think is going to be a huge issue 333 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:14,119 Speaker 1: for this team in light of the strikeouts, and they 334 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 1: all or nothing approached with the home runs and strikeouts. 335 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:22,200 Speaker 1: So it's going to be interesting to see if Kurt 336 00:18:22,320 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 1: and his staff can at least get this thing moving 337 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:28,880 Speaker 1: in the right direction. And I think if they do, 338 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 1: you know, I think he sort of sets himself up 339 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:33,359 Speaker 1: for maybe a three year contract at the end of 340 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:35,719 Speaker 1: the year, and you know, he'll have a good handle 341 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 1: on his coaches by then, and who knows, maybe some 342 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:42,439 Speaker 1: of these guys will bounce back and have really good years. 343 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 1: But I think it's going to be interesting to see 344 00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:48,480 Speaker 1: just sort of direct the direction Kurt takes this team. 345 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 1: And next question from Steven C. Smith, who I will 346 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:55,280 Speaker 1: acknowledge him in a long time follower of the Angels 347 00:18:55,320 --> 00:18:57,159 Speaker 1: and a reader of the La Times, and I do 348 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:00,560 Speaker 1: appreciate this. He says, this is a tongue and question 349 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:03,679 Speaker 1: for each of you. Do you believe in the Angels curse? 350 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 1: There certainly is enough anecdotal evidence to suggest it is real. Now, 351 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:13,680 Speaker 1: Mark grew up in Orange County. I moved out here 352 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 1: in nineteen eighty and I have to admit I didn't 353 00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 1: think there was some kind of curse in this franchise. 354 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:26,400 Speaker 1: Whether it was, I think Tim Mead actually went back 355 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:28,679 Speaker 1: and did the research and proved that it was not. 356 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 1: The stadium is not built on an ancient Native American 357 00:19:32,280 --> 00:19:34,920 Speaker 1: burial grounds, so if there's a curse, we're not sure 358 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:38,440 Speaker 1: what it is. But you look at just the amazing 359 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:41,359 Speaker 1: amount of tragedy and freak injuries that this team is 360 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:44,960 Speaker 1: absorbed over the years. I mean just you know, going 361 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,960 Speaker 1: back to Lyman Bostock getting murdered during the season in 362 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:51,440 Speaker 1: nineteen seventy eight, Nick Idenhart getting killed in a car 363 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:54,840 Speaker 1: crash in two thousand and nine, Tyler Skagg's dying of 364 00:19:54,840 --> 00:19:58,840 Speaker 1: a drug overdose in twenty nineteen. You have the Angels 365 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:01,879 Speaker 1: blowing two to two games none lead against Milwaukee, and 366 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:05,840 Speaker 1: the eighty two Alcs three games to one lead over 367 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:09,800 Speaker 1: Boston and the eighty six Alcs when Donny Moore gave 368 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:12,679 Speaker 1: up the famous homer to Dave Henderson. You have the 369 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:15,160 Speaker 1: nineteen ninety five collapse my first year in the beat 370 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:17,600 Speaker 1: where they had an eleven game lead in early August 371 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:22,359 Speaker 1: and blew that. Oh, the bus crash in nineteen ninety 372 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 1: two in New Jersey. How many teams. Does that happen to? 373 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 1: Nineteen ninety six Broad Cruise daughter, eighteen year old Michelle 374 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:36,000 Speaker 1: died of leukemia. This is crazy one. Nineteen ninety nine 375 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:40,840 Speaker 1: Mo Vaughn literally the first game after signing a six year, 376 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:44,159 Speaker 1: eighty million dollar deal, goes for a pop out in 377 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:47,240 Speaker 1: the first base dugout. This is before they had the railings, 378 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:50,240 Speaker 1: falls into dugout, suffers a high angles prade is out 379 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:54,160 Speaker 1: for a couple of weeks. We saw Kent Murker suffer 380 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:57,240 Speaker 1: a brain aneurysm on the mound while pitching in nineteen 381 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:02,400 Speaker 1: ninety two thousand and who can never forget Hendrey's morales 382 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:05,639 Speaker 1: hitting a walk off Grand Slam in twenty ten and 383 00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 1: just jumping in the home plate and shattering his ankles. 384 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:11,600 Speaker 1: So you add all that up, you think, my goodness, 385 00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:17,160 Speaker 1: this is seriously curse franchise. But then you factor in 386 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 1: two thousand and two, and well what happened there? Teams 387 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:23,879 Speaker 1: have to have a lot of luck to win a 388 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 1: World Series, for sure. The Angels, you know they were 389 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 1: I forget how many games two thousand and one, they 390 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:34,359 Speaker 1: were not a very good team. I forget their exact record. 391 00:21:35,359 --> 00:21:38,240 Speaker 1: Two thousand and two, they just they sort of capture 392 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:40,960 Speaker 1: some peak years out of a couple guys like David Eckstein, 393 00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:46,119 Speaker 1: Adam Kennedy, Brendan Donnelly. In the bullpen, they add an 394 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:50,640 Speaker 1: absolute bolt of lightning and Frankie Rodriguez that bullpen in September. 395 00:21:51,359 --> 00:21:57,359 Speaker 1: They're veteran guys. Garrett Anderson, Troy Gloss, Tim Salmon, Darren 396 00:21:57,440 --> 00:22:00,439 Speaker 1: er staid, you know all had great years and then 397 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:02,240 Speaker 1: you had some of the freak things. I mean, they're 398 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:06,120 Speaker 1: down five to nothing in Game six, and I believe 399 00:22:06,160 --> 00:22:10,159 Speaker 1: the seventh inning Scott Betspizio three run homer, first, I 400 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:13,159 Speaker 1: had solo homer, Troy Gloss two run double. They went 401 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:16,760 Speaker 1: six to five, then win Game seven. So to me, 402 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:19,160 Speaker 1: if there was a curse, it must have either taken 403 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:22,880 Speaker 1: two thousand and two off or there's no curse anymore. 404 00:22:23,240 --> 00:22:25,320 Speaker 1: You know, it may be another twenty five years before 405 00:22:25,359 --> 00:22:29,119 Speaker 1: this team wins another World Series. But to me, that 406 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:31,240 Speaker 1: curse was broken in two thousand and two. What do 407 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:33,000 Speaker 1: you think, Mark is a guy growing up here, were 408 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: you aware of that supposed curse and did you think 409 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:37,080 Speaker 1: it was it was real? 410 00:22:40,760 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 2: No clue to be honest with you, maybe at an 411 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:49,159 Speaker 2: age that you know wasn't around for a lot of 412 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:52,719 Speaker 2: those things. I do remember, unfortunately for Kendris, but I 413 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 2: remember it well because that's how I got a foot 414 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:57,880 Speaker 2: in the door, and sometimes that happens in the game. 415 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 2: But as far as the other stuff, I would assume 416 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:06,760 Speaker 2: most teams have things that happen. Maybe the Angels have 417 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:10,679 Speaker 2: a lot more than the rest. But nice question, and Stephen, 418 00:23:10,760 --> 00:23:18,119 Speaker 2: thank you. He documented our minor league journey. Yeah, ran 419 00:23:18,160 --> 00:23:21,800 Speaker 2: a very cool website and as a follower of the show, 420 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:22,920 Speaker 2: so thank you for that question. 421 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:27,880 Speaker 1: All right from I can't even read this guy's name. 422 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:30,600 Speaker 1: If Deptmers goes back to the rotation, what does the 423 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:34,480 Speaker 1: pen look like seven eight and nine innings when trying 424 00:23:34,520 --> 00:23:37,159 Speaker 1: to protect the lead? No more Kenley Jansen and a 425 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:39,399 Speaker 1: lot of questions, what do you think? 426 00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:45,680 Speaker 2: I think you have a point, But I like read 427 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:49,280 Speaker 2: Deptmer's as a starter. I think that last year was 428 00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:53,200 Speaker 2: a nice change of scenery for him going to the pen. 429 00:23:53,440 --> 00:23:56,560 Speaker 2: It looked like his confidence was rebuilt. He got back 430 00:23:56,600 --> 00:23:58,720 Speaker 2: to some of the things that I think makes him 431 00:23:59,320 --> 00:24:02,680 Speaker 2: a very good starting pitcher. He wasn't a relief role, 432 00:24:02,760 --> 00:24:05,080 Speaker 2: but he needs to pound the strikes on there's no 433 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:08,000 Speaker 2: two ways about it. Fastball command to me is number one, 434 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 2: and then having a quality secondary pitch that you can 435 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 2: land for strikes in addition to having to put away 436 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:18,520 Speaker 2: pitch and controlling those innings. He seemed to in the 437 00:24:18,560 --> 00:24:21,480 Speaker 2: relief role really thrive, coming right at guys the bat 438 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:26,000 Speaker 2: was almost over before it started, where previously when he 439 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:29,119 Speaker 2: was struggling in the rotation, it seemed like he was 440 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:33,240 Speaker 2: not being as aggressive anywhere near as aggressive, especially with 441 00:24:33,359 --> 00:24:35,360 Speaker 2: hitters that are hitting in the bottom of the order 442 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:39,160 Speaker 2: and stuff throwing odd pitches, and I think that that 443 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:43,880 Speaker 2: can be an issue, partly with him and maybe partly 444 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:48,120 Speaker 2: with the one putting the signs down. So I think 445 00:24:48,160 --> 00:24:51,240 Speaker 2: that I didn't see a lot of chemistry, and I 446 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:53,439 Speaker 2: think that can be improved upon. I think Mike maddox 447 00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:55,640 Speaker 2: is the perfect guy to do it. I think Reid 448 00:24:55,720 --> 00:24:58,040 Speaker 2: needs a guy that's been there and done that. He 449 00:24:58,080 --> 00:25:02,240 Speaker 2: seems to respond to guys with an experience. He seems 450 00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:05,720 Speaker 2: like a very straightforward, kind of low key personality, but 451 00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:08,679 Speaker 2: I assume he's a fiery competitor. You almost have to 452 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:10,879 Speaker 2: be to be a good big league player, So I 453 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:14,560 Speaker 2: like him in the starting rotation. How about Robert Stevenson 454 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:18,520 Speaker 2: coming back and you know, showing us what he's got. 455 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:21,360 Speaker 2: I know, earlier we alluded to the fact that he 456 00:25:21,440 --> 00:25:25,320 Speaker 2: has not been healthy, but I think, you know, this 457 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:27,679 Speaker 2: could be a great time for him to hit the 458 00:25:27,680 --> 00:25:30,200 Speaker 2: ground running, put together a really nice season. He could 459 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:33,440 Speaker 2: be the closer. Kirby Yates could be the closer. Sam 460 00:25:33,480 --> 00:25:36,400 Speaker 2: Bachman could factor in. I'd like to say, I think 461 00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:38,720 Speaker 2: he's got a lot more promise than he's shown so far. 462 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:41,800 Speaker 2: Jordan Romano, there's a long, long list of guys I 463 00:25:41,800 --> 00:25:44,240 Speaker 2: don't think Ben Joyce were looking at for a month 464 00:25:44,359 --> 00:25:50,159 Speaker 2: or so, So how about you know, Stevenson and guys 465 00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:53,080 Speaker 2: like that, some of the ones I named, and maybe 466 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:56,439 Speaker 2: there's a couple others too, But I think Reed is best. 467 00:25:57,000 --> 00:25:59,480 Speaker 2: Slotson is probably our number three starter, and that's where 468 00:25:59,480 --> 00:25:59,720 Speaker 2: I think he. 469 00:26:00,760 --> 00:26:03,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, I certainly think the seven, eighth and ninth innings 470 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:06,119 Speaker 1: are going to be really contingent on health. Certainly, if 471 00:26:06,160 --> 00:26:10,640 Speaker 1: Ben Joyce comes back and he's healthy and shows, you know, 472 00:26:10,840 --> 00:26:15,080 Speaker 1: the normal stuff he's had, he's your closer. Clearly, Robert 473 00:26:15,080 --> 00:26:18,200 Speaker 1: Stevenson would be a great time for him to bounce back. 474 00:26:18,840 --> 00:26:22,200 Speaker 1: He would certainly solidify whether it's the eighth or ninth inning, 475 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:26,240 Speaker 1: if he is healthy, because we've seen him just tying 476 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:29,639 Speaker 1: a little glimpses and you know, he's definitely got the 477 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:32,680 Speaker 1: stuff to do it. After that, I think you're looking 478 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:37,879 Speaker 1: at guys like Ryan Zephyr, John Drew palm Rantz. I 479 00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:40,200 Speaker 1: don't know that he's a closer type, but he certainly 480 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:43,080 Speaker 1: should factor in on the seventh and eighth inning. And 481 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:45,399 Speaker 1: we've talked about Kirby ATE's here. You know, if he 482 00:26:45,520 --> 00:26:49,640 Speaker 1: can refine that splitter with the help of Mike Maddox, 483 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 1: who he had a great year within Texas a couple 484 00:26:52,280 --> 00:26:56,760 Speaker 1: of years back, that would be huge. But to me, yeah, 485 00:26:56,960 --> 00:26:59,960 Speaker 1: I totally agree. Stevenson is sort of that X factor 486 00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:03,919 Speaker 1: out there. Even if Ben Joyce doesn't come back. He 487 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:06,639 Speaker 1: really adds a lot to that bullpen. You know, eventually 488 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:08,760 Speaker 1: they may have to mix and mach mix and match 489 00:27:08,800 --> 00:27:12,560 Speaker 1: with the ninth inning and closing if no closer clearcut 490 00:27:12,600 --> 00:27:16,359 Speaker 1: guy emerges, as is often the case, but Robert Stevenson 491 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:19,520 Speaker 1: can make a huge difference in this bullpen. Are going 492 00:27:19,600 --> 00:27:24,600 Speaker 1: to close with a couple of questions related to Christian Moore, 493 00:27:24,720 --> 00:27:29,200 Speaker 1: the young infielder. What spring training slash line gets Christian 494 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:31,879 Speaker 1: Moore the starting job at second base to start the season. 495 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:37,119 Speaker 1: That's from Timo and we'll piggyback that with another question 496 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:41,479 Speaker 1: from two thousand and two w S Champs. Should Christian 497 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:44,600 Speaker 1: Moore start in Triple A this season? What do you think, Mark. 498 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:49,920 Speaker 2: As far as the slash line, I think Christian Moore 499 00:27:51,160 --> 00:27:55,479 Speaker 2: just has to look the part, go out there and 500 00:27:57,400 --> 00:27:59,760 Speaker 2: give the impression that he is capable of playing in 501 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:01,840 Speaker 2: the leagues and holding his own. It seems like the 502 00:28:01,920 --> 00:28:04,879 Speaker 2: job is his as of now. I don't see any 503 00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:08,320 Speaker 2: body that is most likely going to leap frog him. 504 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:13,439 Speaker 2: He's a first round pick. They've already, you know, gotten 505 00:28:13,520 --> 00:28:15,879 Speaker 2: him to the major leagues, promoted into the major leagues. 506 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:20,159 Speaker 2: So if he's already on the roster and he's I 507 00:28:20,160 --> 00:28:22,280 Speaker 2: don't see anyone better than him. I think that it's 508 00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:25,600 Speaker 2: it's his job to lose. I think some of these 509 00:28:25,640 --> 00:28:30,760 Speaker 2: things too are predetermined by and large when even as 510 00:28:30,800 --> 00:28:34,280 Speaker 2: a player, as a younger player especially, I really want 511 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 2: to embrace the of winning a job in spring and 512 00:28:38,640 --> 00:28:41,560 Speaker 2: that concept is really cool, But then you start to 513 00:28:41,560 --> 00:28:45,560 Speaker 2: hear things like never be fooled in spring training or September, 514 00:28:46,120 --> 00:28:48,520 Speaker 2: and you start to think what is that about? And 515 00:28:48,640 --> 00:28:52,320 Speaker 2: as you go, basically what it means is, if you know, 516 00:28:52,440 --> 00:28:56,720 Speaker 2: spring training is a bit unique, especially because the competition 517 00:28:56,760 --> 00:28:59,760 Speaker 2: you're facing. Sometimes it's not that way anymore. But when 518 00:28:59,760 --> 00:29:01,920 Speaker 2: I was first coming up, the starters were getting their 519 00:29:01,960 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 2: work in and you got more good pitches to hit, 520 00:29:05,560 --> 00:29:11,160 Speaker 2: and that's gone away to some extent, but it's still 521 00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:14,360 Speaker 2: not the same as the major league season, and in September, 522 00:29:14,640 --> 00:29:17,400 Speaker 2: with the rosters expanding, not quite what they used to 523 00:29:17,480 --> 00:29:19,960 Speaker 2: as well, but you may not be facing the best 524 00:29:19,960 --> 00:29:23,680 Speaker 2: of the best. So it's really that core thing. How 525 00:29:23,720 --> 00:29:26,080 Speaker 2: a splash line, how about two fifty a couple of 526 00:29:26,120 --> 00:29:28,360 Speaker 2: home runs and playing good defense and he's on the team. 527 00:29:29,240 --> 00:29:32,320 Speaker 1: That's funny you mentioned that the spring in September my 528 00:29:32,440 --> 00:29:34,000 Speaker 1: first I believe it is my first year on the 529 00:29:34,040 --> 00:29:36,880 Speaker 1: beat back in nineteen ninety five. I forget which veterans 530 00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:39,280 Speaker 1: scout told me that exact same thing might have been 531 00:29:39,320 --> 00:29:42,960 Speaker 1: Preston Gomez. God bless them. Don't put too much stock 532 00:29:43,040 --> 00:29:45,200 Speaker 1: into what you see in March and what you see 533 00:29:45,200 --> 00:29:48,720 Speaker 1: in September. For those exact reasons. There's a lot of 534 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:51,160 Speaker 1: pitchers who are just throwing fastballs for their first two 535 00:29:51,520 --> 00:29:53,400 Speaker 1: havings of spring and just trying to get a feel. 536 00:29:54,240 --> 00:29:57,880 Speaker 1: So you can't put too much emphasis on that. Now 537 00:29:58,160 --> 00:30:00,360 Speaker 1: that being said, there was a time back in the 538 00:30:00,440 --> 00:30:03,080 Speaker 1: day where players did win jobs in spring training. I 539 00:30:03,120 --> 00:30:07,480 Speaker 1: remember nineteen ninety six, Tim Wallack comes in veteran third 540 00:30:07,480 --> 00:30:09,040 Speaker 1: basement at the end of the end of the career. 541 00:30:09,080 --> 00:30:11,560 Speaker 1: They sign him. Everyone thinks he's going to be the 542 00:30:11,600 --> 00:30:16,600 Speaker 1: guy George Arius. For those Angel fans who remember hit 543 00:30:16,760 --> 00:30:19,720 Speaker 1: four h five with four homers and fifteen harbis and 544 00:30:19,760 --> 00:30:23,800 Speaker 1: spring training won the job. I can't. They didn't release 545 00:30:23,880 --> 00:30:28,720 Speaker 1: Tim Wallach, but he wasn't starting first uh twenty six 546 00:30:28,760 --> 00:30:31,520 Speaker 1: games of the season areas hits one eighty four with 547 00:30:31,640 --> 00:30:36,000 Speaker 1: a five twenty five ops, one homer, five RBIs, and 548 00:30:36,120 --> 00:30:39,800 Speaker 1: is demoted to triple A. So what am I trying 549 00:30:39,840 --> 00:30:42,360 Speaker 1: to say about all this? I think times have definitely changed. 550 00:30:42,400 --> 00:30:44,680 Speaker 1: I don't think spring training. You know, we have so 551 00:30:44,800 --> 00:30:50,600 Speaker 1: many numbers now and track man and now different ways 552 00:30:50,640 --> 00:30:56,120 Speaker 1: to analysis analyze bat speed and exit velocity and you know, 553 00:30:56,240 --> 00:31:00,600 Speaker 1: swing mechanics. I think for a guy like and more, 554 00:31:00,720 --> 00:31:02,960 Speaker 1: as Mark said, you know, just put some good at 555 00:31:02,960 --> 00:31:07,400 Speaker 1: bass together, make consistent contact, you know, use the whole field, 556 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:11,000 Speaker 1: play solid defense, And to me, that's not going to 557 00:31:11,040 --> 00:31:13,560 Speaker 1: be reflected in any numbers in spring training, because his 558 00:31:13,640 --> 00:31:17,000 Speaker 1: numbers could be anywhere. But what's the quality they bat 559 00:31:17,080 --> 00:31:20,200 Speaker 1: you know, what is what is his range on defense? 560 00:31:20,280 --> 00:31:22,200 Speaker 1: What are the scouts eyes telling them, what is the 561 00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:25,520 Speaker 1: front office eyes telling them? Don't let numbers fool you 562 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:27,600 Speaker 1: in spring training, and I don't think they will. I 563 00:31:27,600 --> 00:31:32,240 Speaker 1: don't think any teams let numbers fool you anymore. But yeah, 564 00:31:32,520 --> 00:31:34,520 Speaker 1: I agree with Mark. I'm not sure what other options 565 00:31:34,520 --> 00:31:37,640 Speaker 1: outside of von Gristom, maybe unless they're going to sign 566 00:31:37,720 --> 00:31:42,640 Speaker 1: somebody else here before camp starts. But in terms of 567 00:31:42,720 --> 00:31:45,120 Speaker 1: him starting at Triple A, yeah, I would love to 568 00:31:45,160 --> 00:31:47,480 Speaker 1: start him at Triple A. Is that going to happen? 569 00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:50,080 Speaker 1: Maybe not, especially in light of the way the Angels been, 570 00:31:50,640 --> 00:31:52,760 Speaker 1: you know, rushing guys up to the big leagues in 571 00:31:52,800 --> 00:31:56,560 Speaker 1: recent years. I wish they had the luxury of starting 572 00:31:56,560 --> 00:32:00,480 Speaker 1: at Triple A because he probably benefit from that. Any 573 00:32:00,760 --> 00:32:01,840 Speaker 1: final thoughts, Mark. 574 00:32:03,600 --> 00:32:07,240 Speaker 2: I think that as camp approaches, we'll try and cover 575 00:32:07,800 --> 00:32:10,200 Speaker 2: some topics. I wish that there were maybe some more 576 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:13,320 Speaker 2: positional battles that we could dive into, but I'm not 577 00:32:13,680 --> 00:32:16,320 Speaker 2: sure there are that many the outfield situation. I think 578 00:32:16,360 --> 00:32:19,240 Speaker 2: centerfield will be an interesting topic to cover. I know 579 00:32:19,400 --> 00:32:21,760 Speaker 2: Mike Trout gave an interview the other day, I believe 580 00:32:21,760 --> 00:32:24,440 Speaker 2: with Roger Lodge highlighting some things, and I think his 581 00:32:24,520 --> 00:32:27,720 Speaker 2: intention is to play the outfield. And then you go 582 00:32:27,800 --> 00:32:31,000 Speaker 2: on Fangraphs and they have I believe a Dell in 583 00:32:31,120 --> 00:32:36,000 Speaker 2: center and Solaian left and low and right. So we 584 00:32:36,040 --> 00:32:39,440 Speaker 2: can kind of cover some of these things. And what's 585 00:32:39,520 --> 00:32:44,280 Speaker 2: the more realistic approach in my opinion, probably not having 586 00:32:44,320 --> 00:32:46,080 Speaker 2: Mic out there all that often. And I think Soilaire 587 00:32:46,520 --> 00:32:48,800 Speaker 2: said the outfield was a little bit rough on him too, 588 00:32:48,880 --> 00:32:51,479 Speaker 2: So I look forward to kind of getting into that. 589 00:32:52,400 --> 00:32:55,360 Speaker 2: We'll answer more questions that you guys have, keep them coming. 590 00:32:55,400 --> 00:32:58,520 Speaker 2: We appreciate the ones we did. We did get and 591 00:32:58,800 --> 00:33:01,680 Speaker 2: I think this was cool. All right, Hey, thanks for listening. 592 00:33:01,760 --> 00:33:06,200 Speaker 2: Angel Fans for this edition of Halo Territory, please like 593 00:33:06,280 --> 00:33:09,920 Speaker 2: and subscribe. And yeah, I really appreciate the questions guys. 594 00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:12,040 Speaker 2: And if we didn't get to yours today, I'm sure 595 00:33:12,320 --> 00:33:14,240 Speaker 2: we'll get to it in a future mailbag. We're going 596 00:33:14,320 --> 00:33:17,800 Speaker 2: to try to do this pretty regularly throughout the season. 597 00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:19,680 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us today. We'll see you next time 598 00:33:20,160 --> 00:33:39,120 Speaker 2: on Halo Territory.