4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

[bkrich83]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

I hated that trade at the time, and I still do (even though it seems we have our replacement SS). Simmons is an all-time great defensive SS who saved the team a lot. The bat that you've seen the last year + in LA though is not the same bat that he had in Atlanta. So I do kind of understand why Atlanta made the trade, but the best Atlanta can hope for at this point is that the trade was a wash (if Newcomb turns out to be a true top of rotation guy).

Newcomb's ceiling is probably a #3 is it not? Pitch command was his issue if memory serves.

[canes21]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

Yeah it's smart to give up on the best defensive player in baseball who hadn't entered his prime. Good move.

I know your initial post was a slight troll attempt, but let's be real here, hindsight is 20/20 and no one at all could have predicted his bat would have turned around even half this much.

[Mabster]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

Stay hot A's.

[KSUowls]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

The problems with his bat were exacerbated by the other black holes in the lineup. WAR is a dubious stat, but he was a top 5 MLB SS in WAR even in his 2 bad years at the plate. He was 25 with just over 3 full years of experience at the time of the trade, far too young to give up on him. That being said, there is not guarantee he would have made the adjustments he's made in LA had he stuck around.

Glad to see him doing well though.

[bkrich83]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

I know your initial post was a slight troll attempt, but let's be real here, hindsight is 20/20 and no one at all could have predicted his bat would have turned around even half this much.

No troll attempt, I forgot you homer for the Braves.

[bkrich83]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

The problems with his bat were exacerbated by the other black holes in the lineup. WAR is a dubious stat, but he was a top 5 MLB SS in WAR even in his 2 bad years at the plate. He was 25 with just over 3 full years of experience at the time of the trade, far too young to give up on him. That being said, there is not guarantee he would have made the adjustments he's made in LA had he stuck around.

Glad to see him doing well though.

The bat here was a bonus. They acquired him for his defense. I don't see his bat getting better than it is now, but if he is even an average offensive player for his position with his defense he's a huge plus for the Angels. His base running has improved as well.

Also they're in Orange County not LA.

[KSUowls]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

Newcomb's ceiling is probably a #3 is it not? Pitch command was his issue if memory serves.

Ceiling in terms of stuff is top of the rotation, but command has always been an issue and tempered future projections.. When he's not walking people he's unhittable. The problem is there aren't many times when he isn't walking people. He's still young though so there is room to get in under control, but yeah I do remember being upset that it didn't seem like we got much in return.

[bkrich83]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

Ceiling in terms of stuff is top of the rotation, but command has always been an issue and tempered future projections.. When he's not walking people he's unhittable. The problem is there aren't many times when he isn't walking people. He's still young though so there is room to get in under control, but yeah I do remember being upset that it didn't seem like we got much in return.

That was the report on him when he was here. I think that must be why I remember reading he projects to a #3 at best, or something similar.

[KSUowls]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

The bat here was a bonus. They acquired him for his defense. I don't see his bat getting better than it is now, but if he is even an average offensive player for his position with his defense he's a huge plus for the Angels. His base running has improved as well.

Also they're in Orange County not LA.

Always be LA to me :P

I agree though. Give me a stud at SS and the bat is just a bonus.

[bkrich83]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

This has not been one of Altuve's better nights.

[bkrich83]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

Why have replay in baseball if you're not going to get the call right using it? Waste of time.

[jvalverde88]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

Cardinals have no challenges but somehow Matheny got the umpires to review whether or not Jay Bruce touched 1st on his home run trot. Replay reviews in the MLB is a joke.

[Speedy]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

Why have replay in baseball if you're not going to get the call right using it? Waste of time.

This is what I dont understand either. Give these umps a mic to explain their idiocy to the masses.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Operation Sports mobile app

[bkrich83]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

Angels have at least temporarily righted the ship, taking 2 in a row from Houston in Houston.. No small task.

[Majingir]

Re: 4/23 - 5/6 Game Discussion Thread

I know it's only April, but the ALWC is currently projected for the mid-high 90s win total.

This definitely won't end up like last year.