There is one name that really crystallizes how fucked the Angels are.
It’s not Mike Trout even though he’s the most important player on the roster.
It’s not Anthony Rendon either even though his contract is among the worst in all of baseball.
It’s tough to get less production for $38 million dollars a year.
The player that most clearly shows the apocalyptic future of the Angels is Jack Kochanowicz.
He’s a 23 year old starting pitcher who has never pitched in AAA.
At this moment in time, Kochanowicz should not be in the major leagues.
They rush players up because they are desperate and flailing.
A person drowning is a very dangerous thing because they will bring others down with them.
I know the past decade has been lousy for the Angels but it might really bottom out soon.
Cron in last year’s desperate attempt to trick Shohei Ohtani into staying with a contender.
This was a team that couldn’t finish .500 with peak Ohtani and Mike Trout.
Now Ohtani is gone and Trout is hurt more than he’s healthy.
That’s not an exaggeration.
Rendon is making $38.6 million dollars this year and the next two as well.
The biggest free agent signing they made last year has been yet another disaster.
The blame for all of this falls on Arte Moreno.
He’s also far too prideful to do what needs to be done moving forward.
I think you oughta go full on tear down and build everything up from scratch.
Trade everything you’re able to.
Take on bad contracts to get back more prospects.
I’m sure some Angels fans are reading this annoyed.
They’ll look at some decent players they do have like Logan O’Hoppe and Zach Neto.
I think Nolan Schanuel could be a pretty good hitter one day.
This is nowhere near enough.
There is a week before the trade deadline.
Would the Rockies give you prospects if you took on Kris Bryant’s deal?
This is the mindset the Angels should have.
Finally, don’t rush guys like Jack Kochanowicz to the major leagues.
Start washed up veterans instead.
Sign guys like Johnny Cueto and have those guys waste bullets instead.
Don’t potentially hurt a future asset.
Don’t worry about winning in 2024.
Don’t worry about winning in 2025.
Actually tear it down.
It’s the only way out.
