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Everyone knows that Billy Eppler has had a very thin budget to work with since he took over the GM reigns last October. Below is a list of most of his significant transactions over the past month.
In light of the recent trade deadline, I though we'd take a look at how he's done so far.
Oct 7, 2015 - Acquired Todd Cunningham off waivers from Atlanta
D Cunningham has hit just .148 for the Angels in 27 AB. He's batting .291 for Salt Lake this year.
Nov 12, 2015 - Traded Erick Aybar, Sean Newcomb, and Chris Ellis to the Braves for Andrelton Simmons and Jose Briceno
A The verdict is still out on Newcomb and Ellis, but Simmons has been spectacular for the Angels and he's controlled through 2020.
Nov 18, 2015 - Signed free agent Cliff Pennington (two years)
C Decent free agent signing. Has filled the utility role well and is batting .270 over 63 AB. Not sure we need him for two years though.
Nov 25, 2015 - Signed free agent Geovany Soto (one year)
C- When he is not hurt, he has performed well it feels like he has barely played in 2016
Dec 2, 2015 - Signed free agent Rafael Ortega (one year)
C Verdict is still out on Ortega. He's had some good games for the Angels but only hit .238. He's batting .308 for Salt Lake.
Dec 2, 2015 - Non-tendered Cesar Ramos (no contract offer)
A Ramos has pitched 24 innings for the Rangers and has a 6.04 ERA and 1.678 WHIP
Dec 9, 2015 - Signed free agent Craig Gentry (one year)
F Not even with the team anymore. Was a big bust.
Dec 10, 2015 - Drafted Ji-Man Choi via Rule 5
D Choi hasn't been all that great on the big league club but did well in Salt Lake
Dec 10, 2015 - Drafted Deolis Guerra via Rule 5
A Guerra has been one of our best bullpen pieces this year.
Dec 10, 2015 - Traded Trevor Gott and Michael Brady to the Nationals for Yunel Escobar and 1.5 million cash
A Gott has been in the minors all year and Escobar is the lead off hitter the Angels needed (despite his other deficiencies)
Dec 16, 2015 - Signed free agent Daniel Nava (one year)
F Not even with the team anymore. Was a big bust.
Dec 17, 2015 - Acquired A.J. Achter off waivers from Philladelphia
D Achter has never really worked out yet, but not bad enough to be an F
Dec 22, 2015 - Signed free agent Gregorio Petit (minor league contract)
B Petit has a done a fine job and has showed utility usefullness
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Jan 19, 2016 - DFA'd Efren Navarro
A Navarro never really panned out for the Angels and he's been released 3 times this year
Jan 19, 2016 - Signed free agent Al Alburqueque (one year)
C Too early to tell still but he's been doing a really good job in Salt Lake
Jan 27, 2016 - Traded Kody Eaves to the Tigers for Jefry Marte
A Marte was a good trade for a low end minor league player
Feb 5, 2016 - DFA'd Taylor Featherston
A About time right? He's the Phillies problem now. At least we got some cash for him. I think it was $8
Mar 31, 2016 - Signed free agent Shane Robinson (minor league contract)
D+ He can run and field but can't hit worth crap. I'm not sold on him other than an expanded roster piece for September
May 10, 2016 - Traded cash to the Nationals for Brendan Ryan
F Remember Ryan? Yeah me neither. He's spending time in Salt Lake now and batting .204 there
May 11, 2016 - Traded Adam McCreery to the Braves for Jhoulys Chacin
B Chacin didn't work out that great as the starter he was supposed to be, but has done good in the pen
May 11, 2016 - DFA'd Ji-Man Choi (later returned to minor league team)
A This was a great move after struggling through a season of Taylor Featherston last year
May 18, 2016 - Signed free agent David Huff (minor league contract)
F Huff never worked out and has since been released.
May 20, 2016 - Signed free agent Tim Lincecum (one year)
F Can't blame Eppler for trying on this one, but he still gets and F because the Freak has been freakishly bad
May 20, 2016 - Traded cash to the Phillies for Ryan Jackson
F Remember Ryan Jackson? Much like Brendan Ryan, no one does. He's also in Salt Lake now.
June 13, 2016 - DFA'd Kyle Kubitza
A Sure why not an A. He was never really gonna work out for the Angels so make room for someone who might.
June 26, 2016 - Acquired J.C. Ramirez off waivers from Cincinnati
B+ I'm still skeptical on this guy, but he has been doing a great job so far
Aug 1, 2016 - Traded Hector Santiago and Alan Busentiz to the Twins for Ricky Nolasco and Alex Meyer
B Tough to grade this one since it's early but I'll go ahead and give it a B for now
Aug 1, 2016 - Traded Joe Smith to the Cubs for Jesus Castillo
A This is great. Smith wasn't needed and we got a prospect for him before his contract is up after the season
What do you think of Eppler's job so far? How did he do this past off season? At the trade deadline? What are some of the biggest busts and wins you think he has had?