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It’s day 3 of the Winter Meetings and we don’t really have any news. Not big news anyway. Brad Ausmus did do a press conference though which you can watch here:
Tuning in is an Aus-MUST! Watch #Angels Manager Brad Ausmus address the media live at the MLB Winter Meetings. https://t.co/VQAezFi3dW
— Angels (@Angels) December 12, 2018
Here are some of the highlights for the TL;DW crowd:
Albert Pujols:
Brad Ausmus on Albert Pujols: “That guy is one of the five best hitters, ever, in the game of baseball.”
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 12, 2018
Yea that sounds like lots of playing time right? But have no fear! He also said “his role in 2019 will come down to his heath and his performance”. Phew. Dodged that one. Perhaps. This is not Mike Scioscia’s Angels.
Shohei Ohtani
Angels do not expect Shohei Ohtani to be ready by opening day. They plan to be cautious in how they bring him back, as to not jeopardize any of his rehab for pitching in 2020. Ausmus also said he believes Ohtani proved he can hit lefties late in last season.
— Trent Rush (@TrentRushSports) December 12, 2018
Well that just killed my buzz. Okay, I didn’t have one but now I won’t for sure. It’s a not a huge surprised though, considering how bit the Angels have been by pitcher injuries. Also, they have pretty much said every year that Pujols will not be ready by opening day and he makes it (usually). This time though I think it’s true. For better or worse, they are going to be extra careful with Ohtani.
Prospects
Brad Ausmus said it’s a “possibility” that Jo Adell could reach the big leagues as soon as this season.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 12, 2018
Possibility? Sure!
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There are a lot of things that are a possibility for the 2019 season - like winning 86 games or Pujols retiring.
Mike Trout
2 tidbits from today’s Brad Ausmus media session: Mike Trout is probably going to hit 2nd. Shohei Ohtani probably doesn’t need to sit against lefties. #Angels
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) December 12, 2018
Dang, that’s really going to piss off that one dude o FB who got mad every time we posted an “If I were Eppler” piece that had Trout batting 2nd. That guy is gonna hate this.
Tyler Skaggs & Andrew Heaney
Brad Ausmus says he plans on pushing Tyler Skaggs this season because he believes Skaggs can be an elite left handed arm, citing his stuff. Ausmus was also very impressed by Andrew Heaney's 2018 season.
— Trent Rush (@TrentRushSports) December 12, 2018
Elite? Umm... No. Skaggs does have a beautiful curveball thought but his fastball and changeup are pretty blah. Impressed with Andrew Heaney? I hope so! He’s our new ace!
Backstop
In other news, the Angels still aren’t playing football and they are looking for a defense-oriented catcher (aka .200 hitter unless it’s Realmuto).
The Angels would prefer a defense-oriented catcher, Billy Eppler said, provided other factors (age/injury history/overall value) are the same.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 12, 2018