LA Angels: To do something or to do nothing?

The LA Angels are officially in the All-Star break, which couldn’t have come any sooner. The LA Angels have to regroup and decide if this season is worth fighting for.

This has been a difficult season for the LA Angels. The frustration has been hidden throughout the players and the clubhouse during the 2016 season.

However, it’s beginning to show itself in small doses, take Joe Smith‘s frustration following Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Baltimore.

Smith gave up the go-ahead homer to give the game to Baltimore, snapping the LA Angels winning streak of four games. The LA Angels had not won four straight games since May 13.

There’s no doubt that the injuries are hindering the LA Angels, the slow unraveling of this season has grown steady with C.J. Cron being the latest to hit the DL.

While the LA Angels efforts despite the injuries remain noble and encouraging. The losses are beginning to mount, holding the LA Angels to fifth-worst record in the league.

Jul 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia (14) speaks with home plate umpire Tim Timmons (95) after he ejected third baseman Yunel Escobar (6) (not pictured) in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

So, what exactly do the LA Angels do here? What options do they have? Will GM Billy Eppler make a trade to generate wins?

It’s not looking good, Eppler has remained steadfast in his decision to keep the current team in tact and not make any moves before the August 1st trade deadline. Eppler has even stated the clubhouse manager Mike Scioscia is not on the hot seat.

So, the LA Angels aren’t going to make any moves, they’re not going to unload players for next season. They’re not going to attempt to make a push for the wild card race, a race in which they sit 13 games behind Boston (which is more than doable). So, what are the LA Angels doing?

Nothing, this season GM Billy Eppler has committed to doing nothing about the 2016 season. In a recent interview with the LA Times, Eppler told Pedro Moura that he wants to get the team fully healthy before exploring any moves. “Let’s let this club play a little bit longer, There’s no rush to make a decision right now.”

Really? pitchers Andrew Heaney and Garrett Richards aren’t expected back until 2018, C.J. Wilson is likely done as an Angel, and Tyler Skaggs is getting closer to a return but nothing is imminent. So, for the time being, the LA Angels are going to do nothing because there’s no rush.

This is problematic and irresponsible, if you wait till the last minute to make a trade, you’ll likely miss out on the player you want and get stuck with another Fernando Salas.

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Maybe Eppler should watch Moneyball again, assuming he’s seen it already. One of the best lines from that movie is when Peter Brand said “Okay. People who run ball clubs, they think in terms of buying players. Your goal shouldn’t be to buy players, your goal should be to buy wins.”

From what i can see the LA Angels are content with letting the season continuing to unfold as it has. What has already been classified as a failure will only continue with no moves forthcoming.

Watching a GM not make some moves to improve a roster is troubling and infuriating, there’s no logical explanation to at least do something. You’re already in last place in the AL West, at least make the season respectable.

Next: Offense flowing much better in July

Signing Tim Lincecum is the only real roster move the LA Angels have made this season, the move alone has not panned out to the expectations many people had. While many fans will chalk the season up to a series of unfortunate injuries, I’ll chalk it up to a GM who elected to do nothing in the midst of injuries.

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