Los Angeles Angels
2015 Win/Loss Record:
85-77, 3rd in American League West
Last Postseason
Appearance: 2014
Last World Series
Championship: 2002
Key Arrivals: Yunel
Escobar (3B), Daniel Nava (OF), Andrelton Simmons (SS)
Key Departures: David
Freese (3B), Erick Aybar (SS), Trevor Gott (P)
Manager: Mike
Scioscia, 17th Year, W/L 1416-1176
Overall Review: The front office was a
mess, the high-priced signings were either a major disaster or slowed by aches
and pains by the end of the season. After looking like they would runaway with
the division at the All-Star break, the Angels fell in the second half and
finished one game behind the Astros for the second Wild Card spot. Rather than
try to spend their way to a championship this off-season, the Angels took a
smarter approach in signing or trading for players who can help them win and
not the biggest names available.
A return to from by Albert
Pujols is a must, but the aging slugger showed a lot of signs of slowing down
in the second half after his resurgence before the All-Star break. Hopefully
the front office problems are over. While the Angels may be improved from 2015,
the competition may be tougher in the division.
Offense: In his four full seasons in
the Majors, centre-fielder Mike Trout has won the AL MVP award once and
finished second three times. He’s a four-time All-Star, a four-time Silver
Slugger Award winner and was Rookie of the Year in 2012. Not bad for a 24-year
old. His .299 average, 41 home runs and 90 RBIs were a remarkable achievement
last year considering he didn’t have much help around him in the second half.
One has to wonder if Pujols will
ever be the same player again as he was in St. Louis. While his power numbers
were impressive (40 homers, 95 RBIs), his average continues to go south. In
eleven years with the Cards, his worst batting average was .299 in 2011. In his
four years in Anaheim, it hasn’t even come close to that. He will be the DH for
the Angels in 2016 and saving his body from playing every day in the field will
hopefully improve his bat.
Pitching: Garrett Richards is the ace
of the Halos’ staff. He was a workhorse last season pitching 207 1/3 innings.
His record was 15-12, he had a 3.65 ERA and struck out 176 batters. At 24,
Andrew Heaney could be star on the rise. In 18 starts in 2016, Heaney was 6-4,
posted a 3.49 ERA and struck out 78 batters. Rounding out the staff will be
Jered Weaver (7-12, 4.64, 90) who is a mere shadow of the pitcher he was
several years ago, C.J. Wilson (8-8, 3.89, 110) and Hector Santiago (9-9, 3.59,
162).
There is no problem at the back
end of the bullpen. Closer Huston Street (315 saves in his 11 years) managed to
save 40 games for the Angels last year while also winning three games in
relief. Joe Smith will provide some help as well. In 2015, Smith was 5-5, with
five saves, a 3.58 ERA and 57 strike outs in 65 1/3 innings.
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| Angels' outfielder Mike Trout |
Prediction: One of my friends is an
Angels fan and I know he’ll be reading this post. And he’s such a nice guy that
it pains me to say this but the team will continue to slide down in the AL
West. Houston and Texas will battle for the division. Seattle has made
improvements to pull up to third place. Even though the Angels may finish with
a winning record, they are destined for fourth place in 2016.
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