The February 25, 2016 edition of Los Angeles Angels news includes Mike Trout looking to tap back into the speed force, Andrelton Simmons looking to bump his batting average back above .280, and more…
The Story: Mike Trout looks to regain confidence on the bases
MWAH Says: No, this isn’t just a copy and paste job from 2015 Spring Training. Trout is again entering camp with the desire to steal bases at a higher clip during the regular season. Whether it’ll actually happen this time or his SB total will drop for the fifth consecutive season probably depends on how Big Al feels about seeing Trout out of the corner of his eye while trying to track a pitch. Given that, I’d peg Trout for no more than 20 steals. Would be fun if he could get back to swiping 40+ bags, but he’s the best player in baseball either way.
The Story: Simmons sets sights on offensive spike in ’16
MWAH Says: Like Mike Trout, Andrelton Simmons has had a slightly different offensive profile in each of his four MLB seasons. Unlike Trout, Simmons hasn’t been equally great with the bat in each. It seems unlikely he’ll ever return to walloping 17 home runs in a season, but so long as he’s doing amazing things with his glove any positive offensive contribution is just gravy.
The Story: Johnny Giavotella taking nothing for granted
MWAH Says: I’m a little surprised Scioscia came out and said second base is open competition this spring, but I guess it never hurts to light a fire under your players’ butts. I can see the Angels being wary of Giavotella as a double-play partner for someone as dazzling as Andrelton Simmons, but unless Yunel Escobar shifts over to the keystone Giavotella is easily their best option at the position offensively.
The Story: Mike Scioscia on analytics
MWAH Says: Following up on articles from earlier in the week, David Laurila gets Scioscia to go a little more in-depth into what kind of analytics he’s tried (and is trying) to employ with the Angels. Mentions of spin rate, TTOP, defensive shifts, exit velocity, and framing are illuminating, but will likely never satisfy those looking for Scioscia to run the team like an optimized computer program. The dude obviously knows what’s out there, he just chooses to be selective in implementing it into in-game strategy.
The Story: It’s a Golden Age for third basemen, and David Freese is getting hosed
MWAH Says: Grant Brisbee makes the argument that the reason no one’s signed Freese is that every team either has an awesome third baseman, has someone comparable to Freese, or are tanking. It’s a pretty dang good point, though I’m shocked no team has at least talked to him about being a bench bat. I still think the Angels would be a good fit, if they’re lucky enough that he’s still on the market when they free up funds in a C.J. Wilson trade.
The Story: Angels never made a formal contract offer to Freese
MWAH Says: Speaking of the erstwhile third baseman, Freese reportedly didn’t get far with the Angels in talks earlier this winter. Doesn’t mean they can’t still come back around to it.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
