After an extremely disappointing season in 2012, the Los Angeles Angels will enter this season out to prove themselves anew. The Angels had a very streaky season in 2012. Their first half was marked by an 18-25 start, followed by a 30-13 run into the All-Star break. The pattern continued in the second half. Los Angeles came out of the break 14-22 before finishing off the season winning 27 of 40. The Angels have the potential to be a 95 win team, but need to avoid the pitching and bullpen disasters they ran into last year. It is hard to believe that the purge of Zack Greinke, Dan Haren, and Ervin Santana would help them do this, but the three combined only for a 27-28 record with a 4.34 ERA in 2012. The Angel’s bullpen was 4th in the majors with 22 blown saves and had the third worst bullpen ERA posting a playoff-insufficient 3.97. These are major questions for the Angels heading into the 2013 season. Fortunately for them, they have the best offense in baseball.
Projected Lineup:
- Mike Trout CF
- Erick Aybar SS
- Albert Pujols 1B
- Josh Hamilton RF
- Mark Trumbo DH
- Howie Kendrick 2B
- Alberto Callaspo 3B
- Chris Ianetta C
- Peter Bourjos LF
Rotation:
- Jered Weaver (2.81 2012 ERA)
- CJ Wilson (3.83)
- Joe Blanton (4.99)
- Jason Vargas (3.85)
- Tommy Hanson (4.48 ERA)
Stengths:
Offense: With the fastest one-two hitters in baseball, and three of the best power bats in the game, the Angels have a chance to score the most runs in baseball. If Hamilton can stay healthy, they could realistically get 120 home runs and 100 stolen bases out of the first 5 hitters in their lineup.
Mike Trout: The Angels have the best youngster (if not player) in the big leagues. The biggest question in the baseball world heading into 2013: Can Mike Trout repeat his 2012 performance? If last year was not a fluke, we could be looking at one of the best center fielders since Mays and Mantle. Despite finishing second for the AL MVP, Trout is the most promising and valuable player in the major leagues going into 2013.
Coaching: The Angels have one of the most respected (and best) managers in the Major Leagues. With a club record .548 winning percentage as a manager, Scoscia knows how to turn weaknesses into strengths. The former catcher knows how to manage a pitching staff and has the ability to turn this marginal rotation into a very successful one.
Weaknesses:
Pitching: Besides Jered Weaver, the Angels do not have a starter they can count on. Blanton had a mediocre season at best last year (he missed “bad” by a hair) and CJ Wilson remains questionable following a very streaky year. The Angels’ 2013 bullpen has potential, but will need to stay away from injuries they had in 2012 and hold more leads if they want to be effective. The additions of Ryan Madson and Sean Burnett should help, but gone is former closer Jordan Walden.
Losing big games: The Angels had a tendency last year to drop big games. With a chance to come within a game of the AL West lead in a four game series against Texas, the Angels lost a game in extra innings after having a six run lead. They went on to lose 12 of their next 17. With a chance to jump ahead in the AL Wild card over Tampa Bay, the Angels were swept in a four game series at home by the Rays, at one point blowing an eight run lead. Winning teams win big games, just look at the Giants.
Storylines:
With an aging roster and increased focus on big acquisitions, where is the Angels farm system headed? In the last ten years, we have seen a significant change in the Angles’ organization. A transition from a small to a big market team and a decreased focus on the young undervalued player.
Third Base. The Angels have not had a third baseman since Troy Glaus. They have gone into every offseason in the past eight years needing a hitting third basemen and have consistently failed to fill the void.
When are the Angels going to stop signing old, big name, expensive outfielders? They have so many outfielders and designated hitters that they could not guarantee an everyday spot for Kendrys Morales!
Prediction:
86-76, Third Place, AL West. The Angels have a dynamic offense, and led by Weaver they’ll be tough should they make the playoffs, but the question marks in the rotation have Off The Bench’s official prediction at 87 wins. (Parker’s original prediction pegged them for 95 wins citing the addition of Houston into the AL West, which could make that possible. Further, as part of a heated discussion, Max had them winning the division ahead of the A’s and Rangers. However, Sean’s a bit more pessimistic about their abilities.)
Bold Predictions:
- C.J. Wilson has above a 4.50 ERA this year.
- Alberto Callaspo will start under 100 games and hit below .240.
- Ernesto Frieri and Ryan Madson each have fewer than 18 saves.
- Vernon Wells starts over 60 games before an early July trade sends him to Baltimore.
-Parker Werline
Stat of the Day: This is Parker’s second post for Off The Bench. His first can be read here.
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