Since the start of the offseason, there has been a lot of talk about the Mets and the Yankees, who are stealing the show with big signings. The New York formations have the means of their ambitions and they were not afraid to take out the checkbook to bring or keep talent in town.
That said, there is another formation whose work done during the off-season greatly impresses me, even if it goes unnoticed: the Los Angeles Angels.
Yes, I decide to believe for the umpteenth time that this time will be good for Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani and the Angels. Let me explain myself.
As we know, the Angels have possibly the two best players in the world on their roster. Ohtani is the most complete player to have ever played in MLB and Mike Trout is arguably the best player of his generation.
But what the Angels have lacked in recent years is the inability to give depth to this core. And this year, I think they have the right elements on paper to help the two stars get into the playoffs.
In the free range market, the team signed Tyler Anderson, Brandon Drury and Carlos Estevez. And through the deal market, it acquired Gio Urshela and Hunter Renfroe.
As for the hitters, these are three guys who will join the starting lineup and who are able to play several positions. It gives the club leeway, which can give its guys a rest when they need it.
And concretely, the alignment is quite complete now:
- Taylor Ward (CG)
- Mike Trout (CC)
- Shohei Ohtani (FD)
- Anthony Rendon (3B)
- Hunter Renfroe (CD)
- Brandon Drury (2B)
- Jared Walsh (1B)
- Logan O’Hoppe or Max Stassi (R)
- Luis Rengifo or Gio Urshela (AC)
And that does not include Mickey Moniak, who had done well when he arrived with the Angels before being injured, or David Fletcher, who is not a bad infielder.
The team will have to avoid injuries, of course, but on paper, we are talking about an alignment that is very complete.
As for the pitchers, it was while chatting with colleague Charles-Alexis Brisebois that I realized that the rotation of the Angels is cruelly underestimated. In addition to Ohtani and Anderson, Patrick Sandoval is a very good pitcher, as are youngsters José Suarez and Reid Detmers.
It may be missing another starter to really solidify it, but on paper, we’re talking about a group that had the sixth-best ERA in MLB in 2022. And with the addition of Anderson, the rotation is improved.
The bullpen may still be a question mark, but Estevez is no bad catch. Jimmy Herget, Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup will be the other big guys, and while there isn’t an elite reliever, there are several good relievers in town.
I’m not saying the Angels have to be favorites. That said, I think the Angels are an under-the-radar team, and with a little polish, I see them in the thick of the playoff race, especially since the American isn’t full of big clubs.
If injuries spare the club, I’m hopeful to see Trout and Ohtani in the playoffs this year. Maybe not in the World Series, but after all, if they catch fire at the right time, who knows…
