Have The Los Angeles Angels Fallen Behind In The AL West?

Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) celebrates his run with third baseman David Freese (6) against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Angels won 11-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

It seems like ages ago that the Los Angeles Angels were the winningest team in baseball. After racking up 98 wins and winning the AL West, it seemed like the Angels were destined for something much greater than a divisional series sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals. Fast forward to 2015 and the Angels seemingly couldn’t get out of their own way en route to missing the playoffs entirely. From the Josh Hamilton debacle to the eroding partnership between General Manager Jerry DiPoto and manager Mike Scioscia, the Angels were doomed from the start. Not even a late season push lead by the best player in the sport could dig the Angels out of the hole they spent the entire season digging themselves into.

Now, there has been an awakening. The AL West is quickly becoming one of the tougher divisions in baseball and the Angels should be on notice. It seems that the laughing stock version of the Houston Astros was left back in the days of the NL Central. The AL West version of the Astros has burst onto the scene and they are stocked with young talent. From budding superstar Carlos Correa to current All-Star Jose Altuve, and we haven’t even touched on the reigning AL Cy Young Dallas Keuchel.

Oct 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning in game five of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

As surprising as the Astros were in 2015, perhaps the most underrated team in the AL West is the other team that calls Texas home. The Texas Rangers might have the best 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation in all of baseball with Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels. With all of the wheeling and dealing the Blue Jays made at the trade deadline, it seems the Cole Hamels move got swept under the media coverage rug but make no mistake, if Darvish can return to full health in 2016, this combination will be deadly to opposing offenses.

Lets not forget about the great northwest and the Seattle Mariners, because new Mariners GM Jerry DiPoto hasn’t forgotten about the Angels. The Mariners have been extremely active this offseason and although they haven’t made a big splash, DiPoto is certainly building a more complete roster in Seattle and one that can compete for the length of an entire season. It would also be immature of me to count out Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics as their bizarre brand of ‘money-ball’ has a tendency to produce successful results. Sure, Beane is the kind of guy who would trade away an MVP caliber player like Josh Donaldson but if there’s someone who can find the next diamond in the rough, you best believe it’s Beane.

The Angels certainly started off the 2015 offseason with a bang, acquiring top defensive shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Although the Angels had to include their top prospect Sean Newcomb and long time Halo Erick Aybar, most would agree that this is a great deal for both sides. Sure, Simmons isn’t going to blow anyone away at the plate, but he’s also no slouch at the dish, batting .265 last season on a bad Atlanta team. The Angels don’t need to get a ton of offensive production from Simmons spot, but like previously mentioned, his defensive prowess makes him a key piece to this teams future going forward.

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Oct 30, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets center fielder Yoenis Cespedes drives in a run with a sacrifice fly against the Kansas City Royals in the 6th inning in game three of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

One thing that still needs to be addressed on this Angels club is the lack of production coming from left field. In fact, lack of production might even be a light assessment of the black hole that’s been left field for the Angels in 2015. While Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun are heavy producers at the dish, guys like David Murphy, Shane Victorino, and Matt Joyce just couldn’t muster any real momentum at the plate and it was certainly a downer for the offense when their spot in the lineup was due up to bat. There are still big name free agents who could fill this massive void for the Angels, including Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton. Earlier this week, MLB insider Jesse Sanchez tweeted that the market for Cespedes was starting to take form and included the White Sox, Orioles, Angels, and Rangers as interested parties. While few Halo fans believe that the club is truly in the running for Cespedes, make no doubt about it, if the Angels could bring in a player the caliber of Cespedes, they would automatically have a top-3 outfield in the entire league.

While January is just around the corner, that’s not to say that the Angels don’t have time to make additions to their roster before the 2016 season gets underway. With a lot of big name bats still undecided, the Angels could look like a much different team in less than 24 hours from now, or from January 1st and so on. And while there are still holes in this Angels roster, fans can take comfort in knowing that the best player in baseball calls the Big-A his home and that alone is reason for hope.

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