The final AL West team I will be breaking down are the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels are coming off yet another disappointing season, finishing last year with a 26-34 record and a 4th place finish. I say disappointing season because even with the expanded playoff format, they weren’t able to get the best player in the game to the playoffs. I’m sure MLB expanded the playoffs to ensure Mike Trout will get in the playoffs, yet they were no where close. And in the offseason they didn’t even try to better themselves. The one weakness the Angels have had for YEARS has been pitching, more specifically starting pitching. Yet for some moronic reason, they decided to only sign 1 pitcher, that being Jose Quintana. They weren’t even in the mix for Bauer. Like what the fuck are you doing? You have the best player in baseball and are wasting him. Wake the fuck up and put together a better team.
Projected Starting Rotation
| 1 | Shohei Ohtani |
| 2 | Dylan Bundy |
| 3 | Jose Quintana |
| 4 | Andrew Heaney |
| 5 | Griffin Canning |
The rotation has been the constant issue for the Angels throughout the years. As a matter of fact, the entire pitching staff has been an issue. People thought that after Mike Trout called out the executives about not putting a good enough overall team. But the Angels still didn’t do shit to bolster their pitching. Their only big free agent acquisition was Jose Quintana, who is looking to bounce back after a couple rough years. What don’t the Angels get? You have the BEST PLAYER IN BASEBALL, and you have only made the postseason ONCE in his 8 plus year career. ONCE!!!!!! Get your heads out of your asses and get Mike fucken Trout to the playoffs. The one pitcher I want to touch on is Shohei Ohtani. The two way player who has yet to play a full season as a two way player. He looks good in Spring Training and that may lead to him finally putting together a good pitching and hitting season. If Ohtani does produce on the mound, then the Angels have one less concern. If he doesn’t, then he may have to reconsider this two way player thing or the Angels will have to use him as a reliever.
Projected Line-Up
| 1 | 2B David Fletcher | R |
| 2 | CF Mike Trout | R |
| 3 | DH Shohei Ohtani | L |
| 4 | 3B Anthony Rendon | R |
| 5 | 1B Albert Pujols/Jared Walsh | R/L |
| 6 | LF Justin Upton | R |
| 7 | RF Jo Adell | R |
| 8 | C Kurt Suzuki | R |
| 9 | SS Jose Iglesias | R |
This lineup has potential. Unlike how the Angels front office have neglected the pitching, they have actually invested into the lineup. They extended Trout, signed Rendon and Upton and are willing to invest in other ways. The names I want to touch on are Mike Trout (obviously), Shohei Ohtani and David Fletcher. I’m not going to talk a lot about Trout as a lot of people knows what he brings to the table. Trout has stated that when he got to camp he wanted to fix his swing because he “hasn’t been feeling right”. If Trout hasn’t felt right and there’s still room for improvement, then the league has to watch out. Ohtani has shown his entire time in MLB that he is a great hitter. Sure he can be inconsistent, but he still puts together great offensive seasons. Lastly, David Fletcher is the toughest out. Not many will agree with me, but I say this because he doesn’t strike out a lot. When Fletcher goes up to bat, his main goal is to make sure his at bat is productive. If these three and Rendon and Adell are productive then the Angels will be in a position where they are competing for a postseason spot in September.
2021 PECOTA AL West Projection
Although PECOTA has the Angels finishing in 2nd, I don’t know where they will finish. I can see the Astros, A’s and Angels all flip flopping 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. I don’t expect this division to be decided until mid to late September. Its going to be a dog fight, and I can see the Angels winning the division, finishing in 2nd or ending in 3rd. But ultimately I think the Angels finish in 2nd and will be in contention for a playoff spot.
