Sunday, November 25, 2012

Anaheim Angels Season 21 Outlook

Season 20
Won/Loss (place in division) & Playoffs:  84-78 (2nd), missed playoffs
Offense:  790 runs (7th)
Pitching:  3.92 ERA (4th)

Major Changes
OF's Andy Wagner and Kevin Cooper left via free agency

promoted RP Cody Service

Season 21 OutlookThe Angels' offseason appears incomplete at this point, as they have neither a DH or a CF currently on their ML roster (although they used no fewer than 12 DH's last year).  They have a couple of ML-ready IF's at AAA (Chris Sherman and Eduardo Mesa) who could impact the roster either directly or via trade.

Minus OF's Wagner and Cooper, Anaheim trots out largely the same ML squad as last season.  On offense, Javier Melian sets the table and Coveleski (.316/33/103 - fine followup to his MVP season), Sojo (25 HR, 81 RBI) and Ayala (178 HR's in his 1st 5 seasons) clear the bases.  SS Zephyr Mailman is the 2-time defending GG SS, and chips in more offense than the average SS (Silver Slugger Sea 18).

Eduardo Julio (12-9, 2.96) headlines a deep, talented rotation (all 5 had ERA's under 3.70 last year!).  The didn't fare quite as well...Brian Watson was the most effective of the closer committee.

Hard team to call.  The talent's there to explode up to 90 wins or more, or they could back up a bit if the rotation's performance drops off.

Right now I see them as solidly 2nd place in the division.  They'll have to make some aggressive moves (and they have the resources to do so) to challenge Seattle or get into wild-card contention.

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