Post by #1 Jays Fan on Mar 21, 2008 20:35:54 GMT -5
Last season: 94-68, 1st in A.L. West
Lost in ALDS to Boston 3-0
Manager: Mike Scioscia, 9th season, 703-593 (.542) career record
New faces: OF Dee Brown (/OAK), RHP John Garland (CWS), CF Torii Hunter (MIN)
Left town: SS Orlando Cabrera (CWS), RHP Greg Jones (LAD)
Overview: As you can see, based on the lack of offseason player movement, the Angels were quite happy with what they had last season, save for getting swept out of the playoffs in the first round by the Red Sox. What they did do was add a couple of pieces to solidify their place atop the division. Torii Hunter takes over in centre, and his arrival shifts Gary Matthews Jr. over to left while Garret Anderson turns to full-time DH. And with some good middle infielders coming through their system, Orlando Cabrera had to be sacrificed to bring in a solid number three starter in Jon Garland. The Angels join the Red Sox and Tigers as the best teams in the American League. The only thing that will keep this group from the playoffs is injury.
Stat to ponder: The Angels 370-278 (.571) record since the start of the 2004 season is third-best in the Majors behind only the Yankees (387-261) and Red Sox (375-273). Top prospect: RHP Nick Adenhart: Patience is the last thing that this 21-year-old righty needs to learn. With all the talent ahead of him on the rotation depth chart, he'll bide his time at AAA and wait for an opening to appear.
Hitting
2007 AVG: 284 (4th), RUNS/GAME: 5.07 (6th), HR: 123 (27th)
Mike Scioscia managed teams rarely rely on the home run alone and the 2008 edition will be no different. They finished in the bottom third among Major League teams in terms of home runs, yet were one of only nine teams to average five runs scored per game. The Angels hit well gap to gap and are suited very well to take advantage of their home field. And when given the opportunity they take the extra base as well as anybody. Stud right fielder Vladimir Guerrero might have lost a little power but he's still one of the game's most dangerous hitters and sets the offensive tone for the team. It will be interesting how new shortstop Erick Aybar handles replacing a very good player in Cabrera.
Pitching
2007 ERA: 4.23 (11th), OPP AVG: .266 (11th)
The top of the rotation are coming off the best years of their career. John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar combined to win 37 games in '07. Lackey won 19 games and finished first in the ERA race, which had not happened to an Angels starter in 30 years. The enigmatic Escobar finally put it all together, winning 18, and finally realizing the promise that had teased Blue Jays fans for years. The arrival of Garland, a solid, dependable starter who averages 32 starts a year and an ERA right around four, gives the Angels the best top three in the game. Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders round out the rotation and have shown flashes that they can better than their numbers reveal. The Angels also boast the deepest bullpen in the majors, with the electric Francisco Rodriguez set-up by the proven duo of Scot Shields and Justin Speier.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: First in the West and a challenge to the Red Sox for the A.L. pennant. All that is holding them back is the health Guerrero, Anderson and Escobar. Fingers crossed, but this team has the talent to take the whole enchilada.
Lost in ALDS to Boston 3-0
Manager: Mike Scioscia, 9th season, 703-593 (.542) career record
New faces: OF Dee Brown (/OAK), RHP John Garland (CWS), CF Torii Hunter (MIN)
Left town: SS Orlando Cabrera (CWS), RHP Greg Jones (LAD)
Overview: As you can see, based on the lack of offseason player movement, the Angels were quite happy with what they had last season, save for getting swept out of the playoffs in the first round by the Red Sox. What they did do was add a couple of pieces to solidify their place atop the division. Torii Hunter takes over in centre, and his arrival shifts Gary Matthews Jr. over to left while Garret Anderson turns to full-time DH. And with some good middle infielders coming through their system, Orlando Cabrera had to be sacrificed to bring in a solid number three starter in Jon Garland. The Angels join the Red Sox and Tigers as the best teams in the American League. The only thing that will keep this group from the playoffs is injury.
Stat to ponder: The Angels 370-278 (.571) record since the start of the 2004 season is third-best in the Majors behind only the Yankees (387-261) and Red Sox (375-273). Top prospect: RHP Nick Adenhart: Patience is the last thing that this 21-year-old righty needs to learn. With all the talent ahead of him on the rotation depth chart, he'll bide his time at AAA and wait for an opening to appear.
Hitting
2007 AVG: 284 (4th), RUNS/GAME: 5.07 (6th), HR: 123 (27th)
Mike Scioscia managed teams rarely rely on the home run alone and the 2008 edition will be no different. They finished in the bottom third among Major League teams in terms of home runs, yet were one of only nine teams to average five runs scored per game. The Angels hit well gap to gap and are suited very well to take advantage of their home field. And when given the opportunity they take the extra base as well as anybody. Stud right fielder Vladimir Guerrero might have lost a little power but he's still one of the game's most dangerous hitters and sets the offensive tone for the team. It will be interesting how new shortstop Erick Aybar handles replacing a very good player in Cabrera.
Pitching
2007 ERA: 4.23 (11th), OPP AVG: .266 (11th)
The top of the rotation are coming off the best years of their career. John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar combined to win 37 games in '07. Lackey won 19 games and finished first in the ERA race, which had not happened to an Angels starter in 30 years. The enigmatic Escobar finally put it all together, winning 18, and finally realizing the promise that had teased Blue Jays fans for years. The arrival of Garland, a solid, dependable starter who averages 32 starts a year and an ERA right around four, gives the Angels the best top three in the game. Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders round out the rotation and have shown flashes that they can better than their numbers reveal. The Angels also boast the deepest bullpen in the majors, with the electric Francisco Rodriguez set-up by the proven duo of Scot Shields and Justin Speier.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: First in the West and a challenge to the Red Sox for the A.L. pennant. All that is holding them back is the health Guerrero, Anderson and Escobar. Fingers crossed, but this team has the talent to take the whole enchilada.
