MLB: Ranking the Teams That Will Improve the Most in 2017
By Jason Reed
3. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
- 2016 Record: 74-88
- Projected 2017 Record: 83-79 (Difference: 9)
While I believe there were three choices to make this list in the American League West, the Angels will have the best turnaround. The sad part is, I’m not even sure if they can secure a playoff spot and may still be third in their division. The Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners are both candidates for the best improvement as well, but because of their already good records it won’t be as large. I suspect the Mariners to be a 92-win team, creating a difference of six, and the Astros to be an 89-win team, a five-game difference.
However, this turnaround for the Halos will be a spark of more success down the line. First and foremost, the Angels have the best player in baseball, Mike Trout, to lead the way. Trout has been able to solely carry the offense to avoid embarrassment, and with health and new acquisitions the Angels look fit for a turnaround. They finally have outfield depth, adding the likes of Cameron Maybin and Ben Revere to create a left field platoon. They locked Kole Calhoun down for three more years, and their pitching staff may finally be healthy.
Garrett Richards has proven to be one of baseball’s best when he is 100 percent, so he can produce as a true ace. Tyler Skaggs is a promising lefty who can be a breakout candidate in 2017. Matt Shoemaker and Ricky Nolasco are decent, and serve as fillers until Nick Tropeano and Andrew Heaney can become healthy. Yunel Escobar is a .300 hitter, and Albert Pujols is still a good power option when he returns from injury. The Angels filled a need with Danny Espinosa, and while they might not be a playoff caliber team quite yet, they are definitely on the right track.