Los Angeles Angels offseason moves mean nothing yet
By David Hill
The Los Angeles Angels have won the offseason to this point. That paper trophy means absolutely nothing yet.
To say that the Los Angeles Angels have been busy this offseason would be an understatement. Not only have they convinced Shohei Ohtani to come to Los Angeles, but they signed former Braves top prospect Kevin Maitan after he was declared a free agent. The Angels also filled two other holes in the lineup, trading for Ian Kinsler to man second base, and signing Zack Cozart as their new third baseman.
Needless to say, the Angels offseason, to this point, has been viewed as a tremendous success. Ohtani gives Los Angeles a prospective ace, although one that is unproven at the major league level. Likewise, the Angels defense has received a significant upgrade, with Kinsler and Cozart expected to team with Andrelton Simmons to give Los Angeles one of the best infields in the game.
And yet, how much does winning the offsesaon truly matter? Remember in 2015, when the Padres won the offseason with their signing of James Shields, and their trades for Justin Upton and Craig Kimbrel? That year, the Padres, expected to make the postseason, were a disappointing 74-88, going through three managers. In 2016, the Marlins made a number of moves designed to put them into contention, as did the Mariners in 2017. Both of those teams fell short of the postseason come October.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
While the Angels may hold the paper trophy for the offseason championship, it really means nothing. It is essentially the Major League Baseball version of a participation award, a sign that the Angels front office tried really hard and did the best they could. The true litmus test will be if the Angels are still playing meaningful games in October.
Los Angeles certainly has a difficult path through the AL West. The Astros won the World Series, and have focused on fortifying a bullpen that needed an upgrade. The Rangers are still expecting to contend, and acquired Matt Moore to strengthen their rotation. And, one can never tell what Jerry DiPoto and the Mariners will do in any given offseason.
Last season, the Angels posted an 80-82 record, despite Mike Trout missing nearly a month and a half. Andrelton Simmons was the only regular aside from Trout to have an OPS+ over 100. The rotation was a patchwork collection, beset by injuries and stocked with has-beens and never-weres. Bud Norris led the team in saves. And yet, the Angels found themselves contending for the Wild Card into the final weeks of the season.
Given how greatly they appeared to overachieve, and the improvements made this offseason, it is understandable that Angels fans would feel confident about 2018. Yet, there are still question marks. The rotation is still a giant, injury filled question mark, even with Ohtani. The bullpen needs work. The Angels may catch the ball, and the offense should be better, but that pitching staff still needs attention. Until that happens, they are not quite a postseason threat.
The Los Angeles Angels have made quite a few excellent moves this offseason. But just because they have won the offseason thus far does not mean they are a real contender just yet. The games still need to be played.