The biggest question this season is if/when will the Angels overtake the Texas Rangers in the AL West at some point this season. When will Kendrys Morales come off the Disabled List and be back to the consisten first basemen that he normally can be on a yearly basis? What kind of bullpen support will these Angels have until they get to the back of the bullpen where the confidence sits?
Vernon Wells was brought in via trade. He was traded from Toronto to the Angels for OF Juan Rivera and C/1B Mike Napoli. The Angels hated to see them do it, but sometimes a player has to hang up a career. That's exactly what OF Garrett Anderson and Right-handed relief pitcher Scot Shields did during the off-season. They both decided that it's time to retire and put their playing days behind them. While the Angels organization will miss the big bat and outfield play of Anderson and great relief work that Shields gave them, they will move on they thank those two for their contributions over the years.
Manager Mike Sciocia enters his 12th season with the Angels. In first 11 years, Sciocia has made the playoffs in six of those seasons, including a 2002 World Series Championship over the San Francisco. He has a career record of 980-802 with eight winning seasons.
The starting rotation is one of the best, on paper that is. Top to bottom, this lineup could do some serious damage in the American League this season.
1- Jered Weaver
2- Dan Haren
3- Ervin Santana
4- Scott Kazmir
5- Joel Piniero
The bullpen is what should concern manager Mike Sciocia. Scotty Downs will help lead the middle relieft department, along with Kevin Jespen, Rich Thompson, Hisonari Takahashi and set-up man Francisco Rodriguez. Fernando Rodney assumes the Closer role on a full-time basis this season. Rodney should be comfortable in those shoes, somewhat. He was the Closer for Detroit in 2009 with 37 saves, also had 14 saves and 21 holds in 72 appearances last year of out the Angels' pen.
The Angels might be playing more small ball than hitting for power in 2011. They don't pose to be a threat for the longball. Bobby Abreu, Vernon Wells and Torii Hunter aren't the young pups that they used to be. This group of Angels will probably get it done as best as possible while competing with the Rangers for the AL West title, but it obviously won't be an easy task. This lineup also has the feel that they will probably run on some teams and make them work.
C Jeff Mathis
1B Mark Trumbo (Kendrys Morales on DL to start the season)
2B Howie Kendrick
SS Erick Aybar
3B Maicer Izturis
LF Vernon Wells
CF Reggie Willits
RF Torii Hunter
DH Bobby Abreu
To be honest, I've never heard of Mark Trumbo. Maybe he'll be a decent replacement for Morales while he's rehabing from his leg injury. Jeff Mathis will be okay at Catcher, but I don't think he's as good as Mike Napoli, who's now in Toronto from the Vernon Wells trade. Only time will tell what will happen for this Los Angeles Angels team. They'll find out for sure next Thursday, March 31st when they visit the Kansas City Royals for an opening weekend four-game series at Kauffman Stadium.
AL West finish: 2nd (right behind Texas)
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