Los Angeles Angels

Contributor: Jeff Howe, mvn.com/mlb-angels

2007 Record: 94-68

2007 Summary: Another division title, another disappointing end to the playoffs. The eventual-champion Red Sox swept the Halos out of October, with the Angels never really mustering a challenge. By the end of the season, injuries had taken a toll. Garret Anderson suffered foot and knee injuries, as well as a nasty bout of Pink Eye during the playoffs; Vladimir Guerrero had wrist and let pain; Chone Figgins spent time on the disabled list with a broken hand; Howie Kendrick also spent a couple of stints on the DL; Gary Matthews, Jr. missed time; Casey Kotchman, Mike Napoli, Jered Weaver, Justin Speier, and probably even the Rally Monkey himself all took time on the pine with injuries. Needless to say, the team was never able to get healthy all at once.

What was healthy was the performance of the starting rotation. John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar both hung in for Cy Young contention right up to the end of the season. Jered Weaver continued to improve, posting 13 wins, even though his ERA approached 4.00. Even Joe Saunders held his own (8-5, 4.44), filling in when Bartolo Colon could not answer the bell.

Where the Angels have discovered a growing weakness is the bullpen. Even with the addition of Speier, the 'pen regressed significantly. Scot Sheilds had an extreme off year, posting an ERA a full run higher in 10 fewer innings than the previous year. The almost automatic Francisco Rodriguez's ERA climbed by more than a run. Along with six blown saves, K-Rod was not as dominant as he once was. However, a change in his delivery during the off-season may help reduce his penchant for wildness and control those crazy motions during a pitch.

2008 Key Additions: The two biggest additions were starting pitcher John Garland (from the White Sox) and center fielder Torii Hunter (free agent from Minnesota). The Garland pickup became even more important when both Lackey and Escobar developed injuries in Spring Training.

2008 Key Losses: Shortstop Orlando Cabrera (traded to Chicago), starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (free agent)

2008 Starting Lineup:
1. Chone Figgins 3B
2. Gary Matthews Jr. LF/DH
3. Vladimir Guerrero RF
4. Garret Anderson LF/DH
5. Torii Hunter CF
6. Casey Kotchman 1B
7. Howie Kendrick 2B
8. Mike Napoli C
9. Maicier Izturis SS

2008 Starting Rotation: Jered Weaver, John Garland, Joe Saunders, Ervin Santana, Dustin Mosely. Once Lackey returns, he will take Mosely's spot. If Escobar returns, he will likely take Santana's spot (but that's a big if).

2008 Closer: Francisco Rodriguez

2008 MVP: It's hard not to vote for Vlad. However, Hunter out-homered him by one last year, and with TH's stellar defense, he could just snatch the title from the guy to his left in the outfield.

The Angels will be successful if: they stay healthy. Injuries have been such a determining factor for this team, that many have to wonder just what they're capable of should the DL list stay short. Some natural regression is expected in the starting rotation, but the sooner Lackey returns, the better the staff will be. The team has to find some stability in the bullpen, either in a renewed effort from Shields, or a mid-season pickup. Darren Oliver is just not the answer anymore, Darren O'Day is talented, but young, and Jason Bulger just does not have the staying power. This puts a lot of pressure on Speier, Rodriguez, and Shields.


2008 Season Prediction: This year, the Angels will face even tougher competition from the Mariners, who improved their rotation dramatically with the signing of Carlos Silva and Erick Bedard. However, the Halo offense is a few ticks better, especially playing in a better ballpark compared to the pitcher-friendly Safeco. The Angels should still take the division, but it will be a lot closer than they are used to.

Standings Prediction:
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
2. Seattle Mariners
3. Texas Rangers
4. Oakland A's