Hardball Times on the Angels

Angel blogger and creator of the Chone projection system, Sean Smith answers five questions about the Angels for Hardball Times . . .

"Once again, the Angels head into the season as favorites in the American League West Division. Last year they won the division by 21 games, but repeating looks like it may be a bit more of a challenge. The Angels didn’t become stronger in the offseason. Losing Mark Teixiera, Frankie Rodriguez, Jon Garland and Garret Anderson while adding Brian Fuentes and Bobby Abreu can best be described as damage control. Meanwhile, their rivals to the north have added Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra . . . ."

8 months ago G Abbes 12 comments 0 recs |

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Just about to post this

I’d have expected more optimism from Sean about our fifth starter situation. Oh well. I think our pitching will be better than what he lays out, even if Santana doesn’t make it back, but I’ll take the over on Oakland’s pitching too… Meaning a close race, but without his predicted slugfests…

Loux projection is hocus pocus due to his down time in ‘07, Adenhart could get very good in a hurry if his curveball develops into a righty-killing weapon (it looks good this spring!), and Moseley looks like he’s returning to his first-half-of-07 form, at least until he tires later in the season, and there’s always Ortega and Alverado with the Bees. I think we’re fine.

by rghan on Mar 24, 2009 9:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Aging one year, and staying healthy, makes our young players stronger

Players under the age of 27 (Aybar, Kendrick, Napoli, Mathis, Wood, Morales, just to name non-pitchers) have a tendency to make a team “become stronger” by the mere fact of entering their peak seasons and (hopefully) staying healthy. Chances are good that each one of those six players will contribute more this year than last, maybe (as in the case of Kendrick) a whole helluva lot more. That’s why you can’t just judge change from year to year on a roster basis.

by mattwelch on Mar 24, 2009 10:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was wondering why that wasn't one of the questions Smith answered.

Something along the lines of “Just how much upside do the Angels young infielders have?” to which the answer would be LOTS.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Mar 24, 2009 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sean seems pretty down on us this year. The A's are relying on a ton of unproven

pitchers, and odds are many of them aren’t going to work out.

Plugging the upside since 2006.
Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Mar 24, 2009 12:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree w/ Smith's conclusion, though

I think the Angels will beat the A’s in a pretty close race. I’m on the verge of picking Choakland to be the Wild Card.

by mattwelch on Mar 24, 2009 1:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wild Card?

Over Boston/TB loser?

That is bold. I do not like Oaklands pitching. They are too young and unproven as a group. No contribution from Harden this year and Justin Duchscherer’s elbow is barking again.

Just curious to hear your thoughts

Play Wood already. Willits sucks.

by hauldog on Mar 24, 2009 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you.

I can’t see them being nearly that good unless Nomar, Giambi and Cabrera have miraculously become 25 again. For one thing, their defense will take a serious beating from Giambi playing first base, just like the Yankees have.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Mar 24, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Part of it is wishful thinking, to be sure

Because the more we’re pushed, I think the better we’ll be. But also I think that A) even though Tampa has loads of young talent & a great new program, there are very few teams in history that improve by so much year-to-year without falling back a bit. Their pitching, in particular, might regress pretty violently, even with Price. Since the Yankees (I think) do everything lousy except starting and closing, that leaves space for a non-East WC.

I don’t like Oakland’s pitching, but I frankly don’t know anything about it, and neither does anyone else. Beane throws various young pieces of meat out there, and they usually do well. Since their O will be vastly improved, and they’re stocked w/ unpredictable young talent, I think things could break their way to like 92 wins or something. Too bad we’ll win 97!

by mattwelch on Mar 24, 2009 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs