2011 MLB Spring Training: 10 Questions the LA Angels Must Answer for Opening Day
To say that the offseason for the Los Angeles Angels was a little contentious is akin to saying that the citizens of Egypt just wanted some minor tweaks to government.
After coming off a season in which they went 80-82 and finished out of the playoffs for only the second time in seven seasons, Halos fans were clearly looking for improvement during the offseason. What they got instead were two additions to the bullpen and a very controversial trade for the expensive Vernon Wells.
However, there is hope on the horizon. With Kendry Morales 100 percent healthy once again and a starting rotation that is considered strong, the Angels could make some noise in the now-competitive AL West. While fans are still wary of the offensive output, a strong rotation with a replenished bullpen will certainly help to keep the Angels competitive in later innings.
While there are no doubt some questions regarding their lineup, things really can’t be much worse than the 2010 season, when the Angels lost their top hitter, Kendry Morales, in late May and got the worst production in the American League from the third base position. The struggles of starting pitcher Scott Kazmir were of major concern and continue to be, and the not-so-impressive offensive debut of center fielder Peter Bourjos certainly lead to fans’ concerns for the 2011 season.
The overriding concern, however, remains the Angels’ inability to land a big bat, other than the overpaid Vernon Wells. While they made a play for free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre and left fielder Carl Crawford, they fell far short and Angels fans felt that the trade for Vernon Wells was nothing but a make-up move for their previous ineffectiveness.
So, as the Los Angeles Angels report to Tempe next week to start their 2011 spring training campaign, we pose 10 questions that the Los Angeles Angels must answer in order to at least stay competitive in the much-improved AL West.
1. Can the Angels Find a Leadoff Hitter to Set the Table?
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In 2010, the Los Angeles Angels gave ample opportunity to shortstop Erick Aybar at the leadoff position. However, Aybar was largely ineffective, batting just .253 with a .306 OBP for the season, and .279 with a .336 OBP from the leadoff position in 95 games.
Utility infielder Maicer Izturis was no better at .250 with a .321 OBP. The leadoff position has always been a huge factor in a Mike Scioscia offense, and he has spoken about the leadoff position being a top priority for 2011. Without the table setting needed at the top, Scioscia could be looking at another challenging year offensively.
Aybar has recovered fully from a knee injury that plagued him during the second half of the 2010 season and he could return to his 2009 form, when he hit .312 with 70 runs scored. If Aybar can show improved plate discipline, the leadoff position is his to lose.
2. Can Vernon Wells Continue His Offensive Regurgence?
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While new Angel Vernon Wells enjoyed a comeback offensively in 2010 (31 HR, 88 RBI, .515 SLG), questions certainly abound as to whether or not he can continue the offensive uptick in Anaheim. At 32 years of age, Wells is certainly not over the hill, however, his range defensively has declined and his overall numbers at Angels Stadium are not stellar (.226 BA, 3 HR, 19 RBI). While the body of work is only 39 games over a 12 year career, it certainly raises questions as to whether or not Wells can feel comfortable and produce at Angels Stadium.
The other question, of course, is how well Vernon Wells can adapt to playing left field. While he is a three-time Gold Glove award winner, they were all at the expense of his center field play. Proponents argue that Wells will benefit from both the move to left field and playing the vast majority of games on natural grass, as opposed to the hard artificial surface in Toronto.
If young center fielder Peter Bourjos can’t find his groove offensively, Vernon Wells could find himself back in center field at some point during the season. And speaking of Peter Bourjos...
3. Can Peter Bourjos Add Offensive Spark Along with His Defensive Brilliance?
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When Peter Bourjos was called up by the Los Angeles Angels last year, moving nine time Gold Glove award winter Torii Hunter to right field, he absolutely sparkled defensively. However, he was less than impressive at the plate, hitting just .204 with a .237 OBP and striking out 40 times in 193 plate appearances. Bourjos will need to show that he can hit beyond the AAA level, where he hit .314 for the Salt Lake Bees last season before his major league call-up.
If Bourjos is unable to show he can handle major league pitching, don’t be surprised to see the Los Angeles Angels call on the top prospect in baseball, Mike Trout, to fill the void.
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4. Can Starting Pitcher Scott Kazmir Find His Slider Again?
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The 2010 season was essentially a disaster for Scott Kazmir, going 9-15 with a 5.79 ERA. His fastball lost velocity and his slider was at least three to four MPH slower than previous seasons in which the slider was his out pitch.
Kazmir has been going through a strenuous offseason conditioning and throwing program, but how that translates to the 2011 is anyone’s guess. If Kazmir can contribute effectively, the Los Angeles Angels starting rotation will be formidable for sure.
5. Can Fernando Rodney Dominate as a Closer?
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Angels manager Mike Scioscia has not exactly shown that he is completely comfortable handing the ball over to closer Fernando Rodney for the ninth inning. After the Brian Fuentes trade last season, Rodney was erratic at the closer position and especially in September, blowing several save situations.
With the additions of relievers Scott Downs and Hisanori Takahashi, Scioscia won’t hesitate to go to a closer by committee if Rodney falters early. Still, the bullpen figures to be much stronger than 2010, when the Angels posted a 4.33 ERA with 17 blown saves.
6. Can Jeff Mathis Step Up as the Everyday Catcher?
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Now that the Los Angeles Angels have dealt the defensively-challenged Mike Napoli, Jeff Mathis will be given an honest shot to prove he can handle the everyday catching duties. Manager Mike Scioscia has always favored defense over offense at that position, however, Mathis’ offensive numbers are hardly worth shouting about. His career batting average is below the Mendoza line (.199) and his strikeout ratio of once every 3.7 plate appearances doesn’t exactly show great plate discipline.
Still, Scioscia will hand Jeff Mathis the starting opportunity come Opening Day and unless Bobby Wilson or Hank Conger can put together a phenomenal spring, look for Mathis behind the plate and look for the Angels to take their lumps from the No. 8 batting position.
7. Will Top Prospect Mike Trout Make an Impact in 2011?
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Whether or not Mike Trout will make an impact for the Los Angeles Angels in 2011 largely depends on Peter Bourjos and/or injuries. Trout, recently named the top prospect in baseball by Baseball America, is absolutely LOADED with talent. In his first full year in the minors, all Mike Trout did was hit a combined .341 with 56 stolen bases.
According to Los Angeles Angels general manager Tony Reagins, Trout will most likely start the season at AA Arkansas, however, he will get a good look at the major league camp in spring training. The Angels may not hesitate to call Trout up if he continues dominating at the minor league level and if Peter Bourjos continues to show he can’t hit major league pitching.
8. Who Will Play Third Base for the Los Angeles Angels?
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The question of who will play third base come Opening Day will more than likely be answered during spring training. Angels third basemen hit a collective 8 HR and 52 RBI in 2010, by far the worst in the American League and completely unacceptable from the corner position.
Alberto Callaspo, obtained in a trade with the Kansas City Royals last season, handles the glove well, but in 59 games, he hit two HR with 13 RBI while batting just .249. Maicer Izturis will likely see time at third as well, so there could be a platoon situation. Unless…
9. Will the Angels Give Brandon Wood 1 More Opportunity?
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Brandon Wood was clearly looked upon as being the answer at third base for the Angels now and in the future. However, Wood was woeful at the plate last season, hitting .146 with four HR and 14 RBI.
Wood continues to shine at the minor league level, once again having a stellar Arizona Fall League season, however, unless he can translate that success at the major league level and do it quickly, meaning during spring training, the Brandon Wood Experiment might officially be over.
10. Can the Los Angeles Angels Keep Up with the Rangers and A’s in the AL West?
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Both the Texas Rangers and Oakland A’s clearly upgraded this offseason. While the Rangers may have lost out on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, they were successful in signing free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre to a five year contract, and re-upped with star outfielder Josh Hamilton on a two year, $24 million deal.
The Rangers also brought in Mike Napoli, trusty reliever Arthur Rhodes and signed rehabbing starting pitcher Brandon Webb to an incentive-laden contract, hoping he can bounce back from arm troubles of the last two years.
The Oakland A’s made a serious push during the offseason as well, vastly upgrading their bullpen with the signings of both Brian Fuentes and Grant Balfour, starting pitchers Rich Harden and Brandon McCarthy, signing free agent DH Hideki Matsui and obtaining OF Josh Willingham and OF David DeJesus in separate trades.
The landscape in the AL West has certainly changed and the question certainly remains whether or not the Los Angeles Angels did enough during the offseason to keep pace with the Rangers and A’s.
While there are certainly some last minute deals that the Los Angeles Angels could pull off before Opening Day, their options are limited and it will left to their current roster to prove they are indeed worthy of improving upon a dismal 2010 season.
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