2011 LA Angels Preview: The 10 Biggest Keys to Return to Playoff Form
The Los Angeles Angels are treading in relatively rare waters. They are coming off only their third losing season in the Mike Scioscia era and scored the fewest amount of runs in one season since 1992 (not counting the strike-shortened year of 1994).
While there are many pundits who have lamented the inability of the Angels’ front office to land free agents Cliff Lee, Adrian Beltre and Carl Crawford, the Halos did pull off a major trade, albeit a controversial one.
By trading for the services of Vernon Wells, owner Arte Moreno proved that he wasn’t afraid to dig deep into his considerable pockets, shelling out $86 million for the next four years for Wells to patrol a brand new position—left field.
I mean, who are we to doubt Arte Moreno? The man took a start-up business and sold it for $8 billion, and then bought a baseball team from nasty corporate giants, so who are we to argue about his business acumen?
But, I digress. We are here to look at the current crop of Los Angeles Angels. We are here to see if there is a way that the Angels can do a little better than score an average of 4.2 runs and hit better than .248. We are here to see if they can resurrect a bullpen that for years had been the model for other teams to follow.
And, we are here to see if the Angels can avoid back-to-back losing seasons since 1992-93 (again, not including the strike-shortened year of 1994).
Here are 10 important keys that the Los Angeles Angels could employ during the 2011 season in order to avoid the ignominy of another losing season and having to listen to the naysayers who will no doubt be screaming about the failure of the Vernon Wells Project.
1. Find Whoever Inhabited the Body of Scott Kazmir
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Left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir showed great promise for the 2010 season after an encouraging six starts at the conclusion of the 2009 season.
However, Kazmir imploded during the playoffs and suffered through a horrendous 2010 campaign during which he clearly lost velocity on both his fastball and his out-pitch, the slider. Kazmir’s strikeout-to-walk ratio was by far the worst of his career, at 1.18, and his strikeouts-per-nine-innings rate dropped to 5.6, the lowest of his career.
Kazmir reportedly implemented a new offseason conditioning program and throwing regimen, and word is that he is throwing free and easy in the early days of camp, so maybe, just maybe, the old Scott Kazmir is back and will give the Angels a fifth weapon in an already loaded starting rotation.
2. Turn Maicer Izturis Into Another Chone Figgins
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During his eight seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Chone Figgins was invaluable for his offensive talents and his versatility in the field. Maicer Izturis could be that type of player, if he can play more than 114 games in a season, his high-water mark in six years with the Angels.
Izturis teased Halos fans with his 2009 season, during which he hit .300 with eight homers, 65 runs batted in and 74 runs scored. However in 2010, Izturis was non-existent, hitting just .250 in 61 games, and landing himself on the disabled list three times.
Manager Mike Scioscia has said that Izturis would be his leadoff man if he could stay healthy and take over the third base position. If Izturis can revert to his 2009 form, the table-setting problem is solved.
3. Bobby Abreu Finds Solace and New Life as Designated Hitter
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For 14 seasons, Bobby Abreu was a rock, averaging 20 HRs, 97 RBI and hitting nearly .300. In 2010, Abreu’s defense suffered, and he hit 41 points below his career batting average.
Now, as the full-time designated hitter, Abreu will able to concentrate on being a hitting machine and he is already embracing the role.
"I'm fine with it," Abreu told the Los Angeles Times. "I've always been on the field, but now I just have to get ready to hit. I will have to make adjustments right away. I need to talk to some guys who have been a DH to see what they do."
The rigors of playing the field won’t be lost on the legs of Abreu, who still managed to steal 24 bases last season. If he is able to make the adjustment to only hitting full-time, Abreu could be a very dangerous weapon in the No. 2 hole.
4. Truth or Consequences: Will the Real Fernando Rodney Please Stand Up?
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Fernando Rodney is the closer for the Los Angeles Angels in 2011. Well, on paper he is. However, based on his numbers last September, when he blew five saves and sported an earned run average of 5.65, that paper is razor-thin.
Rodney seems to show his real value during the walk year of his contract, finishing with 37 saves in 2009 with the Detroit Tigers, the final year of his contract. Rodney is playing for another contract this year, so time will tell as to which Fernando Rodney will be on the mound.
5. Keep Kendry Morales from Stomping on Anything
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When Kendry Morales decided to take his ill-advised leap on home plate following the walk-off grand slam homer to beat the Seattle Mariners on May 29 of last season, the Los Angeles Angels immediately put into place a “no celebration” zone around home plate.
The Angels are being very cautious with Morales during spring training as he completes his recovery from a broken ankle, however, manager Mike Scioscia fully expects Morales to be ready for the regular season, even if he sees a few games as the designated hitter.
The Angels were 24-27 when Morales went down for the season, and were only one game above .500 after, so Morales was not the sole reason for the Angels’ offensive woes. However, if Morales returns to his 2009 form, when he hit 34 home runs with 108 runs batted in, all of a sudden the offense doesn’t look so downtrodden.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Go to the Mike Trout Well Early
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While the Los Angeles Angels are very high on young center fielder Peter Bourjos, if he proves unable to manage major league pitching by June 15 at the latest, the Angels shouldn’t even hesitate to unleash Mike Trout on the major league world.
While the hype about Trout may be a bit overzealous, the kid has done absolutely nothing to disappoint thus far, and if he tears apart double-A pitching in the same manner that he did with single-A, the time for Mike Trout will be now.
7. Sign Jered Weaver Now and Get the Money Out of His Mind
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Starting pitcher and Angels’ ace Jered Weaver lost his arbitration case with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this month, settling for $7.365 million instead of the $8.8 million he was seeking. While Weaver is saying all the right things about moving on and getting ready for the 2011 season, the Angels and Tony Reagins should make an earnest effort to get Weaver signed long-term.
Weaver may have only won 13 games, but he was the American League leader in strikeouts last year with 233 and had a career-low 3.01 ERA.
Getting the money taken care of now will only clear Weaver’s head completely so that he can work on being the ace of a very good Angels starting rotation.
8. Find a Catcher...Somewhere, Anywhere
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The Los Angeles Angels are going into the 2011 without a proven commodity at the catcher’s position. While manager Mike Scioscia prefers a defense-first catcher, that doesn’t mean he will settle for a catcher that can’t hit above the Mendoza line.
Jeff Mathis is currently slated as the starter, however he has produced a lifetime batting average of .199, and his primary competition, Bobby Wilson, is not much better, with a .224 average in 59 total games. Prospect Hank Conger could be the long-term answer, if he can prove he can handle major league pitching, hitting just .172 during his September appearance last season.
Scioscia places a great importance on handling the pitching staff and calling the game, however the catching position should NOT be an automatic out.
9. Find Out One Last Time If Brandon Wood Can Hit Anything Outside of Arizona
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For three seasons, between 2006-2008, shortstop/third baseman Brandon Wood was the top-rated minor league prospect for the Los Angeles Angels. However, when given the opportunity last season, Wood spit the bit, hitting just .146 with 71 strikeouts in 226 at-bats.
Wood said that he may have figured out what he was doing wrong, consulting with New York Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long during the offseason to figure out his hitting mechanics.
"I saw him on the MLB channel in January and I liked his philosophy. There are a lot of ways to hit a baseball. I just want to find the best way that works for me,” Wood told the OC Register.
Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher had no problem with Wood seeking another opinion, saying that he sought out the opinions of others when he played as well.
However, Wood is running out of time and the Angels are running out of patience. Hopefully, the advice offered to Wood will lead to the potential that has been awaited for a long time.
10. Don’t Worry About the Competition: Just Go Out and Play!
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Much has been said already about the progress made by both the Oakland Athletics and the defending AL Champion Texas Rangers during the offseason. While there is no question both teams worked hard to improve their on-field product, the Los Angeles Angels would be well-served by concentrating on only the things that they can control.
If the starting rotation is as good as advertised, if the revamped bullpen reverts to former brilliance, if Peter Bourjos can vastly improve at the plate and if someone can step up at both the catcher and third base position, the Angels won’t have to worry about what other teams are doing, because they’ll be working hard to keep up with the Los Angeles Angels in 2011.
For continuing coverage of the Los Angeles Angels, follow Doug on Twitter @Sports_A_Holic.
