Five Bold Predictions for the Angels in 2011

The baseball year of 2010 has been nothing but misfortune for the Halos. After losing their leadoff man Chone Figgins, their ace John Lackey, and their most dangerous hitter in years, Vladmir Guerrero, (and also Darren Oliver), the Angels wanted to show that they were still the team to beat in the AL West as they were the division winners the last 5 out of 6 years. However, Kendry Morales suffered a season-ending injury after hitting a walk-off grand slam to beat the Mariners, 5-1, Scott Kazmir has been inconsistent, and their hitting hasn't really appeared much of late. However, I think that 2011 will be a different year, due to these five things.

The Halos get Carl Crawford

Rumors are swirling that the Yankees are in the race to get Carl Crawford and are probably considered the front-runners to get him. However, the Angels have a chance. Crawford has stated that the Angels are a team he would like to play with (Evidence: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/442085-los-angeles-angels-are-an-option-for-carl-crawford)

This would be a great acquisition for the Angels, because the Angels have needed a sturdy leadoff man, meaning that Bobby Abreu can hit cleanup in the lineup, and Erick Aybar can be at the bottom of the lineup. What Crawford brings is some power (he has hit 15 home runs so far up to this point and has driven in 71 runs) and also speed (third in MLB with 41 SB). He also has a .475 SLG and .347 OBP, higher than most of the Angels regulars, so this would be a good pickup long-term for them.

Scott Kazmir Returns to Old Form

For the 2010 season, Scott Kazmir has been highly inconsistent at times, posting a 8-12 record with a ridiculous ERA of 6.34 and in the top 25 in the MLB in walks with 62 and only 75 Ks. His slider hasn't touched the strike zone too frequently and his control has been terrible. He's also given up 13 runs in one outing against the A's.

 However, if Carl Crawford joins, Kazmir will have two former acquaintances from Tampa Bay, in Crawford and Mike Butcher, his pitching coach. Also, if he stays healthy during the 2011 season, Kazmir might be his old All-Star self from 2008.

Kendry Morales returns with a Vengance

Oh, how the mighty fall. Kendry Morales was tearing it up in 2009 and in early 2010, with 11 HRs in the first month, along with 39 RBIs to go with. The high point of his season was when he hit the dramatic walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning against Brandon League, and the low point of his season came right after that, as he fell awkwardly on his leg after celebrating with his teammates, and wouldn't you know it, he was out for the entire season. However, I have a feeling Kendry will pull an "Aaron Hill" (who suffered a concussion in the 2008 season and didn't play again that season, and in 2009, hit 36 HR and had 108 RBI). If Carl Crawford decides to go to the OC, it could mean bigger numbers for Kendry Morales.

The Angels will have at least 95 wins/Get a Good Closer

To me, this seems like the most realistic prediction, because over the past years, the Angels have had at least 90 wins (with the exception of 2006, but I'll count it as 90), due to Mike Scioscia at the helm, and a terrific team to go with it.

As for the closer part, there are a bunch of quality relief pitchers entering the free agent market, and if Arte Moreno and Tony Reagins could sign one of them, this 2011 team could be on the same level, or even higher, as the teams from past years. Brian Fuentes was a good closer, but was shaky throughout the whole season, and Angels fans, do ya still remember A-Rod's HR in Game 2 of ALCS? Two names that stick out to me are J.J Putz, who was a darn good closer as a Mariner in 2008, and the great one himself, Mariano Rivera, but the Yankees are going to probably keep him.

The Angels will Reach the World Series

Before you say the Yankees will go back to the World Series in 2011, in the past years, the Angels defeated the Yankees the last 2 times before 2009, in the 2002 ALDS and the 2005 ALDS, and not to mention, had solved the mystery of what is the Boston Red Sox in the 2009 ALDS, sweeping the Red Sox 3-0. With an improved lineup, this should be difficult, but not impossible, and as long as there are no major injuries or droughts of no runs, I can picture the Angels in the World Series.