Los Angeles Angels 2012 Starting Lineup: What If LAA Had a Yankee-Sized Payroll?

Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno has publicly predicted that the 2012 Angels payroll will stay at or near 2011 levels. In referring to the 2011 squad's $142 million payroll as slightly excessive, Moreno mentioned he would appreciate a return to sub-$140 million levels.

With the dismissal of free agents Joel Pineiro, Fernando Rodney and Russell Branyan and the expiration of Anaheim's sizable obligations to Gary Matthews, Jr. and Scott Kazmir, the Angels are projected to save around $36 million in payroll expenses.

With the return of veterans like Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu and Cy Young candidate Jered Weaver, the Angels can expect up to $125 million earmarked for players already on the 2012 team.

For Moreno's budget, that leaves around $15 million for offseason acquisitions and rules out the biggest names in the offseason market.

GM Jerry Dipoto's task is to work within this fairly slim budget to acquire the best candidates the free agent market has to offer for the money the Angels are willing to spend.

On the other hand, what if the Angels had a New York Yankees-sized payroll?

On opening day 2011, the Yankees were the only MLB team to have at least a $200 million payroll—precisely, it was $201,689,030.

What if the fates conspired in favor of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and bestowed upon them a gargantuan $200 million payroll?

Let's explore the opportunity with a projected starting lineup for 2012, working within the generous $200 million budget. Instead of only $15 million to spend, the Angels would have $75 million for offseason acquisitions.

Starting Pitcher: C.J. Wilson

This one isn't all that farfetched; the possibility has been discussed (yes, by me).

When GM Jerry Dipoto mentioned the Los Angeles Angels were genuinely "intrigued" by the possibility of signing pitcher C.J. Wilson, analysts were quick to point out that Wilson is a fan of the Halos, too.

Either because he enjoys stirring the pot or because he has some significant intel, ESPN's Jim Bowden tweeted that Wilson "has serious interest in [the] Angels."

It really appears the only obstacle standing between the Los Angeles Angels and C.J. Wilson is money.

Good news: With a $200 million payroll including $75 million of offseason spending money, the Angels wouldn't have to worry about that final hurdle.

Welcome to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, C.J. Wilson. You will join Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Ervin Santana and Tyler Chatwood in the rotation. 

Previous Budget: $75 million

Estimated Cost: $11 million

New Budget: $64 million

Catcher: Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Doumit

Hear me out. This move is based on a simple mathematical formula.

The Los Angeles Angels need a catcher that can hit. Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Doumit can hit and are both catchers. Therefore, they would fill the Angels' need at the No. 2 position.

Simple, right?

Hernandez is coming off a .282 season after hitting .297 in 2010 for the Cincinnati Reds. His OPS last season was .787 and his fielding percentage was .998. 

Doumit is coming off a wonderful .303 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates with eight home runs and 30 RBI in only 77 games. His OPS last year was .830, which includes one memorable triple in September.

With Hernandez or Doumit in the lineup, the Angels would gain a player who can produce consistent offensive output, a desire the Angels sorely need.

For those who haven't heard, Jeff Mathis hit .174 in 2011 with an OPS of .484. Hank Conger was marginally better, hitting .209 with an OPS of .638.

Previous Budget: $64 million

Estimated Cost: $7+4 million

New Budget: $53 million

First Baseman: Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales

The Los Angeles Angels might have gained a pretend $200 million payroll, but they haven't lost their concept of reality.

2011 rookie Mark Trumbo is currently recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot, a move the Angels say will delay his move to third base.

Of course, with all this fake money to spend, Trumbo can stay at first until Kendrys Morales finally recovers. After that, Trumbo and Morales can share the first base role.

As far as rookie seasons go, Trumbo's was absolutely wonderful. He hit for power, belting 29 HR and 89 RBI, including a two-run walk-off homer to give the Halos a sorely needed win against the Texas Rangers back on Aug. 18.

When Sporting News named Trumbo their 2011 AL Rookie of the Year, it came as little surprise. Trumbo is a serious contender for MLB's AL Rookie of the Year award.

The Angels would be silly not to keep Trumbo on the roster. Who needs Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder when you have Trumbo and Morales?

Previous Budget: $53 million

Estimated Cost: $0 million

New Budget: $53 million

Second Baseman: Howie Kendrick

I'm never quite sure whether to call the Los Angeles Angels' feisty second baseman Howie or Howard Kendrick, but he is clearly a vital component in the middle infield that does not need any tweaking.

Kendrick performed well in 2011 with a .285 batting average, 18 HR, 63 RBI and an .802 OPS. He was so impressive, Baseball Player Salaries called him "a total stud."

And that's just on the offensive side of the ball.

Kendrick is a defensive specialist; he routinely makes highlight reel plays, including one gem in late July that helped save pitcher Ervin Santana's no hitter against the Cleveland Indians. Thanks to Kendrick, Santana went on to throw the first ever no-no in Progressive Field history.

As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Even with that extra spending money, the Angels can afford to leave the second base position alone.

Previous Budget: $53 million

Estimated Cost: $0 million

New Budget: $53 million

Shortstop: Erick Aybar

Speaking of idioms about tinkering with working items, the Angels would be smart to keep Erick Aybar as their starting shortstop, preserving the Kendrick-Aybar duo up the middle.

The arguments of leaving Kendrick's position exactly as it was in 2011 are the same ones for leaving Aybar in place heading into 2012.

Aybar hit .279 with 10 HR and 59 RBI in 2011 while enjoying a .322 on-base percentage.

And just in case he was feeling left out or jealous of Kendrick, Baseball Player Salaries called Aybar "a total stud," too.

Previous Budget: $53 million

Estimated Cost: $0 million

New Budget: $53 million

Third Baseman: Aramis Ramirez

Though Angels GM Jerry Dipoto already told ESPN he is not interested in acquiring Aramis Ramirez, it is reasonable to assume that is largely because of Ramirez' projected $15 million asking price.

Then again, we still have $53 million of Yankee money to spend.

This move should really be a no-brainer.

For the Chicago Cubs in 2011, Ramirez hit .306 with 26 HR and 93 RBI.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Angels third baseman Alberto Callaspo hit .288 with only 6 HR and 46 RBI.

The Angels could afford a power upgrade at the third base position and with Ramirez, they would receive that tune-up.

Previous Budget: $53 million

Estimated Cost: $15 million

New Budget: $38 million

Left Field: Vernon Wells and Mike Trout

I admit this one was tough, really tough.

Amidst all the criticism Vernon Wells has been receiving throughout the latter half of 2011, Jerry Dipoto clearly stated Wells will be the Angels choice come spring training 2012.

With the Angels in 2011, Wells hit a disappointing .218 with 25 HR and 66 RBI. All in all, Wells isn't a terrible player; the Angels just expected something more for $21 million. That's all.

The criticism being levied against Wells is in stark contrast to praise directed toward 20-year-old sensation Mike Trout.

Trout hit only .220 with 5 HR and 16 RBI over his first 123 MLB at bats, yet fans are already excited about his potential both on offense and on defense.

All things considered, fans are most thrilled about the potential legendary outfield duo featuring Trout and the Halo featured in the next slide. 

Previous Budget: $38 million

Estimated Cost: $0 million

New Budget: $38 million

Center Field: Peter Bourjos

If the Los Angeles Angels have anything to feel most excited about, it is the presence of Peter Bourjos in the Angels outfield.

Bourjos is a young gem who has been getting better since his big league debut in 2010.

He hit a full .067 points higher last season than he did in 2010 and he clubbed 12 HR and 43 RBI during his first full season with the club.

Bourjos had 22 SB last year, giving him a total of 32 for his young career.

The Angels would be fools not to welcome Bourjos back to the outfield grass in Anaheim.

Previous Budget: $38 million

Estimated Cost: $0 million

New Budget: $38 million

Right Field: Torii Hunter

For better or for worse, Torii Hunter will not be a free agent until 2013.

Last season, he hit .262 with 23 HR and 82 RBI. Hunter still excites the Anaheim crowd and is still considered a great presence in the clubhouse.

He is 36 years old and the Angels might wish to consider resting him more often in 2012. They could also introduce him to the DH role and have him tag-team with Bobby Abreu.

Read on to meet Hunter's outfield relief and potential co-worker in center field.

Previous Budget: $38 million

Estimated Cost: $0 million

New Budget: $38 million

Designated Hitter: Jason Kubel

Looking for a designated hitter to keep Bobby Abreu company? Look no further than former Minnesota Twins veteran Jason Kubel.

Kubel is coming off a .273 season with the Twins, having played in only 99 games after missing the month of June with a severely sprained foot.

Over the course of his career, he has averaged 15 HR and 61 RBI with a .794 OPS.

Abreu, on the other hand, hit only .253 last year with 8 HR, 60 RBI and a .718 OPS.

Previous Budget: $38 million

Estimated Cost: $6 million

New Budget: $32 million

Bullpen: Heath Bell

When Jerry Dipoto mentioned the Angels were in the market for a closer, the collective Angels community turned its attention to former San Diego Padres reliever Heath Bell.

With a 2.44 ERA and 51 strikeouts over just 62.2 IP in 2011, Bell recorded 43 saves.

An NL All-Star from 2009 to 2011, Bell still has the magic touch—he just happens to have played for a team which only won 71 games in 2011.

Imagine what he could do in the Angels' bullpen. He still throws a 96 mph fastball and an 80 mph 11-5 curveball.

He is only an $8 million commitment—perfect for the Angels late-inning 'pen. 

Previous Budget: $32 million

Estimated Cost: $8 million

New Budget: $24 million

Bullpen: Takashi Saito

No, I'm not completely crazy. I just have a lot of money left over, that's all.

Saito is an overlooked relief pitcher, having pitched valiantly for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011.

In 26.2 innings of work for Milwaukee last year, Saito recorded an ERA of just 2.03 with 23 strikeouts and 10 holds.

At anywhere from two to three million dollars, Saito is a bargain. He could add some much needed depth to the Angels bullpen, and at age 41, he would be a completely unexpected acquisition that could prove quite valuable down the stretch.

Previous Budget: $24 million

Estimated Cost: $3 million

New Budget: $21 million

Just for Fun: Albert Pujols

We still have a considerable amount of money left over; time to sign Albert Pujols!

Pujols is the player everyone's been talking about this 2011 offseason, and the Los Angeles Angels—operating with a New York Yankees payroll—could easily afford to sign King Albert.

The former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman hit 37 HR with 99 RBI and an incredible OPS of .906. He's been known to play some solid defense, too.

Pujols to the Angels? With a $200 million payroll, it could happen—and the Angels would still have some money left over.

That just begs the question: With their seemingly endless money supply and enormous payroll, why haven't the Yankees won a World Series since 2009? They should theoretically win every year. 

Previous Budget: $21 million

Estimated Cost: $17 million

New Budget: $4 million

This is the end of the mock 2011-12 Angels offseason. There are some great names out there and some wonderful acquisitions that could be made with all the money in the world.

As Arte Moreno and Jerry Dipoto work to acquire some new talent within the Angels' modest $140 million payroll, Angels fans everywhere wish them luck, confident that the Angels will reemerge as a dominant force in the AL West.