2023 Pre-Season Profile: St. Louis Cardinals

 #7

The St. Louis Cardinals had two of the top three finishers in NL MVP in 2022, but couldn't get out of the Wild Card Round.  Will 2023 see them make a deeper playoff run?

2022 Predictions

#16 - 2nd in NL Central

MIH - Nolan Arenado

MIP - Steven Matz

PTW - Matthew Liberatore

2022 Results

#10 - 93-69, 1st in NL Central, lost in Wild Card Series

Highest WAR (Position) - Nolan Arenado

Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Ryan Helsley

It was hard to call the 2022 regular season anything but a success for the St. Louis Cardinals.  Paul Goldschmidt won the MVP, Nolan Arenado finished 3rd in the MVP voting.  Cardinal legends Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina were sent out with style, with Pujols entering the 700 home run club.  They won the division pretty handily and entered the playoffs as a possible title contender.  Then they run into the buzzsaw that was the Phillies.  Two home wild card games, and it was all over.  It was an anticlimactic ending to a season to remember.

Additions / Subtractions

Off goes Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina into retirement and eventually Cooperstown.  Those are the biggest departures, at least by name from the roster.  Mid-season acquisition Jose Quintana also moved on to the Mets.  The biggest question facing the Cardinals entering the offseason was how to replace Yadier behind the plate.  Enter Willson Contreras on a free agent deal from the Cubs.  Even with that big signing, there really was very little change to the roster this offseason.

Most Important Hitter

Nolan Arenado

Nolan Arenado has a chance to be an all-timer.  He has won the Gold Glove ever year he has been in the league, also winning the Platinum Glove 6 times.  He is also a 5 time Silver Slugger winner and a 7 time All Star.  He is coming off an 8 WAR season and a third place finish in MVP, his 6th time finishing the top 8.  There's just one problem: for as great as Arenado is, he has never been able to perform at the top of his game on the biggest stage.  In 8 postseason games over his career, he is batting just .152 with 1 home run.  He has struck out 9 times in 33 at bats.  This includes a 1-for-8 performance with 2 strikeouts in last year's Wild Card Series.  It is reaching a point that if Arenado wants to be remembered as one of the best to ever do it, he has to start showing he can be great when the lights are brightest.  He showed that he may be ready for the big stage in the WBC this year, hitting .385 over 7 games.  Now, can he do it in the playoffs?

Most Important Pitcher

Jack Flaherty

If the Cardinals had a weakness last season, it was their starting rotation.  It was such an issue that they made two Trade Deadline deals for starters, one even trading their starting centerfielder for a starter.  Adam Wainwright is still hanging around, but he is nowhere near the level he was in his prime.  They lack a true ace ... that is unless Jack Flaherty is healthy.  Flaherty burst on the scene in 2018 as a rookie, finishing 5th in the Rookie of the Year vote.  Then in 2019, he became a star, finishing 4th in Cy Young, 13th in MVP, a 152 ERA+, and leading the league in WHIP.  The 2020 season was weird for so many, and he had a bad year.  Then he got hurt in 2021.  Battling injuries for most of the last 2 seasons, he has only thrown 114 innings between the 2021 and 2022.  Now it appears he might be healthy, but how much wear and tear have the injuries taken on his body.  He is entering his age 27 season which is also his contract year.  He needs a big season, and the Cardinals need him to have a big season too.

Prospect to Watch

Jordan Walker

The Cardinals always seem to have a deep farm system, and this year is no different, ranking 9th according to MLB.com and 3rd according to Bleacher Report.  The star of their system is the 4th best prospect in all of baseball, Jordan Walker.  Drafted out of high school in the 2020 draft, the 20 year old has done nothing but hit since reaching the minors.  This production includes Spring Training this season, where he opened enough eyes to make the Opening Day roster.  A natural third baseman, Walker is transitioning to the outfield due to Arenado having the hot corner locked down for the foreseeable future.  This kid has all the makings of being a special player, as if the Cardinals need another one.

2023 Prediction

1st in NL Central, lose in NLDS

Possibly the easiest prediction to make entering this season is that the Cardinals would be winning the NL Central.  No one in their division can touch their talent level.  The problem facing the Cardinals is the top of the National League is filled with these superteams that appear to be much more complete than the Cardinals.  I see them struggling to compete with the rest of the NL elites, but they will be right there in the NL final four.

Fearless Prediction

Jack Flaherty wins NL Comeback Player of the Year.

Call it wishful thinking, but I'm a fan of Jack Flaherty and really want to see him be healthy and show that he is back to his elite form.  If he is just a fraction of what he was in 2019, he should easily be the favorite for this award and help lead the Cardinals to the playoffs.

2021 Pre-Season Profile: Los Angeles Angels

 #16

Starting with the Cleveland Indians at #17, we have officially entered the next tier of teams entering the 2021 season.  Teams 11-17 are teams that will be serious contenders for playoff spots, and it wouldn't surprise anyone to see them be a part of the postseason.  For the Los Angeles Angels, they continue to build a stellar lineup around the greatest player of this generation.  The only question is do they have enough pitching to get over the hump.

2020 Predictions

#13 - 3rd in AL West

MIH - Anthony Rendon

MIP - Shohei Ohtani

PTW - Jo Adell

2020 Results

#22 - 26-34, 4th in AL West

The Angels continue to be one of the more interesting teams every season.  Mike Trout is the best baseball player on the planet, but they can't seem to get him to the playoffs.  Even after bringing in Anthony Rendon, who was their most productive player in 2020, and new manager Joe Maddon, the Angels still squandered another season of Trout's prime.

Additions / Subtractions

The biggest hole for the Angels always tends to be their pitching, and although they didn't address it with star power, they did add a lot of depth.  To the rotation, they added Jose Quintana and Alex Cobb.  They also traded for Reds' closer Raisel Iglesias.  the biggest addition to the pitching staff might be the fact that Shohei Ohtani's arm is healthy enough to pitch again.  As for the offense, they replaced slick-fielding Andrelton Simmons with slick-fielding Jose Iglesias at shortstop.  They also brought in Dexter Fowler to solidify right field so they can show some patience with young phenom Jo Adell.

Most Important Hitter

Jose Iglesias

The lineup never seems to be lacking for production.  With that said, the Angels tend to have a lot of boppers and not a ton of table setters.  Jose Iglesias has a similar reputation to departing Andrelton Simmons for defensive prowess, but Iglesias's bat made a huge jump in 2020, hitting a career high 160 OPS+.  If that production continues, he is the leadoff hitter needed, along with second baseman David Fletcher, to get on base in front of Trout, Rendon, Pujols, and Upton.

Most Important Pitcher

Griffin Canning

The Angels lack the star ace at the top of their rotation.  Most of their rotation are veterans looking for a bounce back.  The one young arm in the group is Griffin Canning.  Playing his first full season in 2020 (if you can call that a full season), he has shown some serious promise of developing into a stud starter.  If he can take some huge strides forward and become the ace of this staff, he might solve all the Angels' pitching problems.

Prospect to Watch

Brandon Marsh

The Angels seem to have an average farm system, boasting only two players in MLB's Top 100 Prospects.  They don't seem to have a lot of talent that is ready to help at the big league level right now, especially with Jo Adell graduating from the list last season.  Their closest to the big leagues is their top prospect, outfielder Brandon Marsh.  This 23 year old left-handed hitter, ranked 53rd on the overall list, seems to be an all around stud.  The only problem is the Angels are loaded at outfield, with Justin Upton, Mike Trout, and Dexter Fowler manning the three spots now, Juan Legares on the roster as a defensive specialist, and Adell still the star in waiting.  Marsh might be blocked from a big league spot, which means he could be a trade piece to bring in a top talent if the Angels are buyers at the Trade Deadline.

2021 Prediction

3rd in AL West

The Angels are getting closer, but I don't think they have enough quite yet to break into the top two in this division.  This offense should score runs, but I still question if they have enough pitching to go from good to great.  With Mike Trout turning 30 this year, and Albert Pujols probably retiring at the end of the season, their window of winning with their generational talents should start getting a little urgent.

Fearless Prediction

Justin Upton and Dexter Fowler will be traded for prospects at the Trade Deadline.

With the young outfield talent waiting behind these veterans, I could see the Angels trading these corner outfielders as a way to possibly improve the roster by letting the kids play while also bringing in more young talent ready to contribute sooner rather than later.  They could be traded without the Angels really selling.  They would be interesting moves for sure.

2019 Pre-Season Profile: Los Angeles Angels

#16

The Los Angeles Angels had an offseason that brought about a transition at manager for the first time since 2000 and ensured there would not be a transition in centerfield for a very long time.  Will these moves help get them over the edge in 2019?

2018 Predictions

2nd in AL West, WILD CARD, lose Wild Card Game

Shohei Ohtani will have 15+ wins and 15+ home runs.

2018 Results

80-82, 4th in AL West

I saw 2018 as a year the Angels were going to take the next step behind Mike Trout and their two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani.  Instead, Ohtani had Tommy John surgery and only pitched about half the season.  Other injuries crippled their roster as well.  Instead of the Angels taking the next step and stealing the second Wild Card spot, their division rival in Oakland did what I expected to see from the Angels.

Additions / Subtractions

The Angels used to be the team you could count on to make the big splash in free agency.  Instead, this offseason they seemed to make a few smaller moves that made sense and should have a positive impact.  Cody Allen signed in free agency to be their new closer, Justin Bour came over to play first base, and Jonathan Lucroy is their new catcher.  The most intriguing move they made was to bring in starter Matt Harvey, who improved greatly last season once he got out of Queens.  The biggest move that was made was bringing in Brad Ausmus to replace longtime veteran manager Mike Scioscia.

Most Important Hitter

Kole Calhoun

For the first four years of his career, Kole Calhoun established himself as one of the best underrated hitters in all of baseball.  However, the last two seasons have been declining, with this last season just hitting .208 and garnering an OPS+ of only 80 and a WAR of 0.7.  He needs to show this season that he should still be a part of the Angels core moving forward.  If he does, he will give the Angels lineup a major boost it needs.

Most Important Pitcher

Jaime Barria

Throughout the Scioscia years, if there was one thing that was the downfall of the Angels, it was their starting rotation.  Ever since Jered Weaver moved on a few years ago, they have been trying to get by with a bunch of mediocrity.  They have always lacked a stud.  They might have one now if he progresses the way he could.  Jaime Barria made 26 starts last season as a 22 year old rookie and already showed he was their most electric starter.  Now, in another average rotation (especially since Ohtani isn't pitching this season), Barria could establish himself as the ace they have always been lacking.  If he does, Ohtani and Barria would make an outstanding 1-2 punch moving forward.

Prospect to Watch

Griffin Canning

The Angels are relying on some resurrection projects to round out their starting rotation this season.  A lot of times, that leads to injuries.  Last year, Barria got his opportunity to prove what he could do.  This year, look for Griffin Canning to get his opportunity mid-season.  The Angels second best prospect, this 22 year old righty has drawn comparisons to Zack Greinke.  If he could only be a fraction of that, he will a useful arm to have in the Angels rotation.

2019 Prediction

3rd in AL West

I always look at the Angels and think they should be better than they end up being.  I guess that is what happens when you have possibly the best player in the game's history on your roster.  However, Mike Trout can't do everything (even though he might try).  I am not a fan of the Brad Ausmus hire after he impressively flamed out in Detroit.  I expect them to have a similar season to last season, maybe a slight bit better.  If Trout will now be around for the next 12 years, slight improvements are not good enough.  Trout deserves better.

Fearless Prediction

This will be Albert Pujols's last season.

Albert Pujols has been one of the best players of the 21st century.  However, he is turning 39 this season, and there are times when he looks like he can barely walk the last few seasons.  His OPS+ has dropped below average the last two seasons after starting his career with 16 season of elite play.  Even though he is still under contract through 2021, it might be time for him to call it a career.

2017 Pre-Season Profile: Los Angeles Angels

#26

The Angels still boast the best player in baseball, but their production has been declining the last few seasons.  Will 2017 turn things around in Anaheim?

My 2016 Predictions

4th in AL West

This is Mike Scioscia's last season as Angels' manager.

2016 Results

74-88, 4th in AL West

The placement in the standings of the Angels at the end of the season I had right on as they slid one more spot down the AL West in 2016.  Mike Trout once again was dominant as he won another MVP, but the rest of the roster was underwhelming as the Angels found themselves heading in the wrong direction.  If Mike Scioscia was not such a quality and well respected manager, my prediction would have come true.

Additions / Subtractions

None of the moves the Angels made this offseason could be considered blockbuster, but there were several under-the-radar moves that could have an impact.  Luis Valbuena is a solid veteran bat, while Cameron Maybin, Danny Espinosa, and Ben Revere are high caliber defensive players.  The most notable change in the lineup might be the fact that for the first time since 2005, the Angels' rotation will not anchored by Jered Weaver, as he signed with the Padres in the offseason.

Most Important Hitter

Danny Espinosa

I think it is safe to say that the Angels now have the best defensive middle infield in all of baseball.  Andrelton Simmons is the consensus best glove man in the game, and with Danny Espinosa at second, they now have a perennial Gold Glove contender there as well.  With that said, Espinosa has the potential to impact the team with his bat as well.  His power numbers have been increasing the last few years.  If he can find a way to hit for a higher average as well, this might be one of the best moves of the offseason that no one is talking about.

Most Important Pitcher

Garrett Richards

For the past few seasons, Garrett Richards has been the best pitcher for the Angels.  The problem is he can't stay healthy.  In 2014, he tore his ACL covering first base, then an elbow injury knocked out most of his 2016 season.  Now he is expected to be their ace, but he can only do that if he is on the field.  If he can stay healthy, that will greatly benefit the Angels overall as he will anchor a below average rotation.

Player to Watch

Nate Smith

The biggest weakness of the Angels is definitely their development and farm system.  For the second straight year, their system boasts no top 100 prospects in the game.  On top of that, their top prospects are still at least a couple years away from being impact players at the major league level.  The best prospect that has a chance to make an impact this year is southpaw Nate Smith.  This 25 year old starting pitcher should make his debut in the Angels' rotation at some point this season and help give a spark.

2017 Prediction

5th in AL West

The Angels have farther to fall before they get back up again.  All the moves they have made are band-aids that don't really solve the issue.  They have no pitching and can't score runs.  Trout can only do so much, and Albert Pujols is now 37 years old (and shows his age more and more every year).  They need to think about rebuilding, but they have nothing with which to rebuild thanks to their empty farm system.  What that leaves is a mediocre team at best with nothing to get excited about on the horizon.

Fearless Prediction

This will be Mike Trout's last season as an Angel.

At first look, this might seem like an insane and ridiculous idea that will never happen.  I mean, who trades away the generation's best player.  When you think about it though, it's not as insane and implausible as you might think.  Mike Trout has been a big leaguer for 5 full seasons now, making the All Star Team all 5 years and finishing in the top two in the MVP voting each year.  He is only entering his age 25 season, which means he has a chance to even get better.  He is also under contract through 2020.  Looking at what the Angels have right now, unless they somehow sign every big free agent over the next four seasons, they will not be relevant again for at least four or five more years, even with Mike Trout.  As it is, Trout has only played in 3 postseason games so far in his career.  The only realistic way for the Angels to speed up this process is to overhaul their farm system, which can only happen fast by trading away their best players, which would be Mike Trout.  Can you imagine what kind of package a team would put together (Yankees, I'm looking at you) to bring in a generational talent like Mike Trout?  The choice the Angels have to make is either keep Trout and be irrelevant for the rest of his contract (which runs the risk of not being good again with him on your roster) or trade away the best player in the league and bring in an unprecedented haul of prospects (which has no guarantee of working out).  It's a tough choice to make, but the unpopular choice might be the right choice.

2016 Pre-Season Profile: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

They said it couldn't be done, and yet here we are.  I made it through the entire league.  Our last profile for 2016 is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Angels of California ... Angels.

Last Season

My 2015 Prediction: 1st in AL West, lose in ALDS

2015 Result: 85-77, 3rd in AL West

The Angels definitely disappointed in 2015.  Disagreements between the coach and front office led to the general manager stepping down.  They were looking like a good playoff contender until a surge by the Rangers down the stretch passed up everyone.

2016 Additions / Subtractions

It was a confusing offseason for the Angels.  They had trouble scoring runs last year outside of Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.  So what do they do?  They trade longtime shortstop (and solid hitter) Erik Aybar for Andrelton Simmons.  Simmons is the best defensive shortstop in baseball, but a below average hitter.  They let David Freese leave and replaced him with Yunel Escobar.  That was about it.  The Angels had been one of the most active teams in the offseason over the last decade, signing big deals for guys like Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells, Albert Pujols, and Josh Hamilton.  Maybe they started to realize that not many of those signings worked out.  Either way, they needed to do more.

Most Important Hitter

Kole Calhoun

When you fill out your lineup with names like Daniel Nava, Johnny Giavotella, and Andrelton Simmons, you know you are not elite offensively.  Even with Trout anchoring the middle of that lineup, they are below average offensively.  They need someone to help lengthen that lineup.  One of the guys that has been working towards that the last few years in Kole Calhoun.  If the Angels want to have success this season, Calhoun has to have an All Star caliber season.

Most Important Pitcher

Jared Weaver

There are a number of pitchers I could put in this spot from the aging Angels' pitching staff.  C.J. Wilson has been disappointing ever since he signed with the Angels and is now entering his age 35 season.  Matt Shoemaker followed up a great rookie season with a below average sophomore campaign.  However, it's Jared Weaver that needs to have a bounceback season.  This rotation has revolved around Weaver for about a decade.  Last season, he really showed his age and started to falter, posting a 7-12 record with a 4.64 ERA.  If the Angels are going back to the playoffs, Weaver needs to be the All Star he always used to be.

Player to Watch

Kaleb Cowart

Not only do the Angels have an aging roster, but the Angels also have a terrible farm system with no prospects on the list of the top 100 in baseball.  One that is intriguing that might have a shot at playing a role this season is Kaleb Cowart.  He is a third baseman that was a first round pick in 2010 that has really struggled his way through the system.  Finally, he has started to show some of his potential recently.  With some holes in the infield, look for Cowart to possible get a chance this season to show his skill at the big league level.

2016 Prediction

4th in AL West

Despite having the best player on the planet, I see this season as yet another backslide for the Angels.  Their lineup is weak, their pitching is old and sub-par.  The team has passed its window for this current core of players.  It's about time to break it all down and start over.  They are maybe a year or two away from fully blowing the thing up the way the Braves did.  Does this mean Mike Trout's days as an Angel are numbered?  If this is the course they take, they very well might be.

Fearless Prediction

This is Mike Scioscia's last season as Angels' manager.

Mike Scioscia is the longest tenured manager in baseball.  However, with the way the Angels are trending, combined with a feud with the front office last season, and Scioscia's days have to be numbered in LA.  Scioscia is kind of like baseball's version of Andy Reid.  Sometimes, you just need to move on.  He will, and he will soon find a new home where he can be great again.

2015 Pre-Season Profile: Los Angeles Angels

The Boys of Summer are almost back in town!  Let's take a look at each team's chances coming into this new season ... starting with the Los Angeles Angels.

Last Season

98-64 - 1st in AL West, Lost to Royals in ALDS

The Angels bucked a trend of under-performance in 2014 and did what many people thought they were going to do in previous seasons.  Entering the playoffs with the best record in baseball, they ran into the streaking Royals which ended their post-season run almost before it started.  Mike Trout finally (at age 24) took home his first MVP as he continued to be widely regarded as the best player in baseball.

2015 Additions / Subtractions

For the second year in a row (which might be a good sign), the Angels stayed fairly inactive when it came to offseason moves.  The team that once was known for signing the biggest name every offseason (Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton), this year the biggest move that was made was trading away All-Star 2B Howie Kendrick for prospects.  The battle for Kendrick's replacement this year continues as they wait for some prospects to be ready.  The addition of Matt Joyce is an upgrade at DH, but it is nothing to be impressed by.  You could say the biggest acquisition this team had came at the end of last season when they traded for closer Huston Street at the trade deadline.

MIH (Most Important Hitter)

Albert Pujols

Looking ahead at this season, Albert Pujols is definitely the most important hitter to the Angels' success.  Trout is going to continue to be out of this world, and other players like Erick Aybar and David Freese will continue to be solid complementary pieces, but Pujols will be the deciding factor.  For the first time since he arrived in LA, Albert performed up to his billing in 2014, and the Angels were successful.  Was last year the start of his comeback, or the last flash of a brilliant career.  With Josh Hamilton being an unknown entering the season, Pujols has to be great for the Angels to be great.

MIP (Most Important Pitcher)

Garrett Richards

Last season, Richards became one of the biggest surprises for the Angels.  In a rotation with a lot of question marks, he became a dominant pitcher.  He was a potential Cy Young candidate before he tore up his knee late in the season.  He will not be ready for the start of the year, but when he returns (which could be as early as mid-April) the Angels are now counting on him being great, which may not happen right away, if at all, this season.  Hopefully, the Angels stay patient with him.  Leg injuries, when rushed, can quickly lead to arm injuries.

Player to Watch

Andrew Heaney - LHP

You may not know his name yet, but you probably will by the end of the season.  This is the reason the Angels traded away Howie Kendrick.  Heaney is currently ranked #26 on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects and immediately became the best prospect in the Angels' farm system when he was acquired from the Dodgers.  With the injury to Richards, he might have the opportunity to start this season in the Angels' rotation.  If not, he will definitely play a role down the stretch either in the bullpen (see Brandon Finnegan last year or David Price in 2008) or as a key starter.

Prediction

1st in AL West, Lose in ALDS

They sacrificed some depth in the lineup to improve their pitching staff, even if it might not be this year.  I do not think they have the firepower to repeat their record from last year, however they are still the class of this division until someone (like the Mariners) knock them down.  Their lack of rotation depth will keep them, once again, from going far in the postseason.