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: Detroit Tigers

#17

The Detroit Tigers went from the cellar in 2015 to a step away from the playoffs in 2016.  With a rebound like that, will they continue to climb the ladder in 2017 or fall back to a few rungs?

My 2016 Predictions

1st in AL Central, lose in ALCS

Jordan Zimmermann will win the AL Cy Young.

2016 Results

86-75, 2nd in AL Central

I correctly predicted that 2015 was a one year plunge down the AL Central standings.  What I, and many others, did not predict was the meteoric rise of the Cleveland Indians that kept the Tigers from winning the division.  Without the Indians, I may have had this right on last year.  The one thing I did not get right at all was Jordan Zimmermann.  He started the year off hot, but injuries derailed a promising season.  Who knows, he may have ended up in the Cy Young race.

Additions / Subtractions

In past years, the Tigers have signed marquee free agents like Zimmermann and Justin Upton, or pulled blockbuster trades for guys like David Price and Yoenis Cespedes.  This offseason was bizarrely quiet.  The Tigers return almost the exact same roster as last season.  The one difference is Cameron Maybin moving on to the Angels, and the low level trade for Mikie Mahtook, an outfielder struggling to make the roster for the Rays.

Most Important Hitter

Justin Upton

It was a shock to a lot of people when Justin Upton signed with the Tigers last offseason.  Then, he went on and had a terrible start to 2016.  His numbers ended up respectable, but he needs to have a much stronger year this year for the Tigers to contend.  Upton has always been on the brink of being a superstar, but he has never found himself thought of as one of the game's best.  At 29 years old, he still has a few peak years left, but his window is closing quick.

Most Important Pitcher

Jordan Zimmermann

They brought in Zimmermann last year and paid him like an ace to complement Justin Verlander.  Instead, injuries derailed his season, much like a good portion of his career so far.  With the resurgence of Justin Verlander and emergence of Michael Fulmer, Jordan Zimmermann could make this pitching staff great.

Player to Watch

Joe Jimenez

The Tigers do not have a lot of top prospects knocking on the big league door, but one that has a chance to have a huge impact at the big league level is Joe Jimenez.  Francisco Rodriguez has a limited number of bullets left as the closer for the Tigers.  Joe Jimenez appears to be his successor once he is ready.  This could have as early as mid-season 2017.

2017 Prediction

3rd in AL Central

The Tigers are getting old.  Their window is closing quickly.  Miguel Cabrera is 34, Justin Verlander is 34, Ian Kinsler is 35, and Victor Martinez is 38.  With the talent of some other teams in this division, and the age of the Tigers, it is looking like the window for this Tigers team is just about closed.  If it isn't closed, this is possibly the last year they can compete before they make some wholesale changes.

Fearless Prediction

Brad Ausmus will be fired mid-season.

I'll be honest, Brad Ausmus has not been the greatest manager in the world.  At the same time, a roster of stars on the wrong side of 30 with a first time manager is not quite a fair situation.  There was a lot of talk that Ausmus wasn't even going to make it to 2017 in Detroit.  However you want to look at it, the manager is usually blamed for an underachieving team.  Ausmus will not last long.  Look for Lloyd McClendon, the man who should have replaced Jim Leyland in the first place, to fill in as interim manager if Ausmus get the ax.