Fantasy preview: Angels rebuild around Mike Trout
As the 2017 fantasy baseball season approaches, we take a look at the biggest news and story lines from each club. We'll feature one team each weekday ... and we'll finish up on Feb. 15, the first day all teams will have their pitchers and catchers on the field for workouts.
The Los Angeles Angels have the game’s best overall player in Mike Trout, but haven’t been able to build much around him. Part of that can be blamed on injuries, especially to the pitching staff – which lost three starters last season to torn elbow ligaments. Veteran Albert Pujols also had surgery on his ailing foot in December. But instead of standing pat, the Angels made a heavenly host of moves this offseason to fill their roster holes.
2016 at a glance
Record: 74-88 (4th in AL West)
Hitting: 17th (4.43 R/G)
Pitching: 21st (4.28 ERA)
Arrivals
SS Danny Espinosa
OF Cameron Maybin
OF Ben Revere
3B Luis Valbuena
Espinosa arrives with a good-field, no-hit reputation after seven years in Washington. But he did hit a career-high 24 homers last season, which is a definite upgrade over what the Angels’ second basemen did.
Maybin suffered through a variety of injuries, yet still managed to hit .315 with a .383 on-base percentage in 94 games. He gives the Angels another position upgrade, especially when coupled with the signing of the speedy Revere.
Valbuena had season-ending surgery on his hamstring, but he should be fine for spring training. He provides decent pop and can play all four infield positions – though he’s only eligible for fantasy purposes at third base to start the year.
Players to watch
OF Mike Trout
OF Kole Calhoun
1B Albert Pujols
SP Matt Shoemaker
Now a two-time AL MVP, Trout is back atop the fantasy rankings after hitting 29 homers, scoring 123 runs and stealing 100 bases at age 24.
Calhoun gets a boost from hitting in front of Trout and behind the excellent on-base skills of Yunel Escobar. Pujols is no longer the most feared hitter in the game, but he’ll still make pitchers pay for mistakes.
Shoemaker had a torrid 11-start stretch from mid-May to mid-July in which he pitched to a 2.36 ERA and struck out 10.4 batters per nine innings. However, he finished with a 9-13 record and a 3.88 ERA.
Sleepers
1B C.J. Cron
SP Garrett Richards
Cron will get the majority of time at first base with Pujols moving closer to full-time DH status. He does have decent power potential, despite the Angels’ pitcher-friendly home park.
Richards had a 2.36 ERA through six starts when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. He chose to rehab his elbow and not have Tommy John surgery, so there are still plenty of questions about his durability entering this season. When he’s healthy, he’s a beast with a fastball in the upper 90s.
Bullpen
Closer: Huston Street
Next: Cam Bedrosian/Andrew Bailey
Manager Mike Scioscia is extremely loyal to his veteran players, so look for Street,33, to have the job to begin the season. However, he doesn’t get many swings and misses anymore (5.6 K/9), so it may only be a matter of time before Bailey (2.38 ERA, 6-for-6 in saves after joining the Angels in Sept.) or Bedrosian (1.12 ERA, 11.4 K/9) get their chance to close.
Position battles
The Angels swapped catchers with the Milwaukee Brewers to add 30-year-old veteran Martin Maldonado. He and Carlos Perez will likely split time behind the plate, depending on who’s hot since both are right-handed hitters.
Both Maybin and Revere have had their share of injury problems in recent years so they could platoon based on the pitcher or based on who’s healthier.
The fifth starter spot figures to be an open competition after the Angels brought in several unheralded candidates this offseason. Veteran Jesse Chavez may have the inside track, but Alex Meyer, Daniel Wright or John Lamb could all win the job with a strong spring.
Prospects
SP Nate Smith
1B Matt Thaiss
The Angels farm system is one of the weakest in the game. Smith may be the closest of anyone to helping in the majors. Thaiss is a converted catcher who has excellent raw power and plate discipline.
Projected batting order
1. 3B Yunel Escobar
2. RF Kole Calhoun
3. CF Mike Trout
4. DH Albert Pujols
5. 1B C.J. Cron
6. LF Cameron Maybin
7. 2B Danny Espinosa
8. SS Andrelton Simmons
9. C Martin Maldonado
Projected rotation
1. RHP Garrett Richards
2. RHP Matt Shoemaker
3. RHP Ricky Nolasco
4. LHP Tyler Skaggs
5. RHP Jesse Chavez