The Los Angeles Angels: A Team Stuck in Neutral
This off-season, the Los Angeles Angels have been making waves, but not necessarily in a good way. While they’ve been the most active team, their moves have been met with skepticism. The problem lies in their approach: instead of building for the future, they’re clinging to the past.
A Glimmer of Hope: The Soler Trade
On October 31, the Angels traded SP Griffin Canning to the Atlanta Braves for DH Jorge Soler. This move, while not earth-shattering, is arguably the best they’ve made this off-season. Canning, entering his Age 29 season, has a 4.78 career ERA, and the Angels got what they could out of him before he becomes a free agent next year. Soler, on the other hand, still packs some power in his bat, with 57 homers in 2022-23. However, his $16 million dollar contract for this year and next, combined with his defensive limitations, makes this a questionable investment.
The Hendricks Blunder
On November 7, the Angels signed SP Kyle Hendricks to a 1-year, $2.5 million dollar contract. This move is puzzling, to say the least. Hendricks had a 5.92 ERA last year and a 4.80 ERA over the past four seasons. His fastball speed has decreased to 87.7 MPH, and he’s going to be 35. It’s time to face reality: Hendricks is no longer an effective player.
More Questionable Signings
The Angels continued their questionable moves by signing C Travis d’Arnaud to a 2-year, $12 million dollar contract on November 12, and INF Kevin Newman to a 1-year, $2.5 million dollar contract on November 14. While the idea of bringing in veteran leadership has some merit, the Angels already have a surplus of veteran players. At what point do they stop trying to patch up their team with aging players and focus on building for the future?
The Harsh Reality
The Los Angeles Angels are a struggling team, and it’s time they acknowledged it. With a 63-99 record last year and no winning season since 2015, it’s clear that something needs to change. Owner Arte Moreno and GM Perry Minasian need to accept that their team is not competitive and start rebuilding. This means exploring trades for Mike Trout and his massive contract, as well as giving younger players a chance to develop.
A Brighter Future Ahead
The Angels have the resources to be great again, with an owner willing to invest in the team. However, they need to take a step back, assess their situation, and start building for the future. It won’t be easy, but it’s the only way they’ll be able to rise from the ashes and become a competitive team once more.
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