The Los Angeles Angels’ offseason has been, too put it mildly, a perplexing series of moves that have left fans bracing for another disappointing season. A recent trade saw the team exchange an established power hitter with 37 home runs for a pitcher who, while once a top prospect, is now battling major arm injuries and represents a important gamble.
A Pattern of Questionable decisions
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The angels’ recent roster moves raise serious concerns about the team’s direction and ability to compete.
The Angels haven’t stopped ther.They’ve signed a pitcher who showed promise two years ago but has as struggled with his control and undergone arm injuries, landing him on his third team in six months. Another addition is a former highly touted prospect with ties to the braves, who has consistently failed to hit major league pitching.
The bullpen hasn’t fared much better,with two signings of pitchers who were effective six years ago but are now likely candidates for designation for assignment by the All-Star break. A pitcher with limited MLB experience (56 innings) last year.
another potential acquisition from Japan chose to sign with a team fresh off a World Series appearance, passing over the Angels. A left-handed reliever, once promising, was signed only to have his career derailed by injury, a familiar story for Angels players.
Waiver Wire and Familiar Faces
An outfielder was claimed off waivers, boasting only 69 plate appearances in over four seasons of professional baseball and a .232 batting average, but conveniently, he’s the brother of the general manager.Another former highly touted prospect, on his third team in two seasons, was signed, capable of making contact but, predictably, recovering from a major injury.
A reliever with a career ERA never below 4.00, bouncing between Triple-A and the majors, and experiencing a decline in velocity, was also added, coming off major knee issues. A trade saw a promising young relief arm depart in exchange for a corner outfielder with a .220 batting average and 106 strikeouts in 396 at-bats, a player with a long injury history-essentially a less powerful Taylor Ward, perpetually sidelined.
The team re-signed a third baseman who missed half of last season due to injuries, with a history of health problems, a .236 batting average, and a 28% strikeout rate, requiring a platoon situation against left-handed pitchers.
Beyond the Roster: A Lost TV Deal
Adding to the woes, the Angels lost their local television contract, leaving fans at the mercy of MLB and ESPN’s price gouging. fans fondly remember the days when games were readily available on KTLA.
As one ESPN article recently pointed out, the general manager’s signings feel like they would have been effective in 2022. Some fans joke that the GM could run the Angels into the ground in franchise mode on MLB The Show. Despite the flurry of activity, the team still has glaring holes at center field, third base, in the back of the rotation, and at closer, and lacks anyone who can consistently hit above .230.
- The Angels’ offseason has been characterized by a series of high-risk, low-reward acquisitions.
- A significant number of players signed have extensive injury histories.
- The team’s roster remains incomplete, with key positions still lacking clear solutions.
- The loss of the local TV contract adds another layer of frustration for fans.
The quest for 100 losses is well underway, and fans are already preparing to wear paper bags over their heads at home games. “Operation extreme redundancy” is nearing completion.
