It took all of last season and the first few days of this one for it to happen, but the LA Angels are finally back in contention.
Too early, you say? We're only a handful of games into the season?
Well, it was obvious last year after only a couple of games that the team was DOA.
The reason for the turnaround is simple: talent.
In fact, this is the most talented group of new players to arrive on the scene since Darin Erstad, Jim Edmonds, Garret Anderson, Tim Salmon and Troy Percival. That group was so talented, they rotated outfield positions until they finally traded away Jim Edmonds.
In 2002, that team won a World Championship.
This year’s crop has the same potential.
It was evident in spring training. Watching them, I thought this team could compete for a World Series championship in three years.
Make that one.
The ensemble of Hank Conger and Peter Bourjos and Tyler Chatwood and Jordan Walden and Mark Trumbo is a championship flag waiting to happen.
They have lightening in their bats, arms and legs. They have tenacity. They have talent. Lots of it.
The missing element from the Angels for years has been consistent hitting. In 2002, they could bunch together five hits in an inning so fast it started to feel routine. Five hits led to three runs led to a lead led to winning. It’s what they did in Game 6 against the Giants.
This team has that same potential.
When you combine that with the stellar front line pitching of Jared Weaver and Dan Haren and the back end relief of Fernando Rodney and Walden, you’ve got yourself the first Angels team that can compete with the AL East in nearly a decade.
Oh, there’s also a guy with a ‘decent’ bat coming off the DL soon. Anyone else momentarily forget about Kendrys Morales? What to do with Trumbo when Morales is active? You can’t put Trumbo on the bench… can you? Where else can he play? The outfield? No, all taken, thanks. Third? Does Trumbo play third? Doubt it. That leaves the awful designated hitter spot to get his bat in the lineup. But they’re not going to bench Bobby Abreu… yet.
It’s a good problem to have. The kind of problem a championship team has.
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