ANAHEIM -- Angel fans, this is the day you've been waiting for since...well...ever since you've been a Halo supporter.
Your team is generally considered the best in the American League—top starting pitching; overhauled and much improved offense; excellent defense and ownership that has shown it won't hesitate to spend millions if they deem it crucial to a return to the World Series for the first time since 2002.
I know—your team won the whole thing in 2002—but it wasn't favored that season and only made the playoffs as a wild card entrant. This year, the Angels are legitimate threats to dethrone the two-time defending American League Champion Texas Rangers and claim multiple pennants over the next half-decade.
As spring training goes on, we'll have in-depth coverage of everything Red, White and Halo. We start today with a look at the team—position by position—beginning with:
FIRST BASE — Albert Pujols will be the starter here for as long as he can take the field and dominate with the glove and bat. The Angels are fortunate to have three outstanding first basemen in Pujols, Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales--run producers who also have great gloves. But even if all are healthy, Pujols brings Hall of Fame credentials to the position along with two world championships. One major question: at 32 years old is he on the downside of a so-far fabulous career?
All of his major numbers have gone down the last two seasons, although last year he had to deal with an emotional contract situation and a broken wrist. He went from 47 HR in 2009 to 42 then 37. His RBI dropped from 138 to 118 to 99. His average fell from .327 to .312 to .299. And his slugging percentage dove from .658 to .596 to .541. His 2011 numbers were all career low marks. Is this the beginning of the end for the King? Or the end of the Angels' championship drought?The answers depend mostly on Pujols' 2012 performance.
SECOND BASE — No one was happier to sign a contract extension than Howie Kendrick. Smiling widely at the news conference announcing the deal, Kendrick was almost giddy when he said “This is where I grew up; where I became the player I am. I want to finish my career as an Angel.” If he continues his improvement, he might get to do that.
He hit a career-high 18 home runs last season, and had the highest fielding percentage of all American League second baseman (992). Pujols presence in the lineup will mean better pitches for Kendrick to hit, and could produce an even greater 2012. He needs to get his doubles total up again, though, as he dropped from 41 to 30 last season, some of that due to balls flying out of the park instead of hitting the fence.
THIRD BASE — Without a question, the biggest concern for the Angels. Albert Callaspo is a nice player, but no one will ever mistake him for Troy Glaus. If Mark Trumbo can make the switch to third, don't believe what your hearing and reading about the Sporting News; Rookie of the Year splitting time with Callaspo. If Trumbo can field the position, look for him to play at least 120-130 games there, the rest at DH or first base. Having his power and RBI ability in the lineup daily is crucial to the Halos success in 2012.
SHORTSTOP — Like Kendrick at second, no one will be battling Erick Aybar for a starting job. The Gold Glove winner showed major offensive improvement in 2011, driving in 30 more runs than in 2010—59-29. He also doubled his previous home run high from 5 to 10 and had 51 extra base hits; 37 in 2009 was his previous high. His defensive game improved as well, committing just 13 errors in 659 chances. He was also part of 102 double plays for the second time in his career. Injury will be the only thing that keeps Aybar out of a game.
DESIGNATED HITTER — If Morales is healthy when the season starts, this is his job, with Bobby Abreu getting some at bats. Trumbo will also be a DH, as will Pujols and just about every other player. But look for a healthy Morales to lock down this position for much the same reason Trumbo will play third if he's competent with the glove—they need his bat in the everyday lineup. And Pujols isn't moving from first base.
RIGHT FIELD — Torii Hunter enters the last season of a 5 year, 90 million dollar contract without achieving his goal of helping the Angels get to a World Series. This could be his last chance, with phenom Mike Trout waiting for his chance.
The nine-time Gold Glove winner is still great in the field, but for the first four months he looked to be sliding badly with the bat. He had just 13 homers and 51 RBI and hit .232. Then, in August and September he blasted a combined10 homers with 31 RBI while hitting .324. He's also a major force in the clubhouse, incredibly important for a team which has added so many new key players. Not that Hunter ever needs motivation, but with a new contract and a chance to finally reach the Fall Classic, look for Hunter to continue where he left off in 2011.
CENTER FIELD — Speedy Peter Bourjos is the incumbent and could be the next great leadoff hitter in the game. It just won't happen in 2012. Mike Scioscia is hopeful Bourjos will eventually grab the leadoff sport and hold it for a decade or more, but he's got to draw more walks to make it happen. He accepted a free pass just 32 times in 502 at bats, numbers that left him in the bottom of the lineup along with a .327 OBP and 22 stolen bases. He did provide power with 12 homers, 26 doubles and 11 triples, but needs to be more selective if he wants to benefit from having Pujols as a new teammate. Defensively he's one of the best in the game, getting to balls from left field to right field routinely. But he can be inattentive at times, something experience should take care of. He's definitely on his way to a Gold Glove
LEFT FIELD — A three-time All Star with a like amount of Gold Gloves, Vernon Wells had a horrible season in 2011, his first as an Angel. Just ask him. But he's vowed retribution against the American League, going so far as hiring Chicago Cubs' hitting guru Rudy Jaramillo to completely re-work his swing. He's already talking about collecting 70-80 extra base hits by increasing his use of the doubles alleys. “If I hit 40-45 doubles, it means I'm having a good season.” He can still catch the ball and hasn't slowed down much as a baserunner, but he'll be expected to perform from Opening Day on; if he doesn't....well, there's Trout either on the bench or just a phone call away.
CATCHER — Chris Iannetta ( 14 HR, 55 RBI, .238 batting average in 2011) is getting every chance to win the starting job, but likely will begin the season splitting time with Hank Conger (6 HR, 19 RBI, .209 average). Iannetta was acquired from Colorado for righthander Tyler Chatwood in hopes of improving the dreadful offensive production from the catchers. While he's just a .235 career hitter, he has an excellent on-base percentage of .357. He's also got a little bit of power in his bat, having once hit 18 HR and compiling a .430 career slugging percentage. Neither Iannetta or Conger can come close to matching the defensive skills of the traded Jeff Mathis, who was traded to Toronto for lefthander Brad Mills. But as long as they're good with the glove and call a good game, the extra offense will be much welcomed.
STARTING PITCHING — The addition of C.J. Wilson to the trio of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana hurt the Rangers staff and gives the Angels another potential 17-20 game winner. Jerome Williams and Garrett Richards battling for the fifth starter spot.
Weaver is coming off an 18-8 season with a 2.41 ERA and a WHIP of 1.01. He also pitched 235.2 innings, struck out 198 batters and was a Cy Young Award candidate for most of the season, until Detroit's Justin Verlander completed the season of a lifetime. Weaver also signed a five year, 85 million dollar contract extension, which takes away one possible distraction. Haren went 16-10 with a 3.17 ERA and had his seventh straight of more than 200 innings. Expect more of the same. Santana tossed a no-hitter and for the fourth time in seven seasons threw more than 200 innings. Williams is the leading candidate for the final rotation spot and was the feel-good story of the year. After being out of the majors since 2007 and not winning a game since 2005, Williams came up and went 4-0 with a 3.68 ERA.
BULLPEN — If the Halos have a weakness this is it. More specifically in the closer's role. Rookie Jordan Walden had an All Star season saving 32 games after taking over for Fernando Rodney, but he also blew a league-high ten saves. The Angels finished ten games behind Texas in the A.L. West. Walden begins 2012 once again as the closer, but the Angels want to see the blown saves cut down by at least half. The rest of the bullpen may be the best in baseball. Scott Downs, Hisanori Takahashi, LaTroy Hawkins, Bobby Cassevah, Mills, Rich Thompson and former set-up man Kevin Jepsen provide a deep 'pen. And one-time closer Jason Isringhausen has been signed as a set-up guy and mentor for Walden. If Texas native Walden can improve his blown saves number, the Angels should be able to end the reign of the Rangers.
