It really is incredible if you think about it. Trout's first full season was 2012. In those nine seasons (not including this year), he's finished in the top-two in MVP voting seven times (and in 2017, the Altuve/Judge year, he was third). However, despite having the best player in the game in his prime, the Angels have made the playoffs a grand total of once in Trout's career...in 2014, when they were swept in the Division Series by the Royals!
While there have been times when Trout's been forced to be a one-man band, it's not like the Angels haven't tried to be good. They play in a major market and aren't afraid to spend. It's just that a lot of their free agent signings haven't worked, whether it be Albert Pujols or Josh Hamilton or Anthony Rendon or Justin Upton.
When they ended up winning the Ohtani Sweepstakes, it looked like things may finally turn around. He was one of the biggest curiosities in baseball history, and every team wanted in on the phenomenon. A guy who can hit and pitch! And do them both well! And he chose to come to the Angels! He and Trout together should be unstoppable, right? Right?!
I, for one, was skeptical about whether the Ohtani thing will work long-term or not. I still am. But this season, they've gotten everything they could've hoped for when they signed him and then some. Trout hasn't played since May, yet an Angel is STILL likely to win AL MVP.
Ohtani did his thing again on Sunday, striking out 10 and not walking anybody while giving up just one run over seven innings. It was 1-1 when he came out, only for the bullpen to give up a four-spot in the eighth in another Angels loss. That dropped them to 74-82, guaranteeing their sixth consecutive losing season. As if that wasn't bad enough, though, it's what Ohtani said after the game that should really have Angels fans concerned.
He was asked if he wants to stay with the Angels long-term and was noncommittal. All Ohtani, who isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2023 season, would say was that he "really likes the team" and that he "loves the fans" and "loves the atmosphere of team." But he made it a point of ending his statement with: "I want to win. That's the biggest thing for me. I'll leave it at that."
Sounds like Ohtani isn't too happy. Neither is Trout. So, that's both of the Angels' star players who are frustrated with their continued lack of success. You can add manager Joe Maddon to that list, too. Here's what Maddon said before Wednesday's game: "This can't continue to go on. We can't annually be in this position. This organization is better than that."
Are they, though? The Angels have had no problem attracting free agent hitters to join Trout and Ohtani. The problem is most of those hitters haven't worked out. And they're paying those guys a lot of money. So, they've got a massive amount of salary tied up in just a handful of players (who are unproductive), which really limits them when constructing the rest of the roster. And the rest of the roster needs a lot of work!
The Angels' problem this entire time has been pitching. Specifically starting pitching. Everyone knows this, including the Angels. They just haven't been able to do anything about it! That hasn't stopped them from trying, but every time they go after a big name starter, he signs somewhere else and they're left looking for a Plan B. (Ohtani, of course, technically counts as a starting pitcher, but he's his own category.)
Jered Weaver is probably the last pitcher the Angels had who can be considered an "ace." He hasn't pitched for the team since 2016! C.J. Wilson was the last big-time starting pitcher they signed as a free agent. That was in 2012. Wilson retired after the 2015 season.
Maybe they should start there. There are so many front-line starting pitchers who'll become free agents after this season. Their chances of landing a Scherzer seem pretty slim, and the thought of Kershaw wearing anything other than Dodger blue is something my mind can't even process! But someone like Zack Greinke? I can definitely see that! Or, they could always trade one of their 35 young outfielders for a starter.
Their bullpen isn't exactly stellar either, but it's in nowhere near as bad shape as their rotation. They have a solid closer to build around in Raisel Iglesias, and there are so many free agent relievers available that they should be able to find somebody. You'd have to figure they'll be able to get a reliever pretty cheap, too.
They're also in desperate need of a shortstop. They haven't had a worthwhile one since Andrelton Simmons, who just happens to be a part of the 2021-22 free agent class. So are Javy Baez, Carlos Correa, Corey Seager and Trevor Story. Yes, that's another high-priced position player. But, if they actually do it smart and don't just throw the most amount of money at the biggest name they can think of, they'll still have the money for a starting pitcher, too. Maybe someone like Noah Syndergaard.
Regardless, it looks like some major changes are coming in Anaheim. Because the Angels being this bad for this long while having two of the best players in the game simply doesn't make sense. You can't blame it all on the Astros, either. Sure, they play in the same division as Houston, but they should at least be in the wild card mix, and they don't even do that!
So, this offseason will be a critical one for the Angels. Trout isn't going anywhere. He's signed thru 2030. But if Ohtani really is this, he might be on the move the first chance he gets. Which means they'd only have two more years of both Trout and Ohtani together. And Maddon's right. Their fans deserve more than just getting to see those two great players in their prime. They deserve the chance to see a winning team.
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