It Keeps Happening

Remember when the Angels weren't an AL West regal dynasty?

Since winning the 2002 World Series, the Angels have finished on top of the Western Division standings in 4 out of 6 seasons. Sure, they haven't made it back to a World Series in that stretch. But, to quote the above mentioned movie, "It Could Happen."


The 2009 Angels

The Angels will begin the season with their potential top 3 of their rotation on the Disabled List. Staff ace John Lackey has had right forearm issues and will miss his first few starts of the season. Ervin Santana, fresh off of an optimistic 2008 will miss at least the first month of the season with a tender right elbow. Kelvim Escobar, returning from a torn labrum, is progressing ahead of schedule and could be back by the end of April. With three of their horses on the shelf for the early going, the Angels will rely heavily on Joe Saunders (17 wins last season) and Jered Weaver (11 wins and 4.33 ERA in 2008). Dustin Moseley, who has fallen on his face in every opportunity given him to shine in the majors, will have a rotation slot early in the year. What he does with it is up to him.

After setting a new single-season record for saves, Francisco Rodriguez took a great deal of money and ran to Queens. He will he responsible for finishing games for the Mets in 2009. Despite speculation that youngster Jose Arredondo might get the closer nod, the Angels reloaded the back end of their bullpen by bringing in veteran Brian Fuentes from Colorado. Arredondo and Scot Shields will return to primary setup duties. Ageless lefty Darren Oliver is back for more situational and long relief use this season.


Bats

With the departure of last season's rental slugger, Mark Teixeira, to New York, the Angels are left with a big bat power void. The loss of the slugging 1st baseman means that Kendry Morales will get a shot at the start of the season to win the 1st base job and show that his dazzling power numbers from the minor leagues were not a mere illusion. After hitting .306 last season in an injury shortened 2008, Howie Kendrick once again has a claim to the starting job at 2nd base, if he can stay healthy. Erick Aybar, who the Orioles repeatedly turned down trading Miguel Tejada for prior to the 2007 season, is back for another try at producing offensively from shortstop spot. 2008 wasn't anything special for Chone Figgins. All of his numbers, including stolen bases, went down. But, he will start the year playing 3rd base.

The outfield got a little less crowded with the departure of Garret Anderson to free agency. The front office inked former-All Star Bobby Abreu to a contract and have penciled him in as the team's new leftfielder. Torii Hunter, last seasons big free agent prize, returns to patrol centerfield and drive in runs. Vlad Guerrero just turned 33 and may ave begun to show some signs of wear last season. But, a .303 average and 27 homers are still nothing to shake a stick at. Gary Matthews Jr and Juan Rivera will be the 4th and 5th outfielders. Matthews' contract remains an albatross around the Angels' collective necks, but, he's a well-above-average defensive replacement, spot starter, and pinch-hitter.

The catching job should be a season-long tussle between Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli. Mathis hit a miserable .194 last season and Napoli had injury issues. Napoli's bat however, if healthy, makes him one of the game's finest backstops. He went deep 20 times last season in less than 300 plate appearances. Give him 450 to 550 plate appearances and he's an All Star.

Prediction:

There is no one in the NL West ready to challange the Angels. Especially if the three injured starting pitchers are able to pitch in near top form for most of the season, there is still loads more talent in Anaheim than in any other AL West town.

89-73. First Place AL West.