The Los Angeles Angels Arising in the 2018 Season
The Los Angeles Angels are fighting to be serious contenders in the American League for this year’s 2018 season. However, being in the same division with the defending world champion Houston Astros will not make this an easy win. They are fighting for a wild-card spot in the American League West. In 2017, the Los Angeles Angels barely fell short of the wild-card game just by 5 games.
Having Mike Trout sit for 45 games last year, due to his injury, was a big factor in the falling of five games short of the wild card was most likely seen as a win for many Angel’s fans. It showed the Angel’s General Manager that this team was ready to win.
The Los Angeles Angels won the sweepstakes this off-season. This win was a large factor on why the Japanese star, also known as the Japanese Babe Ruth, Shohei Ohtani decided on signing with the Angels. This 23-year old international star was deemed their pitching ace and with his powerful left-handed swing, a Designated Hitter.
A recent report came out about a problem with the star pitcher's elbow. Shohei Ohtani reportly sprained a ligament in his elbow of his pitching arm. Doctors are keeping an eye on the injury, but he is clear to pitch as of now. Ohtani signed with a 2.3 million dollar contract. This may seem like a deal, but the Angels had to pay a 20 million dollar international fee when signing Ontani to the team.
Regardless, getting Ohtani to sign put the Angels into action and gave their off-season aggressive push. This push gives them confidence to compete..
The Angels also recruited Ian Kinsler, former second baseman for the Detroit Tigers, now current second baseman for the Angels. The Angels also signed free agent Zack Cozart. Cozart, former shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds, will be another big addition to the Angel’s lineup.
Cozart will play third base for the Angels because the shortstop position is currently lock down by Andrelton Simmons. Those two will help solidify the Angels infield, as well as gives their lineup more depth beyond just Trout and Pujols.
With Ohtani playing DH, movement from Albert Pujols of the DH position will transition him to play first base. This raises question marks with the Angels defense, because of the history of Pujols’ injuries.
Even with the question marks and how everything unfolds with their lineup defensively, Angels should be on the watch list for the rest of the American League West, and the entire American League for that matter.
