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mrschroeder08 partyvancaptain pee_callus25 Tags 2010 Preview 5 Million Dollar Black Hole AAAA Aaron Heilman Aaron Miles Alfonso Soriano Andres Blanco Angel Guzman Aramis Ramirez Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves B.J. 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Will it continue? Los Angeles Angels 2009 Record: 97-65 (1st, AL West) Key Additions: Hideki Matsui (DH/OF), Fernando Rodney (RP), Joel Pineiro (SP), Brian Stokes (RP) Key Losses: Chone Figgins (3B/2B/OF), John Lackey (SP), Vladimir Guerrero (DH/OF), Darren Oliver (RP), Kelvim Escobar (SP), Gary Matthews, Jr. (OF), Jose Arredondo (RP) Summary: The last decade was a good one to the Angels, as they dominated the AL West for much of the decade, once Lou Piniella's Mariners came back to earth. While the Yankees and Red Sox get all of the AL press, this team has just continued to truck along with multiple playoff appearances and one World Series title. This year, they are letting go of some pretty talented players. With Texas and Seattle knocking on the door, the new decade could be much more challenging. Chone Figgins, John Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero were the big subtractions. Guerrero was not as big of a part of the 2009 team, as he dealt with numerous injuries. But he, like Figgins, are staying in the AL West, which doubly hurts. Guerrero went to Texas and, of course, Figgins went to Seattle. It is also worth mentioning that Lackey went to Boston, a team L.A. has battled the last three years in the playoffs. The one thing with the Angels is that they can develop talent, and they have the resources to fill holes via free agency. This year they are mixing homegrown talent (Wood) with free agents (Pineiro, Matsui) to fill the void. I do not think Figgins leaving is as big of a deal as some make it out to be. Offensively, infielders Erick Aybar, Howie Kendrick and Macier Izturis may not provide the speed Figgins does, but they are decent enough players to help fill the void. The real keys to the lineup are Bobby Abreu can continue his resurgence, Kendry Morales continuing his very underrated performance at first base and Hideki Matsui can provide the same power Guerrero did. Abreu will produce. Morales is only 26, and will only get better. Matsui still probably has some left in the tank and even if he falters, Torii Hunter and Juan Rivera can pick up slack. To me, the lineup is possibly second to only Texas in the AL West. What concerns me here is the pitching. Jered Weaver had a great 2009, and is the ace of the staff going into this season. Behind him, things can either go really well or really horribly. There is a lot of variability in how Scott Kazmir, Joel Pineiro Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana could perform. Kazmir has the ability to pitch like an ace, but also can get rocked. He pitched at about an average level last season in Tampa and Los Angeles. Joel Pineiro appeared to be a beneficiary of Dave Duncan's magic dust last year because before that, he stunk. Before his good 2009, he posted ERAs of 5.15, 4.33, 6.36 and 5.62 from 2008 going backwards to 2005. I am wary to rely on him. Santana and Saunders had good 2008 seasons, but backtracked a bit last season. If they pitch more like 2008, then this team has a good chance to win another division. If not, then I think there may be a new champion out west. Cubs Connection: Brandon Wood is taking over at third this season. He is 25 (still young), but has a .535 OPS in 236 plate appearances. The Angels are obviously hoping everyday playing time will help, and as a Cubs fan, I kind of do, too. Aramis Ramirez can opt out of this contract this season. Many people remember the last time he was able to do that (after 2005), he did, and the Angles were very much prepared to offer him a ton of money. If Wood proves he can't handle major league pitching, and Ramirez opts out, I think the Angels are a huge threat to pry him away. BIBGLBOOPSARG(tm) SS Erick Aybar 2B Howie Kendrick RF Bobby Abreu 1B Kendry Morales DH Hideki Matsui CF Torii Hunter LF Juan Rivera 3B Brandon Wood C Mike Napoli P Jered Weaver, Scott Kazmir, Joel Pineiro, Joe Saunders, Ervin Santana Closer: Brian Fuentes Predicted Finish: Second place in the AL West. This division is pretty clearly a three horse races (though Oakland may make a bit of noise as well). I still like the lineup here, but the pitching kind of concerns me. It is so hard to tell what kind of season you will get from the starters. Meanwhile with two other teams stocking up, this may very well be the year the Angels' reign atop the AL West ends. Posted in: 2010 Preview, Los Angeles Angels | ||