The Los Angeles Angels

The Angels were big spenders these past 2 off seasons by signing big names like Albert Pujols, CJ Wilson, and Josh Hamilton. This off season they did not sign anyone to a mega contract, but made several well places and simple moves.

One well made move was trading Peter Bourgeois to the Cardinals for third baseman David Freese position that has been weak for the Angels. Also the Angels traded Mark Trumbo to the Diamondbacks in a three team deal to acquire prospect pitcher Tyler Skaggs and starter/reliever Hector Santiago.  To fill the hole at DH the Angels added veteran Raul Ibanez. Here is how I would make the lineup for the Angels in 2014.

1. S. Erick Aybar        SS 93 OPS+
2. R. Mike Trout        CF 179 OPS+
3. L. Josh Hamilton    RF 108 OPS+
4. R. Albert Pujols      1B 116 OPS+
5. L. Raul Ibanez       DH 124 OPS+
6. R. David Freese     3B 101 OPS+
7. R. Howie Kendrick 2B 118 OPS+
8. L. JB Shuck           LF 98 OPS+
9. R. Chris Iannetta    C 109 OPS+

The Angels rotation often gets a bed rep, but the 1-2 punch is one of the best in baseball, Jered Weaver and CJ Wilson. The rest of the rotations is Hector Santiago, Tyler Skaggs, and Joe Blanton, which does not sound so good.

1. R. Jered Weaver    115 ERA+
2. L. CJ Wilson         111 ERA+
3. L. Hector Santiago 120 ERA+
4. R. Joe Blanton       62 ERA+
5. L. Tyler Skaggs      75 ERA+

The closer for the Angels is going to be Ernesto Frieri with other significant named being Joe Smith, Sean Burnett, Kevin Jepson, and Garret Richards. The Angels have the outscore the other team strategy for the 2014 season.

Dodgers Sign Dan Haren

Dan Haren has signed a 1 year $10 Million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2014 season.

How does Haren look in a Dodgers uniform? 

Haren pitched with the Washington Nationals last year and found a new career high in ERA at 4.67 in 169 innings pitched. Moving to a much bigger ballpark will probably benefit Haren because he found much success from 2005-2012 pitching for the Athletics, Diamondbacks, and Angels. In that period Haren held a 3.58 ERA with an average of 220 innings pitched per season. The Dodgers are getting a very valuable piece for their team given the depth in their rotation.

Haren is one of the players I like and have much faith in to have more successful seasons. In his contract rests a vesting option for 2015 that depends on if he pitches at least 180 innings. Haren has completed the task every year 2005-2011, so he is more likely to do so in 2014. In a bigger ballpark, in a weaker division, you can expect Haren to have a much better season in 2014.

Haren will join a rotation with Clayton Kershaw (1.83 ERA), Zack Greinke (2.63 ERA), Hyun-jin Ryu (3.00 ERA), and a 5th starter who will likely be either Josh Beckett or Chad Billingsly, both of which battled injuries in the past year.  One more starter may make the Dodgers the best rotation in baseball.  

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels finished the 2011 season at 86-76, but that will definitely change for the better in 2012. They made a big splash in the 2011-2012 off season and will be a very good competitor with The Texas Rangers for the 2012 AL West.

The big signing for The Angels was Albert Pujols. Pujols played 147 games in 2011 for The St. Louis Cardinals. He had his worst season of his career, with a .366 on base percentage and only 99 RBI's. If that is your worst season of your career, it is saying something. Pujols is 32 years old and signed a 10 year contract with The Angels. He is a 9 time all star, a 3 time MVP winner, a 2 time gold glove award winner and a 6 time silver slugger award winner. The Angels bought a star and it will be worth it. He will fit nicely in the lineup and bring a wallop to The Angels' offense.

The Angels' pitching rotation may be stronger than the Philadelphia Phillies' for the 2012 season. It is as follows with the players respective records and ERA's.

Jared Weaver: 18-8 2.41
Dan Haren: 16-10 3.17
CJ Wilson: 16-7 2.94
Ervin Santana: 11-12 3.38

CJ Wilson was also a big signing for The Angels. He pitched well in the playoffs for The Rangers and with an ERA of 2.94 in Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, his ERA may be microscopic in Angels Stadium. ERA+ is adjusted for a pitcher's home ballpark, and Wilson's was 152. An ERA+ of 152 is very good.

The Angels also have young closer Jordan Walden. He is 24 years old and pitched 60.1 innings in 62 games for The Angels in 2011. He put up a 2.98 ERA and received 32 saves. He is promising for the future and may be a valuable player for The Angels down the line.

Finally, the Angels have an abundance of first basemen. They have Albert Pujols, Kendrys Morales and Mark Trumbo. There have been talks about Trumbo moving to third base, but that leaves Morales. Perhaps Morales can be traded for bullpen help, or a player off the bench. either way it is always good to have too many good players.

The Angels 2012 season looks promising and I predict them to win the American League West.