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.

Japanese Cowboy

Yu Darvish signed with the Texas Rangers last night for 6 years $60 million.This will keep the Rangers as competitors with the Angels. If he performs well, the Western divisions will be stacked with great pitching. Darvish pitched to minuscule ERA's and high number strikeouts in his seasons with Japan. Now the Japanese right hander will be pitching 6 years in Texas, lets see how he performs.

With all the big name pitchers off the market, only Edwin Jackson and Roy Oswalt remain. The western divisions will be loaded with excellent pitching.

Rangers: Davish
Angels: Weaver, Haren,Wilson, Santana
Mariners: Hernandez
Giants: Lincecum, Cain
Dodgers: Kershaw, Billingsly
Diamondbacks: Kennedy, Hudson, Cahill

Those are 13 names that can put up great numbers. Those fans on the west coast sure are lucky.
  

If Only I Was the Angles' GM.

The Angles just extended Howie Kendrick's contract. They also signed CJ Wilson and Albert Pujols. They have the best pitching rotation in the MLB with Weaver, Haren, Wilson, and Santana and the best first baseman and hitter of the past 10 years. They have it pretty good. The Angels also have Trumbo and Morales left over, what will they do with them.

If I were the Angels' general manager I would bring up a trade. This trade would involve Morales, Aybar, Chatwood, and the team's choice of $2 million or another prospect. But now the team for these players to be traded to... The Miami Marlins. Can you guess who? Hanley Ramirez.

Hanley Ramirez is an all star and capable of outstanding numbers. With the recent acquisition of Jose Reyes, the Marlins say Hanley will be moving to third base, which Ramirez is not fond of.  Perhaps a change of scenery would be nice.

The Marlins were in on Albert Pujols, but of course he went to the Angels. The Marlins aren't in on Fielder because he wont bring what Pujols would have to the Latino community. Morales has been injured for 2011 because of the incident when he hit a walk off home run and hurt his leg when celebrating. But he is healthy now and is capable of outstanding hitting. He is also of Latin origins and will bring a lot to the Latino community.

In this trade Aybar will be traded to the Marlins to replace Ramirez at third. This is a logical choice, because the Angels would no longer need a shortstop, because they have Ramirez. Also Aybar has remarkable speed, which is a big part of Marlins' offense.

Chatwood is young and could round out the rotation for the Marlins. Pitiching in the National League will maybe lower his ERA. Johnson, Burhlie,  Zambrano, Chatwood, is a pretty decent pitching rotation. The Angels don't need Chatwood. because they have the previously mentioned pitching rotation all in their prime.

Finally the Angels and Marlins will decide weather the Angels will take 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 percent of Ramirez's contract. The choice of $2 million or a prospect will remain, but Andrew Romine will not be an option, becuase he is the back up plan if Ramirez is a fluke. Ramirez only played around 90 games in 2011 which would make some skeptical, but I believe the Marlins will take it as yet another reason to trade him.