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Does having Josh Hamilton make the Angels the most
intimidating team in baseball right now? |
After last years crazy spending spree and late season acquisition of 2009 Cy Young award winner
Zack Greinke didn't yield even a playoff berth, the Angels decided that the best course of action was not to switch gears, but to pile it on. On December 13th the Angels came out of nowhere to sign
Josh Hamilton to a 5-year $125MM deal. This move effectively makes Los Angeles not only easily the most potent offensive team in their division, but arguably in baseball, behind perhaps the Detroit Tigers. It also takes Josh Hamilton out of the lineup for the division rival Texas Rangers and reunites him with former Ranger
C.J. Wilson, who lives a sober lifestyle, which gives Hamilton some of the company and support he needs to succeed. The move to sign Hamilton doesn't insure the Angels for anything, however. While Hamilton has proven year in and year out that his presence at the plate is nothing to be trifled with, he has also proven to be less than durable. Looking at his last four seasons could give an Angels fan something to be worried about.
Games Played
2012: 148
2011: 121
2010: 133
2009: 89
Add five years on to that logic and you can consider any investment a gamble, let alone a $125MM one. Still, assuming Hamilton will be mostly healthy and putting him in the same lineup as
Albert Pujols and phenom
Mike Trout is going to be terrifying for anyone who has the misfortune of pitching to them.
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| Joe Blanton takes his talents to Angel Stadium in 2013 |
Hamilton wasn't the only move by the Angels this offseason. After letting
Dan Haren walk (which, in my opinion was a dumb move) and trading
Ervin Santana to the Royals, the Angels needed to revamp their rotation. They traded good young closer
Jordan Walden to the Braves for righty
Tommy Hanson. Not needing anyone else to DH or play first, the Angels traded
Kendrys Morales to the Mariners for southpaw
Jason Vargas on December 19th. Also added by way of free agency is veteran righty
Joe Blanton who figures to be the four or five guy depending on where Vargas slots in. The bullpen also got a huge boost with the additions of LHP
Sean Burnett and righty
Ryan Madson, who missed all of 2012 with Tommy John surgery, but was lights out as a closer for the Phillies in 2011.
All these moves combined make the Angels almost look like a "new look" team, and if everything flows together they have the possibility to win it all. That being said, it's important to be critical and look at their faults. Other than
Jered Weaver they don't have any bonafide, game-changing pitching. Players like Vargas and Blanton have a strong history of being durable workhorses, but they also both host career ERA's above four. The offense obviously has the ability to carry with it crushing potency; but it's important for the Angels to remember the age, injury and ego have derailed teams in the past. If everyone can stay healthy, humble and focused the Angels are a sure-shot for the playoffs. That being said, if big heads and old bodies get in the way manager Mike Scioscia will be looking for a job.
