Los Angeles Angels – Season Preview

I’m back. Sorry for the lack of posts of late. I have found myself to be extremely distracted by school as I am nearing my graduation. Anyways, let’s get on with the baseball and the 2009 season.

Many fans see the American League West as one of the weakest divisions in all of baseball, but what they don’t know is that it has been won by Seattle, Oakland, and Los Angeles in the last 8 years. So, that will firstly tell you that it is not a one team division.

Los Angeles Angels perspective: The reigning AL West champions are again the favorites, according to numerous ESPN analysts. Even though they’re off to a rough start, it is still really early.

The Mets talked to Brian Fuentes, as did the Cards, but as the former Rockies closer watched the free-agent market play out, he became intrigued by the possibility of landing in Anaheim. And three weeks after Francisco Rodriguez signed with the Mets, Fuentes inked a two-year, $17.5 million deal with the Angels. “It’s kind of a unique opportunity,” says Fuentes, a California native. It’s not often you get a chance to replace the guy who holds the single-season saves record. Sure, there’s pressure, but Angels fans will be happy to know that Fuentes was about as efficient as K-Rod last season. The 33-year-old lefty converted 88.2 percent of his save chances, while K-Rod made good on 89.9 percent. With Scot Shields still around to handle the eighth inning, and young flamethrower Jose Arredondo flashing closer stuff, the Angels should once again have a deep bullpen, which has been a driving force on their road to winning four of the past five AL West titles. Fuentes won’t save 62 games, but if he’s still salting them away deep into October, no one will complain. — Buster Olney

I like the fit of Brian Fuentes. Not too many AL players have seen him before, giving him the immediate advantage. The only thing I’m worried about is the pitching. John Lackey, Ervin Santana, and Kelvim Escobar are all projected to return some time in early to mid May. This will allow the Angels to move Dustin Moseley and Shane Loux into the bullpen, moving Jason Bulger and possibly Kevin Jepsen back to AAA Salt Lake.

Here’s a look at their spring training preview I wrote back in February.

Projected division position: 1st Place

Top Pitcher: Joe Saunders (Due to injuries of Lackey and Santana)

Top Hitter: Bobby Abreu

MVP: Torii Hunter

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