Angels In The Outfield MIA

Despite having two generational talents, Los Angeles is still struggling to make the Postseason. Have they officially missed their window to maximize these talents?

March 7, 2022

Source: The Ringer and Getty Images

It was supposed to go much differently. The Angels decision to draft Mike Trout with the 25th overall selection of the 2009 MLB Draft was supposed to be a huge piece to beginning to solidify a winning culture for years to come. Flashing forward a few years, the same can be said for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani whom the Angels poached from other bidding powerhouses such as the Yankees and cross town Dodgers. However, as Trout begins to enter the back end of his prime as Ohtani is in the midst of his one has to wonder if LA has already missed the chance to win a World Series or at the very least showcase arguably the two most marketable, most talented players currently in the MLB on the sports biggest stage.

Since acquiring Trout, all one has to do is see the records year by year to see how futile the team has been. Critics of the teams management point to the lack of depth around the superstars, as the team has repeatedly look for the cheapest options instead of the best ones in Free Agency. While Trout and Ohtani have been all class despite the losing, one has to wonder if Ohtanis hesitance to resign yet signifies his displeasure.

*Made Playoffs

2012	89-73	.549	3rd	Missed
2013	78-84	.481	3rd	Missed
*2014	98-64	.605	4th	Lost ALDS (3-0)
2015	85-77	.525	3rd	Missed
2016	74-88	.457	4th	Missed
2017	80-82	.494	2nd	Missed
2018	80-82	.494	4th	Missed
2019	72-90	.444	4th	Missed
2020	26-34	.433	4th	Missed
2021	77-85	.475	4th	Missed

It is maddening to see the Angels do this poorly despite employing these two generational talents, as we as baseball fans have been robbed of seeing Trout and Ohtani in October. This has likely also hurt the game of baseball, as we need these types of players on the biggest stage. Imagine the NHL without Crosby or Ovechkin in the playoffs for example? They are in the playoffs every year. The NHL, by default, has reaped the rewards of this.

The Angels' management incompetence was further summarized this week during an MLB-MLBPA lockout meeting. The team was one of four (and the only big market team), that voted AGAINST raising the CBT threshold. They just do not want to spend. In 2021, the Angels ranked eighth in overall payroll. However, while the threshold was $210 million they spent $161 million. Keep in mind that the only reason they were ranked this highly was because of their three massive contracts in Anthony Rendon, Justin Upton, and Trout.

The Angels are running out of time and are an embarrassment to the league and their fans. Despite massive yearly numbers by both Trout and Ohtani, they continue to lose; imagine how much worse off they would be without these phenoms?