The Los Angeles Angels have won the AL West the last two years and are going for the three peat in 2009. They are talented on both sides of the ball and have a great balance of big named players and role players, who all play a big part in the success of the team. They are a step above everyone else in the division and look to continue their dominance of their division after going 100 - 62 last year (no one else is in the division was .500).
Projected Lineup:
C - Mike Napoli
1B - Kendry Morales
2B - Howie Kendrick
SS - Erick Aybar
3B - Chone Figgins
LF - Bobby Abreu
CF - Torii Hunter
RF - Vladimir Guerrero
DH - Juan Rivera
Projected Rotation:
#1 - John Lackey
#2 - Ervin Santana
#3 - Jered Weaver
#4 - Joe Saunders
#5 - Dustin Moseley
Closer - Brian Fuentes
Position Battles:
2B - Howie Kendrick is the starter and will be as long as he is healthy, but the problem is that he is never healthy. He has hit the DL multiple times the last couple years and if that is the case again this year than Maicer Izturis will take his spot in the lineup.
2009 Outlook:
This off season the Angels added Bobby Abreu, who can hit for power, average, and steal bases. A very good pick up for the team. Also, Francisco Rodriguez signed with the Mets instead of re-signing with the Angels, so the Angels went out and got Brian Fuentes to fill the closer role and he is a great replacement. Most of the team that won 100 games the year before will be returning to defend their AL West title.
From top to bottom this team is very solid and there are not many gaps at all in the lineup. The only real problem that is evident with this team is age. Vlad is not as young as he used to be (33) and it is starting to show, Abreu is 34, Hunter is 33, Juan Rivera is 30, and Figgins is 31. They are extremely talented, but health starts to become an issue. Even with the many aging players on the team, it still looks like a three peat for the Angels is not out of the question.
Projected Finish: 1st Place, AL West
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