Angels won't let gap in AL West close
08:43 PM CDT on Thursday, October 15, 2009
Throughout the American League Championship Series, which starts tonight, you will probably be treated to many references about the Los Angeles Angels' upcoming winter of decisions.
Every John Lackey start will include some form of "is this the last time he pitches in an Angels uniform?" When Vladimir Guerrero bats, his impending free agency will be discussed as much as, if not more than, his slowly deteriorating body. There will be discussions about the potential free agency mother lodes awaiting Bobby Abreu and Chone Figgins.
And you, dear Ranger fan, will remember the Rangers' 5 ½-month flirtation with the playoffs, the second-place finish and the 87 wins and you will become convinced that 2010 will indeed be the first of many Texas playoff berths.
To all of that, I would say only: Not so fast.
Don't put too much stock into suggestions the Angels may become the Homebodies of Orange County.
During the ALCS, spend a few minutes watching the infield of Kendry Morales, Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar and Figgins and then compare it to that of the Rangers. Right now, maybe Ian Kinsler and Michael Young are the equals of Kendrick and Figgins. Maybe. If Figgins leaves, the Angels will have trouble filling in for him at third. That's a legit issue. But don't expect the Angels to let him leave, either.
The edge at first has to go to the Angels and Morales, who hit 34 homers, batted .306 and had a .924 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. Davis hit 21 homers, .238 and had a .726 OPS. And at short? Yes, Elvis Andrus had a wonderful rookie season, but Aybar has just as much range. Oh, and Aybar hit .306 with a .353 on-base percentage. Aybar is older; he'll be all of 26 next season.
Moving to the outfield, Abreu, who signed for $5 million two weeks after the Rangers signed Andruw Jones, has already indicated he wants to return for 2010. He hit .293 with a .390 on-base percentage and drove in 103 runs. He also had an impact on the team's overall approach and OBP, which jumped from .330 in 2008 to .350 this season. Who wouldn't want that back?
Torii Hunter will still be in center and what more needs to be said about him? And in right, if the Angels let Guerrero go, they should have plenty of dollars to make serious runs at either of the two big-time outfielders who will hit the free agent market next month: Matt Holliday and Jason Bay.
Yes, Lackey probably walks after the season, maybe even to the Rangers. The Angels have already found his replacement in left-hander Scott Kazmir, who has dominated the Rangers. Kazmir does have some injury concerns, but he also will be only 26 next year and is signed for three more years. His rotation mates for 2010: Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana. A fifth starter might be a problem, but most of the time, the Angels' Nos. 1-4 will match up favorably against whoever they are playing. That will put you in a pennant race year after year, which is where you can expect to find the Angels again in 2010, regardless of what happens against the Yankees.
The Rangers improved dramatically this season. That doesn't mean they cut into the Angels dominance in the division one bit.