What can the Angels do this offseason?

[Angel Oracle]

Good point that segways to a 2002 stat: only 800+ Ks by the offense for the entire season, which along with the team BA and frenetic hitting overcame the average at best team plate discipline (only 460 some BBs).

 

That 2002 offense was relentless after the 20 game 6-14 start to the season.

This offense had a similarly mediocre start offensively, but unlike the 2002 team is not one that has a lot of consistency throughout the lineup and strikes out a TON.  

[nikkachez]

Everybody keeps talking about acquiring pitching but I'd like to see them focus on some bats. Hitters who make contact, draw walks, not wild hackers like we have. The problem with this team right now is the lack of a great plate approach, especially with runners in scoring position. They seem to get the yips, especially with the bases loaded. The problem I see right now is that we have hitters that have the same approach (guys that want to pull the ball every time, especially in crucial situations). Then they are susceptible to anything on the outside part of the plate. That's what has been happening lately and I am sick of that same stupid hitting approach. Can we start hitting those outside pitches to the opposite field?

Yep, the offense needs a kick in the butt in my opinion. This team could use another bat. Maybe someone they rotate at DH/1B/some outfield? Kind of like Navarro, but a better overall offensive player. Morse and Hart types, but those two playing to their capability. This team needs another stud bat aside from Trout and Calhoun because Aybar should not be hitting 5th and Pujols/Hamilton are not the answers in the middle. Need a DH/1B/OF type of impact bat, some speed on the bench, a 3rd baseman, a catcher, 2 starters, a starter to stash in AAA, and a lefty reliever. All doable in one off-season, right?

Edited August 11, 2014 by nikkachez

[YouthofToday]

90% of the money the club spends this offseason must be on starting pitcher.

Our offense is fine. The recent small sample size distracts some from the fundamental flaw with this club in 2015 - SP.

[70runner]

An offense built around old, deteriorating hitters is not fine and will be susceptible to extended droughts (even with Trout to offset).

 

Pujols is barely effective, though perhaps the slowest guy in MLB while building a huge GIDP lead in the AL.  Hamilton has become a flailing strike out walking to the plate.  Can't see depending on these two in the outyears as they get even older.  As long as Scioscia is calling the shots these two bozos will hit 3 & 4.

 

Aybar & HK are still serviceable.  Freese marginal (though better of late).  Calhoun: solid.  Navarro has some promise, perhaps hitting in the 2 slot ahead of Trout.  Iannetta & Conger tandem not especially good but not bad either.  Need a <young> solid MOTO guy to break up the Pujols/Hamilton black hole.  Doesn't look like its going to be Cron, but wouldn't give up on him yet.  He needs to drop some flab and replace with muscle.

 

Pitching: you can never have enough.  Relief pitching looks solid.  Another #2/#3 starter should also be a priority.   

[YouthofToday]

How, exactly, are we suppose to land a young MOTO bat? We have the worst farm system in baseball and a dire need for numerous quality starters that can really only be secured through free agency?

[YouthofToday]

Aybar and Kendrick are well above league average. To call them merely "serviceable" is hilarious. Have you looked at what a league average positional bat and player "produces" now a days?

[Hollyw00d]

Aybar is top 3 hitting SS in the AL, so yeah.

Kendrick is farther down, 2B is deeper

[Hollyw00d]

We don't need any more bats. Every single team in the league has gone through stretches like this team is in, offensively. The rest of the season, they've been hitting just fine. Dont let one flaw ruin the big picture, this team can hit.

offense is hard to come by in this post-steroid era. For some teams, like the reds, white sox, rangers, red sox, etc. They've hit this poorly ALL year long.

[zenmaster]

I thought the Pujols walk off in the 19th the other night would ignite this team. We need a spark from somewhere. Maybe a good bench clearing brawl.

[70runner]

Aybar and Kendrick are well above league average. To call them merely "serviceable" is hilarious. Have you looked at what a league average positional bat and player "produces" now a days?

 

Have you?  Aybar is ranked 7th of 11 qualified SS (AL) in BA, Kendrick 6th of 10 2Bs.  Some distance from "well above league average".  Aybar is doing well with RBIs, tho 6th of 10 in OPS.  Not so hilarious.

 

Either way, my point is the reliance on the 2 old guys in the MOTO is risky business.  The rest of the lineup is decent with one exceptional exception.

[YouthofToday]

Have you? Aybar is ranked 7th of 11 qualified SS (AL) in BA, Kendrick 6th of 10 2Bs. Some distance from "well above league average". Aybar is doing well with RBIs, tho 6th of 10 in OPS. Not so hilarious.

Either way, my point is the reliance on the 2 old guys in the MOTO is risky business. The rest of the lineup is decent with one exceptional exception.

You are not seriously stating that a player's batting average is the best way to indicate if a player is league average, right?

[Angel Oracle]

All I know is Aybar has a real bad OPS since July 1 and Freese has a solid one since then.

But Scioscia still chooses to hit Freese low and Aybar in the MOTO.

[Oz27]

I know I'm late to the party but the reactions to some people on the first page were embarrassing and stupid. Pull your heads out of your asses.

 

We're clearly heading into a very interesting offseason and it has quite a different feel to recent years. Whereas last year it felt like we needed to fill holes everywhere, this time around we'll simply be looking to improve an already solid club and I like that. Ironically though the areas we'll be looking to fix are pretty similar to last year. I'll be happy to more or less stand pat on the bullpen (a lefty specialist would be nice, but there are more pressing needs). It's obvious we need another starter with Skaggs out...I have little faith in Wilson and Shoemaker is definitely a regression candidate, so we need another option. Offensively, the biggest areas of question are 3B and DH. I was in favor of non-tendering Freese but I'm starting to think if we do tender him, someone will take a bite and we could pick up a cheap DH type or lefty reliever or something like that. If we free up a bit of money that way and go with Green/Jimenez at 3B, then use whatever cash we have to add a starter and a cheap OF/DH bat, I'll be satisfied.