Angels Could Capitalize On Weak AL Plus Their Bad Division

If there’s one thing we just found out in the World Series, it’s that the American League might have been even worse than we thought it was. Nearly all of the games won by the Milwaukee Brewers were one-sided, and by the end of the series there was clearly a significant difference between the two teams. 

So what does this have to do with the Los Angeles Angels? It might represent a quicker path back to competence, especially given the division the Halos played in. The Angels were technically “in the hunt” in the AL West well past their expiration date, which was remarkably early if you just watched the product that was being put on the field. 

Moreover, it wouldn’t take much to move up. The Angels had multiple opportunities to pass the Athletics, but they were so bad they couldn’t get it done. 

Change a few things, and improvement becomes not only possible, but likely. Start with a closer -- add an average closer who could get 15-20 saves and the Angels record gets much better. Add a good one, and now maybe we’re closing in on .500 given how many late-inning leads the Angels blew. 

The puts the division title in sight, given that the Houston Astros took the Al West with a record of 81-81. Add two or three average hitters who can field competently, and suddenly a few more wins are in play. Round out the bullpen and the back of the rotation, and more things become possible. 

It won’t be that easy, of course. The current roster is so bad that many evaluators feel a complete overhaul is necessary, although interim GM John Mozeliak didn’t agree with that. 

His opinion doesn’t count any more, though. The only one who does is new owner Stan Kroenke, and we still don’t know what he thinks about all this. 

But those first steps with a closer and a few good hitters aren’t that hard, and Kroenke has to know that, too. He’s known for being thorough, so he also has to know how bad the rest of the division is, and the Astros just fired their GM and hired an executive who had ties to Mozeliak from his time in Las Vegas. 

It’s a lot to take in, but it starts with a couple of simple steps. True contention at an elite level is a long way off, but basic competence is within immediate reach.