Light Up The Halo | Los Angeles Angels Dynasty

[MLBfanatic97]

Welcome to my first go at a dynasty! I will be the general manager of the Los Angeles Angels and try to lead the team to the promised land they visited back in 2002. I probably won't be playing every game, but will probably opt to play as many of the MLB Network selected games as possible, with monthly stat updates if I'm not too lazy. Hope you enjoy!

SETTINGS:
Hitting: Dynamic
Pitching: All-Star
Sliders: A&S
Rosters: OSFM 2.80

[MLBfanatic97]

January 8th, 2017

"Excited to start working for us?" asked Arte Moreno.

I better be, I thought.

"Very much so sir, I'm ready to bring a trophy back to Anaheim."

"Anaheim? Don't you mean Los Angeles?" responded Moreno with a chuckle.

The Anaheim, er, Los Angeles Angels are stuck in a major rut. They have the best player in the world on the roster and have exactly 0 playoff wins to show for it. In fact, they haven't won a playoff game since 2009, and have only made the playoffs once in 7 years. Between injuries to the rotation, bad trades, and bad free agent signings, the 90 win seasons of the early 2000s seem like a distant memory. Arte Moreno wants a winner and everyone knows that, but it was a shock when it was announced that Billy Eppler was fired as GM. After running through 2 GMs in 3 years, all eyes were on Moreno to see who he would hire.

And he decided to hire me.

"Anyway, I'll see you at the stadium to help you get acquainted with the roster and meet Sosh and the coaching staff and all that good stuff alright?"

"Sounds good sir."

I grew up an Angels fan and have very fond memories of 2002 and the success the team experienced throughout that decade. If there's anyone who wants to see the team succeed, it's me. But am I really cut out for this? To be general manager? Every baseball fan is an armchair GM, but this is a whole new beast. I am now responsible with building a winner here.


Challenge accepted.

[MLBfanatic97]

February 12th, 2017

Alright, let's see what we got.

"So usually I like to stay rather involved in the building of the roster," Moreno said, "but I'm going to basically let you have free reign to do what you think is right."

Whoa.

"Thank you for trusting me like this sir, I'll do my best."

"Just one thing: don't trade Trout."

"Understood sir."

Looks like we're gonna have to do this the hard way then.


Looking over the team, not much would really be changed from 2016. Maybin, Espinosa, Revere, Chavez, Fister, Maldonado and Valbuena are all new additions to the team that will be key contributors this season. Heaney and Tropeano are still out recovering from Tommy John surgery, but Heaney may be able to return come August or September.

PITCHING

Everyone expects the Angels' pitching staff to tread water waiting for Heaney and Tropeano to return, while hoping Skaggs and Richards can manage to stay healthy. The bullpen is a huge question mark, with Bedrosian the only real highlight. Huston Street is still dealing with back issues and isn't due to come back until sometime in May, so that leaves Bedrosian as closer for now.

OUTFIELD

The Angels in the outfield ( ) look better than they have in years, with Maybin, Trout and Calhoun all set to rob some home runs and hit some themselves. Ben Revere will most likely be the 4th outfielder, with Bourn potentially making it 5 if he can prove he's worthy of a spot during spring training.

INFIELD

The infield is anchored by Andrelton Simmons at short and Danny Espinosa at 2nd. Whether or not they will be able to produce with the bat is a different question, and in Espinosa's case is a huge question mark. Yunel Escobar is at 3rd base and in a contract year, so whether or not he will be resigned after 2017 depends on his performance with the bat and the glove. Over at 1st, we have Luis Valbuena and (to a lesser extent) Albert Pujols. Pujols is chasing 600 HR, but will he be able to make meaningful contributions to the team? Or will he simply be chasing milestones for the rest of his time in Anaheim? CJ Cron and Jefry Marte will be looking to force the issue and earn a roster spot over at first as well. Behind the plate we have a platoon of Carlos Perez and Martin Maldonado. Maldonado was sent to Anaheim in a trade that saw Jett Bandy shipped to Milwaukee. Bandy had a decent bat, but Maldonado has the better glove, so hopefully he lives up to expectations.

Los Angeles Angels Depth Chart - 2017

• Catcher
• Carlos Perez
• Martin Maldonado
• Juan Graterol

• First Base
• Luis Valbuena
• CJ Cron
• Jefry Marte

• Second Base
• Danny Espinosa

• Third Base
• Yunel Escobar
• Nolan Fontana

• Shortstop
• Andrelton Simmons
• Cliff Pennington

• Left Field
• Cameron Maybin
• Ben Revere

• Center Field
• Mike Trout
• Michael Bourn

• Right Field
• Kole Calhoun
• Ben Revere

• Starting Pitcher
• Garrett Richards
• Tyler Skaggs
• Matt Shoemaker
• Jesse Chavez
• Doug Fister
• Ricky Nolasco

• Relief Pitcher
• Mike Morin
• Yusmeiro Petit
• Blake Parker
• Jose Alvarez
• Bud Norris
• JC Ramirez

• Closer
• Cam Bedrosian

• Designated Hitter
• Albert Pujols

• Disabled List
• Andrew Heaney
• Nick Tropeano
• Huston Street

PROSPECTS

The Angels don't have many prospects to be extremely excited about, but if there's any of them that you should pay attention to, it's Jahmai Jones and Matt Thaiss. Jones is a 50 FV outfielder whose best tool is his speed. He had a great 2016 season in rookie ball and will be looking to build on that success in 2017. Thaiss is a former catcher who is trying to stick at 1st base. He has a great eye, but will need to develop power to really become a viable option as a first baseman.


"Any questions?" asked Moreno.

"I think I'm good for now. Thank you sir."

Let's do this.

[MLBfanatic97]

March 15th, 2017

The Angels were off to an okay start in Spring Training, starting 10-7. However, something simply wasn't right. It isn't the players, after all they are in Spring Training and knocking off all the rust.

Maybe it's the coaching?

Well Mike Scioscia was definitely a polarizing figure in Anaheim to say the least. While some say his long tenure with the team is a testament to his ability as a manager, many fans think it's time to move on from the manager that led the team to it's only championship and oversaw the successes (and failures) of the past 15 years. But he only has a year left on his contract, so I'll just let him ride it out.

Hmmm.... lemme take a look at the bench coaches...

Ramsey.jpg

Alfredo.jpg

Nagy.jpg

Ron.jpg

Well I think I found the issue...

One by one the hitting, pitching, and base coaches were all fired and by the end of the day, all the replacements had been hired.

On the Ides of March no less....

[MLBfanatic97]

April 2nd, 2017

With Spring Training over, the Angels are now gearing up for the regular season. There were really no tough decisions to make when it came to deciding the final roster, so without further ado, your 2017 Los Angeles Angels!

Los Angeles Angels Depth Chart - 2017

• Catcher
• Carlos Perez

• First Base
• Luis Valbuena
• Jefry Marte

• Second Base
• Danny Espinosa

• Third Base
• Yunel Escobar
• Nolan Fontana

• Shortstop
• Andrelton Simmons

• Left Field
• Cameron Maybin
• Ben Revere

• Center Field
• Mike Trout

• Right Field
• Kole Calhoun

• Starting Pitcher
• Garrett Richards
• Matt Shoemaker
• Tyler Skaggs
• Doug Fister
• Jesse Chavez

• Relief Pitcher
• Ricky Nolasco
• Mike Morin
• Yusmeiro Petit
• Blake Parker
• Bud Norris
• Jose Alvarez

• Closer
• Cam Bedrosian

• Designated Hitter
• Albert Pujols

• Disabled List
• Andrew Heaney
• Nick Tropeano
• Huston Street (AAA)

Game 1 will be against the Oakland Athletics, live from the Oakland Coliseum on MLB Network. Our ace, Garrett Richards, is looking to come back strong from rehabbing his elbow in 2016 and will matchup against Sonny Gray.

[MLBfanatic97]

ANGELS 8, ATHLETICS 3

MLB(R) The Show(TM) 17_1.jpg

Yunel Escobar paces the offense with 2 home runs as the Angels take Game 1.

OAKLAND, Calif.-- The Angels offense was alive and well for Game 1 of the series and the season, as they scored 5 runs off Sonny Gray in 4 innings en route to an 8-3 win. Yunel Escobar went 3 for 4 with 2 solo shots and Luis Valbuena drove in 3 to lead the Angels to the win. Garrett Richards threw 7.1 shutout innings and got the win in his return to the mound after his 2016 was cut short with a ligament tear in his elbow. He walked one and struck out 5.


The Athletics were shut out for 8 innings before scoring 3 in the bottom of the 9th, thanks in part to an error by Kole Calhoun in right that allowed Yonder Alonso to reach 2nd and be driven in by a Stephen Vogt double. Sonny Gray struggled mightily in his first start, walking 3 batters in the 1st inning and a total of 4 in his 4 innings of work. "I just couldn't spot my offspeed pitches tonight, and that allowed them to sit on the fastballs," he said after the game.

Game 2 will be live on MLB Network as Matt Shoemaker looks to start the season off right while the Athletics send out Jesse Hahn

Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics
Apr 3, 2017	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles (1-0)	2	2	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	8	11	1
Oakland (0-1)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	3	8	0
W: Garrett Richards (1-0) L: Sonny Gray (0-1) S: Blake Parker (1)

Los Angeles Angels
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
Cameron Maybin	4	2	1	0	2	1	.250
Kole Calhoun	3	2	1	0	2	0	.333
Mike Trout	4	0	1	2	1	1	.250
Albert Pujols	5	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Yunel Escobar	4	2	3	2	1	0	.750
Luis Valbuena	4	1	2	3	0	1	.500
Andrelton Simmons	4	1	1	0	0	1	.250
Danny Espinosa	5	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Carlos Perez	5	0	2	1	0	0	.400
BATTING 2B: Valbuena (1), Simmons (1), Escobar (1) 3B: Trout (1) HR: Valbuena (1), Escobar 2 (2) RBI: Valbuena 3 (3), Trout 2 (2), Escobar 2 (2) HBP: Valbuena, Simmons
FIELDING E: Calhoun (1)

Los Angeles Angels
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Garrett Richards (W, 1-0)	7.1	3	0	0	1	5	0.00
Bud Norris	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	0.00
Yusmeiro Petit	0.2	4	3	1	1	1	13.50
Blake Parker (SV, 1)	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00

Oakland Athletics
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
Rajai Davis	4	0	1	0	0	1	.250
Mark Canha	4	1	1	0	0	0	.250
Khris Davis	4	1	1	0	0	1	.250
Yonder Alonso	3	1	0	0	1	1	.000
Stephen Vogt	3	0	1	1	1	0	.333
Trevor Plouffe	4	0	2	1	0	1	.500
Adam Rosales	4	0	1	0	0	1	.250
Matt Joyce	4	0	1	1	0	1	.250
Jed Lowrie	4	0	0	0	0	0	.000
BATTING 2B: Rosales (1) RBI: Vogt (1), Joyce (1), Plouffe (1) GIDP: Plouffe, Rosales

Oakland Athletics
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Sonny Gray	4.0	5	5	5	4	2	11.25
Chris Bassitt	4.0	6	3	3	2	2	6.75
Ryan Dull	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
PITCHING WP: Gray (1), Bassitt (1)

[MLBfanatic97]

ANGELS 7, ATHLETICS 1

MLB(R) The Show(TM) 17_2.jpg
Albert Pujols launches #592

OAKLAND, Calif.-- The Angels' bats stayed heated up as the rain came down, scoring 7 runs in tonight's game to beat the Athletics once again. Albert Pujols smacked one out in the 1st inning for his 592nd career home run and drove in 3 runs while Kole Calhoun hit 3 doubles and drove in 2. Matt Shoemaker dominated on the mound, allowing only one run on 3 hits across 7 innings while striking out 7. Jose Alvarez and Mike Morin came out in relief and threw 2 scoreless innings between the two of them.

Once again the Oakland starter struggled as Jesse Hahn gave up 6 runs in 4 innings and took the loss. Yonder Alonso drove in their only run. After the game, manager Bob Melvin said of the A's pitching woes, "We just need to hit our spots with our pitches. It's only game 2, so there's no reason to be worried yet, but it's definitely something we need to work on."

The next time we will see the Angels on MLB Network is on April 11th, as the Rangers visit Anaheim for a divisional matchup.

Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics
Apr 4, 2017	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles (2-0)	3	0	0	2	1	1	0	0	0	7	10	0
Oakland (0-2)	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	0
W: Matt Shoemaker (1-0) L: Jesse Hahn (0-1)

Los Angeles Angels
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Cameron Maybin	4	1	2	2	1	1		.375
Kole Calhoun	5	2	3	2	0	0		.500
Mike Trout	5	0	0	0	0	2		.111
Albert Pujols	4	1	2	3	0	2		.222
Yunel Escobar	4	0	1	0	0	0		.500
Luis Valbuena	3	1	0	0	1	0		.286
Andrelton Simmons	4	1	2	0	0	0		.375
Danny Espinosa	3	1	0	0	1	1		.000
Carlos Perez	3	0	0	0	1	1		.250
BATTING: 2B: Calhoun 3 (3), Simmons (2) 3B: Maybin (1) HR: Pujols (1) RBI: Calhoun 2 (2), Pujols 3 (3), Maybin 2 (2) GIDP: Valbuena
BASERUNNING: CS: Maybin (1)

Oakland Athletics
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Rajai Davis	4	0	0	0	0	1		.125
Mark Canha	4	1	1	0	0	1		.250
Khris Davis	4	0	2	0	0	1		.375
Yonder Alonso	3	0	0	1	0	1		.000
Stephen Vogt	3	0	0	0	0	0		.167
Trevor Plouffe	3	0	0	0	0	1		.286
Adam Rosales	3	0	0	0	0	1		.143
Matt Joyce	3	0	0	0	0	0		.143
Jed Lowrie	3	0	0	0	0	1		.000
BATTING: RBI: Alonso (1)

Los Angeles Angels
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Matt Shoemaker	7.0	3	1	1	0	7		1.29
Jose Alvarez	1.0	0	0	0	0	0		0.00
Mike Morin	1.0	0	0	0	0	0		0.00

Oakland Athletics
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Jesse Hahn	4.0	7	6	6	2	3		13.50
Ryan Madson	1.0	2	0	0	0	1		0.00
Liam Hendriks	2.0	1	1	1	2	2		4.50
Ryan Dull	2.0	0	0	0	0	1		0.00