The LA Angels are still second fiddle in AL West

The LA Angels have been the winners of the offseason. They added a handful of players that will be significant contributors in 2018 and beyond. However, they are still miles away from catching up to the Houston Astros.

For the LA Angels, it’s all about second place. Sure, maybe they can pull of a miraculous run and somehow win the AL West for the first time since 2014. However, even with the new additions, they are still in need of just that to win their tenth division title. A miracle.

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Shohei Ohtani, Ian Kinsler, Zack Cozart, and the resigning of Justin Upton. Halo fans could not have asked for a better offseason. They still have a reasonable amount of cash to spend, and with the free agent period at a standstill, they could still add someone of value.

However, the Astros just traded for Gerrit Cole to add to a rotation that already boasts two Cy Young winners. They have one of the most talented, youngest cores in the entire MLB. Their offense is stacked throughout the entire nine spots. The only real hole they have in their roster is in their bullpen.

The Angels are experimenting this season. The Ohtani experiment is the biggest one, but Cozart is also playing third base for the first time in his career. Kinsler is coming off his worst year yet, but he has found success in AL West ballparks throughout his career.

The Astros are just staying on course this season. They know what they have, and they know it works. Jose Altuve will look to claim a second MVP Award while Carlos Correa looks to become the best shortstop in the league.

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The Angels have one of the best rosters in the American League. If they stay healthy and find some magic in the playoffs, the Halos can make a run at the World Series. However, to maintain a better record than the Astros over the course of a 162-game season would be one of the most shocking feats in recent MLB history.