Five New Year’s Resolutions for the LA Angels

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ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and his teammates celebrate after Taylor Ward #3 (not in photo) hit a walk-off home run during the ninth inning of the the MLB game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Athletics 5-4. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

2018 was a rather disappointing year for the LA Angels and their fans. While they finished below .500 for the third consecutive season, they saw two division rivals make the playoffs. Now, the team needs to make changes for the upcoming season.

It is not only the LA Angels’ fans making resolutions this year, but the team itself. While the Angels have a plethora of ways they could improve, these five resolutions will help the most in attaining a successful 2019.

#1 Maintaining Healthy Relationships

The Angels have some of the best players in baseball on their team. This resolution applies to arguably their two best, Mike Trout and Andrelton Simmons. While both Simmons and Trout are signed through the 2020 season, it is never too late to make sure the best people (or players) stay in your life for years to come.

While it has been well-documented that the Angels hope to negotiate an extension, possibly a lifetime one, with Trout this offseason, there haven’t been many whispers about Simmons, who is hoping to add some muscle to his frame this offseason.

Outside of these two, there are not many contracts that need extensions this offseason. Kole Calhoun is in his last year, but could be expendable unless his bat returns to his career average. While maintaining relationships with everyone is important, taking care of the best ones first always makes sense.

OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 30: Manager Mike Scioscia #14 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim takes the ball from starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs #45 taking him out of the game against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the seventh inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on March 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

#2 Staying Healthy

In 2018, like the many years before, the Angels were once again hit big time by the injury bug. The starting rotation was hit the worst, as the team was never able to have a consistent group of guys to rely on. Not only was their depth hurt, but their stars took time off as well. Both Trout and eventual Rookie of the Year Shohei Ohtani missed long periods of time, with Ohtani being restricted to designated hitting in 2019.

While the Angels have made moves to provide depth should injuries occur, keeping their roster relatively healthy in 2019 will be a big step towards returning to the playoffs.

#3 Trim the Fat

Now is the time of year where we all look in the mirror and see that little extra holiday pudge on us. However, for all of us, that little extra pudge does not cost us $87 million over the next three years… at least I hope not.

Yes this “pudge” is the surefire Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. With so much salary space directed towards Pujol’s negative impact, the Angels need to find a way to get free of the worst contract in MLB history this year.

While Pujols is in the team’s plans going into next season, the 2019 offseason should be more focused on reducing the impact Pujols has on the Angels’ wallets than anything else.

ANAHEIM, CA – OCTOBER 22: New manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Brad Ausmus, answers questions from the media during a press conference at Angel Stadium on October 22, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

#4 A New Approach

While the older fanbase won’t like it, the Angels are heading towards a new approach on everyday life. With Brad Ausmus now in charge (and Billy Eppler right next to him), the Halos will be moving towards a more analytics based decision-making process. They’ll be combining the numbers and Ausmus’ baseball IQ to limit the amount of potential mistakes made from the dugout.

Like all of us, the Angels want to try something new in 2019. While you may sky dive or start a hobby or quit that job to follow your dreams, the Angels are becoming an analytics team. And while taking that new step can be scary, there are proven results (ie. Dodgers, Red Sox, Astros).

Next. A Memoir to Matt Shoemaker's Time in Anaheim

#5 Self Improvement

Finally, this should be everyone’s goal at the beginning of every year. The only thing we truly control in this world is ourselves. While we all take some time to self-reflect and find ways to become better versions of us, the Angels need to do the same.

Simmons is gaining muscle to become a true five tool player. Calhoun needs to find his swing again. Upton needs consistency. Pitchers need velocity. Every player on this team, even Mike Trout, has ways they can individually improve, and that is truly going to be the defining factor to whether or not this team makes the playoffs in 2019.

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