The LA Angels need emotional leaders to build chemistry

The LA Angels have been focusing on improving their team each of the past few seasons.  They have added multiple players each off-season, however what they have lacked is those little spark plugs that help team chemistry.

When the LA Angels were having so much success from 2002 and 2009 it was about talent, but more importantly the team chemistry was very strong in those years and there was always those spark plugs that seem to play above their talent, but had strong character and seem to lead the team emotionally on many occasions.

Some notable spark plugs over the past 20 years for the Angels are guys like David Eckstein, AKA the X-Factor.  Scott Spiezio was another player at the same time who really played a big role in the 2002 World Championship team.  Later guys like Reggie Willits, Chone Figgins, and Orlando Palmiero.

There were a few star players who had that infectious attitude as well like Troy Percival, Jered Weaver, John Lackey, and Torii Hunter as well along with Bobby Abreu.

More recently Tony Giavotella, Peter Bourjos, and even David Freese were all good character guys that seem to provide a spark for the team during the years they players for the Halos.

However, the last two seasons especially there haven’t been any emotional leaders for the Angels and I truly believe that is something that they really need as an intanigable that could push them over the top.

Teams still need to have key players producing at a high level and stay free from too many injuries.  However, the Angels signed Peter Bourjos to a minor league contract and if Bourjos makes the team as the fourth outfielder he could be a spark plug.  Another player that could also be in this mold is David Fletcher.  Fletcher is not a real excitable guy, but he reminds many people of David Eckstein and Fletcher could be an X-Factor in 2019 for the Angels.

We will see if this could possibly make a difference for the Angels in 2019. Let’s hope so.