Halo Hangout
Fansided

Five Keys for the LA Angels for a Successful 2020 Season.

David Rice|
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 03: Albert Pujols #5 helps carry Felix Pena #64 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim off the field after he was injured covering first base to retire Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Indians in the second inning at Progressive Field on August 3, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 03: Albert Pujols #5 helps carry Felix Pena #64 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim off the field after he was injured covering first base to retire Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Indians in the second inning at Progressive Field on August 3, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
5 of 6
ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 15: Max Stassi #33 of the Los Angeles Angels congratulates Hansel Robles #57 after he struck out Ryan Goins #17 of the Chicago White Sox for the final out in the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 15, 2019 in Anaheim, California. Angles went on to win 8-7. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 15: Max Stassi #33 of the Los Angeles Angels congratulates Hansel Robles #57 after he struck out Ryan Goins #17 of the Chicago White Sox for the final out in the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 15, 2019 in Anaheim, California. Angles went on to win 8-7. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

#2 – Find a solid starting catcher who can solidify the young pitching staff.

In 2018 the Angels had one of the best catchers in team history in Martin Maldonado.  Maldonado helped the Angels young staff develop and gave every pitcher more confidence in knowing that he had their back defensively and with his arm.  Since the Angels traded Maldonado at the 2018 trade deadline for pitching prospect Patrick Sandoval the catching situation for the Angels has been a weakness.

Jonathan Lucroy was a veteran leader and brought some good intangibles in 2019, but his defense was below average and his hitting was about the same.  The Angels subsequently released Lucroy in the beginning of August and brought in Anthony Bemboom and Max Stassi in separate deals and neither of them filled the void.

As of yet the Angels have not acquired a starting catcher for 2020 and if they are banking on Bemboom or Stassi being the answer they are making a major error. Both catchers have their strengths, with Bemboom showing some pop and Stassi showing he has decent defensive skills, but the Angels need more.  There are still nearly two months until the start of Spring Training so there is still time for Angels GM Billy Eppler to fill this void, but it needs to be done.

Home/LA Angels News

Schedule