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3 things LA Angels need to do to get to the World Series next season

By Evan Desai |
Oct 14, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after defeating the San Francisco Giants in game five of the 2021 NLDS at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after defeating the San Francisco Giants in game five of the 2021 NLDS at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 23, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) pitches during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves in game six of the 2021 NLCS at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) pitches during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves in game six of the 2021 NLCS at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

The LA Angels were projected by many to win the AL West this season.

They didn’t come close, and here we are watching a seventh straight postseason that we’re not in.

With the two best players in baseball, this drought is not acceptable. If they could have won the division this season, who knows where they’d be right now. The team that beat them in the Astros is obviously the team representing the AL in the Series.

If the Angels want to get to the World Series next year, three things need to happen.

No. 3 thing the LA Angels need to do to get to World Series next season: Improve bullpen

If the LA Angels want to be taken seriously as a contender next year, the bullpen needs a makeover.

They need to go out and sign both the big names (such as Kenley Jansen or Brad Hand) and the bargain bin options (like Kendall Graveman or Ian Kennedy). That’s how teams build strong bullpens.

Of course, the best possible guys are needed. But also, cheap options that come with great value are needed to be those kind of ‘glue’ bullpen guys to solidify the depth and foundation in the pen.

Of course, the Angels need to re-sign Raisel Iglesias, as well as both Mike Mayers and Steve Cishek. They need to pursue many external options as well.

Oct 17, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) enters the dugout before their game against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the 2021 NLCS at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) enters the dugout before their game against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the 2021 NLCS at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 thing the LA Angels need to do to get to World Series next season: Max Scherzer

This is how important it is for the LA Angels to sign Max Scherzer.

If they want to win a pennant, they need to show up to Scherzer’s home with a blank check.

Scherzer is easily the best starter on the market. While he is older, pitchers of this caliber don’t come around often and need to be signed when they are available.

Besides, it’s not like he’s slowing down. He just played the best baseball of his life since he was traded to the Dodgers this season.

If the Angels’ rotation looks like this, they have a championship-caliber rotation:

  1. Max Scherzer
  2. Shohei Ohtani
  3. (Insert tier two free agent starter the Angels go with)
  4. Alex Cobb
  5. Patrick Sandoval
  6. Jose Suarez

Of course, this also requires re-signing Cobb and signing that second tier free agent starter. However, it all starts with signing the number one priority that is Scherzer.

Mike Trout, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Trout, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 thing the LA Angels need to do to get to World Series next season: Stay healthy

Let’s take a look at some of the highest contracts on the LA Angels’ payroll from 2021:

Mike Trout: $35.5 million–Missed 126 games

Anthony Rendon: $27.5 million–Missed 104 games

Justin Upton: $23 million–Missed 73 games

That’s pretty insane. Also, don’t forget Max Stassi missing 75 games, and Alex Cobb only starting 18 games on the bump. And there’s more too, as Patrick Sandoval only started 14 games on the year.

This team was so unbelievably injured and realistically didn’t even have a chance to win the division due to this situation.

Of course, there’s luck involved in this, but it still stung for the fans to watch these guys go down left and right. This can’t happen again if the Angels want to win this league.

They need to make sure they don’t go after injury-prone free agents as well. They need to do everything they can do to prevent injuries.

Most of that’s not in their control, but bringing in injury-prone guys is. They need to make sure they steer clear of those, and nail the other two things in this list.

Next. 3 players Minasian should be afraid to acquire

If all of this goes as planned, they’ll have a shot.

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