Building the dream LA Angels Opening Day starting lineup after MLB lockout

Sep 26, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) is a perfect free agent target for the LA Angels.
Sep 26, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) is a perfect free agent target for the LA Angels. / Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports
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Anthony Rendon, LA Angels
Jun 23, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) walks on / Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

There recently has been a bit of progress with the saving of the season from this rough MLB lockout that the LA Angels, and everyone, is staring at right now.

If this lockout ends soon, the Halos will be at work to try to improve this roster. While most of the work to be done relates to the pitching, the starting lineup needs to improve as well. It may not need a lot of work, but there is a way to elevate this lineup from one of the best in the American League to one of the best in baseball as a whole.

In fact, they could have one of the best overall rosters in the league too, if they pencil in this lineup for 2022:

Dream LA Angels Opening Day starting lineup after MLB lockout

The top of a dream LA Angels lineup would look like this:

Batting leadoff for the LA Angels: Mike Trout, CF

LA Angels fans probably would have expected me to include Brandon Marsh in this lineup instead of Mike Trout, and have Trouty bat third. But nope, and you'll actually not even see Marsh in this entire article.

That's because if the Angels can trade Marsh for a Luis Castillo or Chris Bassitt, that would be ideal. I'd love to keep Marsh, but we need pitching. It appears that the only way we can attract Castillo or Bassitt is through trading Marsh.

Batting second for the LA Angels: Shohei Ohtani, DH

Why move Shohei Ohtani out of the two hole for the LA Angels? He only had the greatest season of all time in this spot last year, proving he's comfortable hitting second.

Besides, we want guys who can get on and get over in the top couple spots of this lineup. Ohtani recorded a .372 on-base percentage last season and led the team with 26 steals. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Batting third: Anthony Rendon, 3B

The LA Angels should give Anthony Rendon the confidence he needs to bounce back and have the year we know he's capable of having, and hit him third. Hitting him in arguably the most prestigious spot in the lineup would surely be a great vote of confidence for the ultra-talented slugger who averaged over 41 doubles per season before he came here with the Nats.

A guy nicknamed 'Tony Two-Bags' hitting third is a perfect scenario for a ballclub.