One reason each MLB team can win the World Series in 2017

Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; (from left to right) Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo and center fielder Dexter Fowler and third baseman Kris Bryant and right fielder Jason Heyward celebrate during their World Series parade outside of Wrigley Field on Addison Street. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels fans cheer as center fielder Mike Trout (27) watches the ball leave the park on a solo home run in the fourth of the game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout’s supporting cast is improved

Baseball is the ultimate team game, with a single star unable to elevate his entire team. Mike Trout is the perfect example to illustrate that point. Trout is a generational talent, and yet his team is still mired in mediocrity. If the Angels ultimately fail to win a World Series (or even a playoff series, for that matter) before Trout can test the open market, they will have squandered a once-in-a-lifetime talent.

It’s not that the Angels have not tried to surround Trout with a great roster. They spent big money on Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, C.J. Wilson, and Jered Weaver. The pitchers saw their careers derailed by injuries, Pujols continues to deal with a steep aging curve, and Hamilton’s personal demons reared their ugly head once again. Wilson and Weaver are finally off the books, and the Angels will have some money to attempt to regroup around Trout.

There were obvious attempts this winter to improve the team. Danny Espinosa and Cameron Maybin will be upgrades at second base and in the outfield. Luis Valbuena will provide a nice source of platoon power. The same questions about the starting rotation and the bullpen linger, but Trout is good enough to lift an improved lineup, especially if Pujols stays healthy.

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