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MLB 2017: One X-factor for each team

By Brad Berreman

September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport
September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport /
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Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Angels: 1B/DH Albert Pujols

Pujols is clearly past his prime at this point, but his power numbers (31 home runs and 119 RBI) remained notable last season as he most served as a designated hitter for the Angels. A long troublesome right foot required surgery in December, and even with some recent progress Pujols is not a sure bet to be ready for Opening Day.

After Mike Trout, the Angels are low on hitters that legitimately strike fear in opponents and alter how pitchers pitch to the rest of the lineup. Kole Calhoun and offseason signing Luis Valbuena are nice players, but even at 37 years old and in a decline phase a healthy Pujols is a centerpiece of a lineup that still carries some weight.

The Angels seem to be headed for another mediocre season, primarily because Trout is not a pitcher, can’t be cloned to play most of the other positions and he can’t cover up all the team’s warts from center field. But if they are to have any chance to stick in the playoff race at all after about mid-June, Pujols has to be relatively healthy and in the lineup for 550-600 at-bats while producing good power numbers.

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