Fansided

Top 10 MLB sleeper teams for 2017

By Joshua Sadlock

Sep 19, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) fields the ball in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) fields the ball in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 13, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) warms up before a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) warms up before a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Los Angeles Angels

Any team that has Mike Trout on it has at least an outside shot at contending in a give year. The two-time MVP is just that good. Unfortunately, the Angels have not been able to surround him with the type of talent to contend year in and year out. The massive contracts handed out to Josh Hamilton, Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, and Albert Pujols have not worked out. The Angels are clear of Weaver and Wilson’s contracts, and are almost done paying Hamilton. Pujols is obviously in decline, but when he is able to get on the field, he is still a threat for 30 home runs and 100 RBI.

Because they have had so much money tied up in long-term deals, the Angels have not been able to give Trout the type of supporting cast he needs. Baseball is not a sport where one star can truly carry a team to a championship. There are better pieces in LA for this season, though, and the Angels should have a good offense in 2017. Kole Calhoun is an underrated asset in right field, and the addition of Cameron Maybin will stabilize left field, a position that was a black hole for the team last year.

It will all come down to pitching for the Halos. If Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs, and Matt Shoemaker can all bounce back strong after injury-plagued seasons, the rotation has a chance to be good. Betting on three pitchers with a history of health problems to make 30-plus starts is a long shot. The bullpen is also a bit iffy for the Angels. With the AL West set to be one of the toughest divisions in baseball, Trout is likely destined for another season without a trip to the playoffs.

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