MLB predictions: 3 dark horse postseason teams in 2023
MLB predictions – Los Angeles Angels make the playoffs
The Angels did a great job adding offensive weapons around their two superstars, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. After trading for Gio Urshela and Hunter Renfroe, Perry Minasian wasted no time in signing Tyler Anderson, who just came off a fantastic year with the LA Dodgers, followed by the inking of Brandon Drury. The Angels will certainly need Anthony Rendon, who dealt with several injuries the last couple of seasons, to have better production in 2023.
The Angels lineup, with a hopefully healthy Rendon, starts to look something like this:
- Taylor Ward
- Mike Trout
- Shohei Ohtani
- Anthony Rendon
- Hunter Renfroe
- Brandon Drury
- Jared Walsh
- Gio Urshela
- Logan O’Hoppe
And that’s without even considering David Fletcher, Luis Rengifo, Newcomer Brett Phillips, and Jo Adell, who is thought to need to see some production in an Angels uniform this season.
Adding in Tyler Anderson was a great move early in the offseason, which many weren’t expecting to happen so soon before the bigger fish were signed. They now boast a rotation of Ohtani, Anderson, and Patrick Sandoval, who had a career year in his own right with a 2.91 ERA (3.09 FIP) in 148.2 IP.
The Angels certainly have all the makings of a fantastic lineup in 2023 and a great top of the rotation. A step forward for Reid Detmers and Griffin Canning will be imperative. The Angels ranked 18th in bullpen ERA last year. With a current payroll projection of $219 million, they certainly have breathing room to add a solid reliever or two.
Andrew Chafin and Michael Fulmer are two very viable options that are still available. They could, of course, opt to save those funds to add a contract at the trade deadline if they are in contention.