The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had a pretty quiet offseason. By quiet I mean the organization made the single biggest free agent splash in Major League Baseball in more than a decade. Albert Pujols is an Angel. So is the most coveted free agent pitcher from the offseason C.J. Wilson (*). Under Owner Arte Moreno and new General Manager Jerry Dipoto (**), Anaheim has transformed into one of the league’s powerhouses. The franchise’s payroll is approaching (and in the near future) will exceed $150 million. In 2012, the Angels will have the fourth highest payroll in MLB – behind New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies. From 2002 through 2009 the team made the playoffs six out of eight years before missing out the last two seasons. With the offseason the team had, Anaheim put itself in great position to end their two-year postseason drought.

(*) Crazily they agreed to terms with the organization on the same day. 

(**) Throw in a new lucrative television rights deal as well.

(To see an explanation of 2012 MLB team previews and release dates click here)

The Angels lineup instantly transforms with Albert Pujols hitting in the middle. Pujols has been baseball’s best hitter for the past decade and will add a new dynamic (***). Anaheim’s new first basemen joins a solid, but overall unspectacular returning lineup which includes Torii Hunter, Erick Aybar, Alberto Callaspo and Peter Bourjos. Second basemen Howie Kendrick had a breakout season in 2011 and hit for more power. Kendrick is a step above the group just mentioned. With a similar follow-up year he could establish himself as one of the top five-to-seven at his position. With the acquisition of Pujols, the return of Kendrys Morales (****), and the emergence of young Mark Trumbo, the Angels don’t have enough positions to satisfy the amount of capable players on the roster (and the minor leagues). Morales may return by Opening Day, if not soon afterwards. Once he is re-acclimated (if he is) he and Pujols figure to hold down first base and designated hitter. Peter Bourjos and Torii Hunter figure to be in the lineup almost every day as well. That leaves one outfield spot as the only real opening. Which brings us to Vernon Wells and more importantly, Vernon Wells’ contract. Wells, acquired before last season, was brutal in his first season with the team. He had an anemic .660 OPS and a 3.8 walk rate. Wells should rebound, though I doubt considerably. He is due $21 million annually through 2014. Anaheim is forced to give him every chance to claim that last spot in the lineup. So if Morales is back and healthy and Wells is in the lineup regularly that leaves Bobby Abreu (*****), Mark Trumbo (******), and top prospect Mike Trout without a place to play. Three legitimate players are blocked from getting playing time. On the other hand, Abreu is another year older (now 38), Trumbo hit for power and is young but posted a sub-.300 OBP, and Trout did not light it up in his brief stint with the big club last season. The Angels will have depth outside of the middle infield but may also have lesser players blocking better ones from playing time. The organization traded for catcher Chris Iannetta in the offseason, which I thought was a really nice move. When he is in the lineup he gets on base and hits for power (sort of the bizarro-Jeff Mathis). The Angels offense should be vastly improved from its 17th ranking in runs scored in 2011.

(***) The new contract 32-year-old Albert Pujols signed will keep him with the team through the age of 42. You never know, plus Pujols is a special player, but the back half of that contract is likely to be troublesome from a baseball perspective. If you’re the Angels and can spend crazy money like the team can apparently do now, it’s not as much of a concern. But Pujols is due $87 million when he is 40-42 years old. Winning a World Series or two would quell some of the criticism the contract is likely to get down the road.  

(****) Most of two years removed from a broken ankle.

(*****) Who has already complained about probably being the odd man out.

(******) He is getting an audition at third base. I don’t expect that to go well.

Even with the addition of Pujols and the potential improvements throughout the lineup, the starting rotation is the strongest area of the Angels team. Anaheim has four strong starting pitchers. Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, C.J. Wilson, and Ervin Santana all had very good to excellent seasons. The group has a chance to be the best 1-4 combination in baseball. However, I expect Weaver and Santana to regress from last season and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if all four were slightly worse statistically. While I may think each player will not live up to 2011, I don’t see the possible drop off as being too big (*******). The final spot in the rotation is set to go to Jerome Williams but could be a revolving door. The Angels don’t need anything more than a typical fifth starter at the back of the rotation.

(*******) I did just mention this could be the best 1-4 in the game, right?

Anaheim will have one, probably two, new additions to its bullpen. The team signed  LaTroy Hawkins to a one-year deal and Jason Isringhausen has a good shot to make the team after signing a minor-league deal. The closer job will be held by 24 year old Jordan Walden for a second straight year. Walden has big velocity (97.5 MPH average fastball according to FanGraphs) and because of his age (especially) has a chance for improvement. The pen is balanced out by left-handed pitchers Scott Downs and Hisanori Takahashi. LAA’s bullpen should be a solid one.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim come into 2012 an improved team and organization. The additions of Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, among others should push the Angels into a playoff spot (at the very least, late-season contention). The Angels should score more runs and overall have depth in the field. The rotation is deep and is above average through the fourth starter. Anaheim has gone to the next level financially. The franchise is now among Major League Baseball’s top spenders. The organization is setup for years down the road.

Offseason Moves:

Additions:

• Albert Pujols (1B) – free agent
• C.J. Wilson (LHP) – free agent
• Chris Iannetta (C) – trade with Colorado Rockies
• LaTroy Hawkins (RHP) – free agent
• Jason Isringhausen (RHP) – free agent
• Brad Mills (LHP) – trade with Toronto Blue Jays
• Ryan Langerhans (OF) – free agent

Subtractions:

• Joel Pineiro (LHP) – signed with Philadelphia Phillies
• Tyler Chatwood (RHP) – trade with Colorado Rockies
• Fernando Rodney (RHP) – signed with Tampa Bay Rays
• Jeff Mathis (C) – trade with Toronto Blue Jays
• Russell Branyan (1B) – signed with New York Yankees
• Matt Palmer (RHP) – signed with San Diego Padres
• Horacio Ramirez (LHP) – signed with Kia (Korea)
• Reggie Willits (OF) – unsigned

Projected Starting Lineup:

1. Erick Aybar – SS

2. Howie Kendrick – 2B

3. Albert Pujols – 1B

4. Kendrys Morales – DH

5. Torii Hunter – RF

6. Vernon Wells – LF

7. Chris Iannetta – C

8. Alberto Callaspo – 3B

9. Peter Bourjos – CF

Projected Starting Rotation:

1. Jered Weaver – RH

2. Dan Haren – RH

3. C.J. Wilson – LH

4. Ervin Santana – RH

5. Jerome Williams – RH

Projected Bullpen:

• Jordan Walden – RH
• Scott Downs – LH
• LaTroy Hawkins – RH
• Jason Isringhausen – RH
• Hisanori Takahashi – LH
• Rich Thompson – RH
• Bobby Cassevah – RH

Projected Bench:

• Bobby Wilson – C
• Maicer Izturis – IF
• Mark Trumbo – IF/OF
• Bobby Abreu – OF

Variables:

• Morales – Missed the entire 2011 season but should be ready to go early this season. It’s hard to know what to expect from Morales after he missed so much time. If back to full strength he’ll be a force in the middle of the lineup with Pujols.
• Who plays – The Angels have two or three players that would see playing time on other teams but are most likely headed for the bench or the minor leagues. Things may have to open up for Mark Trumbo, Bobby Abreu and Mike Trout to see significant playing time.
• 5th spot in rotation – Set to go to Jerome Williams but it’s easy to see him not holding down the spot. Several pitchers could be in the mix.
• Kendrick – Coming off a breakout year, he’ll look to back it up.
• 1-4 starting rotation – This will be a solid group, but could be in line for a slight dip from 2011.

Fantasy Implications:

• In 2011 Albert Pujols had his least productive year at the plate in his career and was still great posting a .299 AVG/37 HR/99 RBI/100 R/9 SB. Pujols is a top five overall fantasy selection again this year. He is the most consistent hitter in baseball.
• The Angels have two top 10 starting pitchers in Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. Both should have good seasons. I will likely pass on Weaver in drafts because I think he may take a slight step back; I don’t want to pay for his 2011 season. Haren may be a decent value at the back of the top 10.
• C.J. Wilson figures in as a borderline top 20 fantasy starter. His WHIP is a minor concern but he should have a good win total, around 200 strikeouts and an ERA under 3.40.
• Second basemen Howie Kendrick is coming off a breakout season and is rightfully ranked as a top 10 player at the position. Kendrick should get to double digit home runs and stolen bases and hit for a helpful average. Batting in front of Pujols will help his run total as well. Kendrick also possesses first base and outfield eligibility though he’s a fantasy second basemen.
• Ervin Santana is ranked as a fourth starting pitcher for fantasy rosters which is appropriate. I don’t expect Santana to have any sort of breakout this season but he could be a solid fantasy starter.
• Torii Hunter still has some fantasy value but more as a fourth or fifth outfielder. He is a relatively safe selection and contributes across most categories. Drafting Hunter will be boring because of a lack of upside.
• I probably won’t be looking to draft center fielder Peter Bourjos unless it’s late. He has speed and a little power but he’s likely going to bat at the bottom of the lineup and may be in line for a weaker season than last.
• Erick Aybar is being drafted outside the top 10 at shortstop which is probably right. He will help with stolen bases and should score more runs this season. The average likely won’t be great and he doesn’t help in power categories. He’s an adequate fantasy shortstop at best.
• One player I may target is Kendrys Morales. Injury and layoff concerns are there but so is the potential for offensive production.  As a player going late in the draft he has a lot of upside.
• Closer Jordan Walden is ranked as a mid-teens closer pre-draft. I think he’ll hold down the role this season. He should have plenty of opportunities. Walden’s ERA and WHIP may creep up but if you wait on saves he may be available at the right time.
• New catcher Chris Iannetta is interesting if you’re looking to take a chance and haven’t filled the position yet. He is moving to a much more pitcher friendly ballpark and has injury concerns. Still, he can hit for power and gets on base.
• Vernon Wells should be better than last season but he’s not draftable. If he shows it on the field he may be worth a waiver pickup.
• I wouldn’t draft Mark Trumbo or Bobby Abreu because of playing time concerns.