The Los Angeles Angels' Hopes Rest on Mike Trout Amid Uncertainty and New Signings
The Los Angeles Angels have had a turbulent decade in Major League Baseball, often facing the hard truth that even star power like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani cannot carry a team to success alone. The franchise’s struggles have been well documented, and despite a few notable signings this offseason, questions remain about whether the Angels can finally break their decade-long playoff drought.
This week, the Angels signed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million deal. Kikuchi joins a team that has shown some signs of activity this offseason, acquiring a handful of veterans like Kyle Hendricks, Jorge Soler, and Travis d’Arnaud, among others. While these additions certainly help the depth of the roster, there is a bigger issue at hand—can the Angels truly contend without a major shift in performance from their key players?
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The most glaring concern revolves around Mike Trout, the three-time MVP. For years, Trout has been the face of the franchise, consistently performing at an elite level when healthy. However, injuries have plagued him, and his time on the field has been limited in recent seasons. In fact, he has not played 120 games in a season since 2019. Last year, Trout appeared in only 29 games, yet his performance when healthy was still impressive, with an OPS+ of 140, putting him among the top hitters in the American League. The question remains: How many games can the Angels count on him to play in 2025?
The Angels’ pitching staff, which ranked last in ERA in 2024, also needs a significant boost. Kikuchi and Hendricks, while solid veterans, are far from aces. Kikuchi posted a strong 2.70 ERA in 10 starts with the Astros after being traded, but his inconsistency over the past few years leaves much to be desired. Hendricks has been steady, but his ERA has consistently hovered above 4.00 in recent seasons. The Angels are clearly betting on these pitchers to be reliable, but durability and performance over a full season are still major concerns.
As the offseason progresses, the Angels have shown they are willing to spend, with their payroll climbing to $107 million after recent moves. However, their roster is still far from complete. They are thin in several areas, including their bullpen and lineup, which lacks the depth of elite hitters. The signing of Jorge Soler helps, but the team still needs more power in the lineup and more consistency from its pitchers. Moreover, their farm system does not appear ready to provide immediate help, further complicating their path to contention.
Ultimately, while the Angels have made moves to improve, the heart of their success still lies with Mike Trout. If he can stay healthy and return to his MVP form, the Angels might have a shot at turning things around. But, with so much uncertainty surrounding their roster, the team’s postseason hopes once again hinge on whether the stars can align—and whether Trout can defy the odds and stay on the field long enough to make a difference.
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