OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - A Future that Never Was: Continental League Expansion, 2012

GMLoophole · 03-09-2013, 02:38 PM

After a record 6 CL Western Division pennants in a row, the Angels have missed the playoffs for the last two years as the Rangers ruled. With realignment and expansion, the Angels still face the same hurdle to the postseason but without a few key personnel lost in the expansion draft.

The biggest loss by far was Zack Greinke, the first player taken by the Carolina Mudcats in the expansion draft. In his wake, the Angels will feature a rotation of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, ex-Ranger CJ Wilson, newcomer Garrett Richards, and retread Jerome Williams. The first three are among the best starters in the CL, and the back two will likely scuffle for much of the year, although Richards certainly looks to prosper in years to come. If any team can withstand the loss of a Greinke, this is it.

The bullpen is a similar mixed bag of youth and age, with 24 year old Jordan Walden pencilled in at closer and young righties Ernesto Frieri and Bobby Cassevah backed with vets Jason Isringhausen, LaTroy Hawkins, and token lefty Scott Downs. While not the strongest part of the team, the pen should be capable of holding leads built up by the still-punishing offense.

Catching is in a bit of flux as the Angels seem to be souring on prospect Hank Conger, once expected to be an all-world hitter. Instead Anaheim will go with capable vet Chris Iannetta who will hold down the fort until Conger finds his bat again.

In the infield, the Angels manage to withstand loss of their starting SS Erick Aybar and their prime infield reserve Maicer Izturis to the expansion Golden Gate Grizzlies. But when the lineup is built around future hall of fame 1B Albert Pujols, these sorts of concerns are muted. Alberto Callaspo will step up across the diamond to play full time at 3B. Aybar will be replaced with a light-hitting platoon of lefty Cory Aldridge and righty Andrew Romine, at least until the Angels sign or trade for a new SS. Howie Kendrick returns at 2B to offer his plus defense and high contact bat. Kendrys Morales returns from a year-long injury to find Pujols in his spot, and will likely be the primary DH.

The outfield is loaded, for now. All-everything Mike Trout steps into everyday CF and the leadoff spot. Torii Hunter returns for what may be his last year in RF, pairing with Trout to provide some of the finest outfield defense in the league. They'll try to cover for the persistent Vernon Wells who pounded 25 HR last year even as his batting average sank to .218 with only 20 walks. They'll be hoping to stay injury-free, as the backups are AAAA names like Ryan Langerhans. Peter Bourjos starts the season on the DL but should be back by the end of April to provide speed off the bench.

And that may be it for a while, as BNN has ranked their farm system 15th out of 16 CL teams. CF Travis Witherspoon is the top of the prospect list but will probably be blocked until the next ice age by Trout and will likely end up as trade bait. 3B Kaleb Cowart is skipping A ball as the Angels scramble to fill in the infield again. But no real impact players seem to be nearing readiness.

Like a lot of teams in the CL, the Angels have a tight budget, and with not much on the farm to replace them, have to believe their time is now. If they can hang with the Rangers into September, they have to like their chances to slide into the pennant and past the Northwestern division champ into the CL championship and back to the Veeck Trophy matchup for the first time since their 2009 loss to the Yankees.

03-09-2013, 02:38 PM	#16
GMLoophole All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 863	Around the CL: California Angels After a record 6 CL Western Division pennants in a row, the Angels have missed the playoffs for the last two years as the Rangers ruled. With realignment and expansion, the Angels still face the same hurdle to the postseason but without a few key personnel lost in the expansion draft. The biggest loss by far was Zack Greinke, the first player taken by the Carolina Mudcats in the expansion draft. In his wake, the Angels will feature a rotation of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, ex-Ranger CJ Wilson, newcomer Garrett Richards, and retread Jerome Williams. The first three are among the best starters in the CL, and the back two will likely scuffle for much of the year, although Richards certainly looks to prosper in years to come. If any team can withstand the loss of a Greinke, this is it. The bullpen is a similar mixed bag of youth and age, with 24 year old Jordan Walden pencilled in at closer and young righties Ernesto Frieri and Bobby Cassevah backed with vets Jason Isringhausen, LaTroy Hawkins, and token lefty Scott Downs. While not the strongest part of the team, the pen should be capable of holding leads built up by the still-punishing offense. Catching is in a bit of flux as the Angels seem to be souring on prospect Hank Conger, once expected to be an all-world hitter. Instead Anaheim will go with capable vet Chris Iannetta who will hold down the fort until Conger finds his bat again. In the infield, the Angels manage to withstand loss of their starting SS Erick Aybar and their prime infield reserve Maicer Izturis to the expansion Golden Gate Grizzlies. But when the lineup is built around future hall of fame 1B Albert Pujols, these sorts of concerns are muted. Alberto Callaspo will step up across the diamond to play full time at 3B. Aybar will be replaced with a light-hitting platoon of lefty Cory Aldridge and righty Andrew Romine, at least until the Angels sign or trade for a new SS. Howie Kendrick returns at 2B to offer his plus defense and high contact bat. Kendrys Morales returns from a year-long injury to find Pujols in his spot, and will likely be the primary DH. The outfield is loaded, for now. All-everything Mike Trout steps into everyday CF and the leadoff spot. Torii Hunter returns for what may be his last year in RF, pairing with Trout to provide some of the finest outfield defense in the league. They'll try to cover for the persistent Vernon Wells who pounded 25 HR last year even as his batting average sank to .218 with only 20 walks. They'll be hoping to stay injury-free, as the backups are AAAA names like Ryan Langerhans. Peter Bourjos starts the season on the DL but should be back by the end of April to provide speed off the bench. And that may be it for a while, as BNN has ranked their farm system 15th out of 16 CL teams. CF Travis Witherspoon is the top of the prospect list but will probably be blocked until the next ice age by Trout and will likely end up as trade bait. 3B Kaleb Cowart is skipping A ball as the Angels scramble to fill in the infield again. But no real impact players seem to be nearing readiness. Like a lot of teams in the CL, the Angels have a tight budget, and with not much on the farm to replace them, have to believe their time is now. If they can hang with the Rangers into September, they have to like their chances to slide into the pennant and past the Northwestern division champ into the CL championship and back to the Veeck Trophy matchup for the first time since their 2009 loss to the Yankees. Last edited by GMLoophole; 03-09-2013 at 02:40 PM.