CNN/SI Preview: Anaheim Angels
Posted: Monday March 15, 1999 06:48 PM
By Dan George, CNN/SI
Player to Watch: Mo Vaughn, 1B
A year ago, during his well-publicized summer of discontent, Mo Vaughn
hit .337 with 40 homers and 115 RBIs for the Red Sox. Now Mo, as the
Angels' newest superstar, says he's happy. That sound you hear is
American League pitchers gulping.
Basking in the glow of a new six-year, $80 million contract, the
31-year-old Vaughn should add even more punch to an already dangerous
Anaheim lineup. Darin Erstad, Jim Edmonds and -- as the cleanup hitter
behind Vaughn -- especially Tim Salmon figure to benefit from the Hit
Dog's presence.
But that's not all. Vaughn should bring leadership to a team that's run
out of gas late the last couple of seasons. And he stays healthy,
another key factor for the fragile Angels. Despite a broken finger, knee
surgery and several hamstring injuries, the left-handed slugger has
averaged 150 games over the past six years, excluding the
strike-shortened 1994 season.
It remains to be seen how much Vaughn will miss friendly Fenway Park --
he's hit .327 lifetime in Beantown compared to mortal .284 at Edison
Field -- but more frequent looks at the marginal pitchers dotting AL West
rosters won't hurt. After feeling slighted in Boston, Mo has something
to prove. Despite that hefty price tag, look for him to be a bargain by
season's end.
1998 Recap (85-77, 2nd place, AL West)
For a second straight year, the Angels were in the AL West hunt until a
late-season swoon. In 1997, it was a one-game playoff loss to the
Mariners after squandering a big lead in the closing weeks. Last season,
the Halos scrambled into a first-place tie with Texas with a week to
play -- then promptly dropped a three-game series to the Rangers.
But the operative word for the Angels in '98 was injuries. Starter Ken
Hill missed two months with a bad elbow, while Salmon played the second
half of the season on a gimpy foot. Injuries also sidelined pitchers
Chuck Finley and Jack McDowell, infielders Randy Velarde, Justin
Baughman and catcher Todd Greene.
Still, there were bright spots. Outfielder-turned-first baseman Erstad
showed signs of becoming a superstar, batting .296 with 19 home runs, 82
RBIs and 20 stolen bases in his second full season, mostly while leading
off. Despite the bad wheel, Salmon led the team with 26 homers and
knocked in 88 runs. Center fielder Jim Edmonds paced the regulars with a
.307 average and 91 RBIs. No Angels pitcher managed more than 11 wins,
but closer Troy Percival still racked up 42 saves.
1999 Outlook
Barring injury -- and given their track record that's a big qualification
-- manager Terry Collins' Angels could provide the AL West with its third
different champion in three seasons.
Vaughn, Salmon, Erstad, Edmonds, left fielder Garret Anderson and third
baseman/DH Dave Hollins provide plenty of pop. Gary DiSarcina is solid
at shortstop. Finley has the potential to regain his 15-win form,
free-agent acquisition Tim Belcher is a virtual lock to pitch 200
innings and Percival is one the game's top closers.
| Roster roundup |
Who's new
1B Mo Vaughn, P Tim Belcher, P Mark Petkovsek, SS Andy Stankiewicz, P Mike Magnante, OF Matt Luke
Who's gone
OF Gregg Jefferies, P Allen Watson, C Chad Kreuter, P Jeff Juden, P Mike Fetters
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But there are plenty of questions:
Will the Angels finally solve two problems -- a pitching shortage and
a crowded outfield -- by trading Edmonds or Anderson for a top starter?
Collins says he's willing to go with four outfielders, but somebody's
bound to be unhappy.
Can Hill bounce back? The Angels need him healthy to have any sort of
shot -- Omar Olivares and Steve Sparks appear to be the fourth and fifth
starters -- but he's been on the DL twice since coming to Anaheim in
mid-1997.
After undergoing shoulder surgery, can Greene return to catching and
give the Angels yet another big bat? He's capable of hitting 30 homers;
if he can catch it could allow one of those outfielders to DH.
Who's on third -- Hollins or prospect Troy Glaus, who hit a mere .218
last season? With all the Angels' firepower, it's hard to believe
Collins won't be patient with Glaus, but he likes Hollins' grit.
Most of all -- can the Angels stay healthy? Early signs aren't good.
DiSarcina broke his arm and is expected to miss all of spring training.
Finley has been sidelined with back spasms. Pitchers Jack McDowell, Pep
Harris and Mike James are all out till mid-season or later with
injuries.
But even banged up, the Angels appear plenty formidable. And if they can
keep everyone out of the trainers' room, they should make things more
than interesting in the AL West.
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