MLB season preview: Is Mike Trout enough to make the Angels win?

Editor’s Note: With the arrival of baseball season we’re previewing each MLB team, from worst to best. We’ll look at their key offseason moves, projected lineup, best and worst possible outcomes plus examine the team’s fantasy implications with the help of friends from Roto Arcade. Our daily series continues with No. 20: The Los Angeles Angels.

If you think having the best player in the game automatically makes a ballclub a contender, then we’d like to introduce you to the 2016 version of the Angels.

[2016 Yahoo Fantasy Baseball is open for business. Sign up now]

(Getty Images) That might sound harsh, but take away Trout and what are the Angels? A team with an aging Albert Pujols, a pitching staff you wouldn’t bet on and no young talent of note waiting in the wings to save the day.

Trout, of course, plays like an MVP, but the Angels haven’t been able to turn that into a single postseason victory during his time there.

This winter saw the Angels upgrade their infield, but still not address some of their biggest holes. And their spring already includes big questions about former ace Jered Weaver and his velocity. Trout will be good, we know that by now. But the rest of the Angels? They don’t inspire a ton of confidence. (Mike Oz)

Key additions: Andrelton Simmons, Yunel Escobar, Geovany Soto

Key subtractions: Chris Iannetta

The Angels went into the offseason with significant holes at second base and left field. They enter the 2016 regular season with the same issues. While there was no shortage of strong corner outfield options on the market, the Angels appeared to be tapped out financially. The team was able to upgrade through trades for both Simmons and Escobar, and both players should help. Still, there’s a sense that the Angels should have done more to support Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. Trout has turned in four of the best seasons fans have ever seen, and he has zero playoff at-bats to show for it. One or two big moves could have made the Angels strong contenders for the American League West. Instead, the team will have to hope modest improvements push them over the hump. (Chris Cwik)

Kole Calhoun: The Angels could desperately use a third offensive threat behind Trout and Pujols. As Calhoun showed in 2014, there’s a chance he can be that piece. Calhoun was able to stay healthy in 2015, but saw his overall numbers decline slightly.

[Elsewhere: Goose Gossage blasts Jose Bautista, baseball nerds in profane rant]

Sure, the home runs were up, but his walk rate, average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage dropped. On top of that, his strikeout rate jumped to 23.9 percent. Calhoun was still a useful hitter at the plate, but finding a way to split the difference between 2014 and 2015 would help immensely. (Cwik)

Lineup:
1. Yunel Escobar, 3B (.314/.375/.415, 75 R, 9 HR, 56 RBI)
2. Kole Calhoun, OF (.256/.308/.422, 78 R, 26 HR, 83 RBI)
3. Mike Trout, OF (.299/.402/.590, 104 R, 41 HR, 90 RBI, 11 SB)
4. Albert Pujols, DH (.244/.307/.480, 85 R, 40 HR, 95 RBI)
5. C.J. Cron, 1B (.262/.300/.439, 37 R, 16 HR, 51 RBI)
6. Daniel Nava, OF (.194/.315/.245, 13 R, 1 HR, 10 RBI)
7. Andrelton Simmons, SS (.265/.321/.338, 60 R, 4 HR, 44 RBI)
8. Carlos Perez, C (.250/.299/.346, 20 R, 4 HR, 21 RBI)
9. Johnny Giavotella, 2B (.272/.318/.375, 51 R, 4 HR, 49 RBI)

Rotation:
1. Garrett Richards (15-12, 3.65 ERA, 207.1 IP, 176 K)
2. Jered Weaver (7-12, 4.64 ERA, 159 IP, 90 K)
3. C.J. Wilson (8-8, 3.89 ERA, 132 IP, 110 K)
4. Hector Santiago (9-9 3.59 ERA, 180.2 IP, 162 K)
5. Andrew Heaney (6-4, 3.49 ERA, 105.2 IP, 78 K)

— compiled by Kyle Ringo

Mike Trout is going to do his thing and put up MVP numbers. That much the Angels can count on. But it’s difficult to find many other bright spots or any true upside on this roster. The key will be health. If the Angels can keep their starting rotation intact and get 140-150 productive games from Albert Pujols, they might be able to make a run at 90 wins and a wild card spot. But they absolutely need all of those things to happen. (Mark Townsend)

The bottom falls out and the Angels window to contend slams shut. Additions like Yunel Escobar and Andrelton Simmons would have been excellent two years ago, when this team was clicking on all cylinders. Now though, they need more offense to keep up with Houston, Texas and perhaps even Seattle. If no one beyond Trout and Pujols step up, they won’t top 80 wins. (Townsend)

What’s this about Mike Trout wanting to steal more bases? The 24-year-old Trout is already the consensus No. 1 pick in fantasy drafts after notching his first 40-home run campaign a season ago. But he also finished with just 11 stolen bases, the continuation of a downward trend that started with a lofty 49 thefts in ’12 and has steadily declined in each season since. Trout has stated this spring that he’s looking to ramp up his SB totals, which would be much more exciting news had he not stated the same thing last spring.

[Elsewhere: Is Carlos Correa worth a top-five fantasy pick?]

At least manager Mike Scioscia is on board with Trout pumping up the volume on the base paths, which could have something to do with the fact that Albert Pujols, who hits directly behind Trout in the order, has grounded into the fourth-most double plays in the league during the four seasons he’s been in L.A. Former Milwaukee skipper Ron Roenicke has returned to the Angels coaching staff this season, where he’ll handle third-base coaching duties while also sharing his special ability to read pitcher tendencies with those like Trout to help gain an advantage on the bases. Roenicke’s Brewers finished first, third and eleventh, respectively, in stolen bases in his final three seasons managing the team, so perhaps he’s just what Trout needs to turn his sagging steals number around. Trout doesn’t have a target total in mind, stating, “just obviously more than last year.” With what Trout offers at the plate, any rebound in the SB category is purely gravy for his fantasy owners. (Brandon Funston)

C.J. Wilson is one of the original MLB players to emerge as a must-follow on Twitter and @str8edgeracer‘s unique voice absolutely still resonates. He’s expanded his social media presence since the early days, as well, making his way over to Instagram cjwilsonphoto. Wondering what the meaning is behind Wilson’s Twitter handle? The Angels pitcher is a huge auto racing fan. He owns a team that races on a professional circuit and even races himself in his free time. For the best photos of some of the cars in his collection check out cjwilsonracing on Instagram. He’s got some pretty sweet rides. (Israel Fehr)

Excited to be back throwing, should get back on a mound soon. In the mean time the foam roll becomes my new pet.

— C.J. Wilson (@str8edgeracer) March 5, 2016

It’s always fun to see what Andrelton Simmons pulls off next. The new Angels shortstop is simply one of the must-watch defensive players in baseball. He’s so smooth on the field, with great range and reflexes, plus a spectacular arm to complement them.

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If you appreciate defense, then Simmons is a joy to watch. (Mike Oz)