The Los Angeles Angels Persist in Engaging Offseason by Inking Another Experienced Player, Namely Kenley Jansen.
In the offseason shuffle, teams have diverse approaches. The Yankees, for instance, grappled with losing Soto to the Mets, while others focused on filling gaps. The Red Sox, for example, went for pitching enhancements by securing Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler.
Then there are teams like the Angels, who have been absent from the postseason since 2014. They've witnessed a few playoff victories, but their last postseason win was in 2009 against the Yankees. To reclaim their place, they've been actively boosting their squad.
Their offseason began with acquiring Jorge Soler from the Braves, followed by Kyle Hendricks and Travis d’Arnaud in November. Their pitching staff was strengthened with the addition of Yusei Kikuchi on a three-year deal before the Thanksgiving feast. The minor signings continued, and they even brought in Tim Anderson on a minor league contract, hoping he can regain his form as the AL's batting champion.
Their recent acquisitions include Yoan Moncada and Kenley Jansen. Moncada signed a one-year, $5 million deal, offering them a potential replacement for Anthony Rendon, while Jansen, the active leader in appearances, was signed to likely close and move Ben Joyce to a setup role.
Though the Angels have had prosperous seasons with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, their win-loss record hasn't mirrored their talent. Their young corps, like Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel, and others, showed glimpses of potential but ultimately fell short.
Part of their strategy seems to be involving more veterans. Hopefully, this mix of young and experienced players will yield positive results. Fans are intrigued to see if loading up on veterans will be a recipe for success.
The Angels are in a slightly optimistic position in the AL West, where teams like the Rangers view their previous season as an aberration, the Astros appear weakened, and the A’s are looking to build on a promising end. However, the Mariners have yet to make significant strides in improving their lineup.
Though the Angels' moves are interesting and seem to indicate a push for improvement, the ultimate impact of their offseason strategy is uncertain. Will they replicate the Kansas City Royals' 30-game improvement after signing key reinforcements squarely depends on their performance. If they can get within striking distance of a wild-card spot, their offseason gambit will have well and truly paid off.
The Angels are looking to leverage their investments in experienced players, such as Yoan Moncada and Kenley Jansen, to boost their chances in sports business, aiming for a stronger performance in the upcoming season. Their offseason moves, reminiscent of teams like the Kansas City Royals, could potentially result in a substantial improvement if they can manage to secure a wild-card spot.