Five Busts for the Los Angeles Angels in 2016
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (5) celebrates with center fielder Mike Trout (27) after hitting a walk-off single against the Texas Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Despite a disappointing 2016 for the Los Angeles Angels there were some bright spots that made us cheer. There were also some times when the Angels looked so bad you almost wanted to cry. Here are some of the best & worst from 2016.
Some the Los Angeles Angels players had stellar seasons others did not. This slide show focuses on the top five surprise performances this season by players. There were also some players who just did not live up to the expectations many had for them this season either due to ineffectiveness, injury or both. Let’s see who made each list, you may agree or disagree, but please do one thing enjoy the trip down memory lane.
So my question for you, do you want the good news or bad news first. I myself always like to finish strong so I will give you the top five most disappointing players in 2016. Fasten your seat belts way we go.
Los Angeles Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella (12) hits an RBI fielders choice in the eighth inning against Oakland Athletics. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
#5 Johnny Giavotella 2B – 2016 Stats – .260 Avg. 5 HR’s 31 RBI’s .287 OBP
When Johnny Giavotella burst on the scene in 2015 Spring Training he was a relative unknown player to most Angels fans. Giavotella was acquired that winter from the Kansas City Royals and was considered a third option behind Josh Rutledge and Grant Green. However, both Green and Rutledge floundered while Giavotella flourished and the job was Johnny G’s. Giavotella batted .321 with a homer and eight runs batted in during Spring.
Giavotella had a stellar year being somewhat of a sparkplug who seemed to have a flair for the dramatic. Giavotella had a .272 batting average with four homers and forty-nine runs batted in. Flash forward to 2016. What a difference a year makes. After being a fan favorite all season the Angels tried to either trade or sign a second baseman to upgrade what they saw as one of their weaknesses from their near miss in 2015 finishing one game out of the playoffs.
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The writing was on the wall for Giavotella, either “Put up or Shut Up” in 2016. Unfortunately Giavotella put up decent numbers in 2016, but not enough for the Angels to feel the diminutive second baseman had a future with the team . Giavotella hit .260 with six homers and 31 runs batted in with a poor .287 OBP.
So on August 20th they designated him for assignment. A week later Giavotella accepted an assignment to Triple-A Salt Lake City. However, that is where he would stay the rest of the year and on October 10th, Giavotella declared for free agency thus ending his two-year Angels career,.
As disappointing as Giavotella’s year was it was not a complete disaster and I really don’t think he deserved the fate he received in August. Good luck Johnny G.
Los Angeles Angels catcher Carlos Perez (58) throws to first against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning. The Los Angeles Angels won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
#4 – Catcher Carlos Perez 2016 Stats .206 average 5 HR 31 RBI’s
Very similar to Johnny Giavotella, Carlos Perez was a longshot to make the team going into the 2015 Spring Training. However, unlike Giavotella, Perez who had been acquired in a trade for former catcher Hank Conger in the off-season from Houston, batted only .206 in the Spring and was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake City on April 4th.
However, a month later he was recalled and spent the rest of the season with the club. Perez took over the role as the first-string catcher from veteran Chris Ianetta and never gave it up finishing with a .250 batting average clubbing four homers and driving in 21 runs. His defense was also strong as well.
So the Angels gave him the starting job as the #1 catcher coming out of Spring Training this season as he hit .375 in the Spring. Unfortunately it didn’t last long as Perez struggled from the get go hitting under .150 the whole first month of the season. By early July Perez was still struggling to stay above .200 so he was sent down to Triple-A on July 7th.
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The rest of the season Perez would try to right his ship, but never really did and he lost his starting job first to Geovany Soto, but then after Soto was injured Jett Bandy took over the starting catching duty and Perez became a back-up. Perez’s final numbers were a .206 batting average with five homers and 31 runs batted in.
His number’s in 2016 were definitely a major disappointment putting his future in Anaheim in question. For now Perez will come to Spring Training in 2017 to win back his job back. We will see in 2017.
Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia (14) pulls relief pitcher Huston Street (16) in the ninth inning of the game against the Cleveland Indians Angels won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports.
#3 Huston Street – Closer 2016 Season 3-2 6.45 ERA, WHIP 1.925
Huston Street has been a very effective closer for the Los Angeles Angels in his first season and a half in Anaheim. Street saved 57 games in 64 opportunities and was also a very good clubhouse presence as well. In his first 1.5 years in an Angel uniform Street sported a 2.74 ERA and he had a 1.16 WHIP.
In 2016 that all changed. It started out like Street was going to have another standout year as he sported 1.17 ERA converting all five of his save opportunities in the month of April. However, Street pulled his left oblique muscle on April 23rd and it landed him on the disabled list for five weeks. When Street came back he pitched in his first three outings collecting a win and a save. On June 9th his ERA was a sparkling 0.82, but then disaster struck.
Over his next six appearances Street gave up eight runs in 4.2 innings which was an ERA of 15.45. Street’s overall ERA ballooned to 5.28 as he blew his next two out of three save opportunities. In July Street’s misery continued as he blew another save opportunity and posted a 9.00 ERA in eight appearances to raise his season ERA to 6.45. His last outing was particularly dreadful giving up five runs in the ninth inning against Boston blowing a 3-0 lead.
After that outing Street admitted he had been pitching with considerable pain as he went on the DL once again this time for inflammation in his right knee, which eventually led to surgery for the 33-year old. From there the Angels bullpen became a free-for-all as four different players held the closer role over the next two months.
In September Andrew Bailey solidified the closer role again, but questions remain if Street can be relied on again as the Angels going forward into next season. We will find out soon enough. One thing is for sure, Street was one of the biggest disappointments in 2016.
#2 C.J. Wilson Starting Pitcher 2016 Stats – (Minors) 4 IP 5 H 1 ER 4 K’s 2.25 ERA 1.25 WHIP
C.J. Wilson has been an enigma in his five seasons with the Angels. After signing a 5-year deal worth 82 million dollars in the winter of 2011 many people expected Wilson to flourish in Anaheim. However, that was definitely not the case.
C. J. Wilson’s overall record with the Angels upon first glance does not look that bad as he was 51-35 with a 3.87 ERA and a 1.350 WHIP. However when you equate it over five seasons it is 10 wins per season for an average of 16.5 million dollars per season. It is especially glaring this year when the Angels paid Wilson 20 million dollars to be a spectator.
It’s bad enough to have to pay Josh Hamilton 25 million dollars and he is not even with the Angels. However to have to pay Wilson 20 million dollars on top of that means that 45 million dollars went down the tubes courtesy of two former Texas Rangers. Think about what that money could have been spent on this year to help improve the team.
Not only was Wilson’s on field performance, or lack thereof, in question, but his off-the-field mannerisms as well. Many in the Angels clubhouse were upset that Wilson chose to shut it down in early August with the team in the thick of a pennant race. While Wilson did have a legitmate injury many thought he could have pitched through the pain (something many players do) in order to help the team.
This is addition to his outspokenness about Josh Hamilton and how the team was handling the situation. So in short saying Wilson was an enigma may have been the understatement of the year. I always love seeing local boys come home and do well in front of their friends and family, but in the Fountain Valley High alum’s case, I think he has worn out his welcome and them some in Anaheim.
Los Angeles Angels right fielder Daniel Nava (25) singles to right during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays . Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
#1 – Left field position – Combined 2016 Stats – .206 Average 11 HR 71 RBI’s
The left field position has been an issue for the past five years and it keeps getting worse not better, and this year may have been the worst yet. Ten different players played in left field season for the Angels. The Angels for the second year in a row tried to start the season with a platoon and just like in 2015 it was a disaster. Both of the members of the 2016 left field platoon landed on the disabled list in April.
Craig Gentry and Daniel Nava spent more time on the disabled list than they did on the field. The team then called up Rafael Ortega and Shane Robinson. They each had their moments, but could not hold the spot down. Todd Cunningham and Nick Buss also were unsuccessful. The Angels then turned to Ji-Man Choi and also Jefry Marte. Marte did the best although his defense needs to improve for the career infielder. Gregorio Petit also played a few games in left as well.
Next season the Angels have a better plan on how to get more production out of left field. Marte may be the answer that the Angels are most likely to go with in 2017.
Hopefully they will learn from their previous experience and make a move that provide a left fielder that will be viable for a long time to come.
Hopefully those on this list will have bounce back years this season as they are all good guys we will see happens.