If you listen to the baseball media, you will learn two things about the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. First off, they have the best player in baseball in Mike Trout; in fact, you probably cannot hear any other information about the Angels before some scribe thinks they are breaking news by making the most obvious statement in the sport. The other thing the media wants to remind you is the fact that the Angels are coming off a bad season, one in which they finished at 74-88. 
Manager Mike Sciosia is entering his 18th season as the Angels manager. The Angels have finished with a winning record in 12 of Scioscia's 17 previous managerial seasons and two of the past three. Many of these writers seem to have forgotten that the Angels won 85 games in 2015. Not only have they written the Angels off, but many have foolishly suggested the team should trade Trout, maybe because they feel the Angels "don't deserve him." Not only are the writers clueless in their assessment of the Angels, but a trade of Trout would do nothing but harm to the Angels, even if they decide to completely rebuild. 
Not only is Trout the best player in the game, but he has shown no signs of decline or depreciation. The fact that he is 25 years old means he is just entering the prime of his career. If the Angels were interested in making a trade, they would have the right to ask for a package of players that had never been included in a trade. A case could be made that no team has the farm system to give a return that would satisfy what the Angels can justifiably demand. For example, if the Angels were talking to the Yankees, they could respectively ask for catcher Gary Sanchez, outfielders Aaron Judge and Clint Frazier, shortstops Gleybar Torres and Jorge Mateo and pitchers James Kaprielian and Luis Severino. While no Yankees fan would except that trade, the Angels could make a case that the package may still not be enough. As another hypothetical, I will use the Chicago White Sox. For Trout, the Angels have the right to ask for infielders Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson, pitchers Lucas Giolito, Carson Fulmer, Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez and Michael Kopech and it very well might simply not be enough (+ Jose Quintana?). The point is, the Angels have the right to ask for an unprecedented return and stick to it. And nobody that has interest in Mike Trout will step up to the plate and make such a deal. Finally, if Mike Trout is ever traded for a package of players that does not satisfy his worth, not only should the entire executive branch of the Angels baseball department lose their jobs, but a case could be made that the owner should give up ownership for the team and not receive a dime for it.  
One thing that stands out about the 2016 Angels is the fact that only six players managed to play in over 100 games and only three starting pitchers made 20 or more starts for them last season. The team managed to address their offensive depth situation by adding outfielder Cameron Maybin, second baseman Danny Espinosa and catcher Martin Maldonado in trades and signing free agent corner infielder Luis Valbuena. Journeyman starting pitcher Jesse Chavez was also brought in to battle for a spot in the back of the Angels' rotation. Veteran starter Jered Weaver is gone via free agency and three of the Angels projected four starters are coming off of major injuries. Garrett Richards made just six starts last season and could have had Tommy John surgery. Instead, he chose to rehab and seems ready to start the season in the Angels rotation. Tyler Skaggs missed the entire 2015 season due to the operation, but did pitch well in most of his ten starts in the second half of the season. Matt Shoemaker's 2016 season ended on September 4, but is expected to be in good shape to start the season. Pitchers Andrew Heaney and Nick Tropeano have their 2017 seasons lost due to TJ. One of the bigger surprises last season for the Angels was right handed pitcher Ricky Nolasco, who pitched to a 3.21 earned run average and averaged 6 and a half innings for his 11 Angels starts. He was acquired from the Minnesota Twins in a deal for left hander Hector Santiago. Non roster invitees Bud Norris, John Lamb and Yusmeiro Petit are all competing with Chavez and former Twins righty (also in the Nolasco/ Santiago trade) Alex Meyer for the number five spot. 
Closer Huston Street had his 2016 season shortened due to injury. Prior to his season ending, Street pitched to a scary 6.45 injury and may be a concern to start this season. Cam Bedrosian (1.12 ERA, 11.4 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched) may be ready to take over as the full time closer. Veteran Andrew Bailey pitched to a 2.38 ERA in 12 games for them last season. Left hander Jose Alvarez and righties Mike Morin and Deolis Guerra seem to be locks to gain spots in the pen. Left handed pitcher JC Ramiez and right hander Daniel Wright will battle with Norris, Chavez, Lamb and Petit for a spot in the front of the bullpen. 
For the first time in a couple years, the Angels have a pretty good offense to protect the game's best player. The additions of Maybin, Espinosa and Valbuena add a little bit more of a length to a lineup that relied on Trout, Albert Pujols and Kole Calhoun last season. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons hit a career high .281 but was limited to 124 games in his first season in Los Angeles. First baseman CJ Cron hit 16 home runs in 116 games last year and third baseman Yunel Escobar hit over .300 for the second consecutive season. The catching situation should not produce a lot of offense, but the Angels like the game calling abilities of both Maldonado and Carlos Perez. The Angels lineup I would use opening day is Maybin LF, Escobar 3B, Trout CF, Pujols DH, Calhoun RF, Cron/ Valbuena 1B, Espinosa 2B, Simmons SS, Maldonado C. Veteran Ben Revere is in to be a fourth outfielder and infielder Cliff Pennington will help out in the middle infield. 
Outfielder Jahmai Jones has the ability to become a star. With his father and brother having made it to the NFL as wide receivers for the Detroit Lions, Jahmai has used that genetic athleticism and added it to his already superior baseball IQ. 2016 first round pick Matt Thaiss, who is a Jackson, New Jersey high school alum, has a great eye at the plate and does not strike out very much. This is worth watching as few potential power bats are able to curb the K's like Thaiss has shown early on. Right hand pitcher Keynan Middleton could crack the roster as a reliever this spring. If not, expect him to have the same impact on the team Bedrosian did last year. Meyer is still considered a prospect, but that status is hanging on by its last legs. 
The Angels have a very good squad that can compete with anybody if everybody stays healthy. Injuries destroyed the team's chances and they will need to have Skaggs, Richards and Shoemaker healthy if they want to compete with the more talented teams in the American League West division, clearly the best division in baseball. I think the Angels can stay in the Wild Card race into the month of September, but just do not have (on paper) the overall talent to win more games than the Astros, Mariners and Rangers. Anything can happen, but the Angels need a lot more to go right than the other ALW teams to come out on top in this division. The Las Vegas over/ under for the Angels is 76.5. I am taking the over, thinking the Angels can finish at 82-80, fourth place in the American League West division. 

I think it is fair to say that the first six teams previewed during this countdown are kind of in the same category. All of whom are at some point of a rebuilding effort with hopes on competing in 2017 or beyond. The next 24 teams all legitimately have a chance to contend for a playoff spot. This speaks to the parity of the game and the way it has changed. The difference between a playoff spot could be a game or two and as many as 10-12 teams can be separated by five games or less. It is easy to point out a particular strength of a baseball team and wonder why that, by itself, is not enough. A case could be made that one particular strength possessed by a team could be enough to get into the playoffs. However, because of the parity mentioned before, it will take the most complete teams to have the most reasonable chance of making the postseason. Though it is far for an exact science, because of the fact that it is just spring training, and because of all the intangible factors that none of us will know until the season is well under way; there are many ways to predict how each team will do at this point. As I continue to go through johnpielli.com's countdown, please continue to share your opinion either in the comment section, on twitter (@john_pielli) or on my facebook page Passed Ball Show. 
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won 85 games last season despite being a team in turmoil. The turmoil existed between manager Mike Scioscia and general manager Jerry DiPoto, leading to DiPoto's resignation. DiPoto has moved on to Seattle and the Angels have hired New York Yankees assistant general manager Billy Eppler as their new GM. The Angels top off season moves included a couple of trades, first bringing in star defensive shortstop Andrelton Simmons (.265 batting average, 4 home runs, 44 runs batted in, .660 on base plus slugging) from the Braves. The cost was two top starting pitching prospects, mainly left hander Sean Newcomb. The Angels added third baseman Yunel Escobar (.314, 9, 56, .790) in exchange for relief pitcher Trevor Gott. (4 wins, 2 losses, 3.02 earned run average, 1.238 walks and hits per inning pitched). The Angels brought in outfielders Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry to platoon in left field and lost catcher Chris Iannetta, third baseman David Freese and outfielder Matt Joyce to free agency.
The Angels biggest strength will be the middle of their batting order, led by the best player in the game Mike Trout (.299, 41, 90, .991). Albert Pujols (.244, 40, 95, .787) can still hit for power though his batting average has dropped over the past season. Kole Calhoun (.256, 23, 83, .731) added some protection for the two potential future Hall of Fame players. Adding Escobar and Simmons will help, both offensively and defensively. CJ Cron (.263, 16, 51, .739) will likely serve as the team's full time designated hitter. The rest of the offense is very suspect as the Angels will be relying on second baseman Johnny Giavotella (.272, 4, 49, .694), who actually performed well in his first season as an everyday player. The projected left field platoon of Nava (.194, 1, 10, .560) and Gentry (6 hits in 50 at bats, 3 runs batted in) leaves a lot to be desired and I am not sure how ready Carlos Perez (.250, 4, 21, .645) is to be an everyday catcher. The Angels did bring in Geovany Soto (.219, 9, 21, .708) as a free agent from the White Sox to provide a little depth. However, it would be silly to expect Soto to be anywhere near the player he was when he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2008. 
I would line up the Angels like this: Simmons SS, Escobar 3B, Trout CF, Pujols 1B, Calhoun RF, Cron DH, Perez C, Giavotella 2B, Gentry/ Nava LF. If the Angels are contending, they will be in a prime position to add another impact offensive player. The Angels lack a lot of depth on the bench but have serviceable players like former Braves outfielder Todd Cunningham and former Diamondbacks and Athletics infielder Cliff Pennington to go along with Soto. Non roster invitees such as Gregorio Petit and Quentin Berry should have a decent shot of making the team. 
The Angels have some issues in their starting rotation. On the surface, it does not look like much of a problem as the projected starting rotation could potentially be eight deep. But, it is the questions associated with the pitchers that have one wondering if the Angels' starting rotation could be a strength for them this season. It is likely that Garrett Richards (15-12, 3.65, 176 strikeouts, just over 207 innings pitched) will lead the staff, but there is a question over what can be expected from former top starters Jared Weaver (7-12, 4.64, 1.223) and CJ Wilson (8-8, 3.89, 1.242). Left handers Hector Santiago (9-9, 3.59, 162 Ks, less than 181 IP) and Andrew Heaney (6-4, 3.39 in 18 starts) should round out the rotation. The Angels also have Matt Shoemaker, who went from being 16-4, 3.04 in 2014 to 7-10, 4.46 in 2015. Nick Tropeano and Tyler Skaggs will be there for depth. Shoemaker has to be an afterthought at this point- one in which the Angels will appreciate anything they can get out of him. Weaver and Wilson will be keys to their starting staff, both exhibiting signs of decline and questions still existing over how healthy Wilson is at this point. 
The Angels bullpen possesses a solid one- two punch with Huston Street (3-3, 3.18, 40 saves) and Joe Smith (5-5, 3.58). Fernando Salas, Cam Bedrosian and Mike Morin should all help out from the right side and left hander Jose Alvarez (4-3, 3.49, 59 Ks, 67 IP) serving as the primary specialist. Righty Al Alburquerque (4-1, 4.21, 67 games) comes over as a free agent from the Detroit Tigers to provide a little depth. He had put up some solid numbers for the Tigers in the past. 
The Angels farm system is a little bit weaker than it has been in years. Infielder Roberto Baldoquin is continuing to develop in the minors and looks to be a solid player for the future. If Kaleb Cowart, a third baseman, is ready to produce at the major league level this season, it could provide some depth. Escobar could move to second if needed.
Looking at the past team previews I have done, I have never been so down on the Angels before. The top part of their roster is as good as any in the game. Richards should be their ace this year, but Weaver and Wilson are there to be the head of the rotation. It would have benefited them to add another solid option at the top of their rotation. Perhaps they just have more confidence in Weaver and Wilson than I do. I also thought the Angels could have upgraded in left field, second base or catcher. The fact that they did not takes some of the firepower away from Trout, Pujols and Calhoun. But the truth is, the Angels are not that far away. Perhaps not as far away as being ranked 23rd out of 30 teams makes it seem like. The American League West will be very competitive and the Angels will have their say. Unfortunately, I have them finishing in forth place in the division. Las Vegas has put their over/ under number at 82.5, but I am taking the under. The Angels of 2016: 77-85, forth place in the AL West division. 

    So far on the countdown, the only team that I was down on that some have disagreed with is the Milwaukee Brewers. The pitching is going to be a concern and I do see them taking a major step back this season. Really, from here forward, most teams are more evenly matched. However, I have the Diamondbacks next on my list, ranking them #23 on the 30-1 MLB countdown previews. 
     Arizona finished in 3rd place in the NL West last season, going 81-81. This was just 1 year off a NL West title and 94-68 record under manager Kirk Gibson. The 2012 decline mirrored the decline of star RF Justin Upton, who hit .289, 31, 88 in 2011 and .280, 17, 67 in 2012. He saw his 2Bs decrease from 39 to 24 and his SLG % from .529 to .430. That and character flaws led to his trade to the Atlanta Braves. Top RHP pitching prospect Trevor Bauer was traded because of similar character issues to the Indians in a deal that brought SS Didi Gregorius from Cincinnati Reds. 
    The strength of this team will be their pitching staff, both starters and relievers. Ian Kennedy (15-12, 4.02) is a year removed from winning 21 games. Trevor Cahill (13-12. 3.78) and Wade Miley (16-11, 3.78) give the team a solid first three. Brandon McCarthy (8-6, 3.24 in 18 starts with Oakland) signed as a free agent and can easily be a number two starter. Daniel Hudson was injured last season, finishing  3-2, 7.35 in 9 starts. Like many others in 2011, Hudson shined, finishing 16-12, 3.49. Younger pitchers like Tyler Skaggs, Randall Delgado and Patrick Corbin all have high expectations, but can take their time. The Diamondbacks have a lot  of depth in their starting rotation. 
     The bullpen should be just as good this season. JJ Putz (1-5, 2.82, 32 saves in 57 games) has re-established himself as a dominant closer. David Hernandez (2-3, 2.50, 4 saves, 72 games) and Brad Ziegler (6-1, 2.49, 77 games) are two of the more underrated set-up men in the game. Heath Bell is coming off a horrible season (4-5, 5.09, 19 saves, 73 games for Florida), but is expected to rebound. Matt Reynolds (3-1, 4.40, 2 saves in 71 games with Colorado) replaces Craig Breslow as the team's lefty set-up man, as Breslow is off to Boston. Josh Collmenter (5-3, 3.69, 28 games, 11 starts, 90 1/3 IP, 80 Ks) will probably be a full time reliever this season. He won 10 games in 2011 as the team's 4th starter. 
      Offensively, some can say they do not lose much with Upton, especially with his down power numbers in 2012. I disagree with that assessment. Upton's ceiling is worth having on this team and Cody Ross, signed as a free agent, is coming off his best season by a mile. Adam Eaton will likely be the team's CF, with Jason Kubel and his 30 2012 HRs will be in LF. Paul Goldschmidt (.286, 20, 82 with 43 2Bs) will be at 1B with Aaron Hill (.302, 26, 85 with 44 2Bs) at 2B. Miguel Montero (.286, 15, 88) will be the catcher with newcomers Cliff Pennington (.215, 6, 28 with Oakland) and Martin Prado (.301, 10, 70 with Atlanta) playing SS and 3B, respectively. Gerrardo Parra, Eric Chavez, Willie Bloomquist and Rod Barajas round out a strong bench. I would set this lineup like this: Prado 3B, Hill 2B, Goldschmidt 1B, Kubel LF, Ross RF (.267, 22, 81), Montero C, Eaton CF, Pennington SS. 
     Overall, I like a lot of things about this Arizona team. The rotation, bullpen and bench are all very deep. However, it is a lot to ask for this team to replace Upton. Like I said, not Upton of last year, but Upton of 2 years ago. Justin is more like the 2011 player. Ross will help but will be exposed at Chase Field and against good RHP. Vegas gives their over/ under at 81 1/2, just over their 2012 win total. I see them finishing with the under, at 78-84, 4th place in the NL West. 

    When I did my MLB predictions to start the season, I foolishly picked the Oakland Athletics to be among the worst teams in baseball. After trading away guys like Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill and Andrew Bailey, I expected this team to have no chance of contending in 2012. They currently sit at 45-43, right in the race for a wild card chance this year. Whether they have a realistic chance of winning a wild card birth is not important. 
    When identifying how this team has had success is hard looking at an offense that has not been that good. Josh Reddick is their best player, hitting .269, 20, 43 and Brandon Moss has helped with 11 HR in 90 ABs. They have gotten no production from LF (Coco Crisp), SS (Cliff Pennington), 2B (Jemile Weeks) or 3B (Brandon Inge). They were certainly expecting more for the four before mentioned (possibly minus Inge). 
    Their pitching staff has done the job, despite not being flashy. Tom Milone (9-6, 3.54), Bartolo Colon (6-7, 3.80) and Brandon McCarthy (6-3, 2.54) have kept the team in games this season and rookie Jarrod Parker (5-4, 2.86) and journeyman Travis Blackley (2-2, 2.63 in 7 starts) have surprised so far. Like most teams that are playing well, their bullpen has been solid, led by All Star Ryan Cook (2-2, 9, 1.37) and trade candidate Grant Balfour (2-2, 7, 3.12). They have also gotten some production from two lefties; Jerry Blevins (2-0, 2.50) and Jordan Norberto (2-1, 3.18) leading to the release of Brian Fuentes.
    While the New York media has to give credit to the job Mets manager Terry Collins has done, at the very least the same has to be given to A's manager Bob Melvin. I thought this would be a tough spot for Melvin, who has turned around fortunes in Seattle and Arizona. There comes a point where a manager proves himself in this game. Bob Melvin has done that. The fact that he has gotten as much out of this team right now (in addition to what he has done before) makes him a good manager.