This hasn't been a banner year for the Los Angeles Angels.
The team has endured a season filled with disappointments, extending the longest playoff drought in Major League Baseball history. With their ninth consecutive losing season already clinched, the 2023 season has been a difficult chapter for the Angels and their fans. For the first time since 1999, the team is set to finish last in their division, a position no team ever wants to find themselves in.
A single additional loss this season will set a new franchise record for the Angels, who currently have 95 losses, tying the dismal seasons of 1968 and 1980. Under the new management of Ron Washington, who is in his inaugural year as manager, the team had a lot of hopes pinned on a fresh start. Unfortunately, the results have yet to reflect that optimism.
Key players have been notably absent from the field this season. Mike Trout, one of the biggest stars in MLB, logged just 29 games. Third baseman Anthony Rendon wasn't much more active, appearing in only 57 games. Injuries and underperformance have plagued the roster, making a challenging season even more daunting.
July offered a brief glimmer of hope when the Angels posted a winning record for the month, heading into August with a 47-61 tally. However, the team struggled immensely in the subsequent months, managing a dismal 16-34 record across August and September. Despite experiencing some favorable moments, the overall narrative remained unchanged, dominated by losses and underachievement.
Amid the bleak outcomes, there have been some signs of promise with young talent on the roster. Promising players such as Logan O'Hoppe, Nolan Schanuel, Zach Neto, and Jo Adell are all 25 years old or younger, offering a glimpse of potential for the future. However, these emerging talents require time to develop and acclimate to the big leagues.
Ron Washington emphasized the importance of player development, stating, "It's players that have to grow into big-league players." This sentiment underscores the challenges faced by the team but also highlights the opportunities for growth and improvement.
Washington candidly expressed his thoughts on the state of the team: "We're going to get some baseball players who may not be superstars, but they know how to play. We forgot to bring real baseball players into the organization. Nothing against those guys here, but they're not big-league baseball players and they certainly can't help us win a championship." He later clarified his statement, "I misspoke. I didn't mean it the way it came out, where I'm saying the organization isn't giving me big-league players. It's players that have to grow into big-league players."
It's clear that Washington sees a need for the Angels to acquire players who have a strong foundation in the fundamentals of baseball, even if they aren't superstars. It's a pragmatic approach that might be essential for the rebuilding phase the team finds itself in. The candid comments from Washington reflect a willingness to confront the harsh realities the team faces while identifying the pathways towards improvement.
The road ahead for the Los Angeles Angels is undeniably tough, but with a focused approach on developing their young talents and possibly integrating more seasoned, fundamentally sound players, there is a pathway forward. Any rebuilding process takes time, and patience will be crucial as the team seeks to turn things around in the coming seasons. For now, Angels fans hold on to the hope that this period of adversity will lay the groundwork for a more promising future.