AngelsWin.com Today: AngelsWin.com Staff’s 2018 Predictions

[AngelsWin.com]

It’s Opening Day. Nothing is better. Baseball is back, and not in a Spring Training way. The games are real. The stats count. For the next 6 months, the chase for October is on!

 

With that in mind, the AngelsWin.com staff (dare I say brain trust?) has put our collective baseball analysis together, and have come up with our 2018 predictions for the Angels. Feel free to copy and paste your own predictions as we count down the minutes until our 1:00 opener in Oakland.

What grade would you give the Angels this offseason?  

Nate Trop: A- (Would have liked a reliever).

Robert Cunningham: A

Brent Hubbard: A- The Angels addressed all of their offensive holes and added a future ace pitcher, with the bonus that he is a part time DH. The Minus is only because Kinsler at age 36, while certainly a great candidate for a season, isn’t really a long-term solution.

Geoff Stoddart: A

Chuck Richter: A

Adam Dodge: A

Dave Saltzer: A

Biggest question going into the season?  

Nate Trop: Bullpen.

Robert Cunningham: Starting Rotation.

Brent Hubbard: Who is the Angels best reliever? Someone will step forward, I just don’t know who.

Geoff Stoddart: Will our pitching (starting and pen) be enough for us to compete?

Chuck Richter: Bullpen, health of starting pitching.

Adam Dodge: Pitching health.

Dave Saltzer: Will the starting pitching hold up? (close second question, how will the bullpen do?).

Which Angels player or prospect will create a buzz out of the gate? 

Nate Trop: Adell

Robert Cunningham: Player: Cozart, Prospect: Adell

Brent Hubbard: Player: Cozart, Prospect: Jones.

Geoff Stoddart: Ohtani

Chuck Richter: Ohtani

Adam Dodge: Ohtani

Dave Saltzer: Player: Ohtani, Prospect: Marsh

Who is your Angels’ 2018 sleeper?

Nate Trop: Calhoun (lowered wall baby!)

Robert Cunningham: Ramirez

Brent Hubbard: I don’t know if you can call a player with a .933 OPS in 2017 a sleeper, but Cozart. Last year was borderline MVP caliber. He could be the 2nd or 3rd best hitter in the lineup.

Geoff Stoddart: Cozart

Chuck Richter: Rivera

Adam Dodge: Tropeano

Dave Saltzer: Kinsler (he’s going to be the sparkplug this lineup needs and has something to prove).

Which Angel player is most likely to disappoint in 2018?

Nate Trop: Skaggs or Ohtani, depending on how sky high your Ohtani expectations are.

Robert Cunningham: Bridwell

Brent Hubbard: Maldonado. If his offense isn’t near a .650 OPS, I don’t think he’s the regular catcher by the end of the year.

Geoff Stoddart: Pujols

Chuck Richter: Skaggs

Adam Dodge: Kinsler

Dave Saltzer: Ohtani. With all the hype and pressure in trying to be a 2-way player, it creates a really stressful situation for him. After adjusting to the league, he will do much better, but by then, the media frenzy could be brutal for him. As fans, we need to remember he is 23, and a rookie, and should treat him as such.

Which Angel player is your 2018 comeback player of the year pick?

Nate Trop: Calhoun

Robert Cunningham: Calhoun

Brent Hubbard: Pujols. He slumped badly in 2017, but a return to 2012 numbers (in only 140 games) is going to happen.

Geoff Stoddart: Calhoun

Chuck Richter: Pujols

Adam Dodge: Calhoun

Dave Saltzer: Richards. He’s back, he’s healthy, and he’ll be our team’s ace!

Which Angel starting pitcher will lead the team in strikeouts? 

Nate Trop: Ohtani

Robert Cunningham: Richards

Brent Hubbard: Richards

Geoff Stoddart: Ohtani

Chuck Richter: Ohtani

Adam Dodge: Richards

Dave Saltzer: Richards

Which Angel reliever pitches in the most games in 2018?

Nate Trop: Alvarez

Robert Cunningham: Bedrosian

Brent Hubbard: Bedrosian

Geoff Stoddart: Bedrosian

Chuck Richter: Johnson

Adam Dodge: Alvarez

Dave Saltzer: Bedrosian

Which Angel player finishes with the highest batting average?

Nate Trop: Trout

Robert Cunningham: Cozart

Brent Hubbard: Trout

Geoff Stoddart: Trout!!!

Chuck Richter: Trout

Adam Dodge: Trout

Dave Saltzer: Trout

Which Angel player finishes with the most home runs?

Nate Trop: Upton

Robert Cunningham: Trout

Brent Hubbard: Trout

Geoff Stoddart: Trout!!!

Chuck Richter: Upton (45)

Adam Dodge: Upton

Dave Saltzer: Trout

Which Angel player gets the most RBIs?

Nate Trop: Upton

Robert Cunningham: Upton

Brent Hubbard: Upton

Geoff Stoddart: Trout!!!

Chuck Richter: Upton

Adam Dodge: Upton

Dave Saltzer: Upton

Which Angel player steals the most bases?

Nate Trop: Trout

Robert Cunningham: Trout

Brent Hubbard: Trout

Geoff Stoddart: Trout!!!

Chuck Richter: Kinsler

Adam Dodge: Kinsler

Dave Saltzer: Kinsler

Will Mike Trout win the MVP Award? 

Nate Trop: No, but he will deserve it.

Robert Cunningham: Yes

Brent Hubbard: Yes

Geoff Stoddart: Yes!!!

Chuck Richter: Yes

Adam Dodge: No

Dave Saltzer: Yes

Will Ohtani find more success as a pitcher or a hitter? 

Nate Trop: Pitcher

Robert Cunningham: Pitcher

Brent Hubbard: Hitter. I think he’ll finish the year with a .300 BA, 20 HR and a .850 OPS whereas he’ll be a 3.75-4.00 ERA starter.

Geoff Stoddart: Pitcher

Chuck Richter: Pitcher

Adam Dodge: Pitcher

Dave Saltzer: Pitcher

Will Ohtani win the ROY award?

Nate Trop: Yes

Robert Cunningham: Yes, A.L. Rookie of the Year (Acuna wins N.L.)

Brent Hubbard: Yes

Geoff Stoddart: Yes

Chuck Richter: Yes

Adam Dodge: No

Dave Saltzer: Yes

Which Angels prospect will be named the Angels minor league player of the year? 

Nate Trop: Adell

Robert Cunningham: Adell

Brent Hubbard: Ward. Big offensive numbers out of nowhere.

Geoff Stoddart:

Chuck Richter: Marsh

Adam Dodge: 

Dave Saltzer: Marsh

How many runs will the Angels score in 2018?

Nate Trop: 815

Robert Cunningham: 828

Brent Hubbard: 835. This is +125 over last year, but Trout’s transcendence into MVP God leads the way and the Angels have 3 hitters with OPS over .900 (Trout, Cozart, Upton) and 6 more over .800. (Pujols, Calhoun, Ohtani, Simmons, Kinsler, Valbuena).

Geoff Stoddart: 777

Chuck Richter: 750

Adam Dodge: 811

Dave Saltzer: 780

How many games will the Angels win in 2018? 

Nate Trop: 96

Robert Cunningham: 92

Brent Hubbard: 96

Geoff Stoddart: 88

Chuck Richter: 91

Adam Dodge: 90

Dave Saltzer: 92 (regular season and at least 5 in the postseason)

What AL West team will be the toughest competition for the Angels in 2018? 

Nate Trop: Astros

Robert Cunningham: Astros

Brent Hubbard: Astros, but only because they finish at 88 wins.

Geoff Stoddart: Astros

Chuck Richter: Astros

Adam Dodge: Astros

Dave Saltzer: Astros

Which team in any league will give the Angels the most trouble?

Nate Trop: Yankees

Robert Cunningham: Indians

Brent Hubbard: The Cleveland Indians, who are the best team in Baseball.

Geoff Stoddart: Astros

Chuck Richter: Astros

Adam Dodge: Blue Jays

Dave Saltzer: Astros. Every game with them will be a playoff game. And, we play them more than the Indians.

Will the 2018 Angels make the playoffs?

Nate Trop: Yes

Robert Cunningham: Yes

Brent Hubbard: Yes. By Winning the AL West.

Geoff Stoddart: Yes, wild card.

Chuck Richter: Yes

Adam Dodge: Yes, wild card.

Dave Saltzer: Yes, as the wild card.

Your fearless prediction?

Nate Trop: Houston struggles a little bit and the Angels win the division.

Robert Cunningham: Angels win the World Series vs. the Milwaukee Brewers in six games.

Brent Hubbard: Mike Trout has a transcendent year that breaks the 1.250 OPS wall. That only has three names: Ruth, Bonds, and Williams. He has a 50+ 2B, 50+ HR, and 50+ SB season.

Geoff Stoddart: Ohtani will pitch a no hitter.

Chuck Richter: The Angels battle the Astros for the division all season long.

Adam Dodge:  Tropeano 15 Wins.

Dave Saltzer: Not only do the Angels make the postseason, they advance to play the Indians for the American League Title.

View the full article

[Dave Saltzer]

If you want to play along, or think you can do better than us, here's the list of questions in an easy to copy format. Have some fun. Be bold. Post your predictions for the year!

What grade would you give the Angels this offseason?  

Biggest question going into the season?  

Which Angels player or prospect will create a buzz out of the gate? 

Who is your Angels’ 2018 sleeper? 

Which Angel player is most likely to disappoint in 2018?  

Which Angel player is your 2018 comeback player of the year pick?

Which Angel starting pitcher will lead the team in strikeouts? 

Which Angel reliever pitches in the most games in 2018? 

Which Angel player finishes with the highest batting average?  

Which Angel player finishes with the most home runs? 

Which Angel player gets the most RBIs? 

Which Angel player steals the most bases? 

Will Mike Trout win the MVP Award? 

Will Ohtani find more success as a pitcher or a hitter? 

Will Ohtani win the ROY award?

Which Angels prospect will be named the Angels minor league player of the year? 

How many runs will the Angels score in 2018? 

How many games will the Angels win in 2018? 

What AL West team will be the toughest competition for the Angels in 2018?  

Which team in any league will give the Angels the most trouble?

Will the 2018 Angels make the playoffs?

Your fearless prediction?

[Second Base]

Unfortunately I was too out of it to respond and be part of the fun, so I'll include mine here.

What grade would you give the Angels this offseason?  A.

Biggest question going into the season?  

Can Albert still be a productive first baseman?

Which Angels player or prospect will create a buzz out of the gate? 

Matt Thaiss down in AA. Shohei Ohtani in the majors obviously.

Who is your Angels’ 2018 sleeper? 

Andrew Heaney.

Which Angel player is most likely to disappoint in 2018?  

Pujols.

Which Angel player is your 2018 comeback player of the year pick?

Ian Kinsler/Andrew Heaney

Which Angel starting pitcher will lead the team in strikeouts? 

Shohei Ohtani

Which Angel reliever pitches in the most games in 2011? 

Jose Alvarez

Which Angel player finishes with the highest batting average?  

Mike Trout

Which Angel player finishes with the most home runs? 

Mike Trout

Which Angel player gets the most RBIs? 

Justin Upton

Which Angel player steals the most bases? 

Mike Trout

Will Mike Trout win the MVP Award? 

Yes. Always yes.

Will Ohtani find more success as a pitcher or a hitter? 

Pitcher.

Will Ohtani win the ROY award?

Yes.

Which Angels prospect will be named the Angels minor league player of the year? 

Matt Thaiss

How many runs will the Angels score in 2018? 

790

How many games will the Angels win in 2018? 

92.

 

What AL West team will be the toughest competition for the Angels in 2018?  

Houston.

Which team in any league will give the Angels the most trouble?

The Indians

Will the 2018 Angels make the playoffs?

Yes

Your fearless prediction?

Mike Trout posts an 11-win season.

[Angel Oracle]

What grade would you give the Angels this offseason?     A- (bullpen still somewhat uncertain)

Biggest question going into the season?    Can 5 starters emerge in the rotation and build enough innings to pitch in a regular 5 man rotation in 2019? 

Which Angels player or prospect will create a buzz out of the gate?   Player - Jim Johnson   Prospect - Adell 

Who is your Angels’ 2018 sleeper?  Johnson rediscovers his 2016 form, and becomes a key setup guy. 

Which Angel player is most likely to disappoint in 2018?   Skaggs, just because

Which Angel player is your 2018 comeback player of the year pick?   Calhoun - RF fence more friendly

Which Angel starting pitcher will lead the team in strikeouts?   GRich

Which Angel reliever pitches in the most games in 2018?   Johnson

Which Angel player finishes with the highest batting average?   Trout

Which Angel player finishes with the most home runs?   Trout

Which Angel player gets the most RBIs?   Upton

Which Angel player steals the most bases?   Trout

Will Mike Trout win the MVP Award?   Yes - even numbered season

Will Ohtani find more success as a pitcher or a hitter?  Pitcher

Will Ohtani win the ROY award?   No - not far off though

Which Angels prospect will be named the Angels minor league player of the year?   Adell

How many runs will the Angels score in 2018?   745

How many games will the Angels win in 2018?   88

What AL West team will be the toughest competition for the Angels in 2018?   Houston

Which team in any league will give the Angels the most trouble?   Cleveland

Will the 2018 Angels make the playoffs?   Yes

Your fearless prediction?   GRich has a sub 2.50 ERA.

[Torridd]

29 minutes ago, AngelsWin.com said:

It’s Opening Day. Nothing is better. Baseball is back, and not in a Spring Training way. The games are real. The stats count. For the next 6 months, the chase for October is on!

 

With that in mind, the AngelsWin.com staff (dare I say brain trust?) has put our collective baseball analysis together, and have come up with our 2018 predictions for the Angels. Feel free to copy and paste your own predictions as we count down the minutes until our 1:00 opener in Oakland.

What grade would you give the Angels this offseason?  

Nate Trop: A- (Would have liked a reliever).

Robert Cunningham: A

Brent Hubbard: A- The Angels addressed all of their offensive holes and added a future ace pitcher, with the bonus that he is a part time DH. The Minus is only because Kinsler at age 36, while certainly a great candidate for a season, isn’t really a long-term solution.

Geoff Stradling: A

Chuck Richter: A

Adam Dodge: A

Dave Saltzer: A

Torridd: A

Biggest question going into the season?  

Nate Trop: Bullpen.

Robert Cunningham: Starting Rotation.

Brent Hubbard: Who is the Angels best reliever? Someone will step forward, I just don’t know who.

Geoff Stradling: Will our pitching (starting and pen) be enough for us to compete?

Chuck Richter: Bullpen, health of starting pitching.

Adam Dodge: Pitching health.

Dave Saltzer: Will the starting pitching hold up? (close second question, how will the bullpen do?).

Torridd: Ohtani

Which Angels player or prospect will create a buzz out of the gate? 

Nate Trop: Adell

Robert Cunningham: Player: Cozart, Prospect: Adell

Brent Hubbard: Player: Cozart, Prospect: Jones.

Geoff Stradling: Ohtani

Chuck Richter: Ohtani

Adam Dodge: Ohtani

Dave Saltzer: Player: Ohtani, Prospect: Marsh

Torridd: Ohtani

Who is your Angels’ 2018 sleeper?

Nate Trop: Calhoun (lowered wall baby!)

Robert Cunningham: Ramirez

Brent Hubbard: I don’t know if you can call a player with a .933 OPS in 2017 a sleeper, but Cozart. Last year was borderline MVP caliber. He could be the 2nd or 3rd best hitter in the lineup.

Geoff Stradling: Cozart

Chuck Richter: Rivera

Adam Dodge: Tropeano

Dave Saltzer: Kinsler (he’s going to be the sparkplug this lineup needs and has something to prove).

Torridd: Heaney

Which Angel player is most likely to disappoint in 2018?

Nate Trop: Skaggs or Ohtani, depending on how sky high your Ohtani expectations are.

Robert Cunningham: Bridwell

Brent Hubbard: Maldonado. If his offense isn’t near a .650 OPS, I don’t think he’s the regular catcher by the end of the year.

Geoff Stradling: Pujols

Chuck Richter: Skaggs

Adam Dodge: Kinsler

Dave Saltzer: Ohtani. With all the hype and pressure in trying to be a 2-way player, it creates a really stressful situation for him. After adjusting to the league, he will do much better, but by then, the media frenzy could be brutal for him. As fans, we need to remember he is 23, and a rookie, and should treat him as such.

Torridd: Pujols

Which Angel player is your 2018 comeback player of the year pick?

Nate Trop: Calhoun

Robert Cunningham: Calhoun

Brent Hubbard: Pujols. He slumped badly in 2017, but a return to 2012 numbers (in only 140 games) is going to happen.

Geoff Stradling: Calhoun

Chuck Richter: Pujols

Adam Dodge: Calhoun

Dave Saltzer: Richards. He’s back, he’s healthy, and he’ll be our team’s ace!

Torridd: Calhoun

Which Angel starting pitcher will lead the team in strikeouts? 

Nate Trop: Ohtani

Robert Cunningham: Richards

Brent Hubbard: Richards

Geoff Stradling: Ohtani

Chuck Richter: Ohtani

Adam Dodge: Richards

Dave Saltzer: Richards

Torridd: GRich

Which Angel reliever pitches in the most games in 2018?

Nate Trop: Alvarez

Robert Cunningham: Bedrosian

Brent Hubbard: Bedrosian

Geoff Stradling: Bedrosian

Chuck Richter: Johnson

Adam Dodge: Alvarez

Dave Saltzer: Bedrosian

Torridd: Johnson

Which Angel player finishes with the highest batting average?

Nate Trop: Trout

Robert Cunningham: Cozart

Brent Hubbard: Trout

Geoff Stradling: Trout!!!

Chuck Richter: Trout

Adam Dodge: Trout

Dave Saltzer: Trout

Torridd: Trout

Which Angel player finishes with the most home runs?

Nate Trop: Upton

Robert Cunningham: Trout

Brent Hubbard: Trout

Geoff Stradling: Trout!!!

Chuck Richter: Upton (45)

Adam Dodge: Upton

Dave Saltzer: Trout

Torridd: Upton

Which Angel player gets the most RBIs?

Nate Trop: Upton

Robert Cunningham: Upton

Brent Hubbard: Upton

Geoff Stradling: Trout!!!

Chuck Richter: Upton

Adam Dodge: Upton

Dave Saltzer: Upton

Torridd: Upton

Which Angel player steals the most bases?

Nate Trop: Trout

Robert Cunningham: Trout

Brent Hubbard: Trout

Geoff Stradling: Trout!!!

Chuck Richter: Kinsler

Adam Dodge: Kinsler

Dave Saltzer: Kinsler

Torridd:  Trout

Will Mike Trout win the MVP Award? 

Nate Trop: No, but he will deserve it.

Robert Cunningham: Yes

Brent Hubbard: Yes

Geoff Stradling: Yes!!!

Chuck Richter: Yes

Adam Dodge: No

Dave Saltzer: Yes

Torridd: No

Will Ohtani find more success as a pitcher or a hitter? 

Nate Trop: Pitcher

Robert Cunningham: Pitcher

Brent Hubbard: Hitter. I think he’ll finish the year with a .300 BA, 20 HR and a .850 OPS whereas he’ll be a 3.75-4.00 ERA starter.

Geoff Stradling: Pitcher

Chuck Richter: Pitcher

Adam Dodge: Pitcher

Dave Saltzer: Pitcher

Torridd: Pitcher

Will Ohtani win the ROY award?

Nate Trop: Yes

Robert Cunningham: Yes, A.L. Rookie of the Year (Acuna wins N.L.)

Brent Hubbard: Yes

Geoff Stradling: Yes

Chuck Richter: Yes

Adam Dodge: No

Dave Saltzer: Yes

Torridd: No

Which Angels prospect will be named the Angels minor league player of the year? 

Nate Trop: Adell

Robert Cunningham: Adell

Brent Hubbard: Ward. Big offensive numbers out of nowhere.

Geoff Stradling:

Chuck Richter: Marsh

Adam Dodge: 

Dave Saltzer: Marsh

Torridd: n/a

How many runs will the Angels score in 2018?

Nate Trop: 815

Robert Cunningham: 828

Brent Hubbard: 835. This is +125 over last year, but Trout’s transcendence into MVP God leads the way and the Angels have 3 hitters with OPS over .900 (Trout, Cozart, Upton) and 6 more over .800. (Pujols, Calhoun, Ohtani, Simmons, Kinsler, Valbuena).

Geoff Stradling: 777

Chuck Richter: 750

Adam Dodge: 811

Dave Saltzer: 780

Torridd: 814

How many games will the Angels win in 2018? 

Nate Trop: 96

Robert Cunningham: 92

Brent Hubbard: 96

Geoff Stradling: 88

Chuck Richter: 91

Adam Dodge: 90

Dave Saltzer: 92 (regular season and at least 5 in the postseason)

Torridd: 89

What AL West team will be the toughest competition for the Angels in 2018? 

Nate Trop: Astros

Robert Cunningham: Astros

Brent Hubbard: Astros, but only because they finish at 88 wins.

Geoff Stradling: Astros

Chuck Richter: Astros

Adam Dodge: Astros

Dave Saltzer: Astros

Torridd: Astros

Which team in any league will give the Angels the most trouble?

Nate Trop: Yankees

Robert Cunningham: Indians

Brent Hubbard: The Cleveland Indians, who are the best team in Baseball.

Geoff Stradling: Astros

Chuck Richter: Astros

Adam Dodge: Blue Jays

Dave Saltzer: Astros. Every game with them will be a playoff game. And, we play them more than the Indians.

Torridd: Indians

Will the 2018 Angels make the playoffs?

Nate Trop: Yes

Robert Cunningham: Yes

Brent Hubbard: Yes. By Winning the AL West.

Geoff Stradling: Yes, wild card.

Chuck Richter: Yes

Adam Dodge: Yes, wild card.

Dave Saltzer: Yes, as the wild card.

Torridd: Yes

Your fearless prediction?

Nate Trop: Houston struggles a little bit and the Angels win the division.

Robert Cunningham: Angels win the World Series vs. the Milwaukee Brewers in six games.

Brent Hubbard: Mike Trout has a transcendent year that breaks the 1.250 OPS wall. That only has three names: Ruth, Bonds, and Williams. He has a 50+ 2B, 50+ HR, and 50+ SB season.

Geoff Stradling: Ohtani will pitch a no hitter.

Chuck Richter: The Angels battle the Astros for the division all season long.

Adam Dodge:  Tropeano 15 Wins.

Dave Saltzer: Not only do the Angels make the postseason, they advance to play the Indians for the American League Title.

Torridd: Calhoun has his best year as an Angel, hitting at least 25 homers and driving in at least 80.

View the full article

 

[Spirit]

Hey @Dave Saltzer ... who's Geoff Stradling?

 

 

[Lou]

21 minutes ago, Geoff said:

Hey @Dave Saltzer ... who's Geoff Stradling?

I knew it!

 

 

sinners 

[Stradling]

I didn’t get either memo.   I didn’t get the participate in this poll memo or the I married a dude from Colorado memo.   Geoff I do appreciate you taking my last name.  What’s your sleep number?

[Docwaukee]

I guess I'm not part of the staff anymore.  probably for the best.  

[Lou]

[Ohtaniland]

1 hour ago, Geoff said:

Hey @Dave Saltzer ... who's Geoff Stradling?

 

 

Is he related to that other guy? 

[Ohtaniland]

17 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

I guess I'm not part of the staff anymore.  probably for the best.  

You should join the failos staff. 

 

edit....sorry all of the positions are filled. 

[Chuck]

17 hours ago, Geoff said:

Hey @Dave Saltzer ... who's Geoff Stradling?

 

 

Fixed. 

[Chuck]

16 hours ago, Dochalo said:

I guess I'm not part of the staff anymore.  probably for the best.  

LOL. This was done at the last minute and the discussion to do it was presented at the 11th hour, so not everyone was in the PM that should have been.

The PM was just to ask those who are editors on the blog for their username and email addresses so they could get a new invite to USA Today's backend editor. 

We launch on Monday around noon. 

[Spirit]

35 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

Fixed. 

 

Thanks!

Is it possible to fix it in the Sports Daily piece?  That's usually what I link to when I post these on the socials.

 

 

[Chuck]

22 minutes ago, Geoff said:

 

Thanks!

Is it possible to fix it in the Sports Daily piece?  That's usually what I link to when I post these on the socials.

 

 

On it. 

[Chuck]

25 minutes ago, Geoff said:

 

Thanks!

Is it possible to fix it in the Sports Daily piece?  That's usually what I link to when I post these on the socials.

 

 

Done! 

[Spirit]

6 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

Done! 

 

Thanks, Chuck!

 

Sorry @SuperTroopers ... we're breaking up.

 

 

[Inside Pitch]

What grade would you give the Angels this offseason?  -- B, while they addressed a lot of their needs, they missed some opportunities with RPs.  Still the best offseason since 2003.

Biggest question going into the season? -- How long does Ohtani try to do both?  WIll Tyler Skaggs finally pitch to his periphs?

Which Angels player or prospect will create a buzz out of the gate? -- Ohtani

Who is your Angels’ 2018 sleeper?  -- Pujols.  When you're coming off a negative WAR season you only have one direction to go.  Seems everyone has punted on him.

Which Angel player is most likely to disappoint in 2018?  -- Ohtani/Skaggs   One because the expectations are so high, the other because maybe he just never taps into his potential

Which Angel player is your 2018 comeback player of the year pick? -- Pujols

Which Angel starting pitcher will lead the team in strikeouts? -- Richards

Which Angel reliever pitches in the most games in 2018?  -- Alvarez

Which Angel player finishes with the highest batting average?  -- Trout

Which Angel player finishes with the most home runs?  -- Trout

Which Angel player gets the most RBIs? -- Upton

Which Angel player steals the most bases?  -- Trout

Will Mike Trout win the MVP Award? -- Stanton (Hrs, NY hype)

Will Ohtani find more success as a pitcher or a hitter? -- Pitcher

Will Ohtani win the ROY award? -- Don't know who the competition is.

Which Angels prospect will be named the Angels minor league player of the year? -- Hitter -- Adell.  Pitcher -- Canning

How many runs will the Angels score in 2018? -- 785

How many games will the Angels win in 2018? -- 87

What AL West team will be the toughest competition for the Angels in 2018?  -- Astros, then A's

Which team in any league will give the Angels the most trouble? Indians

Will the 2018 Angels make the playoffs?  Twins win 88!

Your fearless prediction?  F the Dodgers!

[Inside Pitch]

18 minutes ago, Geoff said:

Sorry @SuperTroopers ... we're breaking up.

Havent been this bummed since the end of Brangelina..   

[Dave Saltzer]

So, um, sorry about that. That's what happens when I'm trying to juggle too many things lately once. I just wrote it down once incorrectly and copied the same mistake over and over and over again. Either that, or I was just checking to see if anyone ever read anything. 

[Docwaukee]

9 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

LOL. This was done at the last minute and the discussion to do it was presented at the 11th hour, so not everyone was in the PM that should have been.

The PM was just to ask those who are editors on the blog for their username and email addresses so they could get a new invite to USA Today's backend editor. 

We launch on Monday around noon. 

whatevs. donkey is delicious with bbq sauce.  

[ettin]

10 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

LOL. This was done at the last minute and the discussion to do it was presented at the 11th hour, so not everyone was in the PM that should have been.

The PM was just to ask those who are editors on the blog for their username and email addresses so they could get a new invite to USA Today's backend editor. 

We launch on Monday around noon. 

Besides we know who is important and who is not *** winks at Chuck ***

[Tank]

7 hours ago, Dave Saltzer said:

So, um, sorry about that. That's what happens when I'm trying to juggle too many things lately once. I just wrote it down once incorrectly and copied the same mistake over and over and over again. Either that, or I was just checking to see if anyone ever read anything. 

Wait, so you're telling us that strad and Geoff really aren't gay? Shoot, I owe Adam $20.

[Blarg]

8 hours ago, Tank said:

Wait, so you're telling us that strad and Geoff really aren't gay? Shoot, I owe Adam $20.

Never play the Who's Gay game with a gay guy.