Los Angeles Angels Have Been the Biggest Disappointment Over the Last Decade

 Let us go back to the 2011 offseason. The biggest free agent at the time was Albert Pujols, a three time MVP and one of the greatest right handed hitters of all-time. The number one prospect in all of baseball at this time was Mike Trout. 

Over the last decade both of these players have been everyday fixtures in the Angels lineup. But get this; this pairing has never won a playoff game for the Angels.

Over the last decade, the Los Angeles Angels have been consistent with mediocrity. It is honestly confusing considering the fact that at the beginning of the decade they signed all the big names players and developed the best player of this generation in Mike Trout. 

The hype in Anaheim started with the Pujols signing before the 2012 season. They had also signed CJ Wilson, a pitcher who had helped the Texas Rangers reach the World Series in back-to-back seasons. In 2012, Trout was Rookie of the Year and Pujols hit over 30 home runs but the Angels still missed the playoffs. Looking to add more talent, they made another splash the next offseason.

So they signed another former MVP in Josh Hamilton. Remember that name? Don't be suprised if you don't because it seems like he fell off a cliff after signing with the Angels. The combination of Hamilton and Pujols was expected to be a one-two punch ranked like Ruth and Gehrig were for the Yankees almost a century earlier. But Hamilton was never the same player he was in his MVP days with the Texas Rangers. 

The Angels thought they were getting two players who can still play at an elite level when they signed Pujols and Hamilton. But they never lived up to the hype.

Over the last decade, the Angels made the playoffs once, back in 2014. They were swept in the first round by Kansas City. It is honestly hard to figure out why the Angels have been so mediocre in the last decade. They have the best player in the league in Trout and they spend the money in the right way. You could say they've never really had enough pitching but the people they sign are supposed to make up for it on offense. Even this years team looked competent as they signed Anthony Rendon to team up with Trout but still no progress towards playing playoff baseball.

It really is a shame not only for the Angels but for Mike Trout, the best player of this generation. I wish him the best for signing a 12 year deal to stay with the Angels and I really hope they dig him out of the biggest hole in baseball which lies in Anaheim.