Angels Depth: Should the Angels plan on their Star Players Getting Injured?
Mar 26, 2025 - Written by Zac Holladay
Photo Credit: @MLBTradeRumors - X
The 2025 season for the Los Angeles Angels is looking bright. The team has maintained good health and no major injuries have reached the surface to this point other than 3B Anthony Rendon and SS Zach Neto, who is likely to return within the first month of the season. The group of guys who were expected to make the Opening Day roster are all in good health. Although the production from some of the stars is yet to be reached this spring (Jo Adell, Tyler Anderson, Logan O’Hoppe, etc.), there is nothing to worry about due to the fact that it is just Spring Training. Overall, the Angels should be proud of what they’ve accomplished this Spring.
Wins and losses mean nothing in Spring Training, along with many other stats. But to some, their stats could possibly benefit to a surprise roster spot on Opening Day. The sudden emergence of 2B/SS/OF Kyren Paris, 3B/1B JD Davis, OF Matthew Lugo and RP Garrett McDaniels have been the talk of camp as they’ve made their case for the OD roster as Kyren Paris and Garrett McDaniels are of those that have made the team. The depth of the Angels is better than it has been in quite some time for this ballclub, but is this really a good problem to have?
The Angels past struggles in the last few years are effects of big injuries. Mike Trout has had significant absences in the past 4 years. Last year, guys like Jo Adell, Logan O’Hoppe and Luis Rengifo all missed a decent amount of time due to injuries. As every team deals with injuries, and every team should prepare to have replacements for those injured players, the Angels seem to be in the next level up from preparation.
“Should the Angels expect their star players to get injured?” is a question that should be answered or at least pondered upon. The big injuries kill the Angels every year. Even though they haven’t had the most talent every year, the big injuries kill the morale, confidence and chances of contention for the Angels. Their biggest source of production, Mike Trout, is their cornerstone and leader of the team. Whether he is playing well or not, he changes the direction and motivation of this team. If game changers, like Trout, Zach Neto, or Logan O’Hoppe get injured, the whole direction of this team changes.
Again, this is normal for any team. But it happens for the Angels year after year and it leads to a failure of a season. This year, having guys in the back pocket that have shown signs of success in ST and in the minors will help the morale of the Angels going deeper into the season as their playoff hopes have died within the first half of the season in previous years. The talent of the depth of this team is something very special. It is different from any other Angels team within the last 10 years and they are expecting to shock everyone this year.
2025 is an extremely important year for the Los Angeles Angels franchise. This year could very much become a make-or-break year for the team as they have been in the “upcoming” phase for a while now. While the team's expectations are that the team is in “win-now” mode, they haven’t shown any motivation to be classified as a contender. A successful season for the Halos could lead to a multitude of changes, like possibly spending for an ace in the offseason, keeping possible “trade-target” guys, and even maybe spending big in the offseason for a bat. But if they fail to execute a successful season, it could lead to a possible rebuild phase, although that would be difficult with the large amount of young talent already on the Big League squad.
To put it all into perspective, the depth of this team can be the very thing that can possibly carry the Angels into contending for a playoff spot. The injury bug has bitten the team every year and hasn't been able to back them up with very prolific support. So while everyone that deserves a spot on the Opening Day roster have received that spot, giving them a chance to thrive in the minors may be the best decision for the team. So while the words “preparing” and “expecting” have slight differences, sending guys like top prospects 2B Christian Moore and RHP Caden Dana to the minors may be a sign of preparation for injuries during the season.
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