The Angels' 2024 New Year's Resolution Is Pretty Simple

Your best players can't be your best players if they're on the injured list.

The 2023 season didn't go exactly as planned for the Los Angeles Angels. The team pushed for a postseason berth, climbing within three games of a wild-card spot by the trade deadline, but ended up missing the playoffs once again.

To the front office's credit, it aggressively remade the roster in pursuit of a playoff berth. Between June 24 and the July 31 deadline, the Angels traded seven minor league players for six major league veterans. Despite the effort, the plan didn't work out. No American League team had a worse record from Aug. 1 onward.

After the season, the Angels lost two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani in free agency and could be heading into a potentially major transition. Even without Ohtani, general manager Perry Minasian hasn't indicated any desire to rebuild. 

The organization still has a few solid players on the roster, led by center fielder Mike Trout. The New Year's resolution for the Halos is simply for their stars to stay healthy.

Trout and third baseman Anthony Rendon have been riddled with injuries in recent years. Rendon has played 148 of a possible 468 games the last three seasons. Trout has played in only 237. That has hurt the Angels' chances as much as any personnel factors. 

If both stars are able to stay healthy, the Angels might be able to compete.

Injuries to veterans have created opportunities for some of the organization's youngest players. Shortstop Zach Neto, catcher Logan O'Hoppe and first baseman Nolan Schanuel all showed promise in 2023 and represent the future core of the club. A full season with Neto, O'Hoppe, Schanuel, Trout and Rendon represents the Angels' best hope for 2024.

With new manager Ron Washington in charge, the Halos have a solid leader who is ready to change the culture. No longer a favorite in spite of their typically robust payrolls and star-studded roster, the Angels will have to rise to contention as an underdog in 2024. 

It might take more than one season to contend for a postseason berth in a division that includes the last two World Series champions. As long as their best players are healthy enough to be on the field, the Angels can hope to have a chance.