What is so hard to understand about this?
They've had shyt pitching for decades and they've always surrounded the 1 or 2 all-stars they've had with terrible players.
Losing Adenhart to a drunk driver was a step backwards. But I know, that's a long time ago now.
Losing Skaggs hurt, although not as much as people think because he was a solid, but not great pitcher.
Blaming Pujols is silly because the reality is Pujols was largely a good player early on and got killed once teams started with the extreme defensive shifting.
Blaming Trout or Ohtani is outright retarded.
Justin Upton was a boom/bust player and even when they got him he couldn't stay on the field.
The Angels have precisely 1 good young player. Taylor Ward. That's it.
Brandon Marsh sucks and was traded to Philly.
Andrew Velasquez has no business being on a major league roster.
Jared Walsh has always been overrated and lucky prior to this season.
Luis Rengifo sucks.
Max Stassi sucks.
Anthony Rendon has been hurt a lot but even if they had his bat, it wouldn't overcome how bad the rotation is.
And let's talk about the rotation.
You have Ohtani.
And you had Syndergaard, who isn't anything like the flaming-throwing prospect he was when he first came up with the Mets. At best Syndergaard is performing like a #4 starter these days. Yeah that's gonna take the fukkin Angels all the way to the top.
Who else is there?
Patrick Sandoval? Look, don't let his ERA fool you. This guy is a walk machine and way, way too hittable.
Reid Detmers? Yeah. Ok. A young kid with potential. Do I think he's as good as some of the hype because of his No Hitter? No. He's not THAT kind of talent. But he could probably be your #3 or #2 at best. He's also got some control issues. But that kid's not in any position to carry this team.
Michael Lorenzen? Jose Suarez? Batting practice pitchers.
Here is a list of players the Angels ran out there from 2015-2021...just in case you can't understand why the team didn't win with these fukkin all stars:
Erick Aybar
David Freese
Matt Joyce
Johnny Giavotella
Kole Calhoun
Yunel Escobar
Rafael Ortega
Danny Espinosa
Ben Revere
Luis Balbuena
Ian Kinsler
Martin Maldonado
David Fletcher
Andrelton Simmons
Brian Goodwin
Jo Adell
Jose Iglesias
Jack Mayfield
Hector Santiago
Matt Shoemaker
CJ Wilson
Jered Weaver
Jhoulys Chacin
Ricky Nolasco
Nick Tropeano
JC Ramirez
Jesse Chavez
Parker Bridwell
Jaime Barria
Griffin Canning (who actually was a strong prospect but got hurt)
Dillon Peters
But I mean you guys are right.
I'm fukking BAFFLED at how this franchise couldn't overcome the Astros or Yankees.
Who could have possibly seen this failure coming? Besides people with eyes and a brain.