Analysis : Angels Make Progress, but Need to Build on It

Ninety-one Angel victories: Accomplishment . . . or anesthetic?

Despite appearances to the contrary during their last 10 games, the Angels insist they haven’t been lulled by a season that far exceeded spring expectations, a season that bettered their 1988 finish by 16 victories and resulted in the third-best record in the franchise’s history.

“We have to make some changes,” owner Gene Autry says.

“I don’t think any of us is satisfied,” executive vice president Mike Port says.

And then there’s this from Manager Doug Rader:

“If we were good enough, we wouldn’t go through the (slumps) we did this year. I really do think we rose above most occasions and got through some difficult times, but we’ve been very streaky both ways.

“When a team is streaky, that shows inconsistency. And that kind of inconsistency suggests that you may not be as good as you’d like to be.”

This is a good way to think.

What the Angels’ 1989 season should be remembered for--and, really, nothing more--is a restoration of the team’s self-respect. That, in itself, was a substantial undertaking, considering the malaise that had taken hold during back-to-back 75-87 seasons, Cookie Ball and the ignominious 12-game season-closing losing streak of 1988.

But at 91-71, the Angels still placed third in the American League West, still finished eight games behind Oakland and still require more than a few alterations if they are to resist backsliding in baseball’s best division in 1990.

To cut the discussion to the quick, the Angels still aren’t good enough.

The starting rotation, which produced three 15-game winners and a rookie-of-the-year candidate in Jim Abbott, needs another starting pitcher.

The bullpen, which featured Bryan Harvey (25 saves), Greg Minton (2.20 ERA) and Bob McClure (1.55), needs at least one more proven hand, preferably a short-relief specialist.

The offense, which led the American League with 145 home runs, needs to add a true power hitter--a 30-home run, 100-RBI threat--and, at long last, locate a legitimate, and willing, leadoff hitter.

“We cannot stand pat,” Port says. “Candidly, 90 wins--despite some good individual performances--wasn’t what we were collectively shooting for. Finishing where we did, we still have some ground to cover.

”. . . We have to look for ways to improve our run production and I wouldn’t say we would shy away from any additional pitching.”

In many ways, the Angels’ success in 1989 was a mirage. The AL East was badly depressed this summer and the Angels got fat against that division, going 50-34 against Eastern clubs without having to play either Toronto or Baltimore after July 18. Oakland was riddled by injuries. And the heart of the Angel revival--starting pitching--hinged on four of the club’s five starters playing out best-case scenarios.

-- Bert Blyleven goes 17-5.

-- Chuck Finley wins 16 games and makes the AL All-Star team.

-- Kirk McCaskill stays healthy all year and wins 15 games.

-- Jim Abbott makes the big club, stays there all summer and chips in with 12 poised and professional victories.

Back in March, who could have predicted any of it?

And who knows if any of them can do it again?

Only Mike Witt and his 9-15 record fell below preseason expectations. But this was hardly a stunning development, considering how Witt’s win totals and ERA have progressively worsened since 1986. In the last four years, Witt has gone from 18 wins to 16 to 13 to nine. Over the same span, his ERA has swelled from 2.84 to 4.01 to 4.15 to 4.54.

For this reason, the Angels have a keen interest in Mark Langston, the soon-to-be $10-million free agent.

Offensively, the Angels are in a quandary. They finished first in the league in home runs and featured three regulars batting better than .280, but they also led the league in strikeouts, were 12th in runs scored, 12th in RBIs and last in walks.

It is a strange batting order. With the possible exception of first baseman Wally Joyner, every member of the regular lineup possesses one crucial flaw, lacking one important dimension.

Consider:

--Johnny Ray. He led the team with a .289 batting average and drove in 62 runs. But he can’t run and is barely adequate in the field.

--Jack Howell. He hit 20 home runs, second best on the team. But he batted just .228 with a looping swing that produced 125 strikeouts and can send him into the black hole for weeks at a time.

--Dick Schofield. He remains one of the slickest fielding shortstops in the majors. But he still doesn’t hit--.228 with 26 RBIs--and now his durability has become a question.

--Lance Parrish. He added 17 home runs and received credit for calling a more aggressive game behind the plate. But he batted just .238, drove in just 50 runs and struck out 104 times. And, as always, there’s the back trouble.

--Chili Davis. He was named team co-MVP after leading the club with 22 home runs and 90 RBIs. But he, too, struck out 108 times and remains a liability in the field.

--Devon White. He made the AL All-Star team and stole a career-high 44 bases. But he also led the club with 129 strikeouts, continues to balk at the leadoff assignment and plunged in the second half to a season-ending .245 average.

--Claudell Washington. His .273 average and 13 home runs were pluses. But his RBI total (42) is that of a part-time outfielder and his numerous absences from the lineup became a burden down the stretch.

--Brian Downing. His .283 batting average was his best in a decade. But a chronic rib cage injury hampers his power stroke, resulting in just 14 home runs--his lowest full-season total since 1979.

Add in the fact that only White and Washington reached double figures in stolen bases and you have a team that has trouble manufacturing runs when the home-run supply is cut off.

What to do?

In their dream of dreams, the Angels would leap at the chance to sign Robin Yount, a free agent after a season in which he may win the AL’s MVP award. Yount hits for average, drives in runs, steals bases, plays the outfield with aplomb. He can even bat leadoff, if you want.

But Yount is committed to re-signing with Milwaukee. He’s loyal to the Brewers the way Nolan Ryan is loyal to the state of Texas.

With the 1989-90 free agent field sorely lacking in power-hitting, run-producing types, the Angels might be better off bidding for Langston--or a second-tier free agent pitcher, such as Storm Davis--and packaging their pitching surplus (i.e. Witt) and their second-base surplus (i.e. Ray) for one of several disgruntled sluggers who figure to be shopped this winter.

Cleveland’s Joe Carter wants out of Ohio, Cincinnati’s Eric Davis and the New York Mets’ Darryl Strawberry both have eyes for Southern California and Kansas City’s Danny Tartabull could be moved by the start of spring training.

To acquire a hitter of such standing, the Angels would have to part with a lot, and Port ranks among the most cautious deal makers on the planet. Port prefers safe and sound trades, parceling off a bunch of prospects for a veteran-- a la his acquisitions of Blyleven, Parrish and Ray.

But to keep pace in the AL West, where the Canseco-McGwire-Eckersley A’s are making dynastic noises, the Angels have to make an impact move this off-season. Better yet, two of them.

In 1989, the Angels rediscovered what it felt like to win again. They contended. They came close. Now they need to take the next leap.

Mike Port, the time to roll the dice is now.