"Let's Try That Again" - The 2012 Los Angeles Angels (And Beyond)

128Winners · 03-15-2026, 03:26 PM

It's been 14 years since the LA Angels shook up the baseball world. Albert Pujols, long renowned as the best right-handed hitter in baseball, inked a mega-contract to come to California. CJ Wilson joined him, set to help anchor the pitching staff after signing his own lucrative deal. Meanwhile, there are rumblings about a kid named Mike Trout who may just be ready to join the everyday lineup.

As we know, this (and subsequent efforts) did not work, and that failure set the stage for more than a decade of struggles and relative futility despite significant star power in the locker room. Here, we'll do what we can to run things back and create better outcomes in Orange County.

At the outset, this team is...good. Not perfect, and with genuine questions to answer about the following year(s), but solid, and with plenty of star power to put fans in the stands. Let's see what we can do!

128Winners · 03-15-2026, 04:03 PM

2012 PRESEASON NEWS

- OF Vernon Wells was traded to the Colorado Rockies (along with the remainder of his albatross of a contract...) for left-handed ageless wonder P Jamie Moyer. Moyer may not crack the rotation, but will, at a minimum, provide some stamina out of the bullpen (in addition to another lefty).
- Moyer's addition and Wells's departure clear the way for 24-year-old rookie OF Kole Calhoun to make the big-league roster. To compensate for his arrival, P Rich Thompson was sent down to AAA Salt Lake City.
- To complete the coaching staff, the Angels have signed hitting coach Ross Cogley and lead trainer Jason Applebee. It's believed the organization will not make changes to its minor league coaching staffs at this time.
- The Angels have agreed to terms with prospects 3B Johan Camargo, CF Manuel Margot, and RF Franmil Reyes on minor league contracts.

128Winners · 03-15-2026, 11:30 PM

THE LEGEND BEGINS?

2012 record to date: 4-2

Mike Trout flashed potential in 2011, but if the start to his 2012 campaign is any indication, he's bound to be one of the game's biggest stars.

On Opening Day, Trout came up in the eighth inning against Kansas City's Kelvin Herrera, down 4-2 with one on. He parked a fastball into the left-field stands to tie the game, and the Angels went on to win 5-4 in 12 innings. One day later, he belted two homers, including a walk-off three-run shot, to beat the Royals 9-7.

The Angels took two of three from both the Royals and Twins. Trout, hitting .433 with 10 RBI's, is the star of the show, but 3B Alberto Callaspo has quietly hit .545 from the bottom of the lineup. Albert Pujols, meanwhile, went 0-for-9 in the first two games of the season, but has hit a pair of home runs to inspire some confidence.

Pitching-wise, ace starter Jered Weaver has been spotty, but his teammates have more than held up their end of the bargain. Dan Haren, Ervin Santana, and Jerome Williams all recorded quality starts in the season's first week, and after a rough Angels debut, CJ Wilson is set to start the opener of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

03-15-2026, 03:26 PM	#1
128Winners Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 23	"Let's Try That Again" - The 2012 Los Angeles Angels (And Beyond) It's been 14 years since the LA Angels shook up the baseball world. Albert Pujols, long renowned as the best right-handed hitter in baseball, inked a mega-contract to come to California. CJ Wilson joined him, set to help anchor the pitching staff after signing his own lucrative deal. Meanwhile, there are rumblings about a kid named Mike Trout who may just be ready to join the everyday lineup. As we know, this (and subsequent efforts) did not work, and that failure set the stage for more than a decade of struggles and relative futility despite significant star power in the locker room. Here, we'll do what we can to run things back and create better outcomes in Orange County. At the outset, this team is...good. Not perfect, and with genuine questions to answer about the following year(s), but solid, and with plenty of star power to put fans in the stands. Let's see what we can do!

03-15-2026, 04:03 PM	#2
128Winners Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 23	2012 PRESEASON NEWS - OF Vernon Wells was traded to the Colorado Rockies (along with the remainder of his albatross of a contract...) for left-handed ageless wonder P Jamie Moyer. Moyer may not crack the rotation, but will, at a minimum, provide some stamina out of the bullpen (in addition to another lefty). - Moyer's addition and Wells's departure clear the way for 24-year-old rookie OF Kole Calhoun to make the big-league roster. To compensate for his arrival, P Rich Thompson was sent down to AAA Salt Lake City. - To complete the coaching staff, the Angels have signed hitting coach Ross Cogley and lead trainer Jason Applebee. It's believed the organization will not make changes to its minor league coaching staffs at this time. - The Angels have agreed to terms with prospects 3B Johan Camargo, CF Manuel Margot, and RF Franmil Reyes on minor league contracts.

03-15-2026, 11:30 PM	#3
128Winners Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 23	THE LEGEND BEGINS? 2012 record to date: 4-2 Mike Trout flashed potential in 2011, but if the start to his 2012 campaign is any indication, he's bound to be one of the game's biggest stars. On Opening Day, Trout came up in the eighth inning against Kansas City's Kelvin Herrera, down 4-2 with one on. He parked a fastball into the left-field stands to tie the game, and the Angels went on to win 5-4 in 12 innings. One day later, he belted two homers, including a walk-off three-run shot, to beat the Royals 9-7. The Angels took two of three from both the Royals and Twins. Trout, hitting .433 with 10 RBI's, is the star of the show, but 3B Alberto Callaspo has quietly hit .545 from the bottom of the lineup. Albert Pujols, meanwhile, went 0-for-9 in the first two games of the season, but has hit a pair of home runs to inspire some confidence. Pitching-wise, ace starter Jered Weaver has been spotty, but his teammates have more than held up their end of the bargain. Dan Haren, Ervin Santana, and Jerome Williams all recorded quality starts in the season's first week, and after a rough Angels debut, CJ Wilson is set to start the opener of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.