For years we’ve seen the Angels roll out teams on a “stars and scrubs” philosophy, also known as the “rub a little Trout on it” method of roster construction. Recently the Angels have leaned even harder into the stars-and-scrubs methodology; having been gift-wrapped a generational talent because he.. didn’t like cold weather? to pair alongside Trout, the Angels threw some money at the infield in the form of Anthony Rendon, and step three, profit.
Only that hasn’t been the case, as both Trout and Rendon are currently injured, and the Angels’ off-season strategy of mid-to-lower-tier pitching investments has borne little fruit, with recent acquisitions Dylan Bundy and José Quintana relegated to the bullpen.