In the NFL, Patrick Mahomes truly has the power to transform a team into a serious contender. His exceptional skills and leadership on the field have led his team to great heights. Similarly, in the NBA, Nikola Jokic's presence makes his team a force to be reckoned with. His unique playstyle and ability to control the game have a significant impact on his team's success. However, in baseball, as the Angels and their fans have painfully learned, one player alone cannot guarantee a team's contention. Over the past decade, Mike Trout, despite his extraordinary talent, could not carry the Angels to victory all by himself. And even when he was joined by Shohei Ohtani, they still faced challenges in making the team a consistent contender.

Angels' Holiday Spending and Player Acquisitions

The Angels made a significant move on Monday by agreeing to a three-year, $63-million contract with pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. According to a person familiar with the deal, this is part of their holiday spending spree before Thanksgiving. With this acquisition, the Angels have now spent over $100 million on six players in their 30s, including Kikuchi, fellow starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks, designated hitter Jorge Soler, backup catcher Travis d’Arnaud, and backup infielders Scott Kingery and Kevin Newman. Kikuchi and Soler are expected to bring impact, while the others add depth to the team. But if the goal is true contention, it seems the Angels still rely heavily on Mike Trout.The Angels' pitching situation is a mixed bag. Kikuchi and Hendricks combined to pitch 306 innings last season. Hendricks has had an ERA below 4.00 only once in the last four seasons, while Kikuchi has achieved that feat once in his six major league seasons. However, last summer, after being traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Houston Astros, Kikuchi posted a remarkable 2.70 ERA in 10 starts. The Angels' bet on Tyler Anderson after his career year with the Dodgers shows their need for durable pitching.The Angels still have several significant needs. They require more starting pitching, even more relief pitching, and improvement in the infield and with big bats. Their lineup is thin, and their bullpen is even thinner. It remains uncertain how much more owner Arte Moreno will spend this offseason. Including Soler, who was acquired in a salary-dump trade, the Angels have taken on $107 million this month.

Past Season's Performance and Comparison with Royals

Last season, the Angels had a dismal record, losing 99 games and becoming the worst team in franchise history. The Kansas City Royals, on the other hand, went from 56 victories (and 106 losses!) two seasons ago to 86 victories last season and made it to the playoffs. The Royals' primary pickups in free agency were starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. Their starters ranked second in the league in ERA at 3.55, while the Angels' starters ranked last at 4.97.Kikuchi and Hendricks combined to pitch 306 innings last season. The Royals' pitching was good, but their offense was not as strong. The Royals had four players with at least 300 at-bats and an OPS+ above 100, while the Angels also had four such players. The difference was that only one of the Angels' eight players was even 20% above league average - Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who was the runner-up to Aaron Judge as AL Most Valuable Player. Witt batted.332 with 32 home runs and had a 171+ OPS. Soler had a 121+ OPS, which is a help, but the Angels truly need elite hitters like Witt.

Mike Trout's Role and Uncertainty

Mike Trout, the three-time MVP, has not played even 120 games in a season since 2019. But when he does play, he remains an elite hitter. His OPS+ last season was 140, which means he was 40% better than league average. Over a full season, that would have put him within the top 10 in the AL. He played 29 games last season.No one really knows how many games Trout might play next season. Even the Angels seem puzzled. Their promotional calendar often features Trout giveaways, but this year, the five bobbleheads are all blank faces, to be announced later. The Angels have gone 10 years without a postseason appearance, the longest drought in the majors. This offseason, they are hoping to patch some holes, add depth, and get a little lucky. And perhaps, they are looking to Mike Trout to lead the way once again.