Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe had zero hesitation identifying his team's expectations for this season: to win the World Series.
The Angels have only won one World Series in franchise history. They have not had a winning season in nine years. Their roster, on paper, is weaker than last year's.
Still, in an interview with MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, O'Hoppe put more faith in his team than any preseason prognosticator.
“Winning a World Series, and we’ve got the group to do it. People are always gonna say things, but luckily we got pretty thick walls in that clubhouse. And we’re pretty locked in on what’s going on in there.”
This sentiment might be termed "ambitious" at best. If ambition is the marriage of talent with belief, at least the Angels' clubhouse is brimming with belief.
The Angels' hopes do not rest on any one player, but a resurgent season from Mike Trout would help. He considers winning in Anaheim to be a matter of "when," not "if." The subject of trade rumors earlier in the offseason, Trout has affirmed his desire to remain in Anaheim for the long haul.
Besides Trout, the Angels have talented players on their roster, even with Shohei Ohtani leaving for the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency. Aside from O'Hoppe and Trout, a young core led by Nolan Schanuel, Zach Neto, and several other players who have yet to reach their prime have the potential to grow together.
If they can sign free agent Blake Snell over to their team as well, it will only boost their potential — and give the Angels the clear number-1 starter their rotation is lacking.
Another reason for belief is new manager Ron Washington. Washington is a well-regarded MLB manager, and his impact has already been seen across the team's Cactus League performance and energy.
While winning the World Series could be a stretch until proven otherwise, the Angels could make a splash in the fall and earn their way back to the postseason.
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