‘WE BELIEVE’

Angels don't buy into predictions of another losing season and think they can surprise

The Angels have heard and read what the baseball world thinks of their chances this season.

After winning 73 games and losing Shohei Ohtani, the Angels are widely expected to finish fourth in the American League West, missing the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season.

“No one in this clubhouse gives a (expletive) what they are saying,” left-hander Patrick Sandoval said. “No one cares what’s

going on outside this clubhouse. Everyone has tunnel vision. I think that can only work in our favor. I don’t think we’re gonna give in to what the media, the fans, our fans, whatever they’re saying. We believe in what’s here. We believe in each other.”

Catcher Logan O’hoppe summoned a line from the film “Moneyball,” in which the upstart Oakland A’s were also dismissed after losing key players.

“We’re like an ‘island of misfit toys’ that nobody knows about,” O’hoppe said. “When we come together, we’re more powerful as a group. We can do more as a group. We’re coming together pretty well, and I’m really happy to be a part of that.”

Mike Trout, whose Hall of Fame career has been tainted by the Angels’ perpetual losing, also sees the skepticism as something of a rallying cry.

“We know what we have in here,” Trout said. “We use (the predictions) as motivation. The boys are hungry to get out there.”

Certainly, optimism in spring training is expected. Professional athletes don’t get to be professional athletes without overflowing confidence, even in the face of daunting facts.

Fact: The Angels did not add a player who produced more than 1.2 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference, in 2023, while they lost

ELSA — GETTY IMAGES Shortstop Zach Neto and center fielder Mike Trout are among the players who will need to have big seasons for the Angels to improve.