To say that the offseason for the Los Angeles Angels was a little contentious is akin to saying that the citizens of Egypt just wanted some minor tweaks to government.
After coming off a season in which they went 80-82 and finished out of the playoffs for only the second time in seven seasons, Halos fans were clearly looking for improvement during the offseason. What they got instead were two additions to the bullpen and a very controversial trade for the expensive Vernon Wells.
However, there is hope on the horizon. With Kendry Morales 100 percent healthy once again and a starting rotation that is considered strong, the Angels could make some noise in the now-competitive AL West. While fans are still wary of the offensive output, a strong rotation with a replenished bullpen will certainly help to keep the Angels competitive in later innings.
While there are no doubt some questions regarding their lineup, things really can’t be much worse than the 2010 season, when the Angels lost their top hitter, Kendry Morales, in late May and got the worst production in the American League from the third base position. The struggles of starting pitcher Scott Kazmir were of major concern and continue to be, and the not-so-impressive offensive debut of center fielder Peter Bourjos certainly lead to fans’ concerns for the 2011 season.
The overriding concern, however, remains the Angels’ inability to land a big bat, other than the overpaid Vernon Wells. While they made a play for free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre and left fielder Carl Crawford, they fell far short and Angels fans felt that the trade for Vernon Wells was nothing but a make-up move for their previous ineffectiveness.
So, as the Los Angeles Angels report to Tempe next week to start their 2011 spring training campaign, we pose 10 questions that the Los Angeles Angels must answer in order to at least stay competitive in the much-improved AL West.
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