There's no argument that 2016 was a disappointment for the Angels, who lost a number of players to injury and then lost 88 games. But there are concrete reasons for optimism heading into 2017. With smart moves, a solid core of returning position players and the hope that they'll get a run of good fortune in the health department, they see no reason to think they can't contend in the American League West once again.
They've already tried to pull off a few of the former, trading for outfielder Cameron Maybin, bringing back reliever Andrew Bailey and signing free-agent pitcher Jesse Chavez and outfielder Ryan LaMarre.