The Angels should be better than they were last year. Their lineup and bench appear to be stronger. But the health of the pitching staff was the club’s downfall last season, and it would not be a surprise if the same was said this time next year.
First, the improvements: Left field has plagued the team since Josh Hamilton’s controversial departure. General Manager Billy Eppler set out to fix that and acquired Cameron Maybin at the off-season’s outset. Maybin has never regularly played left field, but he should be better there than Daniel Nava, Craig Gentry or Matt Joyce.