Five New Year’s Resolutions For The LA Angels for 2017

By David Rice

Dec 31, 2016

Jul 28, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Daniel Nava (25) celebrates with teammates after reaching base on a throwing error in the ninth inning to allow two runs to score in a 2-1 walk off victory against the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Washington Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa (8) hits an RBI single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

#2. Getting offensive production out of the second base spot.

Second base was a sore spot for the 2016 Angels as Johnny Giavotella, Cliff Pennington, and Gregorio Petit all manned the second base spot last season. All of them had their moments of production, but as a whole they were not very consistent. They also provided hardly any power and as a whole batted under .240 combined. Giavotella was released in early August and finished the remainder of the season in Triple-A. Petit and Pennington were very good defensively but offensively were very lacking.

So now enter Danny Espinosa, who the Angels acquired early in December, brings with him a stellar glove and some much needed power. Espinosa hit 24 homers with 72 RBI’s, but only hit .209 and struck on 174 times in 2016. Hopefully Espinosa will cut down on his strikeouts and raise his average. If Espinosa can do so it will strengthen the bottom of the Angels line-up in 2017.

Thus my second most important resolution for the Angels to follow in hopes of returning to the playoffs is increased production from the second base spot.