Three reasons the Los Angeles Angels will contend in 2017

The Angels are healthy to start this season.

This is huge for the Angels, after the amazing amount of players that saw the DL last season, the Angels have just two players on the DL to start the season. Those players are Andrew Heaney and Nick Tropeano. Both of whom aren’t expected to play until 2018.

Richards is expected to be ready and 100% by Opening Day. Richards received stem-cell injections after opting against Tommy John surgery last season. Pujols is also expected to be ready for Opening Day after having successful surgery on his right foot.

Looking at the 25-man roster, the first thing you’ll notice is the pitching staff is almost 100%. The Angels made some offseason moves and signed some minor league guys to help in the bullpen. It’s unclear how effective these young pitchers will be. However, it’s good to have a ton of depth, which it looks like the Angels have.

The Angels also upgraded positions where health became of great concern like left field. The Angels brought in Cameron Maybin and Ben Revere to offset Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry. With the Angels looking healthy, this season becomes doable for the Halos.