3 biggest Angels surprises of the offseason so far ranked

2) LA Angels biggest offseason surprises ranked: Depth, depth, depth

The biggest issue the Angels had last season was not their pitching as some think, it was their offense. When the injuries to guys like Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, and David Fletcher happened, they had virtually no playable hitters to take their place. Andrew Velazquez is great defensively but he's not a major-league hitter. Matt Duffy isn't very good either. The Angels have made depth their number one priority this offseaon which is refreshing.

The Angels made a trade for Gio Urshela. The fit is interesting considering he's a primary third baseman with very little experience anywhere else, but he's likely going to play all around the infield. Anthony Rendon is also likely to get on the IL at some point, that's where Urshela really comes in handy.

The Angels also signed Brandon Drury. He has more experience playing around the diamond than Urshela but is also a primary third baseman. I expect him to be the second baseman on Opening Day and he's a guy who can move all over the infield and even into the corner outfield spots.

If Rendon gets hurt, the Angels have a viable backup option. If Jared Walsh has a setback or isn't himself after surgery, the Angels have a viable backup option. The Halos can also give Rendon days off with Drury and Urshela on the roster.

Guys like Luis Rengifo and David Fletcher who were both unquestioned starters will have to show their worth to play. The Halos have nine legitimate hitters now and one of the deeper lineups in all of baseball. They have the star power of Trout and Ohtani and have surrounded them with quality big-league players. It's a different and refreshing approach.

1) LA Angels biggest offseason surprises ranked: The Tyler Anderson contract

The Angels needed a frontline starter to pitch behind Shohei Ohtani. They found that in Tyler Anderson, a guy coming off an all-star season with the Dodgers. Anderson had his best season by far mainly due to a much-improved changeup. I expect him to be good, but the Angels really need for him to be a quality innings eater more than an ace. Anderson can most definitely do that.

The contract Anderson was signed to looks like the steal of the offseason right now. Anderson signed a three-year $39 million dollar deal right when he had to make his decision on the Qualifying Offer the Dodgers gave him.

Anderson making just $13 million dollars annually for only three years is unbelievable. Pitchers got paid handsomely this offseason but Perry Minasian jumped the market and got Anderson on a bargain contract.

Taijuan Walker signed with the Phillies for four years and $72 million dollars. Jameson Taillon went to the Cubs for four years $68 million dollars. Neither of those pitchers has had the season Anderson just had and both are injury prone while Anderson is not. Even Chris Bassitt, my top target heading into the offseason and a guy I believe to be better than Anderson got three years $63 million dollars from the Blue Jays. I don't think Toronto really overpaid there, it just shows how much the Angels underpaid.

I get that they had to give up a pick and international bonus money to sign Anderson as he had the QO attached but Toronto had to give that up for Bassitt as well.

The Angels are paying Anderson $13 million dollars annually for three seasons. Noah Syndergaard is making that this upcoming season for the Dodgers. Matthew Boyd is making $10 million dollars for the Tigers.

In a perfect world, Anderson repeats the season he just had. While that's unlikely, he doesn't have to do much for the contract he signed to be considered a steal. I bet he wishes he waited a couple more weeks to let the market develop.