3 problem areas LA Angels desperately need to fix after the MLB lockout

As some of you may remember, a couple of months ago I took a look at the three biggest problem areas that the LA Angels needed to fix this offseason.

And, while the Angels didn't necessarily fix any of those areas, they're not in the same spot they were. For instance, one of those areas was the shortstop position. Since then, the Halos went out and acquired Andrew Velazquez and Tyler Wade.

While those two don't make shortstop a strength on the Angels, they provide the Angels with enough bodies to be serviceable at a position they don't need high-level offensive production from due to the other strong parts of their lineup. At this point, it's unrealistic to expect them to now spend big on a shortstop.

There are three areas that they still really need to fix, however. Two of them are similar to what I already covered, but are in different places now. One of them is a problem area that has once again emerged as something that needs to change as soon as the MLB lockout is over.

No. 3 problem area the LA Angels desperately need to fix after the MLB lockout: The middle reliever situation

You see, in my original article in the beginning of the offseason, I noted that the LA Angels needed to fix the pen. They did need to, and since then have made a monster signing in Aaron Loup to man the eighth inning, and brought Raisel Iglesias back on a big deal. Those were both tremendous moves.

The job isn't done yet, however. While we look great in the back-end, we need to get the right pieces to man the middle innings.

That means we should be re-signing Steve Cishek. It means we should be pushing to sign a Kenley Jansen or a Brad Hand.

Would that mean that we may want to push Loup to the middle innings? Maybe, but that's a great problem to have. Maybe we want to go after some cheaper guys like Chasen Shreve or Brad Boxberger.

However we choose to do it, we need better middle relievers. Fixing the bullpen is very far from being finished.

No. 1 problem area the LA Angels desperately need to fix after the MLB lockout: Their inability to spend

Arte Moreno is an interesting character. The LA Angels owner is worth $3.6 billion, he's an owner of a sports team in the LA market, he has the two best players in baseball in their primes, and he's in sunny LA/OC where free agents would love to live. He STILL, however, won't spend like all those things are true.

He's never spent higher than seventh in payroll these last three years, and this year he's at the eighth highest payroll. What's the hold up? Remember when the Angels were finally set to spend big on pitching this offseason?

Well, maybe those were false reports, as Moreno has spent just over $160 million in 2022 payroll, and watched prized free agent starting pitcher over prized free agent starting pitcher get taken off the board before the lockout.

I understand that Moreno is rich, and would like to keep his money. But this is when you HAVE to spend. Trout is going to be healthy next year.

We can't officially have the two best players in the world finally healthy and in their primes, and miss the postseason again because we have no pitching. It's time to be aggressive on the staff. It's been time.