Los Angeles Angels Baseball: 5 Players Jerry DiPoto Should Target Immediately

The World Series is over and it's now time for every ballclub to focus on the offseason.

What are our needs? What kind of team do we expect to have next year? Are we gunning for the postseason or are we in rebuilding mode? These are the questions being asked in front offices around the league.

For the Los Angeles Angels, the questions will need to be answered by newly hired general manager Jerry DiPoto.

One of the trademarks of the Tony Reagins era was brutal inconsistency—trade market home runs mixed in with ugly swings and misses in free agency. Can Jerry DiPoto avoid that inconsistency and put together a World Series team?

Here are five players DiPoto needs to target immediately if he wants to fulfill that goal:

1. Aramis Ramirez

The Angels have had a hole at third base ever since Chone Figgins left for Seattle, and they haven't had a power bat there since Troy Glaus. Aramis Ramirez has been with the Chicago Cubs since 2004 and is a free agent this winter.

The Angels have left Jerry DiPoto only $20 million to play with, but it could be worth it to bring in a guy who can be counted on for 25 home runs each season.

2. David Wright or Ryan Zimmerman

The other best third base options for the Angels would have to come via trade. Both the Mets and Nationals need center fielders, and the Halos have players to spare at that position.

It's unlikely that they would unload Mike Trout, but if they could get either team to bite on Peter Bourjos and a couple of minor league prospects, expect a new third baseman in town.

3. Heath Bell

The Angels could use some help in their bullpen and Heath Bell could be a perfect fit. Jordan Walden proved to be an All-Star closer this season, but he had lousy control at times, which led to 10 blown saves in 42 attempts.

Adding Bell to the mix means the Angels could keep Walden in the setup spot for at least another year and have the strong late-inning pitching that is required to win championships these days.

4. Hiroki Kuroda

One problem the Angels don't have is elite starting pitching at the top of the rotation. But after Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana make their starts, there is no certainty or reliability.

The fourth and fifth spots were a revolving door this summer, and trading for a guy like Kuroda could add some much-needed depth to the rotation. That way, the Angels can use the final spot of the rotation to try out promising prospects like Tyler Chatwood and Garrett Richards.

5. Ramon Hernandez

Mike Scioscia is notoriously picky with his catchers, heavily favoring good defense over good offense. The end result of that preference this season was Jeff Mathis and Hank Conger hitting a combined .189 while Mike Napoli tore it up in Texas with a .320 average and 30 home runs.

Conger did show signs of being the Angels' future at catcher, but until he becomes consistently good, the Angels need to bring in a veteran catcher like Ramon Hernandez. Hernandez hit an acceptable .282 this year and is exactly what the Angels need to avoid that "automatic out" in the lineup.

Honorable Mentions: Jose Reyes and Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder

Because of their spending cap of $20 million, it's not likely that the Angels would go after any of these guys. Add to that the fact that Erick Aybar and Mark Trumbo had great years, and it becomes even less necessary to add one of these stars. However, Angels fans are impatient after missing the postseason for two consecutive years and nothing would get people excited about Jerry DiPoto like a big-time acquisition.  

Mike Scioscia is arguably the best manager in the league because he can make a contender out of a sub-par team. It's time for the Angels' front office to give Scioscia the players he needs so that he can dethrone the Rangers and take back the AL West. The Angels hired Jerry DiPoto for a reason—now it's time for him to do his job.