Los Angeles Angels: 5 Signings Angels Must Make to Win AL West in 2012

In 2011, the Los Angeles Angels finished second in the American League West behind the American League Champion Texas Rangers.

The Angels accumulated an 86-76 record and were fairly impressive throughout the year, although keeping up with a great Texas Rangers team became nearly impossible toward the end of the season, as the Angels lost six of their last seven games, three of those coming to the Texas Rangers. 

lf the Angels are hoping to reverse the trend in 2012 and lay claim on the AL West division title once again, they will need to make several improvements in order to compete with an improving American League West.

The Angels' most pressing needs are finding a stable third baseman, signing a new left fielder that can bring power to the lineup, replacing closer Brian Fuentes, finding a new leadoff hitter and establishing a consistent fifth starter in the rotation.

While there are players in the organization who could certainly make an impact in future years at these spots, if the Angels wish to contend for and win the AL West in 2012, they will need to be active players in the free-agent market to solidify these needs. 

Here are the players the Angels can sign to do just that. 

Third Base: Aramis Ramirez

Aramis Ramirez is the best third basemen in the free-agent market this year, and the Angels could definitely use his services.

Ever since the departure of Chone Figgins to the Seattle Mariners, the Angels have lacked consistent production from the hot corner, both in the field and at the plate.  

Aramis Ramirez can change this trend as well as bring a power bat back to the position that Troy Glaus used to occupy. 

The 33-year-old  has consistently hit around .300 for his entire career, including a .306 performance last season that included 26 home runs.

Though the Angels don't have much money to work with this off-season, signing Ramirez to a two- or three-year deal will definitely be worth the money as the Angels can once again have production from third base. 

Left Field: Josh Willingham

It is no hidden fact that the Angels' outfield was one of the oldest and slowest units in the league last year. 

Though there was some production from the unit, much of the season was difficult to watch as Bobby Abreu definitely started to show his decline in play while providing his services in left field for much of the season. 

Alternating between left field and DH during the 2011 season, Abreu showed that he can't put up the consistent play the Angels want in the field anymore and will want to find an option in left field somewhere else.

The perfect fit for this need is left fielder Josh Willingham.

Willingham is probably the second best outfielder in free agency behind Carlos Beltran and can provide both stable defense as well as another power bat to the Angels lineup. 

In 2011, Willingham hit .246 with 29 home runs, and this was considered a down year for the player.

When put alongside Torii Hunter and rising prospect Peter Bourjos, Willingham will give the Angels a more stable defensive unit due to the fact that he will be able to relieve some of the coverage stress put on Torii Hunter last year.

He has been a fairly productive player throughout his entire career and definitely has some good years ahead of him that can definitely help the Angels to an AL West title. 

Closer: David Aardsma

After trading away Brian Fuentes last season, the Angels are in need of a closer that could be consistent every time that he takes the mound.

One such option is a familiar face in David Aardsma who spent the 2011 season on the DL for the Seattle Mariners.

Despite being sidelined by injury last season, reports have been nothing but positive about the former Mariner closer as he recovers from injury.

When healthy, Aardsma has recently shown that he can be one of the most productive closers in baseball. In 2009, Aardsma had 38 saves while posting a 2.52 ERA and his 2010 production was not that much different as he had 31 saves and a 3.44 ERA.

The Angels need a closer like Aardsma, and while he may be a little bit of a risk coming back from injury, all signs have pointed to the fact that Aardsma is making a full recovery and is ready to give out his services once again. 

Starter: Hiroki Kuroda

Despite having one of the most dangerous 1-2-3 starters in the league, the Angels are in desperate need of a fourth and fifth starter that can be reliable and pitch every fifth game. 

In 2011, these two spots were filled on a rotational basis and the Angels were never able to find any kind of consistency in the latter part of their rotation.

Hiroki Kuroda could help fix this inconsistency. 

Though he had a losing record in the previous season, this 36-year-old can definitely still pitch as he posted a 3.06 ERA over the 2011 season and was a bright spot for a generally down Los Angeles Dodgers team. 

Acquiring and inserting Kuroda into the fourth spot in the Angels rotation will give their starters a greater depth and allow for more flexibility with the fifth spot in the rotation in order to help develop their young pitchers.

Kuroda would also give the Angels one of the more dominant rotations in the league while also enhancing the chances for the Angels to acquire an AL West division title. 

Leadoff Hitter: Chone Figgins

Everybody knows that Seattle wants to get rid of Chone Figgins, and why shouldn't the Angels be his team of destination?

Prior to Seattle, Figgins had the best of his years with the Angels and he could once again provide a spark at the top of the lineup if he is able to figure out his approach at the plate once more. 

Figgins brings both speed and versatility to a lineup when he is at his best, and the Angels should be able to help the veteran find his groove once again in what may be his final run in the MLB.