I think we will struggle offensively, again. I dont think adding Escobar (notwithstanding his outlier numbers from last year), the Nava/Gentry symbiosis and Soto will improve us, offensively. Simmons vs Aybar is probably a push, though Aybar probably had the potential to be better, offensively, that Simmons will be.
Can we expect a better season from Pujols than what we got last year? Certainly not in HR numbers. Maybe marginally better in BA. Kole can certainly improve, but probably only back to his career numbers. Not likely to get more HRs from him than last year; could get less.
All of this probably wont make enough difference to improve a team that was 12th in runs scored, 13th in OBP, 14th in OPS.
Mike Trout may set a new MLB record for BBs, unless he starts extending his strike zone as badly as he did in 2014. Why pitch to him at all, especially if he is stupidly kept at the #3 spot in the order, where he will come up many times with 2 outs and nobody on (given our low OBP)? He needs to be back at #2, where his chances of generating more runs increases. We need higher OBP near the top of the lineup. Aoki would have been really great, there, in front of Trout.
The pitching and defense BETTER be better, because we won't have many come-from-behind wins with this club's offense, IMO. There are a lot of good starters and good bullpens in the AL West. Tough sledding, ahead.
I really cant comment on OUR starting pitching. There are SO MANY QUESTION MARKS ! I wouldnt know what to say except "IF.........., then..........
Are you sold yet?