It is always the offseason

Seeing as how I was so looking forward to the end of baseball season because it meant college football, pro football, and Basketball, I think it's only fitting I do a free agency wish list for the Angels.

Living in Northern California not only destroyed my ability to follow the Angels, but it also destroyed my interest in this past season. However, if there were any season that I would be glad to pretend didn't exist, it would have to be last season.

My Angels finished 80-82, 10 games behind Texas for the division lead and one game behind Oakland (barf) for second place. But thankfully 19 games ahead of Seattle (anyone who thought they would win the division was a freaking idiot).

The good news about this team is that they aren't that far off. They have plenty of pieces to contend for a division crown next year. They just weren't able to cope with the freak injury to Kendry Morales. Morales broke his leg on a walk-off home run. He jumped on the plate and SNAP. Season over.

Prior to his injury Morales had 56 hits in 51 games, including 11 homeruns, 39 RBIs, and a .290 average. Needless to say he was by far the best player on the team and without him in the lineup, the Angels look more like a little league team than a division champ.

Next year, Morales comes back to man first base. He suddenly makes the lineup a lot better. Kendrick, Hunter, and Aybar will all see a jump in their numbers. But there are still some holes that can be filled.

Pitching remains a strength for the team. The Angels have a legit 1-2 punch with Jered Weaver and Dan Harren. Throw in Ervin Santana who can be dominant at times, Scott Kazmir who, despite a poor season, has shown flashes of brilliance, and Joel Pinero who is a solid No. 5 starter. The bullpen has some good young arms but no dominant K-Rod type player.

So without further ado the top five free agents on my Angels wish list.

1. Carl Crawford

Carl is an obvious candidate for the top free agent target for GM Tony Reagins and the Angels. He is an aggressive 5-tool player who fits Mike Scioscia's style of baseball. As ESPN's Buster Olney said in a piece about Crawford, "Crawford would be a perfect fit as a No. 3 hitter, because his speed and baseline aggressiveness would match the way Scioscia manages. He could hit third in the Angels' lineup, right in front of Morales and Torii Hunter, and create situations in which those two would see more fastballs."

Couldn't have said it better myself. He is a premiere outfielder who would plug into left field immediately.

I have not coveted a player this badly since Vladdy was a free agent a few years back.

2. Adrian Beltre

Okay, so we have learned that Brandon Wood is not the answer. It really is a shame that the Angels could have flipped him for Miguel Cabrera a few years back. That would have gone down as one of the most lopsided trades in MLB history, but it would have gone the Angels way. Now all we can think is what if.

But now the Angels have need for a third baseman and although Adrian Beltre has been very up and down in his career, I think he would be a good fit in a lineup with Torii Hunter, Kendry Morales, and maybe Carl Crawford. He would be a beast as the third of fourth best guy in a lineup.

Do I think Boston lets him go without a fight? No. But I think the Angels would love to see the Red Sox weakened.

3. Cliff Lee

Do the Angels need Cliff Lee? No. Would it be fun to have him in a rotation with Weaver and Harren? Umm... yes? Plus, the thought of him either going to the Yankees or staying with the Rangers makes me want to cut myself.

For the record I think there is no way he ends up an Angel, its just fun to lust after it.

4. Rafael Soriano

Now I know getting Soriano isn't filling a huge need, but it would strengthen the bullpen, and give the Angels a blue chip closer. Something they haven't had since well before K-Rod went Mike Tyson on his girlfriend's dad.

5. Grant Balfour

Not a big name, but he throws effing hard, he is an Aussie and he is a bad ass. For those reasons alone I would love to see him teamed with fellow Aussie Rich Thompson in the Angel's bullpen. Especially with the deterioration of Scot Shields, there is need for another back of the bullpen guy.