In looking forward to the 2013 season, I thought I’d take apart the Angels starting line-up one by one, starting with baseball’s prodigal son, Josh Hamilton.

Hamilton hopes to connect wearing red.

For the second straight season, Jerry Dipoto and the Angels pulled off a stealth free agent blockbuster deal. A year after luring Albert Pujols from his vaunted place in St. Louis history, they stole away Texas outfielder and former MVP Josh Hamilton at 5 years and 125 million. Below are reactions from some of the Halos Daily staff (with my own thoughts at the bottom).

Zack Greinke enters the free agent market at an ideal time, with the dearth of available starting pitching promising him a number of ever-increasing offers. Reports place Greinke’s value at 6 years and $150 million and if that total sounds steep, repeat after me. B.J. Upton. $75 million.

Defying the logic of aging patterns, Japanese import Hiroki Kuroda put together his finest season this year at age 37. Despite the likielihood that the New York Yankees decide to resign Kuroda, he remains an attractive rotation option thanks to The Big 3: Durability, Effectiveness, and the rarest gem of all, a Preference For One Year Contracts.

On Halloween, the Angels decided to conclude the often-nightmarish tenure of Angel starter Ervin Santana by trading him to the Kansas City Royals for lefty reliever Brandon Sisk.