ANAHEIM -- Angels general manager Perry Minasian has reiterated many times this offseason that he only wants to bring in players who really want to be with the ballclub.

That’s certainly the case with new addition Brandon Drury, who grew up an Angels fan and also has a strong relationship with manager Phil Nevin, dating back to when Drury was in the Minor Leagues.

Drury, who signed with the Angels on a two-year deal worth $17 million on Dec. 22, grew up in Grants Pass, Ore., but took yearly trips to Anaheim for vacation. Drury said it’s always been a dream to play for the club he grew up rooting for, and that he turned down more lucrative offers to sign with the Angels.

“My family and I were Angels fans, so we’re really familiar with the area,” Drury said. “We used to go to Angels games and Disneyland as a kid all the time. So I really like being closer to home. And I feel like the team is so close to being really good. They’re really on the cusp of being a great team.”

Drury, 30, is coming off a career year with the Reds and Padres, in which he slashed .263/.320/.492 with 28 homers, 31 doubles and 87 RBIs in 138 games. The Angels had interest in him last offseason but he ultimately signed with the Reds on a Minor League deal after taking some advice from Nevin, who felt Drury would get more playing time in Cincinnati.

The decision worked out for Drury, and now he’s reunited with Nevin, who was his manager at Triple-A Reno in 2015 and ’16 when Drury was in the D-backs organization. Drury also played with the Yankees in 2018, when Nevin was the club’s third base coach.

“Phil Nevin is one of my favorite coaches I’ve played for in baseball,” Drury said. “I had him in the Minor Leagues and with the Yankees in the big leagues. Me and Nev have a great relationship.”

Nevin will now be tasked with deciding where Drury will play, as the Angels are expected to mix and match in the infield -- especially after also acquiring veteran Gio Urshela via a trade with the Twins. Drury and Urshela are both best at third base, but veteran Anthony Rendon is entrenched there. Rendon, though, has had his share of injury problems, so Drury and Urshela will provide insurance. The Halos also improved their outfield depth with the signing of fan favorite Brett Phillips on Monday night.

Drury is likely to see most of his time at second base and could also serve as a platoon partner with the left-handed-hitting Jared Walsh at first base. Drury did a lot of his damage against left-handed pitchers in 2022, batting .299 with a .955 OPS and 12 home runs in only 155 plate appearances. He batted .248 with a .757 OPS and 16 home runs in 413 plate appearances against righties.

“I was told [that] I’ll play all over the infield,” Drury said. “First, third, short, second -- I’m coming to Spring Training ready to play the middle of the infield. First and third are a little bit more natural for me and I’ve been there a lot in my career. So I’ve really been training this offseason [with] my agility and range.”

Drury is also intent on proving that last season’s offensive output wasn’t a fluke, as he believes he made meaningful mechanical changes to his swing that brought better results. Drury has always had power but now he knows how to utilize it better.

“I made some swing changes and really tried to focus on pulling the ball more,” Drury said. “I felt like I started to learn to pull the ball more the previous season with the Mets but I didn’t really get much opportunity. It started to click but I couldn’t get out of a pinch-hit role. But this year I got an opportunity to play, and I just learned how to pull the ball without forcing it.”

The Angels hired Wayne Randazzo to be their primary play-by-play television announcer for the 2023 season on Bally Sports West, the club announced last week. Randazzo was hired away from the Mets, where he served as a play-by-play announcer for Mets radio.

Randazzo will remain the lead broadcaster for Apple TV+ broadcasts on Friday nights, so he’ll be imited to roughly 130 games next season. Matt Vasgersian or Patrick O’Neal will fill in as play-by-play announcer when Randazzo isn’t available. Mark Gubicza is returning for a 17th season as color commentator.

"I'm incredibly grateful to the Los Angeles Angels and Bally Sports West for the wonderful opportunity to be the new television voice of the Angels,” said Randazzo in a statement. “I can't wait to get started alongside my new partners Mark Gubicza, Erica Weston and the production crew to bring Angels baseball to our great fans."

Who owns the Angels record for most doubles in a season with 56?

A. Troy Glaus
B. Albert Pujols
C. Garret Anderson
D. Vladimir Guererro

The Angels clinched the first postseason berth in franchise history on Sept. 25, 1979, as lefty Frank Tanana got Darrell Porter to ground out to end the game and give the Angels a 4-1 win over the Royals. It was especially sweet for Tanana, who missed three months that season with a left shoulder injury.

C. Garret Anderson

Anderson hit 56 doubles in 2002 to lead the American League. He also led the league with 49 doubles in ’03.

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