Scioscia: Angels can return to contention in 2017

ANAHEIM — The Angels are coming off a disappointing season, but manager Mike Scioscia says he firmly believes the organization can return to contention in 2017.

“I don’t think we’re back as far as maybe the perception is,” Scioscia said Tuesday from a meeting room in the bowels of a mostly quiet Angel Stadium.

The Angels suffered from a litany of injuries, plus a lack of depth and inconsistency, to finish 74-88, fourth in the American League West.

Still, Scioscia sees plenty of reasons to be optimistic as the Angels prepare for a turnaround next year.

“I think that as disappointing as this season was with our won-loss record — believe me, we feel it, this is obviously not where we intended to be, and it was a rough season — but I think within that, there were definitely some things that point towards us being closer to reversing that record than going the other way and having another year like we did this year,” the manager said.

The top of the lineup was not an issue, with Yunel Escobar, Kole Calhoun, Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and C.J. Cron all contributing.

“I think the potential is there to put us where we need to be quickly,” Scioscia said of the offense. “We do need to bring some talent in, no doubt about that.”

Scioscia was pleased with a retooled bullpen that rebounded down the stretch despite losing closer Huston Street and Cam …

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