The Angels have released 27-year old righty swinging outfielder Chris Petit. Petit played in 1 game for the Angels last year but he didn’t get any ABs. He also played in 124 games in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 83 for 455 (.182 avg, .587 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 10 homers, 67 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Petit played in 11 games in 2 years with the Angels and he was 2 for 7 (.286 avg, .571 OPS) with 2 runs scored. This is no loss for the Angels.

The Angels are going to be one of the most improved teams in the majors in 2012 as they have reloaded. Here is a look at the new guys that the Angels have signed or traded for so far this winter:

In the field: The Angels made the biggest splash in the free agent market when they inked Albert Pujols to a robust 10-year deal. Pujols is going to make the whole Angels’ lineup better starting in 2012. The Angels also dealt for catcher Chris Iannetta and he will give them some thump in the order where their once was none, as they didn’t get much production offensively from their catchers in 2011. 1B/3B Jorge Cantu and outfielder Ryan Langerhans will battle for bench jobs this spring for the Angels.

On the mound: On the same day that the Angels signed Albert Pujols….they also inked lefty starting pitcher C.J. Wilson. Wilson’s addition will help the Angels, while also sticking it to his old team (the Rangers). The Angels also signed righty reliever LaTroy Hawkins early on in the free agent market and he should be a nice asset late in games. Lefty starter/reliever Brad Mills will likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball, but a change of scenery might spark him to pitch up to his ability.

Overall: The Angels are going to be one of the best teams in all of baseball in 2012.

The Los Angeles Angels have signed 28-year old lefty swinging outfielder Drew Macias to a minor league deal. Macias played in 93 games in AAA+rookie ball last year and he was 77 of 294 (.262 avg, .796 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 9 homers, 37 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. He last played in the majors back in 2009 with the Padres. Macias has played in 69 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 19 for 96 (.198 avg, .661 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 3 homers and 12 RBIs. He will be a longshot to win a job on the Angels’ bench this spring.

The Angels have signed 30-year old lefty swinging outfielder Doug Deeds. Deeds played in 55 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 51 for 205 (.249 avg, .747 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 7 homers, 32 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 953 games in his first 10 years in the minors and he is 959 of 3,271 (.293 avg, .843 OPS) with 536 runs scored, 92 homers, 449 RBIs and 47 stolen bases. The Angels will likely stash Deeds in AAA-ball in 2012.

The Angels have signed 29-year old righty swinging 1B/3B Jorge Cantu to a minor league deal. Cantu played in 57 games for the Padres last year and he was 28 of 144 (.194 avg, .517 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 3 homers and 16 RBIs. He has now played in 847 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 847 of 3,128 (.271 avg, .755 OPS) with 367 runs scored, 104 homers, 476 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Cantu will be a longshot to make the Angels out of spring training.