"The Angels were in contention for a playoff spot right down to the final week of the season, but their 86-76 record ultimately was a disappointment and failure. It is the first time since the 2000 and 2001 seasons the Angels have gone back-to-back years without a playoff appearance.

"It was a roller-coaster year," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "It turned us inside and out. It teased us; we just didn't play at a high enough level at the end of the season.

"We need to get better, no doubt we need to get better."

The Angels stayed in the pennant race because of the starting pitching of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana, and the emergence of first baseman Mark Trumbo, the probable Rookie of the Year winner.

An overall lack of depth caught up to the Angels in the end.

"I think we proved we're close," Scioscia said. "But there's a separation there (between the Angels and the American League West champ Texas Rangers) we need to close.""