NEW YORK — A season that began with an unfathomable tragedy did not end in the ultimate triumph.
What a story it would have been had the Angels won the World Series and dedicated the title to teammate Nick Adenhart, the 22-year-old pitcher who was killed in an April 9 automobile accident.
The New York Yankees tore up that script, ending the Angels' season Sunday night with a 5-2 victory to win the American League Championship Series and earn a berth opposite the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series, which begins Wednesday.
But the plot thickens for the Angels, who, with five key free agents, enter an off-season of intrigue and uncertainty and questions about whether they have -- or will have -- what it takes to knock off a Yankees club that could be a powerhouse for years.
"I don't feel like we need to add anything," second baseman Howie Kendrick said. "We had a great team, a lot of guys that are ready to compete. That's what you need, guys who will get dirty for you and play the game the right way, compete to the 27th out. Hopefully next year a lot of us will be back going for the same thing, the World Series."
Don't count on it. Not necessarily the "World Series" part but the "a lot of us will be back" part.
John Lackey, the team's ace, will be the top starter on the free-agent market, a right-hander who will probably command a contract of at least five years and $100 million.
Chone Figgins will be one of the top position players on the market, a speedy leadoff batter who should fetch a deal in the five-year, $50-million range, though his feeble postseason -- he hit .086 (three for 35) with three runs in nine games -- could cut into his value.
Right fielder Bobby Abreu was the steal of last winter, signing a one-year, $5-million deal and delivering huge dividends, hitting .293 with 96 runs, 94 walks, 15 home runs and 103 runs batted in.
The Angels are expected to make strong bids to retain Lackey, Figgins and Abreu, but they will face stiff competition for Lackey and Figgins, who will be courted by numerous teams, and will have to pay significantly more for Abreu.
Left-hander Darren Oliver, who was 5-1 with a 2.71 earned-run average in 63 games, is 39 and, like he did the last two winters, is contemplating retirement. There is a chance, but no guarantee, he'll be back.
