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Los Angeles Angels: 2015 Offseason Tracker

By Ryan W Krol

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Jul 8, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels third baseman David Freese (6) hits a single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the eighth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Angels have started settling their last arbitration cases, and have solved up some depth issues. Here is the offseason tracker for the start of 2015.

Arbitration:

Saturday, January 31

Thursday, January 28

  • Angels avoid arbitration with third-baseman David Freese, agreeing to $6.425MM.

Saturday, January 17

  • Starting pitcher Garrett Richards and the Angels are $1.4MM apart. Richards filed at $3.8MM, while the Angels countered at $2.4MM.

Friday, January 16

  • Third baseman David Freese filed at $7.6MM. Angels countered $5.25MM.
  • Outfielder Matt Joyce filed for $5.2MM. Angels are at $4.2MM.
  • Outfielder Collin Cowgill avoided arbitration with the Angels for $995K.
  • The Angels avoided arbitration with reliever Fernando Salas today, and signed the 29-year-old right-hander to a $1.37 million contract for the 2015 season.

Thursday, January 15

  • Catcher Drew Butera and the Angels agreed to a one-year, $987.5K deal.
  • The Halos and southpaw swingman Hector Santiago settled on a one-year, $2.29MM deal.
  • The Angels agreed to a one-year, $1.312MM contract with left-handed reliever Cesar Ramos.

This list will update as more cases are settled.

Wheeling and Dealing

  • The Angels acquired Atlanta Braves’ third base prospect Kyle Kubitza, along with right-hander Nate Hyatt, for left-hander Ricardo Sanchez.

    • The Angels signed right-hander

    Ryan Mattheus

    to a minor league deal and invited him to Spring Training. After helping the Washington Nationals to their 2012 National League East Division Title, Mattheus (31)  struggled in 35 1/3 innings in 2013, with a 6.37 ERA. Rib injuries in 2014 limited Mattheus to 8 2/3 innings, allowing just one run. He also st

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    ruggled in Triple-A, posting a 5.80 ERA. For his career, Mattheus has a 3.60 ERA in 142 1/3 innings with 5.0 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9.

  • After being designated for assignment to make room for the newly acquired Kyle Kubitza from the Braves, first baseman/outfielder Marc Krauss cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A. Krauss hit .194/.279/.323 with six homeruns in 208 plate appearances for the Astros in 2014.
  • The Halos signed right-hander Steven Hensley to a minor league contract without a Spring Training invite. Hensley, 28, had a 2.09 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 60 1/3 innings with the Orioles’ Double-A affiliate in 2014.

    • Herrmann, 30, has logged 120 1/3 innings with a 2.48 strikeout to walk ratio, 4.14 FIP, 1.33 WHIP, 4.26 ERA, and is a Harvard grad.

    Stewart, 28, a third round pick by the Reds in 2008, has pitched for three different clubs, with his last action coming in 2012 for the Red Sox. He spent 2014 at Triple-A for the Braves. In 103 career innings, he is 3-10 with a 6.82 ERA.

  • Both pitchers have struggled in the Majors, and there is little reason to think they will play a significant role with the Big Club. This is simply GM Jerry Dipoto adding to the depth chart in case of emergency.The Angels inked right-handers Frank Herrmann and Zach Stewart to minor league deals. Herrmann will not get a spring training invite, but Stewart will be going to Tempe.
  • Yoslan Herrera was released by the club to join the Yokohama BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League. Herrera, 33, and a native of Cuba, posted a 2.70 ERA in 16 2/3 innings in his first stint at the Big League level since 2008. The righty also had a 7.0 K/9, and a 4.9 BB/9. Herrera was non-tendered, and then re-signed on a minor league deal.
  • Extension talks could begin in Spring Training, starting with closer Huston Street. The Halos are also open to extensions with catcher Chris Iannetta and starting pitcher Garrett Richards.

    • With over $128MM committed to just seven players for 2016, GM Jerry Dipoto would not say if he would pursue any top starting pitchers in next year’s free agent market.

     

    Bloop Hits

    • Dipoto told reporters that the club’s young pitching depth made it easier to deal Sanchez for Kubitza and Hyatt.  He said, “What we’ve done, in our draft or in the trades the way we’ve gathered players, is really focus these last three years on adding pitching. Part of what I have talked to our guys about is, ‘If you tap into the pitching, you have the key to get the other things we need.’ “
    • Dipoto also pointed out that Kubitza’s acquisition doesn’t necessarily mean that the team will move on from David Freese. Dipoto clarified, “David Freese is our third baseman; we’re not in a rush to move David Freese out.  But we do feel like now we have someone we can build with.”
    • The Kubitza trade added quality depth at third base for the future. This move also helped to bolster the Halos’ overall top prospect list. We could see a drastic rise in rank for their farm system in 2015.
    • By acquiring another third base prospect (as well as adding him to the 40-man roster), this might be a sign the Angels will pull the plug on flailing third base prospect Kaleb Cowart, and convert him into a pitcher.
    • Garrett Richards is expected to be ready by some point in April. Therefore, the club is not necessarily prioritizing another top starting pitcher acquisition. Although, if the opportunity arises, the front office will look into it.
    • The Angels are focusing more on adding relievers for 2015 and beyond.
    • The 2015 Angels Fan Cruise is set to sail one week from now! Check the team’s Facebook page for updates.
    • Latest updates have Richards being possibly ready for Opening Day



    Next: Los Angeles Angels Acquire Matt Joyce

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