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Los Angeles Angels “Would You Rather?” Division Race Edition

By Sarah Maninger

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 01: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels catches a ball from Ian Kinsler #3 in reaction to his catch for an out of Ronald Guzman #67 of the Texas Rangers to end the sixth inning at Angel Stadium on June 1, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 01: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels catches a ball from Ian Kinsler #3 in reaction to his catch for an out of Ronald Guzman #67 of the Texas Rangers to end the sixth inning at Angel Stadium on June 1, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Angels
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Angels /

Q: Would You Rather the Los Angeles Angels trade for a reliever or a starter to stay in contention with the Astros and the Mariners?

The reality is this; the Angels desperately need bullpen help. If you are reading this, and you know someone who says that the problem with the Angels is that the rotation is subpar, laugh in their face.

Go ahead, I’ll wait.

The Angels’ rotation has been incredibly solid. They rank 11th in fWar (4.9 fWAR), just behind the Mariners rotation (5.1 fWAR). Shohei Ohtani had performed as expected, with 57K in only 45.1 IP.

Andrew Heaney is finally showing the potential that every Angel fan hoped he had, putting up a 1.5 fWAR so far (leading the rotation) and is coming off a complete game, one-hit performance against the Royals. Jaime Barria has been a revelation, as the 21-year-old boasts a 5-1 record and a 2.48 ERA.

Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs have had their share of struggles, but they still have each put up 1fWAR. Nick Tropeano is the worst performer of the rotation, but this is his first season coming off elbow surgery that kept him out over a year, and even he has put up positive value. In fact, in the last 30 days, the Angels rotation has a 2.81 ERA, good for the 5th best.

But my goodness, this bullpen has given me high blood pressure and indigestion night in and night out. They are tied for the league lead in blown saves, with 12. They are 8th in home runs allowed, with 28. They are 5th in walks allowed, with 99. As a whole, the bullpen is ranked 24th in fWAR.

The fact that this team is currently 34-28 is a miracle considering the teams best relievers are Jose Alvarez and Noe Ramirez, the latter of which was a waiver pickup last season. This bullpen is not ready for a postseason run, and it’s looking more and more like Eppler and company made a mistake by not going after some bullpen help in free agency over the winter.

As of right now, the Angels are only five games back from first and three games back from the second wild-card spot. They need to make moves to get some reliable bullpen arms onto this team.

Whether it means trading some prospects or even some major league talent (looking at you Kole Calhoun), something needs to be done immediately. Because if this is what the Angels are going to stick with, it’s going to be a very long summer for the Halos.

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