Los Angeles Angels: Cole Hamels is worth pursuing this winter
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Angels enter the offseason needing to pursue one thing above all else: starting pitching, and could benefit from the services of Cole Hamels.
The Los Angeles Angels had an offense that could do damage last season. Led by the best baseball player on the planet in Mike Trout, the Angels could produce runs when they needed to produce runs.
The Angels finished 16th in fWAR among MLB teams (in large part due to Trout) and finished 17th in runs scored. However, most of the second half was useless baseball for the Angels and their true offensive value came in the first half, where they ranked eighth in runs scored.
The offense could absolutely use some improvements but as it is right now, it is good enough to make the playoffs, with the proper pitching alongside it. And that is where the Angels fell apart, as they were historically bad at pitching last season.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
Angel starting pitchers finished with the worst combined WAR (3.3) in baseball and the second-worst ERA (5.64). The one team below the Angels was the Colorado Rockies, who have a built-in excuse.
To put it into perspective, 37 MLB starters had at least a 3.3 WAR last season and since 2000 there have only been nine teams with a worst starting pitcher ERA than the 2019 Angels, two of which were the Rockies.
The Angels need pitching and most fans have been looking towards the big fish in the pond in Gerrit Cole. While Cole would give the team the front-of-the-rotation ace that is needed to make a playoff run, there is still uncertainty behind him and the front office needs to add more depth as well.
That is where someone such as Cole Hamels comes into play.
Hamels is a free agent this winter and is nearing the end of his career. Hamels stated that he was willing to take a series of one-year deals for the rest of his career, which is perfect for the Angels, who could get Hamels’ veteran presence without long-term financial ties.
Hamels has continued to pitch well late into his career. He made 27 starts for the Chicago Cubs in 2019 and posted a 3.81 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 141 and one-third innings. He finished the year with a 2.5 WAR.
He would be a great crafty left-handed veteran to bring in to eat innings for the Angels as well as help aid the progression of both Andrew Heaney and Shohei Ohtani. He could be what Matt Harvey was supposed to be for the team last season.
Plus, Hamels already has some connection to the Angels with manager Joe Maddon, who managed Hamels in Chicago the last two seasons.
The one potential hang-up is Hamels’ interest in returning to the Philadelphia Phillies and helping them win a World Series. All Philly really needs to do is offer Hamels a contract and he will sign there but perhaps he could be lured to Anaheim with a slightly larger contract.
The Los Angeles Angels need a veteran arm more than the Phillies and should be willing to pay more, to a certain extent.
Next. Maddon won't solve all of the Angels' problems. dark
Plus, like we hear all the time (especially with Cole), Hamels has Southern California roots. He was born and raised in San Diego. Anaheim might not quite be home, but he would be close enough to play in front of his family.