The Los Angeles Angels have been very busy this offseason, being in the mix for a variety of free agents, and signing third baseman Anthony Rendon to a seven-year deal. While that is a tremendous help to the Angels’ lineup, the overall consensus seems to be that the Angels aren’t done.
Most people would agree that the biggest need for theLos Angeles Angelsthis offseason was starting pitching. Last year, the pitching staff was only able to post a collective ERA of 5.12 while playing in what is considered to be a pitcher friendly park.
With top free agents likeGerrit ColeandStephen Strasburgoff of the market, the Angels may need to move quickly to acquire starters before they are all gone.
Two of the most likely free-agent options that are still on the market would beHyun-Jin Ryu, andDallas Keuchel. The benefits of signing one of them being there are less risk involved. While both of these starters have had outstanding seasons in the past, they are not going to command the same money or years as Cole and Strasburg.
The Halos have also expressed interest in a trade to acquire more starting pitching. The two options brought up have been the Red SoxDavid Price, and the IndiansCorey Kluber.
To get either one of them, the Angels are looking at giving up an infielder likeLuis Rengifo,Tommy La Stella, or evenAndrelton Simmons. As well as giving up a prospect likeBrandon Marshand throwing in a young starter.
Aside from pitching, the Angels are also looking for some help behind the plate. The free agent options for catchers seem to be a little thin for the Halos, but it seems thatMartin MaldonadoorJason Castromight be the guy.
Neither of them played a full season last year, which may suggest that the Angels are looking to have more of a catcher by committee, between either the two of them or one of them and a catcher currently in the organization. The Angels ran a similar system last year, with a ton of catchers that made starts in an Angel uniform.
The Los Angeles Angels seem very motivated to make a push this offseason so that next season they are playoff contenders late in the year. With Rendon to bolster the lineup, two starting pitchers to help stabilize the rotation, and a more consistent presence behind the plate, the halos begin to look like a team that could make a run.
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