Los Angeles Angels: Has this offseason been a disappointment?

Dallas Keuchel signed a three year, $55.5 million deal with the Chicago White Sox, as the Los Angeles Angels missed out on yet another free agent pitching option. With a desperate need for starting pitching, this offseason is beginning to look like a disappointment for the Halos.

Let’s go back to the beginning of December, the Los Angeles Angels are the favorites to land free agent Gerrit Cole, potentially in the mix for Stephen Strasburg, and had all the possibilities in the world.

The clear assumption would be that the Angels would sign a top starter, another starting pitcher, and attempt to find a catcher for cheap. Even with those signings, there could still be money available if you try to get another starter or bolster the bullpen.

Eventually, both of those players would sign with other clubs, and the Angels would miss out on free agent Dallas Keuchel, and a trade for Corey Kluber. On Sunday night, the team missed out on the last big-name available as Hyun-Jin Ryu signed a four-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

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While the asking price for starting pitching is definitely high, it is unfortunately a price the Angels need to pay. With how much the starting staff struggled last season, this is the first need that should’ve been addressed. That need seems to have been abandoned now as the halos have added a few decent pitching options and third basemen, Anthony Rendon.

The Angels are not exactly an offensive powerhouse, but they have potential with young infielders, and a top prospect in Jo Adell.

Was another reliable bat helpful in solidifying the lineup? Absolutely, however, that was not the key issue for this team last season. The new direction the team seems to be taking is an offensive heavy path while making the starting pitching serviceable.

I think this is a big mistake as you have seen time and time again that pitching wins ball games. Really think about the best teams recently, and think about how good their starting pitching is. When you have good pitching it keeps you in games and puts pressure on opposing teams and their starting pitchers.

The clearest example of this would be the most recent World Series. Good pitching will beat out good hitting, and the Los Angeles Angels had a chance this season to load up on premium pitching talent.

With how much money the Angels had to spend this offseason, you have to look at this as a wasted opportunity. Yes, they would have spent a ton to land premium pitching, but it would have been worth it in the long run.

It also would not hurt the Angels for the future because in the Angels will get Andrelton Simmons off their payroll after this upcoming season, and Albert Pujols off their payroll after the following season. This would free up a bunch off money to help cut payroll if that was needed, or to add more pieces if need be.

A signing of Cole or Strasburg also creates excitement from your fanbase. Over the past few seasons, the Angels have not been a relevant franchise and other than Mike Trout or Shohei Ohtani, there are not players that generate big excitement for the fans. Bringing in big-name free agents helps energize the fans which can energize the team.

With one offseason the Angels could have addressed their biggest need, energized fan interest, created media interest in them, and become playoff contenders. However, this offseason has been none of that for the Halos. People will be excited to see Rendon in the lineup with Trout and Ohtani, but how much better did that move really make the team?

In a sense, the team just paid 35 million dollars a year for a great third baseman that was not desperately needed. At this moment, I see the Angels as possible contenders for the second wild-card spot in the American League. They are still far away from competing for the division title, and with a very competitive American League, it is not an easy road.

There is still speculation that the Angels are looking for a trade to add starting pitching or even a catcher, so I would be surprised if the halos don’t make any more moves.

Next. How the Angels can take Betts from the Dodgers. dark

However, with the anticipation and promise that this offseason brought to the table, it is not a great offseason for the Angels. Grading their signings thus far I would give this offseason a C-. Unless there is more to come, I see more struggles for the Los Angeles Angels ahead.

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