Los Angeles Angels: Decent starting pitchers that are still available
By Jason Reed
1. Danny Salazar
If the Los Angeles Angels want to add an arm that has a lot of upside while also having experience in the postseason then they should look no further than Danny Salazar. Salazar, an all-star in 2016, was once an intricate part of the Cleveland Indians staff that pitched its way to the World Series.
In that 2016 season, Salazar posted a 3.87 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 137 and one-third innings. In the previous season, Salazar posted an even better 3.45 ERA in 185 innings with 195 strikeouts.
Salazar has pitched in four postseason games, starting one, and has had mild success. He allowed three runs in four innings in his lone start but threw three scoreless innings in the 2016 World Series and one and two-thirds scoreless innings in the 2017 ALDS.
Salazar missed all of 2018 with injury and only made one start in 2019, also because of injury. As a result, the Indians released Salazar, who is still without a team in 2020.
The Angels do not need to sign Salazar to be the savior of the rotation, as none of these signings provide that, but he could be a depth option that at the very least could be an impact arm out of the bullpen or a short-outing opener.
We have seen Hyun-Jin Ryu bounce back after almost two entire years of injury and at 30 years old, Salazar still has enough in the tank for us to believe that he can make an impact.