Trade Deadline Preview: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Jun 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Grilli (39) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Los Angels beat Kansas City 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
I think we can all agree that the Angels biggest weakness is their bullpen, basically every aspect of it. Their offense is solid and starting pitching is good about ninety-five percent of the time which is all you need to win. There are times when their starting pitching falters but that is a hazard every team has to deal with, a pitcher having a bad outing. However they could benefit from getting another starter. So for the Angels it seems most prudent to address the areas of the bullpen where they can improve and find a starter that they could possibly add.
1. The Angels need a closer. Sure, they did just trade for Jason Grilli but he’s a guy who just lost his closing job with the Pirates before joining the Angels. If the Angels are smart they won’t start him out as a closer. A late-inning reliever maybe but no more than that. Joe Smith has been closing for the Angels lately and doing well, although he hasn’t had enough time to truly prove himself as an established closer which is what the Angels need.
2. If the Angels do decide to go with Smith as their closer then they’ll need a new setup man and it doesn’t appear that Grilli will be a guy that they can count on even though he’s had success in previous seasons, it appears the pitcher is on his way out. They have guys like Cory Rasmus and Kevin Jepsen , and just signed another right-hander Rich Hill but they still need a strong lefty to round out the pen. The Angels need to be on the look out for relief pitchers to cover the mid to late innings.
3. The Angels have a good starting rotation in Garrett Richards, C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver but the back end of their rotation could use an upgrade. Tyler Skaggs, who was recently on the disabled list with a hamstring strain, can be seen as questionable. Can he stay healthy? Also both he and Hector Santiago have ERA’s over 4.00 which is not terrible is also not championship material.