3 moves for the Los Angeles Angels this offseason
The Los Angeles Angels have a problem. No matter how much money they spend in free agency, they simply cannot get over the hump. The Angels have not made the postseason since 2014 when they were eliminated in three games in the ALDS. That run of futility is certainly attracting plenty of attention.
Some of that attention is coming from the players. Mike Trout has been vocal that he expects big things from the organization this offseason. Shohei Ohtani had indicated that he would not commit to the Angels for the long term unless they began to win, but walked those statements back. There is a lot of pressure to get this offseason right.
Three moves for the Los Angeles Angels
The problems for the Angels are the same as they have been in the past couple few years. In theory, the front office should understand the assignment before them. But that has not been the case in the past, so why should anything change now?
Let’s take a look at three things the Los Angeles Angels should do this offseason.
Take the training wheels off Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani literally had a historical season in 2021. But it is possible that he could do so much more.
Ohtani was in the lineup nearly every day for the Los Angeles Angels. He put together a season that would have kept him in MVP consideration with the bat alone, producing a 158 OPS+ with 46 homers, 26 doubles, and a major league leading eight triples in his 639 plate appearances. To further illustrate his status as the most talented player in baseball, he also stole 26 bases.
He was equally great on the mound. Although he missed some time with a blister issue and the Angels limited his innings, Ohtani still posted a 3.18 ERA and a 1.090 WHiP, numbers that were all the more impressive given his command issues at the beginning of the year. He struck out 156 batters in his 130.1 innings, issuing just 44 walks, 19 of which came in his first 18.2 innings.
And now, it is time to let Ohtani go. He has the potential to be a top of the rotation arm if he can stay healthy while being that impact bat in the middle of the lineup. The Angels are in desperate need of both. It is time for the training wheels to come off and for Ohtani to take his turn every fifth day.
Shohei Ohtani is a superstar on the mound and in the lineup. It is time that the Los Angeles Angels let him fly.
Bring back Raisel Iglesias
The Los Angeles Angels’ approach to their pitching staff has been to slap one year bandages on it and hope for the best. One of those players actually worked out in 2021.
Raisel Iglesias was acquired as a salary dump from the Reds during the last offseason. He had bounced back from a rough 2019 season, looking like a solid closer once again during the pandemic shortened season. However, he was still a bit of a question mark, especially as the 2020 campaign was very much an outlier.
Iglesias proved that he was back to being an elite closer last year. He notched 34 saves while posting a 2.57 ERA and a 0.929 WHiP in his 70 innings, striking out 103 batters with 12 walks. His 11 homers allowed were troublesome, but Iglesias held opponents to a .610 OPS to mitigate those home run problems.
Even with his tendency to give up the long ball, he is clearly the top closer in free agency. He should also be one of the Angels’ top priorities, especially as they look to contend going forward. Locking in the ninth inning will make fixing the rest of the bullpen much easier.
The Los Angeles Angels have a few holes in their bullpen. Bringing Raisel Iglesias back will make a major difference in solving those problems.
Bring in an actual top of the rotation arm
Another offseason, and the same top priority remains for the Los Angeles Angels. They still need to find an actual top of the rotation arm to headline their pitching staff.
The rotation as is has some promise. Shohei Ohtani pitched as though he was an ace in 2021. There are several young arms that could be assets in the coming years. But Ohtani, and those other arms, are still relatively unproven. The Angels need that proven ace.
Mike Trout has someone in mind. He has stated that he wants the Angels to bring Max Scherzer to the AL, giving them that proven ace that they desperately need. Scherzer would certainly be an upgrade, and his bulldog mentality would hopefully wear off on the rest of the rotation.
Even if the Angels are unable to land Scherzer, there will potentially be other options. Noah Syndergaard, Clayton Kershaw, and Kevin Gausman may have question marks, but they would all solidify the top of the Angels’ rotation. However, they need to make sure that they land one of those top arms, otherwise the offseason will just be another missed opportunity.
Trout expects big things from Angels this offseason. dark. Next
The Los Angeles Angels still need to find an ace. That needs to happen this offseason.