The Los Angeles Angels have been somewhat busy this offseason.
Carlos Estevez was brought in to help stabilize the bullpen. Tyler Anderson is a gamble but should add another solid arm to the middle of their rotation. Gio Urshela, Hunter Renfroe, and Brandon Drury will help a lineup that was far too reliant on Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout to produce all of their offense. However, for all of those additions, the Angels still need to add pieces to their rotation if they are actually going to contend.
Los Angeles Angels finally ready to address rotation
That time is coming. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Angels are considering both Nathan Eovaldi and Corey Kluber as they look to add another piece to their rotation.
Eovaldi may be the best pitcher left in free agency, but he does come with an added price since he turned down the Red Sox Qualfying Offer. He also missed time last season due to issues with his back and shoulder. He was solid when he was on the mound, posting a 3.87 ERA and a 1.235 WHiP over his 109.1 innings, striking out 103 batters with 20 walks. If healthy, he would be a solid option as a second or third starter in Los Angeles.
Kluber is not the same pitcher he had been before, having posted a 4.34 ERA and a 1.213 WHiP in his 164 innings, striking out 139 batters with 21 walks. At 37 years old, he is clearly on the downside of his career but would be a solid piece in the back of the Angels rotation.
The Angels do have the beginnings of a solid rotation. Ohtani would be an ace in almost any rotation. Patrick Sandoval and Jose Suarez are respectable pieces in the middle of their rotation. Anderson should be a solid middle of the rotation arm in his own right. Reid Detmers has the potential to be a solid arm in his own right. Adding someone such as Eovaldi or Kluber could make a significant difference.
The Los Angeles Angels are reportedly looking to add to their rotation. Adding Nathan Eovaldi or Corey Kluber would be a step in the right direction.