3 questions Angels hope to sort out in new year
This story was excerpted from Rhett Bollinger’s Angels Beat publication. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it usually in your inbox.
One of the membership’s largest points final season was not having sufficient depth, particularly when key gamers comparable to Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, Taylor Ward, David Fletcher and Jared Walsh sustained accidents. So common supervisor Perry Minasian made it a purpose so as to add high quality veterans to the roster, and he was in a position to do this early within the offseason. On Dec. 22, he added Drury.
Even after the Drury signing, the Angels aren’t essentially carried out bettering the roster. They’re nonetheless trying so as to add to their rotation and bullpen this offseason, and so they is also out there for a catcher.
There’s nonetheless loads to type out earlier than Spring Training, so listed below are three questions dealing with the Angels subsequent 12 months:
1. What is the center infield going to appear to be?
Drury, whose two-year deal is value $17 million, seems more likely to see most of his time at second base. That implies that Luis Rengifo and Fletcher are more likely to break up time at shortstop, with Andrew Velazquez and Livan Soto additionally in that blend. Urshela may see some restricted time within the center infield, though he’s extra more likely to play each nook spots based mostly on matchups and to present regulars Rendon and Walsh a break. Rendon and Walsh are each coming off injury-plagued seasons, though they’re each anticipated to be totally wholesome heading into Spring Training. The Angels additionally signed veteran nook infielder Jake Lamb to a Minor League deal to additional improve their infield depth.
The membership lacks a real on a regular basis shortstop, nevertheless it seems doubtless it can combine and match within the infield this season with the standard veterans it has added.
2. Who would be the sixth starter?
The Angels have 5 starters with assured spots within the rotation after signing Anderson, as he joins Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers and José Suarez. But the Halos are going to go along with a six-man rotation once more this 12 months, with some shuffling to maintain Ohtani pitching each sixth day in an effort to get him a couple of extra begins this season. The Angels may signal a veteran in free company or swing a commerce, however additionally they have a number of inside choices. Right-handers Griffin Canning and Chris Rodriguez are each coming off accidents that saved them out of motion in 2022, however they’re anticipated to be wholesome in time for Spring Training and may very well be intriguing choices. Other candidates embody Chase Silseth, Tucker Davidson and Jaime Barría, whereas Los Angeles additionally has a number of prospects thought-about near the Majors, comparable to Davis Daniel, Ky Bush and Sam Bachman.
Adding a veteran to deliver some stability to that group would make some sense, nevertheless, even when it’s a starter on a one-year deal — very like they did final 12 months with Noah Syndergaard and Michael Lorenzen.
3. Who would be the nearer?
Estévez is the favourite to function nearer, as he has some expertise in that position with the Rockies (25 profession saves, together with 11 in 2021). It’ll be intriguing to see how his stuff performs away from the altitude at Coors Field, as he’s been a way more efficient pitcher on the street all through his profession. He’s more durable on righties than lefties, nevertheless, so the Angels may use matchups within the ninth inning, deploying lefties Aaron Loup and José Quijada when wanted. Right-handers Jimmy Herget and Ryan Tepera even have restricted closing expertise and will fill that position when obligatory.
Estévez, although, nonetheless has to win after which maintain the job, so nothing is assured simply but. There’s additionally nonetheless an opportunity the Angels may purchase a veteran nearer, though signing Estévez made that much less doubtless.
