Not done yet: Busy Angels seek more at Winter Meetings
ANAHEIM — The Angels have been busy early this offseason, however they are going to look to make extra progress in bettering their roster with the annual Winter Meetings arising Sunday by means of Wednesday in San Diego.
“We’ll continue to look to improve,” Minasian mentioned. “There are definitely areas where I still think we could use a boost, whether that’s in the rotation, the bullpen or the infield. I feel like there are opportunities out there and we’ll explore all of them.”
• Sunday, Dec. 4: HOF Contemporary Era Ballot outcomes launched (Albert Belle, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Dale Murphy, Rafael Palmeiro, Curt Schilling)
• Monday, Dec. 5: All-MLB Team introduced
• Tuesday, Dec. 6: Inaugural Draft Lottery, AL/NL Relievers of Year introduced
• Wednesday, Dec. 7: Rule 5 Draft
The Angels have addressed their rotation, infield and outfield, however they’re nonetheless available in the market for a shortstop and bullpen assist, along with possibly yet another starter. The Halos have some depth within the center infield with David Fletcher, Luis Rengifo, Livan Soto and Andrew Velazquez, however including an on a regular basis shortstop could be big for the lineup. There are star shortstops out there in free company comparable to Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson and Xander Boagerts, but it surely’s unclear if the Angels could be prepared to make that type of splash.
The bullpen can be a necessity, particularly after buying and selling nearer Raisel Iglesias to the Braves on the Trade Deadline. The Angels signed Chris Devenski to a Minor League deal on Monday, however the ‘pen stays a prime precedence. The Halos might additionally add a starter, though it’s extra seemingly they might signal a participant like Michael Lorenzen to a one-year deal than make one other splash signing for a starter.
Potential commerce candidates
The Angels have been prepared to surrender pitching, as they traded 4 pitchers to purchase Urshela and Renfroe. Outfielder Jo Adell additionally might be a commerce candidate, particularly after they acquired Renfroe to be an on a regular basis outfielder together with Mike Trout and Taylor Ward.
The Angels’ No. 1 prospect is catcher Logan O’Hoppe, who was acquired within the commerce that despatched Brandon Marsh to the Phillies. He reached the Majors late final season and is predicted to share time at catcher with Max Stassi. Shortstop Zach Neto is the Halos’ No. 2 prospect and was the No. 13 decide in final yr’s Draft. He reached Double-A Rocket City and is on the quick monitor to the Majors. O’Hoppe and Neto are the membership’s solely untouchable prospects.
The Angels left shortstop Jeremiah Jackson (No. 13 prospect) and outfielder Jordyn Adams (No. 20) uncovered to the Rule 5 Draft. There’s an opportunity both might get taken, as they each reached Double-A final yr and have loads of potential, however their manufacturing has been uneven. The Angels have a full 40-man roster and must make a roster transfer to choose.
How way more are the Angels prepared to spend this offseason?
Owner Arte Moreno is exploring a sale of the membership, however Minasian has been in a position to spend cash freely early within the offseason — as Anderson will make $13 million subsequent yr, whereas Renfroe is because of make roughly $11 million in arbitration and Urshela is predicted to make about $9 million by way of arbitration.
The Angels nonetheless have a number of holes to fill, and it’s unclear in the event that they’ll proceed so as to add gamers within the final yr of their contracts, like Renfroe and Urshela, or in the event that they’ll add extra gamers by way of multiyear offers, like Anderson. Minasian has mentioned Moreno needs to place a successful membership on the sphere and that it’s been business as standard to date. But it’ll be attention-grabbing to see how aggressive they’re the remainder of the offseason.
