The Angels are not aiming to make a big splash in the pitching market this offseason, general manager Billy Eppler tells Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. While the team will be “keeping an eye open” on available starters and relievers, Eppler’s focus is on upgrading an offense that finished 22nd in the majors in runs last season.
The Angels will “look for value, similar to what we did last year,” with regard to pitchers, Eppler said. The Eppler-led Halos only handed out two guaranteed contracts to pitchers last winter – $5.75MM to swingman Jesse Chavez and $1MM to reliever Andrew Bailey – neither of which worked out as hoped. On the other hand, Los Angeles struck gold when it claimed reliever Blake Parker off waivers and signed fellow relievers Yusmeiro Petit and Bud Norris to minor league contracts. Only one of those three, Parker, remains under club control heading into next season. Eppler isn’t sure whether the Angels will bring either Petit or Norris back, per Fletcher, who notes that they already have most of their 2018 bullpen in place with Parker, Cam Bedrosian, Jose Alvarez, Keynan Middleton, Noe Ramirez and Blake Wood on hand.
The Angels also have a variety of in-house rotation possibilities in Garrett Richards, Andrew Heaney, Tyler Skaggs, Matt Shoemaker, Nick Tropeano, Parker Bridwell and J.C. Ramirez, leading to Eppler’s confidence that a big-money addition isn’t necessary (notably, Eppler wasn’t willing to discuss a potential Shohei Ohtani pursuit, as he’s technically not a free agent yet). Although injuries marred the seasons of Richards, Heaney, Skaggs, Shoemaker, Ramirez and Tropeano (who didn’t pitch at all while recovering from 2016 Tommy John surgery), Fletcher relays that the only member of that group who hasn’t yet gotten medical clearance going into next year is Ramirez – whose 2017 ended in August on account of elbow soreness. The 29-year-old right-hander, who led all Angels holdovers in innings last season (142 1/3), will undergo an ultrasound on his elbow late this month, according to Fletcher.
While the Angels seem largely content with their pitchers, they could add at least one notable outsider to their group of position players, even after they managed to prevent left fielder Justin Upton from leaving in free agency. Along with Upton, center fielder Mike Trout, right fielder Kole Calhoun, shortstop Andrelton Simmons, designated hitter Albert Pujols and catcher Martin Maldonado figure to reprise their starting roles in 2018. That leaves the corner infield (either first or third, depending on where Luis Valbuena slots in) and second base ripe for upgrades.
The keystone looks like an especially big need, Fletcher observes, after Angels second basemen limped to a ghastly .207/.274/.318 batting line and a major league-worst 60 wRC+ last season. With Eppler looking for players who are adept at getting on base, previous trade target and current free agent Neil Walker (.362 OBP in 2017, .341 career) looks like someone who may pique the Angels’ interest, as MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk previously suggested when previewing their offseason in late October. And there are several possibilities LA could acquire via trade, including the Marlins’ Dee Gordon, whom it was interested in over the summer.
As for the corner infield, Eric Hosmer, Carlos Santana Logan Morrison, Yonder Alonso, Lucas Duda are at the top of the free agent class at first base (MLBTR projects the Angels to land Alonso). Alternatively, tthe Halos could hand the reins to Valbuena and C.J. Cron at first and and go for a third baseman, whether it’s Los Angeles native Mike Moustakas, Todd Frazier, Eduardo Nunez or Zack Cozart (if he’s willing to move off shortstop) in free agency or another player via trade.
Add a pitcher or two
I’ve always though Moustakas was a good fit for LAA.
I honestly do not think so. The Angels need guys that can get on base, that is not Moose’s strong suit. I would much rather prefer Frazier who is cheaper, would be less of a commitment, also hits dingerz, gets on base at a pretty nice clip, and can be a nice clubhouse presence. I honestly think 3/32 should get it done for Toddfather
Moustakas and Frazier played in the exact same about of games. Moustakas had 50 more hits. Moustakas had more doubles, more homers and more RBI’s. Yes Frazier had more walks. That’s it. The Angels need a left handed power hitter. Moustakas fits what the Angels need more than Frazier.
Frazier is a better baserunners, defender, and will certainly be had on a more affordable deal. So he’s better at the game of baseball and cheaper. What’s not to like?
I agree with you but he seems to be happy on the east coast and his family lives there as well. Unless he really wants to play with trout or he isn’t guaranteed to start by another team I don’t see him joining the angels.
The midwest you mean?
Think he was talking about Frazier…
Yeah I was talking about Frazier. I should have made that clear sorry about that
Angel been down hill since those ridiculous contracts a few years back. Seems that Arte is not as trigger happy to give big monies. Good luck in being LA’s other team
The last team in LA to win the World Series is…..
Well define in LA…… because in LA it was the Dodgers. In Anaheim, the OC, it was the Angels, but hey details……
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA….EXACTLY LOL!
So you start the conversation “Good luck in being LA’s other team” then immediately flip and say “we’ll define in LA” when called out. What exactly is your point? Try and find some consistency in your arguments. In or out of LA, who has won more recently?
Want to talk money and bad contracts? Name the team that has led baseball in payroll the last 5 years, over median payroll each of those years by at least 100 million, and that had a payroll 20% higher than the second highest payroll last year. They also have more GMs than a used car dealership. Yup, that would be the true LA team that has 0 rings in that time.
It pains me to defend the Angels, but come on stick to something you say.
They use LA’s name as marketing, but everyone here knows LA only has one team. They should be the Anaheim Angels and stop trying to siphon fans and money from the Dodgers.
As far as leading payroll, you’re right. But you’re argument is smoke and mirrors. This FO doesn’t operate as a big spender and everyone in the baseball world is bitter about it. They inherited a bloated payroll. Most of that luxury tax money has gone to fixing the prior regimes mistakes, while still remaining competitive. No rebuild here, unlike the Cubs and Astros that had the luxury of tanking for five years. So yes, we haven’t won a ring since ‘88. Enjoy hanging on to that little tidbit, but know that the Dodgers are going to be a powerhouse for a long time and I’ll take that over winning one year and floundering the rest.
I️ bet he doesn’t know who his team stole that LA sign from haha
A powehouse? with what pitching will this powerhouse exist. Dodgers just gonna alternative Kershaw and Hill on the mound?
Yea, no kidding. The “they’re not LA” argument cracks me up. As an expansion team we were the LA Angels for a couple of years AND the LA Angels were a PCL AAA team that the O’Malleys bought and took the LA logo that the Dodgers use today. Then O’Malley sold the Angels name to Autry and we had a modified LA logo. So technically we were here first … and in any even there are teams that have a name that aren’t a associated with where the play. Like the original LA Rams and NY Giants play in jersey
So how do the Angels do absolutely anything for Los Angeles County? How do the people of LA gain anything? Your stadium is in Orange County. The businesses in Orange County profit from the commerce and while they add to California as a state, nothing goes to Los Angeles. Just because you broke into the league as the Los Angeles Angels doesn’t mean you’re still tied to the city in any way. Next thing you know the Padres are going to want to change their name to the Los Angeles Padres of San Diego. Go home, Angels. Time to change your name.
But which team can you watch on DirectTV?
I’m sorry but but your argument isnt very good. I’m a dodgers fan and never understand why dodgers fan hate so hard on the angels. Technically they were here first, hence the angels being the team name. They the were forced to move because the dodgers being an established franchise had the rights to the land and domain in downtown la. You guys keep sayin Orange County but technically it’s still Los Angeles just on very outer cusp. Why can’t we have an al and nl team???
Angels handed Pujols a lifetime contract when he was 32. Josh Hamilton 125 million to play 1 season for them. Dodgers have never done anything that terrible
Doesn’t operate as big spenders ? They have useless contracts like kazmir, McCarthy and Gonzalez while they treat it like no big deal because they can afford to have a few of those contracts
Its simple. The Angels exist because the market can support 2 teams. Like Chicago, New York and the Bay Area. Dodgers are the dominant team in the city. Angels are for the people in the suburbs south of LA. I had no problem calling them Los Angeles when they beat the Giants in the world series
Because it is no big deal. Kazmir and Mac have 48 million dollar deals. Thats nothing for a big market team. its a minimal risk.
History matters: The Angels weren’t “forced” to move, and there should be zero difference on each club’s franchise territory (simply that one is NL and one is AL).
Gene Autry moved the franchise to Anaheim because the terms of his lease of Dodger Stadium had both franchises splitting the costs of the stadium down the middle, without regard to the attendance figures or which team’s games consumed more paper towels, toilet paper or soft drink cups.
Going to Anaheim was an inevitable move, given O’Malley’s passive-aggressive attitude towards the Angels.
Side note: First relocation offer for the Angels was from Long Beach—in LA County, of course—which was rejected due to LB’s requirement the team be renamed Long Beach Angels, which is almost as nonsensical as California Angels and Anaheim Angels.
The franchise name Angels, of course, drafts naturally from “Los Angeles” as a tie to the community, in the way Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros do—but that LA Dodgers and LA Lakers don’t. The concept of one, true franchise for LA being the Dodgers is as ridiculous as it is historically tone deaf. The Dodgers moved to LA 4 years before the LA Angels played in MLB, but only one of those two teams was *born* in LA. The name “Los Angeles Angels”, the first name for the franchise, fits as accurately in 2017 as in 1961.
The Angels were born in Los Angeles, that’s fine. The Dodgers are from Brooklyn and the Lakers from Minneapolis. Yes, great. But now, in 2017, their history has evolved into more than just beginnings. Los Angeles is Dodger Town. Those franchises chose to come here like most of the people in LA do. They cemented their roots here in Chavez Ravine and Staples Center. Both the Dodgers and the Lakers made LA their home and the people in this city represent them in gratitude for doing so. The Angels chose to move away. Where’s the loyalty? You say LA can support an AL and an NL team, it’s big enough ok fine. That may be true, but I say there’s only one team that is located in Los Angeles and puts on for the city of LA. That team is the Dodgers, not the Angels so stop with the posturing.
It’s not about “doing anything for LA County” for the Angels being LA Angels. It’s a throwback to where they came from … I don’t know a single Angel fan who wanted to or are trying to be tied to the city of LA
Andrew Jones, Juan Pierre, Jason Schmidt, Matt Kemp, Scott Kazmir, Mannu Ramirez
The Lakers resided not in LA, but in Inglewood, for decades. Of course, Inglewood in in the LA Metro area. So are Anaheim, Riverside, Fontana, San Dimas, Palmdale, and many other cities. To delimit a team being of Los Angeles to playing games within the city limit is too ridiculous to contemplate. But to your logic, the Inglewood Lakers should have been the name on the NBA Championship trophy.
Otherwise, you should likewise be calling for the renaming of the Dallas Cowboys, NY Giants, and other teams. It isn’t unusual for a team’s stadium or arena to be located outside the city limits.
Again, more than the fact the LA metro area can support two franchises, both teams claim the same geography as their territory granted to them by MLB. Astonishingly, more people in that market can watch the Angels on TV than the Dodgers.
Indeed, “where is the loyalty?”
Red Sox trade pretty close.
Neither the Giants nor the Jets play in New York….who cares?
The LA/OC conversation will NEVER end. Both sides need to get over it and worry about how their respective teams play on the field.
As an Angels fan, I don’t care what what city they claim. All I want is for them to not make anymore bonehead deals and get back to basics….Moving runners from 1st to 3rd, putting pressure on opposing pitchers, executing hit and runs, getting 7 innings out of starters and throwing a dependable bullpen.
Pitching, defense and situational hitting wins championships.
To your comprehensive list, I would add hitting with RISP. This has been a particularly appalling part of the Angel offense for years.
The dodgers are big chokers yea there L.A.s team bunch of phonies fakes & deamers .and over paid cry babies.enough said.
Pat yourself on the back. Truly a hot take.
Frankly the Doyers can have the sewer that is LA. We have Orange County.
Angles were right up in it until the last 10 days of season. And thats with the entire staff recovering from tj.
Smart move bringing back Upton think they will be better with all their pitchers back but they should definitely get another pitcher wether it’s by trade or free agency. Maybe Darvish. They need help in the bullpen also. But getting their team back next year with healthy pitching and Upton to start the season should help them a lot.
Gordon and Simmons up the middle sounds insanely intimidating.
Too bad the Angels farm system is a desert.
It’s not a deep farm system but they are better than most people think
It’s getting better, for sure. Never thought I’d say the Angels have a better farm system than the Cubs in 2018 but I’d actually make that argument. They can get Dee Gordon if they wanted him.
Because the Cubs traded every single good prospect they bad or they graduated.
had*
That’s true. The moves made by Eppler to restock the minors, along with intelligent draft picks, have made the Angels’ farm far from the worst. The lost picks due to signing Wilson/Pujols/Hamilton et al put a hole in the pipeline, but that is being remedied on the fly.
Frankly, the statement about the Angels having the worst farm depth in MLB is just a lazy trope used by bloggers who really don’t pay much attention to the team because they play on the West Coast.
I have a feeling it happens… partially because Gordon was sent to Miami and replaced by Kendrick. Would be funny to see him replace Kendrick (a few years removed) from his old stomping grounds. Angels can possibly work it out if they take a bad contract on as well like Prado or Chen.
Angels could so easily trade for gordon if they wanted to. Any team has the power to get him
Yu darvish no way he’s a big choker ,albert should retire he can’t even run to 1st.base trade c.j. Move valbuna to d.h.get motakus ,don’t worry about 2nd.base and get that mad man 1st.baseman from k.c.(free agent) get 1 or 2 cheap starting pitchers.and the angels should at least make the playoffs.
Favorite part was “don’t worry about 2nd.base”. Worked so well last year!
Harry H is that guy who only watched the World Series, Yu Darvish is the best pitcher on the market
Cesar Hernandez and Maikel Franco can be had in a trade –
Cesar Hernandez is a must get for the Angels.
They want bullpen help too I remember hearing and the Phillies can help with that too.
Jordon Adell to the Phillies.
I think Klentak and the Phillies will be active in the trade market, though I suspect their primary trade assets (i.e. CHernandez, MFranco, OHerrera) will be used to acquire starting pitching. As interesting as Adell is, I doubt he alone would pry Hernandez from the Phillies.
Perhaps Skaggs and Adell, with the Phillies sending back one of their upper level but fringe starter prospects (JThompson perhaps)
Then an enraged, righteous fan needs to clean out the Phillies ownership, make an announcement of the reasons on the internet and then do a Budd Dwyer and check out.
Cesar Hernandez is to be used for one thing only: High ceiling prospect(s) that won’t need to be put on the 40 man roster before 2020.
This is the last rebuild for the Phillies.
I would not presume to trade cost controlled, above-average, MLB middle infielders for 18 yr old high-risk prospects at the same time you are attempting to emerge from a rebuild. Somewhat counter-intuitive I would think
Who told you that you can think?
Jordon Adell is a grotesque overpay for three controllable years of Hernandez. The suggestion would be a silent telephone line.
The Angels “biggest offensive upgrade” is already on the roster, it’s a healthy Mike Trout.
Would they want Lonngoria at all if rays had to clear payroll?
Longoria would be a great fit, but TB just won’t commit to a rebuild, and that would be the only way they’d trade him.
Longoria is effectively the face of the Rays and trading him would be massively unpopular. I don’t know if he has a NTC but has expressed a desire to be a Ray for life.
To justify trading Longoria the Rays would require every top prospect the Angels have. Wouldn’t happen.
Upton indeed was a huge “check off the list” right out of the gate and I agree with letting the rotation sort itself out given the amount of quality options (not many teams have up to 7 MLB ready starters – *albeit with questionable health*). Plus how many FA star pitchers have lived up to their lengthy contracts?
IMO, Moustakas is the best fit of the free agents. Left handed power, 29 years old, solid 3B, reportedly a good clubhouse guy, and is also a Cali native (may be a little easier to sign).
After Mouse, I’d go after Cesar Hernandez via trade. I wouldn’t give up the farm of course, but I believe his style of play is a great fit. Walker would probably be next in line for my preference. And if nothing pans out at 2B, I would even take a flier on Brandon Phillips for a 1-year contract. Not the #1 choice of course, but a serviceable low-cost veteran.
Brandon Phillips?
NO
Cesar Hernandez brings a lot of OBP, energy and speed. A bit of HR pop too.
Phillips is the opposite.
This would be a great gift from Santa… (I struggle with Maldonado #9, but Simmons would be the only other guy to put there and I wouldn’t want Simba’s bat that low in the order…)
Hernandez
Trout
Upton
Pujols
Moustakas
Kalhoun
Simmons
Valbuena/Cron
Maldonado
Replace Kalhoun with Stanton.
Calhoun
Terrible idea. Taking a solid LH bat out of the lineup and making the lineup even more RH, while displacing one of the top defensive RF with an inferior defensive player is simply not smart.
That isn’t even dealing with the incredibly expensive deal with the opt-out after 2020.
I just realized Moose is a Boras client. Santa may be bringing us Frazier instead.
Please no Moose. If anyone I want Frazier. Similar player that can be had for substantially less $$$ and yrs. No need to commit to paying for twilight years again. Kipnis, Gordon, Kinsler, Hernandez are all solid and obtainable options at 2B. Neil Walker if we are taking a FA.
I’d like to be in on Chatwood and Swarzak as well.
Hitting? Somebody let Arte Moreno know Josh Hamilton is available.
I think the Angels should make a bunch of small moves. The big ticket moves seem to blow up in their face.
However, if they want to sign some big deals, that’s fine with me. Their pitching doesn’t scare me at all.
If angels are smart they go for Neil Walker. Then go get Moustakas. People say he’s not good but literally 3rd base as thin a position as possible in the majors and only machado will available for a huge paycheck.
Walker would be a great fit were it not for his injury history. Gordon is more durable but would cost prospects. Tribe may be looking to trade Jason Kipnis this winter, so that’s another option.
I honestly think Eppler will stay away from Moose. Yes, he’s a left handed hitter and good defensive 3rd basemen, but he doesn’t have a great offensive track record. He’s only hit more than 22 HR just this year. And for the price tag, it just seems excessive. Plus he’s tied to a draft pick and I know it’s only a second round but the Angels need all they can get.
And Frazier’s average has been in the low .200 since coming over to the AL. He can get on base, but we have that type of player in Valbuena, who is left handed and who Eppler and Scioscia are really high on. They believe with Valbuena’s low BABIP, that he’ll have an outstanding year in 2018.
I almost see the Angels signing another Outfielder and moving Calhoun to first(he has played first)with Valbuena at 3rd, than adding Moose and Frazier.
I wouldn’t mind Moose or Frazier myself but I’m just trying to think in terms how Eppler views his team and certain attributes he looks for in hitters
In my opinion, I think the Angels should avoid pursuing Moose because of the amount of money, years, and draft pick that would have to be given up because of the QO. Instead, if they could find a way to sign Cozart (no QO attached) and move him over to 3rd with the addition of Hernandez or Gordon through trade, to play 2nd, then I️ think we would have a nice lineup moving forward.
Hernandez/Gordon
Trout
Upton
Pujols
Cozart
Calhoun
Simmons
Valbuena/Cron
Maldonado
This would also leave the Angels more money to bolster the bullpen or pursue Otani (even though Eppler is saying we’re mainly focusing on offense)
The Angels got lucky last season assembling a pitching staff from the scrap heap. The still need to do more of the same. Also, they need a top of the order infielder. Dee Gordon seems like an ideal fit. I know it doesn’t work that way….
Keep an eye out for Jaime Barria in the halo farm system. If there’s ever a stealth prospect that guy looks to be it
I agree. Jaimie Barria’s rise is downright meteoric for someone so young. His HR rate is a little higher than I would like to see, however. But I am NOT a professional scout, I’m just a statistics junkie and a super fan of MLB since 1971. I: rank the Angels minor league Starting Pitching prospects as 1) Grayson Long, 2) Jaime Barria and 3) Jesus Castillo. I can’t tell with 4) Luis Pena and 5) Joey Gatto yet.
They are loaded with Relief Pitching prospects: 1) Elvin Rodriguez, 2) Adam Hofacket are two I’m watching.
Grayson Long was sent to Detroit in the Upton deal.