This is the latest post of MLBTR’s annual Offseason in Review series, in which we take stock of every team’s winter dealings.
A frugal offseason has given way to a lavish, triumphant spring for the Angels, who no longer have to worry about losing Mike Trout. The inimitable center fielder is poised to spend his career in Anaheim after inking a decade-long extension last week.
Major League Signings
- Matt Harvey, RHP: one year, $11MM
- Trevor Cahill, RHP: one year, $9MM
- Cody Allen, RP: one year, $8.5MM
- Jonathan Lucroy, C: one year, $3.35MM
- Justin Bour, 1B: one year, $2.5MM
- Total spend: $34.35MM
Trades And Claims
- Acquired RHP Luis Garcia from the Phillies for LHP Jose Alvarez
- Acquired RHP Chris Stratton from the Giants for LHP Williams Jerez
- Acquired LHP Dillon Peters from the Marlins for RHP Tyler Stevens
- Acquired INF Tommy La Stella from the Cubs for LHP Connor Lillis-White
- Acquired RP John Curtiss from the Twins for IF Daniel Ozoria
- Claimed C Kevan Smith from the White Sox
- Claimed IF/RP Kaleb Cowart from the Tigers
- Claimed RHP Austin Brice from the Reds, then lost him on waivers to the Orioles
- Claimed RHP Luke Farrell from the Cubs, then lost him on waivers to the Rangers
Extensions
Minor League Signings
- Dan Jennings (since released), Daniel Hudson (since released), Jarrett Parker, Peter Bourjos, Luke Bard, Sam Freeman, Alex Meyer, Ty Kelly, Dustin Garneau, Forrest Snow, Cesar Puello, Wilfredo Tovar, Matt Ramsey
Notable Losses
- Garrett Richards, Jim Johnson, Chris Young, Eric Young Jr., Junichi Tazawa, Blake Wood, Blake Parker, Matt Shoemaker, Parker Bridwell, Jabari Blash, Jose Miguel Fernandez, John Lamb, Deck McGuire, Odrisamer Despaigne, Eduardo Paredes, Jefry Marte, Francisco Arcia
[Los Angeles Angels Depth Chart | Los Angeles Angels Payroll Information]
Needs Addressed
The Angels entered the offseason with only two years of control left over Trout, unquestionably the preeminent player in baseball since he exploded on the scene in 2012. Team success eluded the Angels during the remarkable first seven seasons of Trout’s career, though, as they made the postseason just once (in 2014) and didn’t even win a single playoff game. With that in mind, it would’ve been understandable for Trout to hold off on committing to the Angels for the long haul. On the other hand, it would have been unforgivable for the Halos to not put forth an earnest effort to lock up Trout, who, at 27 years old, is already one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
To the Angels’ credit, not only did they make an attempt to keep Trout in the fold, but they persuaded him to stay. The 10-year, $360MM extension the Angels gave the seven-time All-Star and two-time MVP stands as the richest contract ever in North American sports, yet the gaudy dollar figure still looks eminently reasonable. The future Hall of Famer is now in line to spend the entirety of his 30s and all of the 2020s in Anaheim, which will give the club plenty of time to capitalize on his presence going forward.
Whether the Angels are in position to take advantage of Trout’s place on their roster this year is in question. Before the Angels locked up Trout, they journeyed through a fairly low-key offseason which included a few modest free-agent signings and no headline-stealing trades. Perhaps if general manager Billy Eppler had his druthers, it would have been a different story. Eppler reportedly targeted a collection of high-profile free agents, including pitchers Patrick Corbin, Nathan Eovaldi, J.A. Happ, Zack Britton, David Robertson, Joakim Soria and catchers Yasmani Grandal and Wilson Ramos, but fell short in each pursuit. Still, the majority of Eppler’s prominent offseason acquisitions came at those positions, as he brought in two starters (Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill), a battle-tested closer seeking a rebound from a down season (Cody Allen) and an experienced catcher (Jonathan Lucroy). He also procured first baseman Justin Bour, who thrived in Miami as recently as 2017 but saw his production plummet between the Marlins and Phillies last season.
Before adding those five free agents, Eppler oversaw the Angels’ first managerial search since November 1999, when they hired Mike Scioscia. Trout was only eight years old at the outset of the Scioscia era, a run that included 1,650 regular-season wins and the franchise’s sole World Series title (2002). Scioscia, 60, stepped down after last season, paving the way for the Angels to hire another former major league catcher, Brad Ausmus, as their new skipper. Ausmus managed the Tigers to middling results from 2014-17, though the soon-to-be 50-year-old’s amenability toward analytics helped convince the Angels he merited a second chance atop a big league dugout.
Questions Remaining
The Ausmus-led Angels feature questions aplenty in their pitching staff, in part because of injury issues. Anaheim’s foremost starter, two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, won’t factor in at all as a pitcher this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October. Likewise, J.C. Ramirez is recovering from TJ surgery, having undergone the procedure nearly a year ago, while Andrew Heaney (elbow inflammation) and Nick Tropeano (shoulder discomfort) are also on the shelf.
It’s paramount for Heaney to return sometime soon, as he turned in 180 respectable innings in 2018 and is likely the Ohtani-less Angels’ No. 1 starter. That’s less a compliment to Heaney — who is solid, granted — than an indictment on the Angels, whose current group of healthy starters doesn’t include anything resembling a front-line option. Harvey qualified as an ace during a stretch with the Mets from 2012-15, but the Dark Knight has since logged a 5.39 ERA/4.76 FIP in 340 1/3 innings and undergone thoracic outlet surgery (in 2016). In fairness to Harvey, who turns 30 today, he did post decent numbers with the Reds after they acquired him from the Mets last May. If he can replicate that performance in Anaheim, he’ll justify the investment.
The club spent a bit less on Cahill, another righty with a history of injuries and inconsistency. The 31-year-old was effective in Oakland last season, though (albeit over just 110 innings), and the Angels are banking on a repeat in 2019. Harvey, Cahill, Tyler Skaggs (who has also dealt with his share of injuries, including this spring), Felix Pena, the just-acquired Chris Stratton and the just-optioned Jaime Barria represent the Angels’ top healthy starters at this point.
If you’re underwhelmed by that group, it’s hard to blame you. If you think the Angels should be going after free agent Dallas Keuchel, who’s inexplicably still available, you’d also be within reason. But Eppler insists he’s bullish on the Angels’ present mix of starters, which seems to make a Keuchel signing unlikely, as does a possible lack of financial wiggle room. The Angels have always run high payrolls under owner Arte Moreno, and that’ll be the case again this season, as they’re at upward of $176MM going into Opening Day. Moreno may not want to go significantly higher than that franchise-record sum. Furthermore, adding Keuchel would either push the Angels into luxury-tax territory or leave them within close proximity of that mark, potentially limiting Moreno’s willingness to approve in-season additions on the trade market. The Halos are currently about $21MM shy of the luxury barrier.
While the Angels’ payroll does rank toward the top of the majors, they’re not spending much on their bullpen. The lone expensive reliever on the roster is Allen, the former Indians closer who joined the Angels on an $8.5MM guarantee in the offseason. Allen has been outstanding for the majority of his career, which began in 2012, though the 30-year-old no longer looks like a shoo-in to offer quality production. Not only was Allen subpar last year, when all of his numbers trended downward to concerning degrees, but he has followed that up with a shaky spring in which his velocity has dipped. The Angels will need the light bulb to go on again for Allen once the regular season begins, especially considering their bullpen lost Blake Parker, Jim Johnson and Jose Alvarez during the winter.
Parker, Johnson and Alvarez were among the Angels’ five leading relievers in terms of innings last year, and each managed passable to above-average run prevention numbers. Alvarez was particularly good, yet the Angels traded him to the Phillies for righty Luis Garcia, who “has the characteristics we gravitate to: strikeouts, ground balls and big stuff,” Eppler said after the deal. It’s anyone’s guess how the trade will pan out, but for now, the loss of Alvarez leaves the Angels devoid of a lefty reliever on their 40-man roster. Allen aside, their bullpen is also lacking a righty with a long track record of success, though 2018 acquisition Ty Buttrey may be on the verge of a breakout if the 16 1/3-inning debut he made last season is any indication. As with Keuchel, Anaheim looks like an on-paper fit for free agent Craig Kimbrel, a possible Hall of Fame closer who’s somehow still without a team. Whether Moreno would sign off on a pricey Kimbrel addition is another matter, but the righty would sure help the Angels’ cause.
A Kimbrel signing wouldn’t answer the questions in the Angels’ position player group, where there are several. Trout, Andrelton Simmons and Ohtani are marvelous, and Justin Upton‘s a valuable left fielder. Ohtani won’t return until at least May, however, and Upton’s going to the injured list with turf toe, leaving the Angels with just two guaranteed big-time producers in Trout and Simmons.
Potential Upton replacements in the just-selected Peter Bourjos, Jarrett Parker and Cesar Puello don’t inspire confidence, and unproven outfield prospect Michael Hermosillo (hernia surgery) could also open the season on the IL. Elsewhere in the outfield, while Kole Calhoun has been a better-than-average player for most of his career, he was a replacement-level performer last season.
Turning to the infield, third baseman Zack Cozart underwhelmed last season in the opening act of a three-year, $38MM contract. Lucroy has accounted for minus-0.9 fWAR dating back to 2017, while what remains of the once-amazing Albert Pujols totaled minus-2.1 in the same two-year span. Bour was little more than a league-average offensive first baseman in 2018. At second base, David Fletcher wasn’t much of an offensive threat during his 307-PA debut last season, but he starred as a minor league hitter earlier in the campaign and then stood out as a defender in his initial taste of the majors
The Angels still sought some insurance to help protect against another poor Cozart season and a sophomore slump from Fletcher, though, as they reportedly showed interest in Mike Moustakas, Josh Harrison and Troy Tulowitzki in free agency. In the end, they came away with a trade for the 30-year-old Tommy La Stella, who has been a playable bench piece with the Braves and Cubs over almost 1,000 PAs.
2019 Season Outlook
Trout and Simmons are something like five three-WAR players condensed into two, which raises the Angels’ floor to a considerable extent. Otherwise, there are so many performance- and injury-related concerns on Anaheim’s roster that it’s hard to consider the team a strong bet to break its four-year playoff drought. The good news is that the Angels could benefit from being in a league which lacks a surefire contender after the favored Red Sox, Yankees, Astros and Indians. The Angels should be part of a several-team jumble fighting for the AL’s last postseason spot, which may only require 80-some wins to secure. The club is entering 2019 off back-to-back seasons of 80 victories, a number PECOTA projects it to match this year.
How would you grade the Angels’ offseason moves? (Link to poll for Trade Rumors app users.)
How would you grade the Angels' offseason?
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C 34% (1,106)
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B 33% (1,084)
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A 17% (573)
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D 11% (348)
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F 5% (170)
Total votes: 3,281
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Good offseason, I’d say better than the past few ones.
“Good Offseason” Besides extending a player already on their roster they did squadoosh..C-
what they did was planning for near future by not signing anyone to block a few prospects that are coming up soon. and to still stay competitive this season.
Those prospects aren’t gonna be ready anytime soon.
Adel, their top prospect, should be ready by next year.
Canning, Adell, Rengifo, Ward, and Thaiss should all be ready no later than 2020. Some this year. Suarez, Sandoval and a few relievers could hit that window as well. Behind them are Jahmai Jones and Brandon Marsh.
Not all are going to turn into MLB caliber players, but there’s a solid talent wave coming soon.
They should be ready by either the end of the year or 2020.
Don’t know if mlb pipeline agrees with that assessment.
I think Eppler misread the pitching market. After the big money deals of Corbin, Eovaldi, and to a lesser extent Morton, he jumped in and signed Harvey and Cahill right before the floor fell out of the pitching market.
Hindsight is 20/20, but with guys like Gio and Earvin Santana sitting at home the Harvey and Cahill deals seemed like a reach at the time and look worse now.
The good news is that a major roster turnover is on the way starting in 2020 so all the one year deals will either work, become trade pieces, or be out of the way before the team really starts to ramp up.
Trout all-time guarantee record stays most of our lives?
Trout got 430 million, if any player deserves 400m+ him
Confusing
If any player deserves $430 million, Trout does.
I always like it when $$ records, are broken, and if ANYONE, deserves it, it’s Trout, but kno some pple may have a problem with anyone making $400M+, and mistakenly think, will have affect on prices lol
Nobody deserves 430 million dollars…
Somewhat off-topic but speaks to the general public’s ignorance unless you see the person in some visual format on regular basis. So many people gripe about players making so much money while giving owners a pass.
Gary Cohn has an annual salary of(as acting CEO of Goldman-Sachs) something near 72 million in 2008. He is a prudent finiancial man.
If people want to make legitimate complaints against the wealth disparity in the US, I would hope they realize they look at capitalism and it’s many warts. Democracy is idealistic, capitalism not so much.
The Trout extension could make life difficult on some agents. Teams can say “Trout makes $36 million per year and you’re no Trout.” Nobody is.
But I would not be shocked to see that broken within the next decade with the way salaries are rising. Either in AAV or an extension for a homegrown star.
Before the offseason , I could see it happening in 5-7 years, in terms of topping his deal, but now with all
The extensions being signed, and essentially no one really significant hitting FA, I’d have to reassess until that new CBA is sorted out. As of now,10 years off doesn’t seem to unreasonable. Crazy money, good for him.
Kris Bryant is a potential candidate.
Trout got them an A from me.
I was thinking the Halos get a B just for re-signing Mike Trout.
I feel like next offseason , the angels need to make a big push for Gerrit Cole & Anthony Rendon. If Matt Harvey has a big season, then give him another deal.
I give them an A purely based on the Trout extension.
Trade Simmons asap. They could trade a couple prospects who’s star has faded, to them, for a third baseman. They could play Cozart at ss, bring in a left handed first baseman and trade for one of the many third baseman prospects, India, Riley etc. They have to punt on a year or risk remaining mediocre.
Reds aren’t trading India, unless you want them to trade their number 1 or 2 prospect for him.
A good offseason is trading your future away and albatross contracts
Ironically, the Angel’s drafted Harvey in the 3rd round out of high school in 2007 and he didn’t sign. Pretty ballsy move, going to college thinking I’m going to move up to the first round (what are the odds?) but he did! Or did the Angels low ball him in 2007?
I understand that he’s Mike Trout, and he deserved to get paid. I just don’t see why the Angels chose to do it. They haven’t won with him. The added salary only makes surrounding him with complimentary pieces that more difficult. In addition, his signing adds very little revenue. Bryce and Manny signed with new teams, and those teams are benefiting thru added ticket sales, ratings, and souvenir sales. I doubt the Angels are seeing a similar increase. No one is buying a ticket because Trout will be there three years from now. If they had gone after Bryce, they could have afforded Keuchel, and traded Trout for some additional talent. They had already gotten his best. The new players may have sold tickets, too.
you just came out of your bunker after a year down there?
You are wrong in so many ways. The Angels received a 3 billion contract from Fox. They don’t get that without Trout. To say they already got the best out of Trout is absurd. He is 27 and getting better every year. As far as the future payroll they have Trout, Upton and the awful Pujols contract past 2021. Simmons, in my opinion, will get an extension from the Angels. You are right about needing a third baseman.
The Fox deal was because of Pujols not Trout. It was that signing that tripled their TV deal not Trouts anticipated MLB debut.
The Angels had him thru age 29. While his best years could be in his 30s, the odds are against that. How many tickets has Pujols been selling lately? Keeping your current players builds an identity for the team, but it sure doesn’t build revenue, like a new and exciting player does.
Looking like a solid 3rd place team.
And yet Michael Hermosillo was drafted by the Angels in the 28th round (2nd year of draft pool limits) and he signed!
Did they spike his drinks at dinner!!??
Overpaylos should be their new nickname. Trout deserves to cash in. Free agent signings the last couple years? Not so much. Potential disaster with this team. They should be thankful they play in a wide open division where 2nd place is up for grabs.
Can I redo my vote? I just saw they picked up Brian Goodwin.
Brain Goodwin is going to be on this team for about 15 minutes.
Considering that the Angles have played Maybin, Revere, Chris Young and Eric Young Jr. I’m OK with that.
I just hope Upton and Ohtani get well soon and Goodwin gets frew ABs than Sherman Johnson got last year… which was 10.
This organization is all about bandaids over bullet holes. The standings and scoreboard don’t lie. A solid 3rd place team in a wanna be LA marker that they get lost in.
You’re about the worst poster on this board. I’m not sure there is a close second.
You wanted to add a lot of money to the books for a season where they couldn’t possible compete with the Astros, Yankees and Red Sox.
Of course you also thought Trout would never resign.
The Angels locked up the best player in the last 50 years. It’s hard to believe that anyone didn’t give the Angels off-season an “A”.
As far as the other moves. The Angels added enough to stay competitive for the second wild card spot without adding any additional money to the books in 2020. Considering there is nothing they could have done to make them the equal of the Astros this season, that in itself deserves a high grade.
Fans are reactionary. If they used their brain instead of their emotions, they’d quickly realize the Angels had a very good off-season.
Agreed