The Los Angeles Angels have understood that they need to bring in starting pitching at any cost.
Their rotation was far from atrocious in 2022, but if they want to put Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani in a position to fight for a spot in the postseason, they need all the pitching they can get.
They started off their offseason on the right foot, inking left-handed pitcher Tyler Anderson, formerly of the Los Angeles Dodgers, to a three-year contract.
There might be some concern about the Angels going too lefty-heavy in the rotation.
Ohtani is a right-hander, but Jose Suarez, Reid Detmers, Patrick Sandoval and Anderson are all southpaws.
Angels GM Perry Minasian doesn’t seem to be too concerned about this, and at the same time, proved the Angels are on their way to change how they approach things in the rotation.
The Angels Have Changed Their Strategy
“Angels GM Perry Minasian on Tyler Anderson & having a lefty-heavy rotation: ‘I would take a full rotation of six Randy Johnson‘s, no problem.’ Minasian said ownership was ‘definitely on board’ with adding a pitcher on a multi-year deal, something extremely rare for the org,” Angels insider Sam Blum tweeted.
Angels GM Perry Minasian on Tyler Anderson & having a lefty-heavy rotation:
"I would take a full rotation of six Randy Johnson's, no problem."
Minasian said ownership was "definitely on board" with adding a pitcher on a multi-year deal, something extremely rare for the org.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) November 16, 2022
In the past, the Angels used to hand out too many one-year deals to free agent pitchers and rely on mediocre starters from their minor league farm.
The situation is starting to change: they brought in Anderson for three years, and the quality of their homegrown pitchers has improved: Sandoval is very good, Suarez is talented yet inconsistent, and Detmers threw a no-hitter this past season.
The Angels might be a top starter and a few role offensive players from really contending.
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