After a disappointing 2013 season where they finished 78-84, the Los Angeles Angels are sitting at 55-37, the second best record in baseball. Unfortunately for them, the best record in baseball belongs to the Oakland Athletics, who control first place in the American League West. Nevertheless, the Angels are all but locks for a playoff berth. Their corps of position players, most notably Mike Trout, leads baseball in fWAR.
The Angels starting pitching has been solid as well. Flamethrowing right-hander Garrett Richards has been nothing short of excellent, Matt Shoemaker has been a welcome surprise and Tyler Skaggs appears to be a very capable major league starting pitcher. However, C.J. Wilson recently hit the disabled list with an ankle injury, Jered Weaver left a start early and Hector Santiago has been mediocre. While their starting rotation has done a good job up to this point, they may very well seek an upgrade in the trade market.
On the other hand, the Angels bullpen has been abysmal. As a group they rank 27th in fWAR with just 0.2. Offseason signing Joe Smith has been good, and Kevin Jepsen accumulates strikeouts. Beyond that there aren’t many options that are more than replacement level arms. Jason Grilli, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for the disaster that was Ernesto Frieri, has a big arm but walks too many. They also traded two lesser prospects for lefty reliever Joe Thatcher. Overall, 24 different pitchers have made relief appearances for the Angels.
A.J. Burnett is a wild card. He hasn’t performed at his 2012-13 levels, but he still possesses good stuff and would be an interesting rental option. Most likely the Angels don’t have the prospects to swing a blockbuster deal for David Price or Cliff Lee.
With the Texas Rangers out of contention, relievers Joakim Soria and Neal Cotts are in play. Soria has been phenomenal, posting strikeout and walk rates of 34.5 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively and an FIP of 0.81. It’s taken him some time to recover from elbow surgery, but he’s all the way back.
The 34 year-old Cotts is a versatile left-handed reliever who has maintained his excellent strikeout rate from last season. Jonathan Papelbon is also available, though his hefty salary and precipitously declining fastball velocity and strikeout rate make him an unattractive option. Joaquin Benoit, Oliver Perez and Huston Street should also be on the block.
This is a very good Los Angeles Angels team. Passing the A’s would be huge in that it would allow them to bypass the wild card game. With the strength of the Angels and A’s teams in the hunt for the second AL wild card spot should be cautious about selling the farm for the chance to get in a one game playoff with either of these powerhouses.
