Los Angeles Angels: News And Notes Before Winter Meetings

The Los Angeles Angels have been in the news recently. They’ve added a couple outfielders and some pitching in hopes to turn things around in Anaheim.

The Los Angeles Angels literally have hit the ground running this offseason. The 74 win squad may look like a one time fluke next season.

The Angels added veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Detroit Tigers, they also signed veteran pitcher Jesse Chavez from the Dodgers.

On Friday the Angels added some more pitching to their 40-man roster. Nate Smith, Keynan Middleton, Austin Adams, and Eduardo Paredes, are now protected from next month’s Rule 5 Draft.

While these moves don’t jump off the page and get you excited for 2017. They are still moves that needed to be made.

Angels GM Billy Eppler isn’t a splash hire guy like Jerry Dipoto was. You would almost assume that Eppler is bringing in players based on what they can do versus what they are currently doing.

So far, the Angels have addressed the left field situation. While it’s unclear if Maybin is the answer, he’ll clear bring more than Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry combined.

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One thing to be concerned about with Maybin is his health. Maybin was unable to play a handful of games last season due to a wrist/thumb injury.

With Chavez now an Angel, the question was where would he fit in the rotation. Chavez was brought to Anaheim as a starter and his contract is constructed as such.

What’s problematic is the fact that of his tenure in the majors, he’s started for only two seasons.

The best news of the offseason is the continued improved healthy of Garrett Richards. Richards will likely be the Opening Day starter next season when the Angels take on the A’s on April 4th. Last season, in six games, Richards had a cool 2.34 ERA. The other starters in the rotation won’t be nearly as valuable as Richards.

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I still believe there is more work to be done before Spring Training gets underway in March of 2017. However, since the Angels acquired Chavez, it has been all quiet since. Hopefully, the Angels are far from done and some trades are likely to happen.