Potential Moves for LA Angels During Winter Meetings

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Oct 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill (44) reacts after a strike out during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs in game three of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Rich Hill is coming off of his best season yet where he posted an ERA of 2.12, and is bound to get a decent check. By the time next season starts, though, Hill will be 37 years old. Hill has also only thrown over 100 innings in two of his twelve seasons, one being last season. I don’t foresee the Angels pursuing Rich Hill due to his age and the possibility of him receiving some large offers. But, if the Angels are really looking to contend next year, Hill would be a step in the right direction.

Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

I see the Angels signing free agent Ivan Nova as a much more plausible answer. Nova will be thirty years old in January, which puts him as one of the younger guys in the starting pitcher free agent pool. He has had a few solid seasons throughout his career, and he probably isn’t going to ask for as much money as Rich Hill. Last season Nova put up a 4.17 ERA in 162 innings pitched. Nova was traded to the Pirates around halfway of the season, and he was able to put up an ERA of 3.06 while in Pittsburg. Signing Nova obviously won’t turn the Angels into a contender overnight, but I can see him pitching well and being consistent enough for the Angels to consider signing him.

Starting Pitchers