Way-Too-Early LA Angels Roster Prediction: Blockbuster Edition

Catchers

• J.T Realmuto (acquired via trade from Miami Marlins)
• Jose Briceno

We’re starting this one off red-hot, as the Angels send a package of RHP Jaime Barria, outfielder Brandon Marsh, and 2B/OF Jahmai Jones to acquire Realmuto, who is arguably the best catcher in baseball. For the Miami Marlins last year, the 27-year old slashed .277/.340/.484.

Acquiring him from the Marlins, who are obviously in rebuild mode, would be a move that helps the Angels in a multitude of ways by providing exceptional offense and solid defense from the catcher spot, while providing a spark for the bottom half of the lineup as well.

Briceno showed flashes last year, and as of now is slated to be the starter in 2019. Obviously, if Realmuto is shipped to Anaheim, he takes the role of backup on.

Designated Hitter

• Shohei Ohtani

Yeah, um, this one is pretty obvious. Just because we’re wheelin’ and dealin’ here does not mean Ohtani gets replaced. The reigning Rookie of the Year will be the full-time designated hitter in 2019, and Shohei Ohtani will once again aspire be one of the best offensive threats in the entire league.

Infield

• Albert Pujols
• Zack Cozart
• Andrelton Simmons
• Marwin Gonzalez (signed via free agency)
• David Fletcher

While this is the offseason of dreams for LA Angels fans, Albert Pujols still cripples the projection of perfection. He’ll be attempting to be an everyday first baseman again, but will likely end up platooning for 2019.

His platoon partner could be former Houston Astros utility man Marwin Gonzalez. Gonzalez has played every position besides catcher and pitcher in his career, and could be a very desirable player this offseason. Outside of platooning with Pujols, the switch-hitter could be an everyday player, with his defensive spot decided upon matchups and a new analytically approach from Brad Ausmus.

Zack Cozart and Andrelton Simmons will once again aim to control the left side of the infield. Cozart will be fully recovered from shoulder surgery, and will hope to jump back into his 2017 form for the Halos.

Simmons was once again a top-ten player in baseball last season, and is looking to add power this offseason to add to his already top-tier all-around game. If Simmons maintains average while knocking 20-25 balls out of the park next season, he will find himself right in the thick of MVP talks.

Fletcher was solid in 2018, but lacks the power you want from an everyday starter. However, with his speed and contact on offense and defensive versatility, Fletcher could be one of the best bench players in the entire MLB next year.

Outfield

• Mike Trout
• Nick Markakis
• Dee Gordon (acquired via trade from Seattle Mariners)
• Kole Calhoun

Okay the outfield admittedly gets a little far-fetched here, so lets start with the basics, then I’ll explain.

Mike Trout is Mike Trout. He is the best player in baseball no matter what your MVP-ballot says, and will be the catalyst of the Angels in 2019 (and hopefully for 15 more years after).

Kole Calhoun was obviously one of the more interesting cases in 2018. While he was one of the worst hitters in baseball at the beginning of season, he spent the summer tearing up opposing pitchers. His performance in the second half was as memorable as his first was dreadful, but it likely kept Calhoun in the starting lineup considering his team-friendly contract.

Now, I said no Bryce Harper at the beginning of this, but Nick Markakis is just as good, objectively speaking. For starters, Markakis played every game last year, and has not played less than 155 since 2012. He had a solid slashline of .297/.366/.440 last season, and at 35-years old, can likely be signed for short-term contract in the range of $10 million a season.

Dee Gordon is still one of the fastest players in baseball. The Mariners are selling everyone they can, and quick, and the Angels should make Gordon the newest former Mariner. They do so by trading away two prospects with infielder Luis Rengifo and LHP Patrick Sandoval being shipped to Seattle.

While his .268 average last season won’t inspire, he hit much better when playing in the outfield (.288 when playing centerfield vs. .258 when playing the infield).

Trout, Markakis, and Calhoun/Gordon would form one of the best outfields in the league. Oh, and before you mention Justin Upton….

Starting Rotation

• Tyler Skaggs
• Patrick Corbin (signed via free agency)
• Corey Kluber (acquired via trade from Cleveland)
• Andrew Heaney
• Yusei Kikuchi (signed via free agency from Japanese League)
• Matt Shoemaker

Alright, maybe I’m letting things get out of hand, but this is supposed to be a dream, right?

Tyler Skaggs, Andrew Heaney, and Matt Shoemaker are obvious choices here. Skaggs and Heaney were the two best starters on the team last season, and will be headlining the rotation in 2019 as well. Shoemaker was solid when healthy in 2018, and will be looking to complete a fully healthy season in 2019 as he comes back from forearm issues.

Now, onto the new guys.

Patrick Corbin is a guy who has been linked to the Angels for months now. With the recent trade sending James Paxton to the Bronx, a reuniting of Corbin and the Angels could be in store. Corbin is arguably the best starter in free agency this season, and could be the true ace the Angels need.

But, why not add just one more ace? This one, even better.

This is where Justin Upton went. To receive a Cy Young caliber pitcher and to rid themselves of the awful contract Upton has, they strike a deal. With Cleveland shopping the two-time Cy Young winner, and looking for outfielders (both prospects and proven veterans), the Halos strike a deal. They send Upton along with top prospects Griffin Canning (#2), Jordyn Adams (#6), and Michael Hermosillo (#11) for control of Kluber for the next three seasons. Adding two aces is pretty good, but imagine if they added one more possibly elite pitching talent.

Yusei Kikuchi is that talent. The 27-year old out of Japan was the best pitcher remaining in the Japanese League once Ohtani chose Anaheim. Now, with his former teammate an Angel, why wouldn’t the Angels try to bring in Kikuchi? The two pitchers have a positive relationship, and it might be beneficial for both to reunite in Anaheim.

Bullpen

• Blake Parker
• Joe Kelly (acquired via free agency)
• Jose Alvarez
• Zach Britton (acquired via free agency)
• Jesse Chavez (acquired via free agency)
• Noe Ramirez
• Justin Anderson

The bullpen will feature three new faces, but first, let’s talk about the current LA Angels. Blake Parker was their best reliever in 2017 and t

hen again in 2018, and 2019 could be his first full season of closing games.

Jose Alvarez was the only left-handed specialist for the Angels last season, and was absolutely shut down in that role. He is solid against right-handed hitters as well, but Brad Ausmus would surely love to keep him against lefties as often as possible.

Noe Ramirez was very versatile last year, as was Justin Anderson. Both proved they could be trusted pieces of a strong bullpen whether it is pitching multiple innings, inheriting runners, or closing out games.

The new guys are what make this bullpen dominant though.

Joe Kelly is one of the hardest throwers in baseball. Kelly, who would have been drafted by the Angels if not for an intoxicating night, now gets his chance to pitch at The Big A as the bona fide closer for a team hoping to contend. The playoff hero and heart of Boston will not be cheap, but this version of the Angels can afford him.

Zack Britton comes in to provide another left-handed reliever for Ausmus to utilize. Despite battling injuries, Britton has been amongst the most elite relievers in baseball for years now. Finally free from Baltimore, he will almost certainly want to pitch for a contender after being apart of the Yankees 2018 playoff run. He’ll be a hot commodity once the offseason ball gets rolling, and the Angels need to be in on him.

Finally, Jesse Chavez. We have talked about him a lot, even in the “moneyball” edition of this series. He is just so dominant and poised, and with a relatively cheap price tag on him, every team should be in on Jesse Chavez, Angels included.

Well, that brings us to an end. For the third and final part of this series, we imagine an Opening Day roster where the Angels do….absolutely nothing?