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

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.