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

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?