The LA Angels have made a plethora of moves to fill holes, is there one more big one left?

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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 04: Kelvin Herrera #40 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with Spencer Kieboom #64 after a 6-2 victory against the Cincinnati Reds during game two of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on August 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

With the signing of catcher Jonathan Lucroy Friday, the LA Angels have filled one of their biggest holes this off-season. In total the Angels have spent approximately 26 million dollars in doing so. Is there one more ace up general manager Billy Eppler’s sleeve?

For weeks the LA Angels have been linked to many big name free agents at multiple positions, but so far general manager Billy Eppler has not been able to reel in that big fish. However, what Eppler has done is fill many of the Angels holes with guppies but many of these pick-ups could turn into whales if they can get back to earlier times in their careers.

This is a BIG IF, but it is more likely than you think. First baseman Justin Bour and catcher Jonathan Lucroy had career-worst years in 2018, but both could easily bounce back to respectability and then their 2.5 and 3.5 million dollar price tags look like highway robbery.

Signing Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill to one-year contracts worth close to 21 million dollars combined could also prove to be major bargains if they can return to form as well. These two pitchers have a greater risk because of the inconsistency that has plagued them throughout recent years, but they could still prove to be shrewd moves by Eppler if they pan out even slightly.

By making all of these lower cost moves, Eppler has set the Angels up for one of two things: A chance to go after one really big fish still in free agency or have the flexibility next season to throw as much money that is necessary to reel in the biggest fish there is: Mike Trout.

If the Angels do decide to go all in on a top free agent that is still on the market, where would their money be best spent?

MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 05: DJ LeMahieu #9 of the Colorado Rockies hits a single during the third inning of Game Two of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on October 5, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images. /

Big Free Agent Targets; Hitters

If the Angels decide to look for one more bat at one of their weaker positions second or third base then Mike Moustakas or D.J. LeMahieu are their guys. Both Moustakas and LeMahieu would be major upgrades at their respective positions.

Moustakas gives you a strong glove and a power bat that can hit in the neighborhood of 30 homers and drive in 100 runs and he wouldn’t totally break the bank either as he could be had for under 15 million dollars. LeMahieu is not so much on power, but is career .298 hitter who also has a strong OBP and be your lead-off hitter setting the table for Trout, Upton, Pujols and Ohtani very nicely. Defensively he is also way above average and should be able to be reeled in for less than 15 million dollars per season.

Now many people think that the Angels should stand pat at second and third base and rely on a combination of Taylor Ward, Zack Cozart, David Fletcher, and Tommy La Stella to fill those two spots, which could work out fine too.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 17: Yusei Kikuchi pitcher for the Aces in action during the Australian Baseball League match between the Melbourne Aces and the Brisbane Bandits at Melbourne Showgrounds on November 17, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images) /

If the Angels do decide to go with their in-house options then that leaves them an opportunity to bolster their bullpen or a acquire a frontline starter to go with Harvey and Cahill. If this is indeed the case then they should look at Dallas Keuchel, Yusei Kikuchi, or Gio Gonzalez. Keuchel would be the biggest fish still left in the free agent pitching pond, but he would also be the most expensive probably commanding 20 -22 million dollars per season.

In my opinion signing Kikuchi or Gio Gonzalez would make much more sense and would be more cost-effective. Kikuchi would be the best option as he could be an instant success for the Angels and is also young enough at age 28 that he has a greater upside and would help lessen the blow of Shohei Ohtani not being able to pitch in 2019.

Gonzalez would not be a bad option either although the fact that he is 33 years old would make him more of a risk for decline. He would still be a top three starter in the Angels’ rotation and adding him to what the Angels already have in the fold would make the starting rotation much deeper and definitely better.

Both Kikuchi or Gonzalez will be both be available for under 15 million dollars per season and that still will give the Angels the money they need to go full-bore after Mike Trout next off-season.

KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 28: Cody Allen #37 of the Cleveland Indians throws in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 28, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Free Agent Targets: Bargain Closers who could be Elite

If you think the Angels have done enough this off-season to improve their starting rotation and the money would be better served elsewhere, then maybe a bullpen upgrade most notably a bonafide closer would be money well spent.

There are some low-cost closers out there that could fit the bill nicely such as Greg Holland, Kelvin Herrera, Cody Allen, or Sergio Romo all of which could be had for less than 10 million dollars per season and could be very effective options.

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Holland has the most closing experience, but had a dreadful first half of the season in St. Louis before finishing out strong in Washington. Holland has been a proven commodity over the years posting a 2.83 career ERAand a 1.18 WHIP with an opponent batting average of .206. In his career Holland has converted 189 out of 212 save situations (89%). Holland is 33 and his ERA has been over three earned runs per game in the past three seasons which raises a red flag, but he could be out to prove himself if he is signed to a one-year deal with incentives for around 10 million dollars.

Romo on the otherhand had one of the best years In a longtime and was an integral part of the Rays bullpen starter philosophy that helped them get back into the playoff hunt in last two months of the season. Romo has also had a strong career as a set-up man and a closer posting a career 2.86 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP with an opponents batting average of .211. Like Holland he is also getting up there in years as he is now 36. He could be a great low cost option as he would probably get a contract of around eight million dollars at best.

Allen is another interesting option for the Angels as a closer. He has been part of one of the best bullpens in baseball over the past three or four seasons, but like Andrew Miller, who was signed earlier this month, Allen had a very sub-par 2018 season.

Allen has only had one season since his rookie year of 2012 that his ERA has been above three and that was 2018 where it ballooned to 4.70. He still saved 27 of 32 games, but it seemed a lot worse. The question is was this just a bad year or a sign of things to come?

With Allen being just 30 years old I believe he will get back to form in 2019 and because of his proven track record 2.98 career ERA and 1.19 WHIP with an opposing batting average of .211 most people would agree with this assessment. His mediocre 2018 season may just lower his price tag to under 10 million dollars per year which the Angels could take advantage of. He and Herrera may be two of the biggest bargains out there in the closer market.

Herrera may be the best of this bunch as he has tremendous stuff and is only 29 years old and has a career 2.85 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP striking out 454 hitters in 460 career innings. Herrera has only had an ERA over three one time in the past five seasons and twice in his seven-year career. The biggest issue with Herrera is the fact that he suffered a foot injury at the end of August and he was lost for the season.

However, Herrera should make a full recovery before next season and the Angels should take a chance on him and they should be able to sign him for below what he is worth because of the injury-risk.

If Eppler wants to make a major move to solidify the Angels bullpen without breaking the bank, then Herrera is your man.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 09: David Robertson #30 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning in Game Four of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 09, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Free Agent Targets: Elite Closers

If the Angels want to go after a more sexy alternative at closer then Adam Ottavino or David Robertson may be guys to look at. Ottavino is flat out filthy but is a risk as he has never been a full-time closer and has been very inconsistent in his seven-year career. Ottavino had three seasons of sub-3.00 ERA and three years that have been mediocre to terrible seasons with one injury-plagued season in 2015 mixed in right in the middle. His price tag will be at least 12 to 14 million dollars per season.

With the signing of catcher Jonathan Lucroy Friday, the LA Angels have filled one of their biggest holes this off-season. In total the Angels have spent approximately 26 million dollars in doing so. Is there one more ace up general manager Billy Eppler’s sleeve?

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