LA Angels: Grading Each Offseason Signing

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 18: Justin Bour #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts in front of Dominic Smith #22 of the New York Mets after hitting an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park on September 18, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 5-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

While the LA Angels have not had the offseason many fans hoped for, they still made a handful of signings to improve their team for 2019.

Of course, the LA Angels still have time for a big move, they could very well still sign Yasmani Grandal should his price go down or even former Cy Young winner Dallas Kuechel. Nonetheless, this piece is focused solely on grading the four major league signings the team has made thus far.

1B/DH Justin Bour

The Angels started their offseason in a move not many saw coming, signing former Miami Marlin Justin Bour to a one-year, $2.5 million deal.

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The left-handed hitter had a down year in 2018, but had developed into a nice piece a year prior. In 2017, Bour hit .289 with 25 home runs and 83 RBI’s. While his numbers did regress in 2018, the Angels are hoping to find the production Bour had in 2017, and they believe they’ve found the way to do that.

As we all know, Albert Pujols is clogging up first base as much as he is the Angels’ payroll. He is, statistically, no longer an above-average player. However, the Angels still believe he can contribute on the field despite season ending surgeries in the majority of his Halo years.

The tentative plan would be for Bour and Pujols to platoon first base while Shohei Ohtani is the everyday designated hitter. As Ohtani is rehabbing from Tommy John, there will be days where he can’t hit, which Pujols will likely slide into the DH spot.

While this move was not a big one, it is one that playoff teams make. Bour is truly elite against right-handed pitching, something the Angels have lacked for years in their lineup, and will make things run much smoother come 2019. For that type of money, Bour is a very welcome addition to the 2019 Halos.

Signing Grade: A-

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 25: Matt Harvey #32 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals at Great American Ball Park on September 25, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

RHP, Matt Harvey

As the Angels chased after (and missed out on) every high-caliber pitcher they chased this year, they eventually fed their starving fans by signing Matt Harvey to a one-year, $10.5 million deal. Whether the meal was cheese and crackers or a five-course dinner is yet to be seen, however, Matt Harvey does bring value to the Halos.

While his 4.94 ERA in 2018 is not encouraging, it did drop to 4.50 after he was traded to Cincinnati. While those numbers are not what the former Cy Young candidate would hope for, they do offer hope for upside. Harvey found his velocity begin coming back once he joined the Reds, and a fully healthy offseason could be a huge boost for the 29-year old as he hopes to continue his career resurgence.

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Even if Harvey is mostly the same pitcher he was last year, he still offers value to the Angels. Last season with the Reds, Harvey went deep into games often, helping preserve the Reds bullpen. For an Angels team who overused their relievers (resulting in 26 blown saves, fifth worst in the MLB), a starting pitcher like Harvey is a big value.

If he is the same exact pitcher he was in 2018, then the deal is fine. However, if he continues gaining velocity and finds even a hint of his former self, the Angels become real contenders with Harvey, Tyler Skaggs, and Andrew Heaney at the top of their rotation.

Signing Grade: B+

ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 16: Trevor Cahill #53 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on May 16, 2010 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Athletics 4-0. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

RHP, Trevor Cahill

Angels are rarely thought of as thieves, but the stole from the Oakland A’s by agreeing to a one-year deal with Trevor Cahill for $9 million. The 30-year old pitcher has had an up-and-down career, but the Angels will hope to steady his numbers in 2019.

Cahill posted a 3.76 ERA in 2018, his fifth season posting an ERA below four. However, he also has five seasons posting an ERA above four, with the lowest being 4.16 in 2011. The other four years all finished 4.63 or above. So while Cahill could arguably be a boom-or-busy signing, Billy Eppler must be confident a boom year is coming.

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Most Cahill doubters will point to his home and away splits from 2018, where he had a 1.84 and 6.41 ERA, respectively. Pitching in the Oakland Coliseum is a huge advantage, but The Big A is a pitchers ballpark as well, even with the lowered right field wall. For what it’s worth, of the opposing stadiums Cahill pitched, his 4.15 ERA in Anaheim is the lowest of the group.

Cahill does not offer the upside Harvey does to the rotation in 2019. However, the Angels have learned in recent year that a team can never have too many pitchers, and the Cahill signing emphasizes that. If he can somewhat replicate his career averages, he will be a solid piece for the second half of the Angels rotation.

Signing Grade: B-

OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 17: Jonathan Lucroy #21 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates after hitting a walk off single against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the eleventh inning at the Oakland Coliseum on June 17, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6-5 in 11 innings. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

C, Jonathan Lucroy

This signing for the Angels is the one that could be the ultimate bust or could prove to be the one that puts the Angels over the top and into the playoffs. While there is minimal risk in giving Lucroy $3.35 million for 2019, there is question as to how much the 32-year old can contribute to a team.

Last season, Lucroy’s offensive numbers dipped while he became a negative on the defensive side of the ball. With such a downward trend on defense, and a general manager in Billy Eppler who emphasizes defense, the signing was confusing at first. However, as Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic highlighted, the Angels believe Lucroy’s 2018 numbers were “more of an outlier than a regression” and are confident Josè Molina will be able to work out any kinks in his defensive game come Spring Training.

The biggest ability Lucroy brings to the Angels is not a physical one. His understanding of the game of baseball and pitching is amongst the best in the league. Without Lucroy catching games in Oakland last year, and leading a rotation of misfits, rookies, and openers, they would not have made the playoffs.

With the Angels pitching not where they’ve wanted it the past few years, Lucroy has the ability to upgrade the entire pitching staff just with his pure knowledge of game management and opposing hitters.

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While the Lucroy signing does have potential to be great, expecting any player, even more so a catcher, past their prime comes back from their worst season yet is wishful thinking. Lucroy undoubtedly will help the pitching staffs, and a bounce back at the plate is highly possible given his hard hit rate went up last season, but the defensive metrics do not show Lucroy as a contributor anymore. While the small deal could still be beneficial, Lucroy will cause Halo fans to wish for Martin Maldonado back behind the plate a few times this season.

Signing Grade: C+

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