The LA Angels miss out on another potential closer.

The LA Angels have been trying to bolster their team this off-season and one of the biggest areas of need is to improve a bullpen that blew 26 saves last season. They have gone after some big names but have come up short once again.

The LA Angels have been in the mix this off-season for multiple big names in the free agent market, but so far they have come up short in landing that big fish once again.

First the Angels tried to go after both Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ to bolster the starting rotation.  Both pitchers were signed for Joe than the Angels wanted to pony up. So the Angels decided to sign Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill instead.  While those moves weren’t the big splash most fans were hoping for they could turn out be good moves that will help the starting rotation.

The Angels then turned their attention to find a potential closer to anchor the bullpen.  First they were rumored to be after David Robertson, but he ended up signing with the Philadelphia Phillies for two years and 21 million dollars with a club option for a third season in 2021 for 12 million dollars.  The Angels then turned their sites to lefty closer Zach Britton, but were again outbid this time by the New York Yankees for three-years and 39 million dollars.

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In addition to these two closers, Andrew Miller was also signed by the St. Louis Cardinals to a two-year deal for 25 million dollars.  So now the Angels are back to square one in their search for a proven closer.  There are other options out there for a closer such as Craig Kimbrel and Adam Ottavino, both could command contracts around 15 million per year.

There are still a lot of options out there in the closer ranks including former closer Blake Parker.  Cody Allen, Bud Norris, Greg Holland, Kelvin Herrera, and Sergio Romo are less expensive options for the Angels to go after. Hopefully the Angels will be able to land at least one of these potential closers without breaking the bank.

If the Angels do not sign a free agent closer they will probably use a trio of pitchers in the role which will include Ty Buttery, Justin Anderson, and eventually Keynan Middleton once he is healthy. As for other free agents there are some bargains that are out there.  Mike Moustakas, Brian Dozier, and Gio Gonzalezlow all could be had below market value  ostrich likely as no one seems to be strongly pursued suing them.  Last year Moustakas turned down a multi-year deal in the neighborhood of 4 years and 60 million dollars and ended up signing a one year deal late in the gma winter that was worth only 8 million dollars.  This could happen again with guys like Moustakas, Dozier, and possibly Gonzalez if it gets into February and they still are not signed.

If it is not one of the aforementioned players,it could be some other players that could get a contract for a lot less than they should. If the Angels choose to wait until the 11th hour they might get lucky and get a couple of real bargains that could potentially make a big impact in 2019.