LA Angels: Three Value Deals to Make to Complete Roster

The first of these players is someone the Halos have been linked to, and that is former Pittsburgh Pirates All Star Josh Harrison. Harrison has interest from numerous teams, which may drive his price up too far for the Angels to be out of the race.

However, Harrison would be someone who provides enough value and versatility for Moreno to open up his wallet just a bit more. He has played second base for the majority of his career, but has also shown he can handle himself at third base and in the outfield.

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Those three positions should scream at the Angels to sign Harrison. Last season at third, Zack Cozart was uninspiring before going down for the season with a shoulder injury. Taylor Ward, who started the majority of games to finish out the season, was also disappointing as he failed to find any consistency at the plate.

At second base, David Fletcher was solid on defense and made good contact at the plate, but will never have the power most teams hope for from an everyday starter. And in right field, Kole Calhoun was a tale of two halves, but regressed back to his woeful ways in the batters box during the final month of the season.

Harrison would provide valuable depth off the bench, and he could also fill in as a starter in any of the three positions in which the Angels need it the most. While the Angels hope Cozart’s 2018 was an outlier instead of regression and Calhoun can be the version of himself that was one of the best hitters in the league over the summer, hoping is not as good as insurance. Harrison would be a perfect fit in this Angels clubhouse, whether as a reserve or starter.

If the Angels are still looking for another reliever to fill out their bullpen, Ryan Madson just might be that guy. After an awful 2018 season, Madson is a candidate for a bounce back year for whoever signs him, and the Angels should at least test the waters on the 38-year old righty.

Last season, Madson totaled a 5.47 ERA for two National League teams in the Nationals and Dodgers. However, the three seasons prior, Madson was a dominant reliever, posting a combined 2.55 ERA and allowing only 14 home runs in 187 innings pitched. Whether Madson’s 2018 was a sign of regression or simply an off-year, only time will tell. However, the Angels would be wise to give him a low-guarantee deal, see what he has in Spring Training, and then make their final decision. There would be no need to guarantee someone nearing 40 and coming off their worst career season a roster spot.

Madson is a perfect player for the Angels’ situation. They have a lot of hard throwers in their bullpen, while Madson is nearing retirement, he fits in just fine as he hit upper-90’s throughout last season. With Allen operating as closer (until further notice) the Angels still need arms to get them to the ninth inning with the lead, and most pieces in their bullpen are unproven.

Madson’s experience as a reliever is a plus for a relatively young Angels’ bullpen. The fact that he could be signed for very little money is an even greater plus for the team. If they’re serious about contending for a playoff spot in 2019, a signing like Madson could be the type of low-risk high-reward signing that will help get them there.

The final player the Angels could use to finish off their free agency is, yet another, one-year candidate. Drew Pomeranz was in line for a big pay-day following two straight years (2016/2017) with a 3.32 ERA, but a 6.08 ERA in 2018 derailed any hopes of a big contract this offseason.

What is in Pomeranz’s best interest lines up with what the Angels have been looking for this offseason. A one-year deal for Pomeranz to recoup some of his value is what the starter should be looking for, and the Angels assuredly are a good landing spot.

When Pomeranz looks for spots where he could get his share of starts, the Angels could be appealing. There’s of course Tyler Skaggs and Andrew Heaney headlining the rotation, but after Harvey and Cahill, there’s a bunch of names who don’t have the pedigree Pomeranz can boast. There would be no guarantee for him, but if 2018 truly was an outlier season, then Pomeranz would have no problem beating out the likes of Jaime Barria, Nick Tropeano, and Felix Peña.

With the possibility of a six-man rotation in Anaheim, Pomeranz could earn that role of the fifth or sixth starter, then he could spend the season regaining the value before hitting free agency again next offseason, and the Angels could reap all the benefits.