The LA Angels have many questions going into Spring Training
The LA Angels have attempted to strengthen its roster during this off-season with hopes of making a return to the playoffs in 2019. The biggest strength is the depth they have at multiple positions.
The LA Angels signed Trevor Cahill and Matt Harvey to bolster its rotation this off-season. In addition the Angels added closer Cody Allen and also Luis Garcia, Dillon Peters, and John Curtiss to provide depth for the pitching staff.
The addition of Nick Tropeano, who is fresh off Tommy John Surgery will battle for a spot in the rotation. J.C. Ramirez and Kenyan Middleton will also add even more depth upon their return close to mid-season.
The challenge for new manager Brad Ausmus will be putting the roster puzzle together in the most effective manner so the Angels 2019 squad will be better than ever. There are eight starting pitchers with MLB experience that Ausmus could choose from to put together his starting rotation.
Matt Harvey, Trevor Cahill, Tyler Skaggs, and Andrew Heaney will very likely to be in the rotation. The fifth starter spot is the one that will be hotly contested. Jamie Barria is considered the front-runner for the Angels fifth starting spot in the rotation. Nick Tropeano will push for a spot in the rotation as well Felix Pena and even possibly Alex Meyer, who was signed to a minor league deal in late December.
The Angels also have Dillon Peters and J.C. Ramirez that could find their way into the starting rotation. Griffin Canning and Nick Suarez are longshots to make the team, but they are both non-roster invitees that could be in this mix Spring.
So with this being said the bullpen is also hoping to get healthy. If the pitching staff is stronger and can stay relatively healthy in 2019 it could go a long way to improving the team and hopefully the Angels will end up in the playoffs.