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LA Angels Opening Day Roster taking shape

By David Rice

TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 01: Matt Thaiss #85 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim waits for a throw from teammate Forrest Snow #70 as Alex Gordon #4 of the Kansas City Royals gets back to first base during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 1, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 01: Matt Thaiss #85 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim waits for a throw from teammate Forrest Snow #70 as Alex Gordon #4 of the Kansas City Royals gets back to first base during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 1, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 13: Cody Allen #37 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the ninth inning at Progressive Field on August 13, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Angels 5-1. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 13: Cody Allen #37 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the ninth inning at Progressive Field on August 13, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Angels 5-1. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

Bullpen – 

The Angels needed to revamp a bullpen that struggled mightily most of the 2018 season.  The major changes were adding a bonafide closer in Cody Allen to anchor the back end of the bullpen.  They also added right-hander Luis Garcia in a trade for Jose Alvarez. Garcia is a hard thrower who will probably deployed in the 6th or maybe 7th inning.

The main set-up men will most likely be Justin Anderson, who filled that role for most of 2018.  Ty Buttrey also will be in the set-up mix after pitching as the closer last September.

The rest of the Angels bullpen will consist of Hansen Robles, Noe Ramirez, Cam Bedrosian, and the last spot will most likely go to Luke Bard or newly signed lefty reliever Sam Freeman who pitched for the Braves the last two seasons and has a career 8-7 record with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.  Freeman has an impressive 226 strikeouts in 226.2 innings (1 strikeout per inning pitched).  His 127 walks is a little concerning, but he could be just what the doctor ordered for the Angels who have no lefty in the bullpen.

For Freeman to be on the Opening Day roster the Angels will have to move someone off the 40-man roster.  Taylor Cole, who will start the season on the injured list could be the player the Angels swap out of the 40-man roster.

Bard is eligible to be sent to the minors as he has options still left so this could be a seemless move as well.

Next. What will the 2019 seasonhold for the Angels?

We will see how Brad Ausmus and company finish out the Opening Day Roster.  This opening day will be even more interesting as it will be the first game under new manager Brad Ausmus.  Let’s hope that this the beginning of a special season.

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