Predicting LA Angels 2020 Opening Day Roster

Only 136 days until the LA Angels open their season in Houston against the division rival Astros.

So why not predict who will take the field for the LA Angels next year? The General Manager meetings are beginning in Arizona this week, which indicates the unofficial beginning of the offseason. Teams and agents will begin laying the groundwork for potential deals. GM’s will begin floating potential trade ideas. So while we still have all of free agency to watch, there’s no better time than the present to predict the 2020 Opening Day roster.

Obviously this article will include some predictions in terms of free agency and/or trades. I did my best to keep things realistic, even with Arte Moreno’s comments about spending big this winter.

We all remember how awful the Angels free agent class of 2019 was. Headlined by Matt Harvey, Trevor Cahill, and Jonathan Lucroy, it was one of the most disappointing groups in Angels’ history. No player signed made a positive impact to the club (based on WAR), and that’s obviously something that will need to change in 2020 as the Angels hope to return to the playoffs under Joe Maddon.

So, without further ado, I bring to you the 2020 Opening Day roster for the Los Angeles Angels.

*signifies a free agent addition*

Starting Rotation

1.) RHP Gerrit Cole

2.) RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani

3.) RHP Jake Odorizzi

4.) LHP Andrew Heaney

5.) RHP Griffin Canning

6.) LHP Dillon Peters

Angels fans, we (hypothetically) got him. Gerrit Cole is the top target this offseason, and the Angels brass has no excuses not to bring him home to Anaheim. They have the money, they have the need, and if they don’t get it done it’ll be an embarrassment.

Next up we have Shohei Ohtani returning to the rotation, which is also why you see a six-man rotation. I only see Ohtani pitching 130-150 innings next season if all goes well, as the Angels will likely be careful with his return to the mound.

Following Ohtani is another free agent signing. Jake Odorizzi finished 2019 strong and posted a solid overall season. While he’s no ace, having him as your #3 starter is about as good as it gets outside of Washington D.C or Chavez Ravine.

Andrew Heaney and Griffin Canning are obvious choices as long as they’re healthy. Heaney showed serious flashes last season, and Canning will look to build off of a solid rookie campaign.

My choice for the last spot could have gone in a lot of directions, but Dillon Peters showed down the line that he has what it takes to be in a major league rotation. Unless Felix Pena is healthy at the start of the season, I fully expect Peters to win the sixth spot in Spring Training.

Other names to consider: Jose Suarez, Patrick Sandoval, Jaime Barria

Infielders

1B/DH Albert Pujols

1B/DH Jared Walsh

2B/3B Tommy La Stella

SS Andrelton Simmons

2B Luis Rengifo

2B/3B/SS/OF David Fletcher

C Kevan Smith

C Martin Maldonado

Same old stuff in the infield in 2020. Albert Pujols at first, Andrelton Simmons at shortstop, and a three-headed unit manning third base and second base. Tommy La Stella, David Fletcher, and Luis Rengifo are all expected to garner playing time next year, and it’ll be interesting to see how playing time shakes out.

After Joe Maddon expressed his love for David Fletcher nearly immediately after being named manager, Fletcher is a sure bet to be an everyday player. Watching how Maddon uses Fletcher is going to be one of the most interesting parts of the Angels’ season, as he can literally play anywhere on the diamond.

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La Stella should be a starter alongside Simmons and Fletcher as well, with Rengifo serving as the all-around backup for the infield. Last season we saw Brad Ausmus position Fletcher and La Stella defensively based on matchups. It’d be nice for them to find some regularity, but you obviously want Fletcher wherever more groundballs are going to be hit.

At first, it’s pretty straightforward. Albert Pujols will continue as the everyday option, likely serving as a DH when Ohtani isn’t in the lineup. Jared Walsh will be the first option to be the backup at first base, but will need to show improvement from his 2019 season if he hopes to hold onto that role.

Behind the plate, it doesn’t seem like Max Stassi will be ready for 2020 right away. Kevan Smith is the incumbent, but why not bring back Martin Maldonado? He has experience with a lot of the Angels’ current pitchers, and was Gerrit Cole’s personal catcher in Houston. A homecoming to Anaheim makes sense for every party involved.

Outfield

CF Mike Trout

LF Justin Upton

RF Brian Goodwin

OF Michael Hermosillo

Now, first off, let’s talk about the one name not listed. Jo Adell is absent from this list, and it is not entirely because of his talent. Do I believe Jo Adell is going to be the everyday right fielder at some point for the Angels in 2020? Yes. On Opening Day? No. Here’s why.

Adell very likely isn’t ready for a big league role. He is having a phenomenal offseason, but that’s an entirely different sport compared to the pitching he’ll see everyday in the MLB. One other factor is service time manipulation. By having Adell start the season in Salt Lake, the Angels will pick up an extra year of control on their top prospect, which is extremely valuable given his agent is Scott Boras.

As for the actual outfielders, it’s much of the same. Justin Upton will finally have a healthy season after an injury marred 2019 season. Mike Trout is Mike Trout. Brian Goodwin will swap in for Kole Calhoun until Jo Adell is ready.

As for the fourth outfielder, I went with Michael Hermosillo. He can play every spot, and the Angels will rarely need him given Goodwin’s ability to play center field. Fletcher and Walsh can also play the corner outfield spots. This could be somewhere the Angels look to improve on through a waiver add, but as of now Hermosillo makes sense.