LA Angels: Making the Decision on Biggest FA Starters Projected Contracts

The LA Angels are going to be all-in on starting pitching this winter, so we’re going to take a look at some of the best options on the market and play a game of “Take It Or Leave It”.

Every pitcher has a price tag, and the LA Angels are going to be looking at a pretty hefty total cost this offseason if they hope to rebuild their rotation. So, we’re going to take a look at the top five free agent starters with a projected contract, and decide whether or not the Angels should hypothetically take the deal or pass on the deal.

*all predictions are based off of mlbtraderumors.com*

Gerrit Cole for 8-years/$256 million

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The Angels need Cole more than any other free agent out there. They need an ace to lead the rotation alongside Shohei Ohtani. Cole is the best of the bunch this offseason, and is still relatively young for a starting pitcher.

In my opinion, as long as this price tag doesn’t go into the $300 million range, the Halos need to make sure they get Gerrit Cole locked up in Anaheim. Bring him home.

Verdict: Take It

Stephen Strasburg for 6-years/$180 million

This one is really interesting in my opinion.  Strasburg undoubtedly deserves more than the 4-year, $100 million he opted out of in his Nationals deal. However, paying a pitcher $30 million until he’s 37 is extremely risky, especially given Strasburg has had Tommy John in the past.

If Strasburg’s deal was short, around 4-5 years, I’d say the Angels should be all over it. However, given that there’s younger, and arguably better, options on the market, this might be a deal the Angels should avoid.

Verdict: Leave It

Hyun-Jin Ryu for 3-years/$54 million

This is as easy as it gets. Cy Young level pitching for $18 million a year? I’m salivating at the mouth thinking about it.

Verdict: Take It

Zack Wheeler for 5-years/$100 million

Wheeler is the youngest of the top-tier pitchers, and signing him would be banking on his potential to be an ace. There is, however, a chance he doesn’t improve on his career numbers with the Mets, which makes him an average starter in a rotation.

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In the Angels’ case, a $20 million risk is not one I see them taking with the other options on the table. Even with this prediction, I see the bidding for Wheeler getting out of hand later in the offseason.

Verdict: Leave It

Madison Bumgarner for 4-years/$72 million

If one of these predictions is going to be disagreed on by me and Angels fans, it’s likely this one. Bumgarner has a ton of mileage on his arm and isn’t the same pitcher he used to be. I’ll admit that.

However, $18 million a year for a pitcher who isn’t an injury risk (besides a fluke quad accident) and is still a #2 in most rotation is solid return on value. I also don’t see Bumgarner wearing down at the same rate as others, though. Last year he saw a decrease in velocity but was a still an extremely effective pitcher.

Verdict: Take It

Dallas Kuechel for 3-years/$39 million

Our final decision comes down to the man who sat out until June waiting for a worthwhile deal. If this is the deal Dallas Kuechel signs for, I hope to every god out there that it’s with the Angels. $13 million a year for a former Cy Young winner who is still a phenomenal option for the middle of a rotation would be a steal for any team.

Sure, Kuechel isn’t the same pitcher he once was but he proved in Atlanta last season that he is still a rock solid option and a minimum when it comes to injury risk. The Angels have never been linked to Kuechel and I don’t see them being too interested, but at this price it’d be worth checking in.

Verdict: Take It

So there you have it Angels fans. Obviously the Halos can’t sign every player with a “Take It” verdict, but those price tags are extremely attractive and need to be main targets for Billy Eppler and Co. this offseason.