How the LA Angels Can Still Have a Winning Offseason

The LA Angels missed out on Stephen Strasburg…and Zack Wheeler… and *cries* Gerrit Cole. However, these three steps are how they can still be considered winners this offseason.

1.) LA Angels Attack Secondary Starter Market

More from Halo Hangout

• New York Post columnist has LA Angels bringing veteran starter back to LA
• Dodgers make wild mistake signing failed LA Angels starter
• Why LA Angels’ Qualifying Offer to Raisel Iglesias could become historical
• Both Gold Glove finalists for LA Angels getting snubbed is a complete joke
• Marcus Stroman definitely appears to be interested in the LA Angels

This essentially means one thing. If you can’t sign one elite pitcher then you need to sign at least two very good pitchers. Madison Bumgarner is a born competitor. The fit with Hyun-Jin Ryu and the Angels is literally perfect. The Angels can sign both of these guys for around the same amount annually as what Gerrit Cole signed with the Yankees for, and might be better off going this route.

2.) Add an Elite Bat in Josh Donaldson or Anthony Rendon

After trading away Zack Cozart to clear salary, the Angels can sign both Ryu and Bumgarner and still have a reasonable amount of money left. Anthony Rendon has been linked to the Angels more and more as Winter Meetings go on, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see the Halos add him to the top of their lineup for the next 6-8 years.

If Rendon is out of their price range (cries again at the thought of that), then Josh Donaldson is the obvious pivot for the Angels. I touched on why he would be a great fit and make the offense elite earlier this week, and you can click here to read that. Basically, he can play first or third and fill in where needed on defense while providing elite production in the batter’s box.

3.) Make a Trade for a Starter

The LA Angels can’t just rely on free agency at this point. The resources remaining aren’t enough to build a legitimate contender around. They need to be all-in on the trade market, whether it is for an ace or mid-rotation arm. They missed out on the highest quality players available, so now Billy Eppler and Co. have to focus on quantity of reliable players Joe Maddon has at his disposal.

I truthfully didn’t expect to be writing this article. I believed the Angels would spend stupid money to bring in Gerrit Cole. That being said, this offseason is far from over, and the Angels can still have a phenomenal offseason by following these three steps.