LA Angels: Julio Teheran is the Value Starter the Team Needs

As the LA Angels look to build their rotation following Anthony Rendon’s arrival in Anaheim, one former NL East rival of the new third baseman in Anaheim makes more and more sense.

When Julio Teheran’s option was declined by the Atlanta Braves earlier this offseason, I immediately wrote about how solid of an addition he’d be for the Angels’ rotation. Now that Billy Eppler has to repair the rotation under a stricter budget, Teheran becomes even more appealing.

Considering Teheran has literally never been bad throughout his career in the MLB, it’s somewhat surprising to me that he isn’t considered in that second tier of free agent starters.

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Teheran owns a career 3.67 ERA, and has been ridiculously durable thus far in his career. Since 2013, he has posted at least 30 starts in each season.  That’s a stat the Angels need from whatever starters they sign this offseason, and Teheran fits the bill.

On top of his rock solid career resume, Teheran also boasts more upside than all of the main free agent starters left. At just 28-years old, he is just entering the prime of his career and could flourish in a new environment.

The fact that Atlanta chose to not pick up Teheran’s $12 million option for next year seemed odd at the time, and give how the starting pitching market has panned out it makes even less sense now. If the Angels can sign Teheran on a 2-3 year deal worth anywhere from $12-15 million a year, that’s a huge win in my book.

This signing would also give the Angels some decent room left to spend. With Anthony Rendon only being paid $25.5 million ($10 million less than his AAV), it gives the Angels enough room to sign Teheran AND a pitcher from the Bumgarner/Ryu/Keuchel trio.

The Angels can still build a winning rotation for 2020 and beyond. While Teheran can’t be the headliner of that rotation, he can be a valuable piece that gives the Angels a chance to win every time he takes the mound.