Angels: Revisiting 3 rumors from offseason that never came true

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 18: (L-R) Amy Cole, Gerrit Cole and sports agent Scott Boras pose for a photo at Yankee Stadium during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on December 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 18: (L-R) Amy Cole, Gerrit Cole and sports agent Scott Boras pose for a photo at Yankee Stadium during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on December 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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Angels
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 09: Yasmani Grandal #24 of the Chicago White Sox looks on against the Cincinnati Reds on March 9, 2020 at Camelback Ranch in Glendale Arizona. (Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images)

Rumor: Angels had interest in Yasmani Grandal

After owner Arte Moreno announced in October that “payroll will go up next year,” Angels fans were ready for the team to spend big on improving their lineup and fixing a long broken pitching staff. One name that they were linked to early in the offseason was catcher Yasmani Grandal.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Angels were one of a handful of teams to show the most interest in the Cuban hitter. The Halos entered the offseason in need of improving their catching position, an area of weakness since Chris Iannetta left after the 2015 season.

Following Rosenthal’s report, there wasn’t a lot of fuel added to the rumor that the Angels could sign him, mostly generating buzz from writers and fans picturing him as a good fit for the team.

The 31-year-old, who smacked a career-best 28 home runs in 2019, ended up signing a four-year, $73 million deal with the White Sox. This took the top catching target off the market, leaving the Angels with Jason Castro, who they signed to a one-year, $6.85 million deal in December.

Castro is known for his pitch framing ability, which should help a pitching staff that lacks any major addition from the offseason. If a season is played in 2020, the 32-year-old will provide a stop-gap solution to the backstop position. And the Angels eventually found their slugger in Anthony Rendon.

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