LA Angels: 3 reasons to pass on top free agent Trevor Bauer

Bauer to the Angels? Not so fast — let’s play devil’s advocate.

Trevor Bauer is the best free agent starting pitcher on the market, but should the Angels really sign him? The Angels desperately need pitching if they want to win, and with a plethora of options on the market, there is no better opportunity to bolster their rotation this offseason. The glamour of the 2020 NL Cy Young winner, who is still on the market, may entice fans, and rightfully so. Bauer was one of the best starting pitchers in the shortened 2020 season and would immediately become their ace. For many fans, there seems to be no better fit for the Southern California native than to head home and contribute to the Angels’ championship endeavor.

The Angels have come short of making the postseason year in and year out, seemingly wasting the generational talent of Mike Trout. The Angels’ minimal efforts to improve their pitching staff is one reason for these failures. The Angels rotation, which was second worst in the league last season with a 5.52 ERA and 4.78 FIP, needs obvious work, but Bauer may not be the clear answer. Where their pursuit for Trevor Bauer stands, if they even have interest, remains unclear, but the Angels should be hesitant at throwing money for a pitcher like Bauer.

While signing Bauer may seem like a fantastic idea on paper, it’s an idea that needs to be scrutinized and re-considered. The Angels should absolutely look to find their ace, but solving the Angels’ lackluster rotation isn’t as simple as signing Bauer and calling it an offseason for a variety of reasons. There’s a convincing case to sign Bauer, and there’s also a convincing case to pass on him and look elsewhere.

Here are three reasons why the Los Angeles Angels ultimately would be better off not signing Bauer this offseason.