Angels News: What a trade for Alex Cobb means going forward

The addition of Cobb fits the pattern of one-year rental players the Angels have acquired this offseason.

Cobb adds to the list of nine current Halos who will be free agents following the 2021 season. Four of those players are the following starting pitchers: Cobb, Quintana, Heaney, Bundy.

All of these one-year additions lead me to believe owner Arte Moreno and the Angels are maybe considering going for it all this season. From a salary perspective, it makes sense not to commit long-term deals given there will be a lot of money coming off the payroll in the next two seasons.

Fans understandably don’t want to hear it, but the organization will view this season as a ‘whatever happens, win or lose’, it’s a win-win scenario for the future.

If the Angels are winning with this current group, a significant trade can be made around the deadline for an impact player who can put the Halos over the top.

If the Angels fall out of contention early, the one-year rental players will be traded to contending teams for future assets. This will give the Halos a head start at building for 2022, but another wasted year for Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.

The offseason needs have been addressed, but not with the type of talent or big-name players fans have been asking for.

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There’s always the possibility Cobb and this current group does enough to make the Angels competitive. Though, the statistics and history of the current roster say otherwise on paper. At this point it’s hoping for the best, until Moreno and Minasian bring in guaranteed improvements.