LA Angels: Why the Halos are better without Jake Odorizzi

Given the low-risk approach they’ve taken this offseason, I’d imagine the Halos would prefer giving their younger arms like Patrick Sandoval and Jaime Barria opportunities. Top prospects Chris Rodriguez and Reid Detmers could also see some time as starters, rather than have a soon-to-be 31-year old pitcher like Odorizzi clog a rotation spot. Manager Joe Maddon has also said he plans to use Shohei Ohtani regularly in a six-man rotation.

It’d be one thing if Odorizzi has proven to be a top of the rotation type of ace, but I would rather see any one of the pitchers mentioned above get their shot. At some point, the Angels will need to see who can be used in a future rotation, so they might as well start to give them meaningful starts now.

The Angels have younger starters who should have opportunities this season.

Suppose general manager Perry Minasian rolled the dice and got aggressive. In that case, it’s possible the Halos could have signed Odorizzi and traded starters currently on the roster to improve other areas of the team. Of course, that’s easier said than done, and it doesn’t appear the Angels are in any rush to gamble for a chance to improve their contending odds.

That just about does it for quality starting pitchers on the free-agent market. Veterans Cole Hamels and Rick Porcello headline the current list, but they don’t fit what the Angels need at the moment.

If the Halos need to make an impact-rotation addition at some point this season, it most likely will come in the form of a trade.