3 early extensions the LA Angels should pursue as soon as possible

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Phil Gosselin, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

The LA Angels are still nearly two months out from the end of the season, but it’s not too early for Perry Minasian to start working on contract extensions.

We have some key guys who are free agents this offseason, as well as some who are just simply worthy of a contract extension.

There are three players in particular who have earned themselves extensions. Here’s no issue in getting those extensions done now, and I’d like to see these players extended as early as possible.

No. 3 early extension the LA Angels should pursue: Phil Gosselin

The LA Angels should look into extending Phil Gosselin because of his utility. He can play every position except for center field, catcher and shortstop.

With the Angels being a team who has had a lot of injury issues this year, Gosselin could be a huge keep for the Halos.

Also, while Gosselin hasn’t been tremendous with the bat this year, he’s had some really good stretches.

All in all this year, he’s batted .265 with 28 RBI in 66 games. Again, that’s nothing special, but it’s serviceable if an Anthony Rendon or a Jared Walsh gets hurt and we need someone to fill-in.

Due to high number of positions Gosselin can play, he can also fill in for an injured Justin Upton, or any corner outfielder. Again, Gosselin doesn’t have a proven track record of being an effective every day starter, but I’d love him back for good depth.

He’ll be a free agent next offseason, and I think we could extend him now for cheap. I expect him to be productive again next year, so we should lock him up before someone else sets their eyes on him in his 2023 free agency.

Alex Cobb, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 early extension the LA Angels should pursue: Alex Cobb

Alex Cobb has hinted that he’s interested in staying with the LA Angels, and I’d love to see it.

Cobb’s on the IL right now, but the last time we saw him, he looked great.

In his last four starts, Cobb gave up just three earned runs in 24.2 IP. That’s a 1.09 ERA. It’s put him on his way to a 3.82 ERA on the season.

He’s looked much better in Anaheim than he did the last few years. He clearly needed a change of scenery, and he’s pitched really well in his opportunity for that change.

Cobb made $15 million this year, and he’s likely to cost a bit more per year if the Halos do indeed want to go ahead and give him an extension.

Cobb deserves it though, as starting pitching is hard to come by in this league. This team was absolutely snake-bitten by underperforming starters this year (Jose Quintana, Griffin Canning, Dylan Bundy, etc) and needs to lock up who they know is solid.

We didn’t trade him at the deadline and get compensation for him. So let’s go all out and keep him for the long haul.

Raisel Iglesias, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 early extension the LA Angels should pursue: Raisel Iglesias

Like Cobb, the LA Angels chose not to trade Raisel Iglesias despite a big market for the closer.

So, like with Cobb, the Angels should renew that faith in the closer, go all out, and extend him.

What would be the downside in extending Iglesias? He’s easily the best reliever on the Angels.

He has a 2.94 ERA (which is the lowest out of Angels’ relievers), he’s walked just 1.56 batters per nine (which is the lowest out of Angels’ relievers who have pitched more than five times), and he has a 13.50 strikeouts per nine rate (which is the highest out of Angels’ relievers who have pitched more than four times).

No Angels’ reliever has a higher fWAR than Iglesias (1.3), and no Angels reliever has a lower WHIP than Iglesias (0.88).

He’s hands-down one of the best relievers in baseball right now. Get a deal done now so we don’t have to enter bidding wars that we know are going to take place when free agency kicks up.

Next. 3 positives we'd like to see

Get deals done with all of these Angels now, that way we can focus on newer and bigger acquisitions in the winter meetings.

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No. 3 early extension the LA Angels should pursue: Phil Gosselin

No. 2 early extension the LA Angels should pursue: Alex Cobb

No. 1 early extension the LA Angels should pursue: Raisel Iglesias

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