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LA Angels: 3 free agents LAA can steal from rivals this offseason

By Evan Desai |
Oct 1, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 28, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Zack Greinke walks on the field before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Zack Greinke walks on the field before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

The LA Angels have a lot going for them in what could be a huge offseason.

Many fans are disappointed and don’t realize that, but it’s true. The Halos have an owner worth $3.6 billion, and he’s going to have a major opportunity to spend money that we do have.

We also have Mike Trout recruiting, and having the two best players on the planet is a great selling point. Nobody in this league, including our arch rivals, have this going for them. We may not be as good as some of our rivals, but we can absolutely pry some free agents away from them.

No. 3 free agent the LA Angels can steal from a rival this offseason: Zack Greinke

Six-time All-Star Zack Greinke absolutely fits a need for the LA Angels in starting pitching.

We all know how bad the Angels need starters. Angels starters combined for the ninth-worst ERA in baseball this season (4.78), and were in the top three in most walks per nine innings (3.5).

Greinke had a much different season, however. The guy just throws strikes. He walked just 1.9 batters per nine innings, and hasn’t walked multiple since the 2017 season.

His 4.16 ERA wasn’t the best, but his career 3.41 ERA is impressive, and he’s obviously got a lot of experience pitching against this division.

Greinke wouldn’t be the Ace of this staff, but he’d surely be a good option to look at. Especially since the Astros would like him back.

Sep 29, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 free agent the LA Angels can steal from a rival this offseason: Kenley Jansen

Kenley Jansen has been one of the biggest names in LA baseball for quite some time now. He’s played his entire career with the Dodgers since his rookie 2010 season.

He’s been a special player overall. He’s had some clutch letdowns in the past, and I know there is a portion of the Dodgers’ fanbase that gets frustrated by those moments.

I also know that when looking at his overall statistics, he still has had a special career. His lifetime 2.37 ERA is incredible, and he’s up to 350 saves now.

He gives up very few home runs (0.5 per nine this year), so he’d fit in with the Angels.

If Raisel Iglesias can’t be re-signed, Jansen needs to be looked into.

He’s a three-time All-Star, and is one of few relief pitchers in this league who has been a top five NL Cy Young candidate (2017). His career 0.928 WHIP is what the Angels need.

The bullpen for us had the sixth-highest WHIP this year (1.40), and the seventh-highest ERA in baseball (4.57). Jansen is good in the areas we’re not.

Sep 29, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 free agent the LA Angels can steal from a rival this offseason: Max Scherzer

Mike Trout’s already been recruiting Max Scherzer for the LA Angels.

The Angels have been interested in Scherzer since the trade deadline, and apparently Scherzer loves LA.

Of course, that’s even better news to the Dodgers, since they’re of course in LA too and he’s already with them.

If the Angels can really push as high of a payday as possible, however, they can end up coming up with the gem of this crop of free agent starting pitchers.

Not only is Scherzer the best free agent on a rival team that the Halos could pick up, but he’s the best free agent pitcher on the market league-wide.

Playing the best baseball he ever has since the trade, Scherzer went 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA on the Dodgers.

Next. 5 biggest questions of the offseason

Prying Scherzer away, or even Jansen, would benefit this team. Taking Greinke from the Astros would be a great move. The Angels have options this offseason, and I have faith that they’ll get some big things done.

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