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LA Angels: 3 players to fill a need in starting pitching

By Evan Desai |
There'll be no standing ovation for Justin Verlander (35) at Comerica Park in 2021. But in 2022? Tigers 091018 14 Mw
There'll be no standing ovation for Justin Verlander (35) at Comerica Park in 2021. But in 2022? Tigers 091018 14 Mw
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Sep 30, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) delivers a pitch against New York Yankees in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) delivers a pitch against New York Yankees in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

The LA Angels have a dire need for starting pitching.

They’ve had that for a while now. It’s so obviously keeping the Angels out of contention, and needs to be addressed.

And don’t be surprised if it does end up being addressed. Perry Minasian is the same guy who just used every draft pick he had on pitchers.

There are so many great free agent options at the position this offseason. It’s time for the Angels to make a move.

No. 3 player to fill a need in starting pitching for the LA Angels: Robbie Ray

Robbie Ray may be the 2021 Cy Young Award winner, and could provide a major boost for the LA Angels’ rotation.

Ray was dominant this season, going 13-7 with a 2.84 ERA. That was the best ERA of his career, and he also had the best WHIP of his career at 1.045.

He only walked 2.4 batters per nine innings, and struck out 11.5. He led the Majors with 248 strikeouts, and has drastically improved following his rough 2020 campaign.

He’s coming into this season with a lot of momentum. He already improved after he left the Arizona Diamondbacks mid-season last year, and he took his game to another level this year.

He’ll cost a lot more than the $8 million he cost this past year, but he still likely won’t be the most expensive starter on the market. He needs to be under serious consideration.

Jul 24, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 24, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 player to fill a need in starting pitching for the LA Angels: Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander has only pitched one start in the last two years due to injury, but he’s still a very intriguing option for the LA Angels next year.

Verlander will be back next year, and is too good of a pitcher to pass up on if the Angels have the money.

They certainly do have the money, and need to make it three AL MVPs on one team if they can.

Verlander is 38, but Max Scherzer is in his late-30s too, and nobody would question his fit with this team. Verlander pitched at the level of Scherzer too.

In the 2019 season, Verlander won 21 games in 34 starts. He posted a 2.58 ERA along with an AL-best 0.803 WHIP.

He struck out over 12 batters per nine innings, and gave up just 5.5 hits per nine (which was also the best in the Majors). The guy is simply untouchable, and has multiple Cy Youngs to prove it. Bring him in if possible.

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

No. 1 player to fill a need in starting pitching for the LA Angels: Max Scherzer

Max Scherzer is the best option there is in free agency of any position for the LA Angels.

We have the money to throw at him, and if he’s willing to leave the Dodgers, he could come on over if we do indeed offer the most money.

It’s a no-brainer. He’s playing the best baseball of his career right now, having posted a 1.98 ERA after the trade to the Dodgers.

He was 7-0, and posted an 0.820 WHIP. It’s not often that there is a free agent class of starting pitchers so great, and the Angels not only have the money to spend on one, but the money to spend on the very best one.

The Halos’ starting rotation posted a 4.78 ERA this past season, which was the ninth-worst in baseball. They were tied for the sixth-worst WHIP at 1.37, and need more depth.

Next. 5 biggest questions of the offseason

They can’t just recycle prospects next year again. We need to be in the postseason.

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