LA Angels: 3 mistakes we hope Astros make this offseason

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Oct 8, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Kendall Graveman (31) reacts to getting the last out against the Chicago White Sox during the game in game two of the 2021 ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

The LA Angels have a huge offseason coming up.

The Angels have plenty of work to do on their own, but it would also be nice if the AL West division winners could help us out a bit.

We were picked by many to win the division this year, but had a slew of injuries absolutely smother us. The Astros came out on top. If we want to be the best, we’ve got to beat the best.

If we have a successful offseason, we’ll have a major chance to get it done. Those chances will go way up if we nail the offseason, and the Astros mess up in a critical winter for them too.

No. 3 mistake we hope the Astros make this offseason: Don’t re-sign Kendall Graveman

Kendall Graveman hasn’t been pitching as well for the Astros as he had been for the Seattle Mariners this season.

He’s still a very quality reliever, however. Even when he wasn’t at his best in Houston, he still posted a 3.13 ERA and a career-high 10.6 strikeouts per nine rate.

Maybe he’s not who he was for Seattle this year, but he’s still very good and won’t cost much.

He made $1.75 million this season, and is coming off of lesser baseball than what he was playing in the first half. That price is only going to go down.

Hopefully the Astros will see him as a declining player, and not prioritize him this offseason.

Sep 19, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 mistake we hope the Astros make this offseason: Overpay for Zack Greinke

Zack Greinke is still a very good pitcher for the Astros. He’s more than reliable in this league, and it would be awesome if the LA Angels could pick him up for the right price.

The key is ‘the right price,’ however. Greinke was paid $35 million this past year. The Angels can’t spend $35 million+ on a third player too, especially if that player is past his prime.

Again, Greinke is still a good player, but he’s no Ace anymore. His ERA is 4.12 these past two years, and he’s only been striking out 7.1 batters per nine innings.

I’d so much rather the Astros overcompensate to bring him back than the Angels go out and throw a lot of money at him. I don’t know what his exact price will be, but the guy is a six-time All-Star, a Cy Young winner, and a two-time ERA title winner. He’s established, he has a stacked resume, and he’s going to find a way to ask for a lot.

Hopefully the Astros make the mistake of signing him for too much.

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. 1 mistake we hope the Astros make this offseason: Let the LA Angels sign Justin Verlander

‘Justin Verlander is coming off of an injury and the Astros don’t want to take that risk’ is what we want to be hearing all offseason. We hope that follows through and that the Astros actually don’t sign him.

We want Verlander. Sure, he’s coming off of an injury, but if he’s even somewhat like his usual self coming off of this, we’ll take it.

The former AL MVP has a lot of experience in this league (and division at this point), and has been on a tear after he was traded to Houston.

As an Astro, he has posted a 2.45 ERA to go along with a 0.834 WHIP. The last time he was healthy (2019), he won his second Cy Young.

Verlander has struck out an absurd 12.1 batters per nine, and walked just 1.6 batters per nine with the ‘Stros.

Again, even if he’s somewhat close to this level of production, he’s an Ace.

Next. 3 free agent mistakes Perry Minasian can't afford

It would be tremendous if the Astros could botch this and let him sign elsewhere. It would be even better if he could sign over here.

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