LA Angels: 4 biggest questions of the offseason answered by HH staff

The LA Angels have an incredibly influential offseason coming up here.

The Halos were expected by many to win the American Least West division this year, and then didn’t even finish .500.

With the offseason being very important for this team, we at Halo Hangout gathered together and answered the four toughest questions of the offseason for this franchise.

No. 4 biggest question of the offseason: What should the LA Angels do about the shortstop situation this offseason?

David Rice, Contributor:

“I think for shortstop we get a guy for two years at most while our young shortstops continue to develop.”

Jacob Cisneros, Contributor:

“I sort of agree with David about shortstop, however, I do think the Angels should go and get the cheapest of the shortstop class and I believe that would be Marcus Semien if my projections are right. That would give the Angels more competitive offense and time for the minor league shortstops to develop, no more than 3-4 year deal.”

Zach Levine, Contributor:

“With starting pitching taking priority over shortstop, combined with the unlikeliness of us going over the luxury tax, the top guys like Correa and Story are out of the question. Luckily, the next best (and roughly $20-25 million/year) options are All-Star caliber guys like Javier Baez and Marcus Semien, both of whom would provide excellent value on both offense and defense. Take your pick, but at the end of the day either one would slot in and instantly give us one of the top middle infields in baseball.”

Craig Tyson Adams, Contributor:

“I’d get a slick fielding dynamo like Kevin Newman from the Pirates. The Royals have Bobby Witt Jr. at AAA so I’d try to pry him or Nicky Lopez away from them. Forget about offense. Get some defense cheap and spend on pitching”

Bradley Senecal, Contributor:

“When it comes to the future shortstop it is very important for Perry Minasian to be patient in the market. With the need to get a leader in the pitching rotation, signing a heavy in demand player at peak value will be counterproductive for the rest of the offseason. If a player such as Javier Baez or Trevor Story end up sitting on the market for a longer time than expected, and end up taking a shorter term (2-4 years) at a reasonable price tag they would be great options.

However if the free agent market proves to be too high in price, look for a trade option such as Nick Ahmed making sense to fill the whole. After the defensive debacle of Jose Iglesias, the team priority should be somebody who can exceed with the glove while any offense will be gravy in the lineup.”

Evan Desai, Editor:

“I totally get that the Angels need to spend money on pitching, but they also need a shortstop. There are options out there. Marcus Semien has really turned into a great player, and needs to be on their radar. Javier Baez and Corey Seager remain interesting as well.

The Angels need to attack this need through free agency because they do have money. They have enough to both improve pitching and sign one of these three.”

No. 2 biggest question of the offseason: What should be the LA Angels’ plan for the outfield next year?

David Rice, Contributor:

“Let the kids play and either trade Upton or teach him first base so he can spell Walsh there, and then spell Ohtani and Marsh in the OF.”

Jacob Cisneros, Contributor:

“It’s the same as David here, you let the kids play in Marsh and Adell and have Trout continue to mentor both of them. I think their value changed since their call-ups to the big leagues and now might be harder to trade, at least Adell for sure. You see if there is a bad contract swap for Upton, maybe more pitching depth? And I think the time to trade Adell and Marsh has gone, it was reported that the Angels were in on a Scherzer trade at the deadline and I think that might have been the last time we hear Adell and Marsh in trade talks.”

Zach Levine, Contributor:

“Keep it simple. Trout, Adell and Marsh as starters, Ward and Lagares as backups, and in case of emergency, Walsh, Gosselin and Ohtani can fill in. As for Upton, package him with a couple of prospects, maybe eat some of the salary, and send him anywhere but here.”

Craig Tyson Adams, Contributor:

“It’s Upton’s walk year. He’s going to work consistently. He wants the next bag. Trout, Marsh and Adell.

I’d like to see Fowler back. If Upton is gone Jorge Soler would be a good pick up. Jerrod Dyson is a rabbit. The club desperately needs speed.”

Bradley Senecal, Contributor:

“I won’t go too crazy with this but keep the outfield as is. Start the year with Trout along with the kids, Marsh and Adell, and a safety blanket in Upton. While Upton has struggled with both productivity and health the last couple of years, an initial bench role could do him well along with spelling out the young players if there is a bad stretch of games.”

Evan Desai, Editor:

“I really don’t think it’s realistic to trade Upton. He has very little trade value as of right now. I also don’t think keeping Upton is such a bad option. He was absolutely raking for the Angels before his injury, proving he still has what it takes to be the guy he was brought in to be.

I don’t know that he should be a full-time starter, however. I think he, Adell and Marsh need to split time in the corners while Trout still starts in center every day. That benefits everyone involved. Upton has his chance to turn it around, and we’re not putting too much pressure on the young guys.”

No. 1 biggest question of the offseason: Who should the LA Angels look for with bullpen help this offseason?

David Rice, Contributor:

“I like Petit; he would be great in a set up role.  I think Oliver Ortega could be good as well as Warren. Definitely need to resign Iglesias; our best closer since K-Rod”

Jacob Cisneros, Contributor:

“In the bullpen, I might receive some pushback. I think if the price goes too high, then they don’t re-sign Iglesias. I always believed that relievers are too volatile and would be scared if hitters start figuring out Iglesias next year. Possibly guys like Corey Knebel and Daniel Norris make a little more sense to me.”

Zach Levine, Contributor:

“Priority one is resigning Iglesias. As for other returners, I actually think Mike Mayers and Steve Cishek did well enough this year that I would bring both back for a low price and use them as low-leverage innings eaters. Beyond them, getting a couple of effective 7th and 8th inning guys to serve as setup men to Iglesias are a must. For around $5 million each, Mychal Givens and Hector Neris fit this bill perfectly, without breaking the bank.”

Craig Tyson Adams, Contributor:

“Keep Cishek, Mayers and Iglesias, he’s earned it. Aaron Loup, they’d have to overpay. Brad Hand.”

Bradley Senecal, Contributor:

“First off the major need is to retain Rasiel Iglesias, easily the most important move of the offseason.

Looking at the rest of the current pen, Mike Mayers had a great end to the season after a rough start so his strikeout stuff is important moving forward. Steve Cishek has a lot of value and would be nice to see at a low deal. Austin Warren and Jose Marte are two players I am super excited for in the future and I hope they secure roles. Lastly Kendall Graveman is a guy I would love to see come in through free agency and could really put the bullpen in a comfortable position going into the season.”

Evan Desai, Editor:

“Re-signing Raisel Iglesias is a no-brainer, and there’s no excuses to not get that done. A lot of our other pitchers are replaceable with the exceptions of Steve Cishek and Mike Mayers. So I feel no loyalties to anyone except those three.

As far as external options, I like Kendall Graveman, Kenley Jansen, and Brad Hand. I like Craig Kimbrel of course, too, but the White Sox could easily just pick up his option and make that not a possibility for us.”

The Angels are going to need to kill the offseason if they want to win this division, which needs to be the goal for next year.