LA Angels: 3 players the Halos totally wish they still had on their roster

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Oct 16, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Ryan Brasier (70) pitches against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning in game two of the 2021 ALCS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

The LA Angels are unfortunately at home right now, not playing in the postseason.

Perhaps they would be, if general management had done a better job.

The roster on this team is not where it needs to be. While watching us fall short of expectation this year, I can’t help but wonder if the team still wishes it had some former players who have been playing quality baseball recently.

No. 3 player the LA Angels totally wish they still had on their roster: Ryan Brasier

Ryan Brasier played in seven games for the LA Angels. He did very well, only giving up two earned runs in nine innings.

Brasier is currently with the Boston Red Sox, and he’s pitched pretty well for them. Since joining the team in 2018, he’s posted a 3.49 ERA and a 1.179 WHIP with the Sox. This year, he played in 13 games, giving up just two earned runs in 12 innings.

He’s thrown 15 times in the postseason between 2018 and this year, and he’s had good games in all but two outings. He has a 2.25 postseason ERA. The Halos have major holes in the bullpen, and if Brasier was still around he could help out with that.

Brasier looks to continue to add to his postseason resume tonight in Game 4 of the ALCS for Boston.

May 18, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman CJ Cron (25) singles against the San Diego Padres during the second inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 player the LA Angels totally wish they still had on their roster: CJ Cron

The LA Angels had CJ Cron for four years.

Cron was a solid player for the Angels, but has looked better since he’s been gone. This year, he drove in 92 runs. In the last three years he’s been healthy, he’s averaged between 27 and 28 home runs.

He had an OPS over .900 this year, and a .530 slugging percentage.

While solid, this production wouldn’t start on the Angels. We have the best DH in the business and one of the best first basemen in the AL. That being said, Cron would be outstanding depth and would be a tremendous option to come off the bench and pinch hit when needed.

He only cost $1 million last year. Even with Cron not being a full-time starter, which he wouldn’t have been with the Halos, that’s a bargain of a contract.

The thing is, if Cron was on this team, we could have mixed him in at first while Jared Walsh could go to the outfield when we dealt with a slew of injuries there. Walsh is also very good defensively in the grass.

While we of course want Walsh at his primary position most of the time, it could have been useful to have a solid player in Cron to mix in at first base so Walsh could help manage the losses we had due to injuries in the outfield.

Sep 14, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws a pitch in the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 player the LA Angels totally wish they still had on their roster: Zack Greinke

Zack Greinke played for the LA Angels for just 13 starts, but played well in that time.

He had a 3.53 ERA with the Halos, and he went 6-2. He had a 1.187 WHIP.

He was with us for just part of one season, and has been electric ever since he left.

Since he left Anaheim, he’s posted a 3.08 ERA, and a 1.9 BB/9 rate. He’s recorded a 1.077 WHIP.

He’s been great, and while he hasn’t been the same these past couple years, he’s still been a quality starting pitcher in this league.

Starters are something the Angels have been missing lately, and Greinke is one of the more trusted arms in the AL. Greinke will be a free agent this offseason, and the Angels should take a look.

That being said, he’s been expensive in his career, and the Angels should not break the bank for him due to him getting up there in age.

Letter grades for core position players. Next

It is true, however, that if the Angels could have had him this year, they would have. They would have had all these guys. Unfortunately, this world isn’t so perfect, however.

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No. 3 player the LA Angels totally wish they still had on their roster: Ryan Brasier

No. 2 player the LA Angels totally wish they still had on their roster: CJ Cron

No. 1 player the LA Angels totally wish they still had on their roster: Zack Greinke

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