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LA Angels: 3 perfect free agents to immediately target

By Evan Desai |
Oct 3, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien (10) hits a solo home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien (10) hits a solo home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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Jul 24, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch during the first 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 first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

The LA Angels have the opportunity to have a tremendous offseason.

The Halos have a lot of money to spend, and are a prime free agent destination based on their location here in the beautiful and sunny Los Angeles-Anaheim area.

The Angels already have the two best players in baseball. They can’t risk squandering their careers. This offseason needs to be active for the club, and there are a few seemingly perfect free agent options for this team.

No. 3 perfect free agent for the LA Angels to immediately target: Justin Verlander

Many would wonder how Justin Verlander could be a perfect candidate when he’s coming off of an injury, but that should absolutely not stop the LA Angels for going after him.

As soon as he’s medically cleared, he needs to be looked at as such. If the doctors say he’s fine, we need to move quickly.

It’s not every day that a team in need of starting pitching badly comes across as accomplished of a pitcher as Justin Verlander. If the Angels have the chance to sign an MVP, a multiple-time Cy Young Award winner, a Triple Crown winner, an ERA title winner, and an eight-time All-Star, they need to do it.

They can outbid anyone they want to this offseason. Arte Moreno is worth $3.6 billion and can spend far more than we have in the past.

Oct 3, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Marcus Semien (10) cannot field a ball hit for a single by Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins (not shown) in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Marcus Semien (10) cannot field a ball hit for a single by Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins (not shown) in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 perfect free agent for the LA Angels to immediately target: Marcus Semien

There’s not much one can say against Marcus Semien, and I want him on the LA Angels.

Maybe defense, but that’s more of an issue of his past. He’s improved defensively, and I like his ability to play both middle infield spots.

In the last two 162 game seasons, Semien has played all 162 games each. He clubbed 33 home runs in 2019, and 45 this year. Driving in over 100 runs this year, he also scored 115.

In 2019, he had a .892 OPS and he had a .873 OPS this season. Coming off of an All-Star season, he’s peaking at the right time for the Angels to swoop in and sign him.

His price is going to be high, but not as high as some of these other free agent shortstops like Carlos Correa.

We need shortstop help, and free agency is an option for us. This guy was third in the Majors in fWAR at 6.6. Semien has turned into a star.

Oct 17, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitching against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning in game two of the 2021 NLCS at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitching against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning in game two of the 2021 NLCS at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 perfect free agent for the LA Angels to immediately target: Max Scherzer

Max Scherzer obviously needs to be priority number one for the LA Angels this offseason. There should be no question about that.

Scherzer’s a three-time Cy Young Award winner and is pitching the best he ever has. After arriving in LA, he posted a 1.98 ERA, and an 0.820 WHIP. Both are career-bests, and so is his new and incredible 1.1 BB/9 rate.

Scherzer has been absolutely sensational for nine years now. He’s older, but that doesn’t matter. Again, pitchers at his level are not available hardly ever.

The Angels have the money, and Scherzer is rumored to really love LA. Mike Trout’s already recruiting him hard, so obviously the team doesn’t care about his age. As mentioned before, he’s improved as he’s become older this year.

Next. 3 playoff players who are perfect fits

This is a guy who’s even pitched at a high level in two different World Series before. He absolutely is a perfect free agent option for this team, and the Angels need to do everything they possibly can to prioritize him first.

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