3 treats the front office could give LA Angels fans this offseason

Sep 28, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of game one of a doubleheader at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of game one of a doubleheader at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 14, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in game five of the 2021 NLDS at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in game five of the 2021 NLDS at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

LA Angels fans will enjoy Halloween of course, but are looking for a few more treats this winter.

Candy’s great, but we’ll take some cornerstone pieces for our favorite baseball team as well, as we haven’t won it all since 2002.

Perry Minasian has the money to give us a memorable offseason, and has no choice but to get it done right before what will be a pivotal year for this franchise in 2022.

No. 3 treat the front office could give LA Angels fans this offseason: Kevin Gausman

LA Angels fans are looking for impact, front of the line starting pitchers this offseason. Kevin Gausman is one of those guys.

Since heading to San Francisco, Gausman’s been a changed man. He’s pitched to a 3 ERA and a 1.057 WHIP. Allowing just 2.4 walks per nine innings, he’s also struck out 10.9 batters per nine.

He looks great, and this most recent season was his best one yet, showing that he’s carrying momentum into next year if we sign him.

He was an All-Star this year, and recorded a 2.81 ERA with a 1.042 WHIP. He only walked 2.3 batters per nine frames.

This is the type of pitcher we want, and can absolutely afford. He’s also going to cost much less than some of the other elite names in free agency. If we sign Gausman, we’ll have enough money for the guy on this next page too.

Sep 28, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of game one of a doubleheader at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of game one of a doubleheader at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 treat the front office could give LA Angels fans this offseason: Marcus Stroman

Marcus Stroman seems to fit well in New York, but the LA Angels still need to make a play for the big-time free agent arm.

They have the money, so why not kick the tires?

Stroman’s been pitching very well these last couple years (meaning 2021 and 2019 as he opted out of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic). He’s posted a 3.12 ERA in that time, to go along with a solid 1.228 WHIP.

He’s walked just 2.5 batters per nine innings, and was an All-Star in the 2019 season.

Like Gausman, he pitched particularly well this year, posting a 3.02 ERA and a 1.145 WHIP. He’s given up just 0.9 HR/9 innings, and 2.2 BB/9 innings.

He’s going to have a high price tag, but not on the level of Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander. The Angels have the resources to get this done and have some money left over to sign Gausman or somebody similar.

Sep 22, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) scores a run against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) scores a run against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 treat the front office could give LA Angels fans this offseason: Ketel Marte

Ketel Marte would be the ultimate treat for LA Angels fans this offseason.

The Diamondbacks have seemed to be stingy about trading Marte in the past, but he should still absolutely be on the trade block. What do the Diamondbacks have going for them right now? Not much, but what would they have going for them if they traded their other players with high trade value, and not just Eduardo Escobar, for a bounty of prospects?

They’d have a lot suddenly going for them. They already have a good farm. The Angels unfortunately don’t have a good farm, but there are still some valuable prospects in their system for sure.

If Marte, who’s hit .318/.374/.543 (.917 OPS) these past three years with 48 home runs in 279 games came to the Angels, they would no longer have a need at shortstop and would have one of the best lineups in baseball when healthy.

Next. 3 hitters that can fix the lineup

It would be tough to do, but would be better than any treat we could ever get for Halloween.

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