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LA Angels rumors: LAA already interested in these 2 impact starting arms

By Evan Desai

Sep 30, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) delivers a pitch against New York Yankees in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) delivers a pitch against New York Yankees in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The LA Angels have been expected to spend this offseason, but most offseason talk for the Halos was all about speculation.

Finally, some credible intel on what the Angels are thinking has been dropped by Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

He has the Angels going after at least one, and maybe two impact starting pitchers this offseason, and says they’re already interested in both Robbie Ray and Eduardo Rodriguez.

The LA Angels’ starting rotation would be much improved if they add Robbie Ray and Eduardo Rodriguez.

With Robbie Ray and Eduardo Rodriguez added into the LA Angels’ starting rotation, it looks like this (order would be determined in spring training):

  • Robbie Ray
  • Shohei Ohtani
  • Alex Cobb (if he re-signs)
  • Patrick Sandoval
  • Jose Suarez
  • Eduardo Rodriguez

That looks like a special rotation, and of course in large part due to the new additions.

Ray had a career year this season, going 13-7 with a 2.84 ERA and an American League-best 1.045 WHIP. He’s the favorite for the AL Cy Young this year, as he should be. He’s a strikeout machine, recording 11.5 per nine innings.

Throughout his career he’s had a walk problem, but he cut that down this year and only walked 2.4 batters per nine innings this season. He’s a great pitcher, and would be a great signing. He’s not particularly young, but he’s also certainly not old at 30 years old.

As for Rodriguez, he did have a bit of a down year this season. He had a 4.74 ERA and a 1.389 WHIP, which were both career-worsts for Rodriguez.

He did, however, strike out the most batters per nine innings that he ever has at 10.6. He also went 13-8, and there is something to say about his team tending to perform well when he’s out there, even when he’s not even putting up his best numbers. This seems to have always been the case, as he’s 64-39 in his career.

He’s only had two seasons in his career with an ERA over 4.19 out of six years in this league. Almost a 20 game-winner in 2019 (19-6), he sports a lifetime ERA of 4.16. He’s solid, and he’d be excellent for the middle or back-end of the rotation.

Next. NY Post has Angels bringing vet starter back to LA

If the Angels can bring these two pitchers home, they will be much improved heading into 2022.

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