Constructing a semi-realistic dream Angels roster with remaining $35 million to spend

The Angels have a ways to go before they finalize their major league roster before Opening Day. Not only do they have a multitude of internal competitions to assess, but the free agent and trade market should continue to materialize over the next couple of months. The Angels are a team in flux, and are still in a position to both add major league players and make trades late in the offseason. Will they do so? Many are skeptical, but that remains the plan for the front office and upper management.

Let's try to do it for them, eh? According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Angels have a little more than $35 million remaining before they cross the dreaded (if you are Arte Moreno) luxury tax threshold.

Current Starting Rotation

1. Kikuchi
2. Soriano
3. Anderson
4. Hendricks
5. Detmers

Ideal Starting Rotation

1. Kikuchi
2. Pivetta -- two-year, $30 million contract ($15 million AAV with no opt-outs)
3. Soriano
4. Kochanowicz
5. Detmers

In: Nick Pivetta

With Jack Flaherty coming off the board, Pivetta is the best remaining starting pitcher on the market. All the same logic of the Angels signing Flaherty applies to Pivetta, who could give the rotation a much-needed infusion of stuff. Perhaps a guaranteed two-year deal, rather than a one-year deal with a player option, would entice Pivetta to play in Anaheim?

Out: Kyle Hendricks, for now

Ideally Hendricks begins the season as the team's long reliever, and can filter into the starting rotation if the team needs an emergency starter or if Detmers/Kochanowicz do not perform well. Hendricks signed with the Angels under the pretense of slotting into the rotation, but if he is as good of a clubhouse guy as it's reported than he should accept a temporary move to the bullpen.

Out: Tyler Anderson

It is February and Anderson's expiring deal remains a tradable asset that the team has yet to move. With the team already rostering Detmers, Kochanowicz, Hendricks, Caden Dana, Chase Silseth, and Sam Aldegheri, the Angels could move easily move the starting pitcher to address the bullpen...

Current Bullpen

Closer: Joyce
Set-Up/Middle Relief: Burke, Zeferjahn, Quijada, Crouse
Swing: Silseth, McDaniels or Bachman
Long Relief: Suarez
Injured List: Stephenson

Ideal Bullpen

Closer: Robert Suarez -- acquire via trade for Tyler Anderson
Set-Up: David Robertson -- two-year, $20 million ($13 million first year. opt-out after 2025)
Middle Relief: Joyce, Burke, Zeferjahn, Quijada
Swing: McDaniels
Long Relief: Hendricks
Injured List: Stephenson

In: Robert Suarez, David Robertson

The current iteration of the bullpen is less than ideal. The Angels have yet to make a major league move to address their group of relievers, and are banking heavily on the injury-prone Ben Joyce as their closer. Bringing in both Robert Suarez and David Robertson as their late-inning guys would help optimize the reliever group; i.e. slotting Joyce back to middle relief, and Burke, Zeferjahn, Quijada out of set-up roles.

The Padres would be adding $3 million in salary this season in an Anderson-for-Suarez trade. However, Suarez has a player option after the season where he could opt-in for another two-years, $16 million. The Padres are making it known that they are trying to shed salary, and Anderson could help them on-the-field this year while saving them money moving forward. The Padres could slot Anderson behind Dylan Cease, Michael King, Yu Darvish, and Joe Musgrove in what would be an above-average rotation. Anderson seems like a better option than Matt Waldron or Randy Vásquez, he has a higher floor and would be their only left-handed starter. Plus, they could still go out and sign a Kenley Jansen or Lance Lynn as their new closer.

Out: José Suarez, Hans Crouse, Chase Silseth (option to AAA), Sam Bachman

Sam Bachman is likely a better option for the Angels than Garrett McDaniels at this point in time, but the Angels should retain the asset of McDaniels out of spring training. The Dodgers have a history of paying the $50,000 necessary to bring back players they lost in the Rule-5 Draft. If the Angels offer McDaniels back to the Dodgers, they do not need to add him back to the 40-man roster.

Bachman can be optioned back to the minors, where he ideally will prepare as a closer with the AAA group. If/when he makes his way back to the Angels, preparing as a closer would get him ready for a late-inning bullpen role. OR...how about this trade?

Current Lineup vs. RHPs:

1. Soler—DH
2. Trout—8
3. Schanuel*—3  
4. Ward—7
5. O’Hoppe—2
6. Rengifo**—4
7. Rendon—5
8. Newman—6
9. Moniak*—9
Bench: Adell, Kingery, d’Arnaud, Kavadas*
Injured List: Neto
* -- left-handed hitter
** -- switch-hitter

Ideal Lineup vs. RHPs:

1. Soler—DH
2. Trout—7
3. Schanuel*—3  
4. Eugenio Suárez—5 -- acquire via trade alongside Alek Thomas for Rengifo, Moniak, & Bachman
5. Ward—9
6. O’Hoppe—2
7. Alek Thomas*—8 -- acquire via trade alongside Eugenio Suárez
8. Moore—4
9. Newman—6
Bench: Adell, Kingery, d’Arnaud, Kavadas*
Injured List: Neto
* -- left-handed hitter

In: Eugenio Suárez, Alek Thomas, Christian Moore

Despite a down year across the board in 2024, Alek Thomas is a good bounce-back and change of scenery bet for the Angels. Moniak has been better than Thomas the past two seasons, but Thomas' ceiling still looks higher given the soon-to-be 25-year-old centerfielder's Gold Glove-quality defense, athleticism, speed, and raw power. Moniak's floor is higher in 2025, but Thomas' ceiling is higher if he can stay healthy (Moniak also has a relatively long list of injuries).

Pushing Christian Moore is relatively divisive amongst Angels fans. Why stop pushing prospects now, though? Even if/when he struggles at the beginning of the season, adding Moore as a power-hitting second baseman at the bottom of the lineup could provide the team with a spark when they enter the dog-days of the summer.

Out: Luis Rengifo, Mickey Moniak, Anthony Rendon

Any scenario where the Angels cut Anthony Rendon and eat his remaining $76 million is a dream scenario for Angels fans. Losing Rengifo is difficult, but Suárez is a clear upgrade for the Angels who desperately needs more sluggers.

Wrapping it up

Sign Nick Pivetta for $15 million AAV in 2025, and David Robertson for $13 million in 2025

Trade Tyler Anderson ($13 million AAV) for Robert Suarez ($10 million AAV)

Trade Luis Rengifo ($5.95 million*), Mickey Moniak ($2 million), and Sam Bachman ($800,000) for Alek Thomas ($800,000) and Eugenio Suárez ($15 million)

Adding $53.8 million, subtracting $21.75 million for a total of $32.05 million. Right below the luxury tax!

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