3 bold offseason moves the LA Angels need to win the 2022 World Series
The LA Angels haven't had the greatest start to their offseason, but it's far from over.
The hot stove is going to be buzzing once again when this MLB lockout ends, and the Angels have the chance to be players.
With the two best players in baseball, the team better be in win-now mode. In order to get there, three moves on the table need to be made in order to compete for a championship. They can be done, but make no mistake about it--they're bold moves.
No. 3 bold offseason move the LA Angels need to win the 2022 World Series: Sign Trevor Story
Trevor Story is the right shortstop for the LA Angels. Sure, I buy that Carlos Correa is one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball and that he has indeed had some big offensive moments in his career. That being said, is it worth paying a premium for when the Halos can get Story for cheaper and therefore have money left over to pursue pitching afterwards?
I don't think it is. I like Story because we'll still have money to pursue a major-name starting pitcher or drastically improve the bullpen if we save some money and go after him instead of paying a massive sum for Correa.
Besides, Story is good on defense too, has the same amount of All-Star selections as Correa (would have more if there was a 2020 All-Star Game), has an OPS that's 26 points higher (.863), and averages seven more runs (101) and five more home runs (34) per 162 games than Correa. We can blame Coors Field, but can't we also blame Correa's next-level illegal sign-stealing?
Let's save a little and sign Story. Maybe we'll then have the money to make these next two bold moves.
No. 2 bold offseason move the LA Angels need to win the 2022 World Series: Sign Carlos Rodon
Carlos Rodon is one of the very best free agent starting pitchers left, and he would be a great get for the LA Angels. He was a top five AL Cy Young candidate this season. While he did battle injuries, he came back for the end of the season and postseason, so he's healthy now.
He recorded a stellar 2.37 ERA and went 13-5. His WHIP was 0.957, and gave up just 6.2 hits per nine innings.
Rodon had been regressing since his rookie year in 2015, but bounced back in the most mighty of ways this season, being one of the best pitchers in our league. He's been pitching in the AL his entire career, so he's familiar with our competition. Striking out a career-high 12.6 hitters per nine, he's got powerful stuff that would catapult him to possibly the top spot in our rotation.
Those are the types of arms we need to sign right now with many of the elite names already taken. The guy had a 183 ERA+ in this 2021 year. What exactly are we waiting for?
No. 1 bold offseason move the LA Angels need to win the 2022 World Series: Trade for Chris Bassitt
Chris Bassitt had an All-Star year, and would be the perfect trade candidate right now for the LA Angels.
First, we'd of course be swiping him from a divisional rival in the Oakland Athletics. Second, he's a great pitcher.
In these last two seasons, Bassitt has recorded a 2.90 ERA and a 142 ERA+. He looks outstanding, and posted a 1.085 WHIP in that time.
Taking on a contract like this is something we do have the money for, as we haven't signed any big contracts this offseason after the Noah Syndergaard deal.
The Angels were rumored to be in on Bassitt according to Jim Bowden of CBS Sports. The package is going to be difficult, as the Halos seem to have shown reluctance to trading either Jo Adell or Brandon Marsh in the past. Considering that they're getting pitching in return for this trade, they could perhaps trade some of their young pitching talent away in the deal.
The hardest part in making this happen will certainly be configuring the compensation they are to trade over, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Angels go out and make a deal like this.
They were rumored to be in on multiple major arms in the rotation, and have only signed one. This offseason's not over, and this franchise still has a chance to make a run at the trophy in 2022.