3 budget free agents the LA Angels should definitely pursue after the lockout

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Oct 1, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Jake Diekman (35) should be a free agent target of the LA Angels. / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The LA Angels typically don't like to go over the luxury tax when it comes to spending money in the offseason, but that doesn't mean that there aren't ways to still improve the roster.

There are cheap options out there for when the lockout ends, and the Halos have no reason to ignore them. All would certainly improve the Angels, and improve them at positions of need.

The Halos currently sit at just over $161 million on the books for 2022. They certainly have more than enough to spend on any, or even all three of these players if necessary.

No. 3 budget free agent the LA Angels should definitely pursue after the lockout: Jake Diekman

Jake Diekman is someone who can come in and instantly help the LA Angels. He's been in the league for 12 years and has had few bad seasons. The relief pitcher has been very impressive in these last two years in particular.

His numbers in that time frame are awesome: He boasts a 2.96 ERA, a 139 ERA+, and has struck out 12.5 batters per nine frames. Diekman's experience in this division will also help, as he has played in this division for seven seasons.

He's got familiarity with these ballparks, and his veteran status and knowledge will be helpful for all of the young pitchers we'll have up next year for sure. We want experience in the staff--guys who can lead by example and have positive impacts that way. Diekman needs to be considered by the front office.

Sep 15, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Archie Bradley should be on the LA Angels' radar. / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 budget free agent the LA Angels should definitely pursue after the lockout: Archie Bradley

Archie Bradley did cost six million dollars in his latest contract, but he shouldn't cost that on the LA Angels. That's because he was on a very strong trajectory coming into 2021 that he isn't on coming into 2022.

So while he did cost six million last year, he shouldn't cost that for next year. He didn't have the type of year he did in 2020 this past season. But that shouldn't stop us from signing him, though.

He still had a good year, posting a 3.71 ERA, a 7-3 record, and a 113 ERA+. He allowed just 0.9 home runs per nine innings. He's a guy who's had success as a closer before, as well as in other roles.

He even has experience a a starter, which signals that he could potentially even be set to come in for some long relief opportunities. Either way, he'll cost less because he didn't have the 2.95 ERA and 2.59 FIP that he did in 2020. He's still a quality pitcher, and needs to be on the Angels' radar.

We've already made a splash in the pen with Aaron Loup. All we need is to find production for the right value now.

Oct 21, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Joe Kelly would be a great budget option for the LA Angels. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 budget free agent the LA Angels should definitely pursue after the lockout: Joe Kelly

Here's why I have Joe Kelly listed as a "budget free agent" for the taking for the LA Angels: He may take a while to get signed when the lockout ends. Kelly is a very good reliever, but he's not going to be as sought after as the Kenley Jansen's of the free agent class, or the Brad Hand's. He's not as good as some of the best of the best arms in this class.

He also doesn't close, so that may not be as attractive to teams. We have to remember that the longer he takes to get signed is the less value he has on the market. Therefore, it's possible Kelly could go for cheaper, especially when like Bradley (and Diekman for that matter), he didn't have as good of a year last year as he did the year before.

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There IS a chance they could sign Kelly late for a bargain. It's not as likely as the Angels acquiring the other two, but there's a chance. Regardless, they need to upgrade the bullpen, and free agency is likely to be the easiest (and maybe cheapest) way to do it.

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