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3 buy-low candidates the LA Angels can sign for a 1-year deal

By Evan Desai |
Oct 2, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Chasen Shreve (55)
Oct 2, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Chasen Shreve (55) / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 1, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Ian Kennedy (31) delivers a
Oct 1, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Ian Kennedy (31) delivers a / Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The LA Angels have a need for another big-time starting pitching option in free agency, as well as a strong shortstop.

Those items may cost quite a bit though, so while the Angels still need to improve the bullpen, they need to look for cheap options. This reliever free agent class is deeper than a lot of people realize, however, and they're going to be able to find those cheap options in the bargain bin.

Three of them in particular are going to be buy-low, cheap options that can still make a legit, positive impact on our team. As soon as the MLB lockout ends, we need to get on them.

No. 3 buy-low candidate the LA Angels can sign for a 1-year deal: Ian Kennedy

Ian Kennedy can certainly help the LA Angels fix their bullpen.

Kennedy bounced back this year and had a good season. Posting a 3.20 ERA and 136 ERA+, there's plenty to like about his performance in 2021. Also, having a veteran like him can really help with all the younger pitchers that we're going to be bringing up next year.

It's the type of move that can help with the problem we've had for a long time when it comes to developing young arms. Kennedy's been through just about everything in this league.

He's gone from devastating injuries, to being a 21-game winner, to moving to the bullpen permanently, to having a horrible campaign in a pandemic year, and to finding himself yet again in 2021. He understands the journey and ups and downs of this league. He's the guy you want in the clubhouse to help our pitching prospects navigate MLB.

Sep 26, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Chasen Shreve (55)
Sep 26, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Chasen Shreve (55) / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 buy-low candidate the LA Angels can sign for a 1-year deal: Chasen Shreve

Chasen Shreve is another veteran bullpen pitcher that the LA Angels can bring in for cheap. And believe me when I say that. The guy has never made more than $1.5 million in a season before.

And to be fair, he played really well this year, so he'll want more. Recording a 3.20 ERA this season to go along with a 132 ERA+, he was much better than a lot of people gave him credit for.

But that's the thing, his numbers overall weren't good enough (4.5 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9) for him to be able to demand a contract much higher than that $1.5 million he got last season.

He still prevented runs from coming across the plate, however, so he's worth the Angels signing him. Some of his numbers not being very good will decrease his price, but should not be discouraging enough for the Angels to pick him up.

These past two years have been good from Shreve, posting a 1.230 WHIP in that time.

Shreve played in the AL for over three years, and will make a nice transition back to it if he's with the Halos. His services would make our team better.

Oct 9, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Brad Boxberger (45) pitches
Oct 9, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Brad Boxberger (45) pitches / Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 buy-low candidate the LA Angels can sign for a 1-year deal: Brad Boxberger

Brad Boxberger would be a nice, and inexpensive addition to the LA Angels.

He'd be a 'nice' addition because he's coming off of back-to-back strong campaigns where he struck out 11 batters per nine innings and posted a 3.27 ERA. Recording a 1.137 WHIP and a 133 ERA+, he's a guy a lot of teams should be looking into.

He'd be an 'inexpensive' addition to the Angels because he's never cost more than $2.2 million in a year, and last year he only cost $1 million. That's even with him coming off an even better year than what he had this year.

So, it's even possible we won't have to spend more than $1 million for him next year, especially with him being 33. I'm suggesting a one-year deal, however, so we wouldn't have to worry about his age. His age is something we wouldn't have to worry about and also something that would lower his price.

Next. 4 free agents we can sign once the MLB lockout ends. dark

The Angels can turn this bullpen around easier than many people are suggesting. It's the need that we can for sure turn around this offseason even with us having a slower start to the winter than we could have had.

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