3 buy-low candidates the Angels can sign for one year

The Los Angeles Angels finished up another disappointing season where they went 73-89. The Halos were off to a great start until losing 14 games in a row in late May into early June.

They had some players perform up to and beyond expectations, and others well below.

With uncertainty involving the owner and how much money is actually available to spend, the Angels might have to find some bargains on the open market to improve their team for 2023.

1) Buy-low candidate that can sign for one year: Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel is coming off a very down year with the cross-town rival Dodgers. He was acquired to be the team's closer and despite numerous chances, failed miserably.

Kimbrel was so bad he was actually left off of the Dodgers roster for the NLDS.

Overall, the right-hander went 6-7 with a 3.75 ERA. Kimbrel struck out 15.1/9 last season and has a 14.4 K/9 in his career. His K/9 this season plummeted to 10.8/9. While that's still a very good number, it might suggest regression is here.

Kimbrel's walks (4.2 BB/9) and hits (7.7 H/9) per nine numbers were a bit high as well.

Even with this being a down year for the former all-star, he still had a 112 ERA+. He was removed from the Dodgers postseason roster because they're the Dodgers and their bullpen is loaded with talent.

The Angels do have some young pieces that I like in the bullpen but lack that veteran closer who can shut a game down.

Kimbrel isn't the best reliever available on the market, but he might be the best bargain. Out of the bright lights of Dodger Stadium Kimbrel might have a better season in 2023. Remember, he was otherworldly as a Cub for the first half of 2021, not too long ago.

For an Angels team that ranked 18th in bullpen ERA and 25th in bullpen K/9, I expect Kimbrel to help in a big way. If he does decline, then it's only a one-year deal so it doesn't affect anything long-term.

3) Buy-low candidate that can sign for one year: Joey Gallo

Joey Gallo isn't my favorite player ever but he is one I believe the Angels can sign for a cheap deal. The two-time all-star had a miserable 2022 campaign with the Yankees and Dodgers, slashing .160/.280/.357 with 19 home runs and 47 RBI.

Gallo has always been a guy who hit for a low average but it was never that low. He's always been able to be a good player because he can draw a lot of walks and he usually hits more home runs. He really struggled under the bright lights of New York and Los Angeles with the Dodgers.

I believe in a role with the Angels that can provide a bit less pressure for Gallo and he can be closer to the player he was in Texas.

If the Angels can add a bat who can hit 40 home runs on a cheap one-year deal, they absolutely should do that.

Mike Trout and Taylor Ward figure to take up two of the three outfield spots but the Angels have an opening in left field. Both Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell have struggled at the big league level so unless one of them has a monster spring, I believe someone from the outside like Gallo should be given the left field job.

Even with all of his struggles Gallo still does have power, does draw walks, and is a good defender. He makes a ton of sense in my eyes even with the annoying amount of strikeouts.