3 decisions Angels GM Perry Minasian must make to justify contract extension

Angels GM Perry Minasian Needs to Ink Multiple Pitchers

The Halos cannot prevent runs. With a 4.97 team ERA, the Angels are only ahead of the White Sox and Marlins in that department this season.

Los Angeles has a payroll over $171 million in 2024, so having a pitching staff struggle this often is unacceptable. It's time for the Angels to get back into the bidding game and go after at least one bigger-named starter. San Francisco's Blake Snell and Arizona's Jordan Montgomery are two left-handers to consider. Each southpaw is 31-years-old and has plenty of mileage left in their arm, though their health is not the most reliable.

If Minasian is in the market for a right-hander, Jack Flaherty and Lucas Giolito (if he opts out) are hometown guys who may listen to contract talks. Giolito missed the entire season due to injury to repair his right elbow ulnar collateral ligament, while Flaherty is having a comeback season behind a 3.00 ERA through 22 starts.

One pitcher to really close in on is Kansas City's Michael Wacha. He will not burn a huge hole in Minasian's pocket, and the 33-year-old is now in his third-straight season with an earned run average in the mid-3.00 range. It's been an interesting journey for Wacha, who played for for the Cardinals for seven consecutive years. Since then, he has spent one year apiece with the Mets, Rays, Red Sox, Padres and Royals.

Maybe Minasian can give Wacha a more permanent home.