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LA Angels: 3 likely 2023 Opening Day roster complaints many fans will have
The Los Angeles Angels have done a nice job addressing some of the holes on their roster with the moves they made. With that in mind, the offseason is not over, but Perry Minasian has been a little too quiet of late. Does that mean he's done? No, but it's definitely frustrating as we see great players come off the board.
The Opening Day roster is far from being finalized and Minasian has more moves to make.
When Opening Day finally does roll around, what will fans complain about? We know there will be something, and understandably so! What parts of the roster will fans have issues with?
1) LA Angels fans will not be happy with the shortstop situation
The Angels did not sign one of the premier shortstops available this offseason. I did not expect them to do it, but to not see any rumor of them trying is disappointing. Shortstop is the biggest need by far on this roster that the Angels must address but the farther along we go, the more it looks like they'll do nothing to address it.
Last season the primary shortstop was Andrew Velazquez, mainly due to injury to David Fletcher. Velazquez is an outstanding defender who cannot hit major-league pitching at all. The defense was nice, but the bat made him such a huge liability.
Angels shortstops were 29th in WRC+ (68) and 27th in fWAR (1.1) this past season. Playing Velazquez most of the time was a big reason why, but it's a spot they have to upgrade.
Fletcher played 36 games at shortstop and 61 games overall. He had another rough season when he was on the field. He slashed .255/.288/.333 with two home runs and 17 RBI. He had a 77 OPS+ a season after having a 70 OPS+ in 157 games played.
I love Fletcher's glove, especially at second base. I do not think his bat is good enough at all to play every day, especially out of position. He's the likely Opening Day shortstop as of now. The Angels could always sign someone like Jean Segura or Elvis Andrus to be in their middle infield but that'd be a hard pill to swallow after seeing the stars available.
2) LA Angels fans will not be happy with at least one member of the bullpen
Bullpens are very hard to predict. Someone could have an excellent spring who you felt was on the bubble but still not make the team. Someone could make the team only because he's out of options or is owed a lot of money, not because he's good enough to make the team. In a bullpen that consists of eight or nine guys, it's understandable for fans to be upset with at least one decision the team made.
The Angels have addressed their bullpen by signing Carlos Estevez. He should fill a hole that was in the back end of the bullpen but ideally he wouldn't be the only addition.
There's still more time left this offseason, and I do expect another bullpen addition, but most of the appealing names who were available are now signed.
Either way, there will be a reliever decision at least some part of the fan base is not happy about. Plenty of relievers are on the roster bubble already, so if and when your reliever doesn't make it, complaints will follow.
3) LA Angels fans will not be happy with the back end of the rotation
The Angels made a big move in their rotation, signing Tyler Anderson to a three-year deal. Anderson is coming off a career year with the Dodgers and will be at the top of the rotation behind Shohei Ohtani. Patrick Sandoval and Reid Detmers are both options most of the fan base is very comfortable with, but what about after them?
The Angels use a six-man rotation because Ohtani is in the rotation and it's what they prefer. Jose Suarez is going to be a member of this rotation, either in the fifth or sixth slot. I'm fine with it after the second half he just had but understand complaints fans have of him only doing well against weaker competition and struggling the third time through the order.
The sixth spot is very up in the air right now. As of now, it'd probably be Griffin Canning or Tucker Davidson for that spot if the Angels went internal. I, and most Angels fans, hope they go external.
There's still one mid-rotation arm available in free agency in Nathan Eovaldi but I do not believe the Angels should sign him. There're a plethora of solid back-end arms including a couple the Angels have been linked to like Seth Lugo and Rich Hill.
I think the Angels just need a veteran who can eat innings and keep them in games. Some fans disagree and think they need more. Either way, the back end of the rotation will be a major talking point among Angels fans.
dark. Next. MLB insider says Angels have had some interest in Rich Hill