3 players who LA Angels need to trade for as soon as MLB lockout ends

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo (58) prepares to pitch in the fifth inning of the MLB
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo (58) prepares to pitch in the fifth inning of the MLB | Albert Cesare / The Enquirer via Imagn
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Sep 24, 2021; Oakland, California, USA;  Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47)
Sep 24, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) | Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

The LA Angels have made a trade this offseason with their Tyler Wade acquisition, but haven't been active in trades for pitching.

If they want to make sure they don't waste Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtanis' careers, they need to make sure they go ahead and make trade packages for starting pitchers.

Currently, their starting rotation looks like this:

1. Shohei Ohtani/Noah Syndergaard

2. Shohei Ohtani/Noah Syndergaard

3. Patrick Sandoval

4. Jose Suarez

5. Michael Lorenzen

6. ???

With many of the top free agent starters already gone, the Halos are going to have to resort to the trade market.

No. 3 player who LA Angels need to trade for as soon as MLB lockout ends: Frankie Montas

According to Jim Bowden of CBS Sports, the LA Angels have already "had conversations with Oakland about Frankie Montas." It makes sense, as many are expecting the A's to host a fire sale when the lockout ends, and the Halos of course desperately need starting pitching.

And Montas is exceptional at his job. This year, he threw an AL-leading 32 starts, and posted a 13-9 record with a 3.37 ERA. It certainly was no fool's gold, as his FIP was also 3.37 and he recorded a 1.182 WHIP.

Striking out 10 batters per nine innings, it was his third season in double-digits like that. The only question Montas had entering this past season was regarding his durability, and he certainly proved that he's durable.

He did it while also recording a 121 ERA+. What exactly are the Angels waiting for?

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