3 players LA Angels should sign if there is a salary floor
If a salary floor is implemented in Major League Baseball, it would force the LA Angels to spend more money.
Many would question that, due to the Angels already being at over $161 million in 2022 payroll. The reason it would affect the team, however, is because many other teams who didn't intend to spend a lot would be forced to go ahead and spend more money than originally planned.
Most teams would then end up spending more as a result. If in the new CBA process, a salary floor is implemented, I know exactly how the Angels should react.
No. 3 player LA Angels should sign if there is a salary floor: Blake Parker
Blake Parker would be a nice staple to add to the LA Angels bullpen if it turned out that they had to spend more. In all honesty, he'd improve the Halos' bullpen no matter the situation. He's a really good pitcher.
In the past two seasons, he's put up a 3.02 ERA and 148 ERA+. Sure, it was in limited action (14 appearances in 2020 and 47 in 2021), but a lot of that was beyond his control with the pandemic-shortened season of course. Posting a 5-1 record in this span, he's reliable.
He's also pitched very well for the Angels in the past of course. Recording a 2.90 ERA with a 146 ERA+, 1.032 WHIP, and 4.46 SO/BB ratio, he certainly is comfortable pitching in Anaheim. No matter the situation, he should be in Arte Moreno's radar.
No. 2 player LA Angels should sign if there is a salary floor: Brad Hand
Brad Hand is one of the top relievers on the free agent market, and the LA Angels should pounce on the opportunity to sign him if a salary floor affects their spending plans.
Sure, Hand has had many great moments as a closer, and we already have a better one. While that's true, Hand has also pitched in other roles and had lots of success. A veteran guy, the three-time All-Star has a lot of good experience that will make our younger arms better.
It's important to have a guy like Hand around our younger arms, and have him lead by example. He would also immediately make quite the impact on the pen. Look at how he finished the season last year.
With the Mets, he threw in 16 games, recording a 2.70 ERA to go along with a 152 ERA+. Interestingly, he did NOT do it as a closer. He can come in and succeed in other roles on the Angels that he would participate in.
In the last six years, he's posted a 2.90 ERA, a 145 ERA+, and an 11.6 K/9 rate. Let's pursue this.
No. 1 player LA Angels should sign if there is a salary floor: Carlos Rodon
Carlos Rodon has been rumored to be on the LA Angels' radar. Is it because they believe a salary floor is incoming? Maybe, or maybe not.
The reality, however, is that they should be bringing in Rodon either way. Rodon was a top five AL Cy Young finisher this season, and while he didn't win it due to injury, he did come back at the end of the season and postseason. He's clearly healthy right now.
In that case, the Angels have no choice but to pull the trigger. What else are they going to do for starters in free agency? They already let so many pitchers sign with other teams before the lockout.
Rodon is probably the best starting pitcher on the market right now, and his ceiling is pretty undeniable. He had a 2.37 ERA this year and a 0.957 WHIP. His 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings shows just how filthy he is on the mound.
The Angels should be in on all three of these players. If a salary floor is implemented, however, there should be even more incentive to make these signings.