3 potential trades to fill LA Angels starting pitching need

The LA Angels have been subject to many pitchers in trade rumors this offseason, but three specific ones in particular. They are all starters that can help make the Angels a better team right now.

The Halos have a bad starting rotation right now, and they also have a poor farm system that doesn't have a ton of hope there. The Halos have made a major emphasis on acquiring starting pitching prospects, but only so many are blue-chip prospects.

The Halos could use some pitching prospects in trades, or go different routes to get one or more of these three guys. In this article are three trade ideas that could potentially land each of the three pitchers most rumored to the Angels this offseason:

No. 3 potential trade to fill LA Angels starting pitching need: Frankie Montas

Frankie Montas is one of the three pitchers that MLB insider Jim Bowden said the LA Angels have contacted the Oakland Athletics about. Perhaps the Halos would be interested in trading their 2021 first-round pick Sam Bachman for him.

While Bachman is oozing with Big League potential, Montas has already proven himself to be more than reliable as a starting pitcher in the Bigs. Therefore, while Bachman has tremendous upside, the Halos may opt to go with the guy who can help the Angels tremendously right now.

Montas really broke out this past season, posting a 3.37 ERA and 3.37 FIP in an AL-leading 32 starts. He proved to be durable, and that he is one of the better starters in this league.

No. 1 potential trade to fill LA Angels starting pitching need: Chris Bassitt

Chris Bassitt is the most ideal trade candidate of the LA Angels this offseason that has been rumored to be a possibility. Bowden also had the Angels going after him. He really does see the Angels as players in this expected A's fire sale.

Bassitt would cost a lot, and certainly more than just Marsh. They too would want some pitching compensation in addition to a stud prospect like Marsh. The Angels should not, and would not, be interested in dealing Reid Detmers or Bachman to a division rival, but they possibly could be open to trading their next-best pitching prospect in Ky Bush.

Bush has tremendous upside as a power pitcher, as he already can get up to 96 consistently at times and has great size and length at 6'6", 240 pounds. He's got a true beauty of a slider that also drops like a curveball. That movement is untouchable, and he's got a good fastball already too.

He very well could be enough to add on to a trade with Marsh for Bassitt, and the Halos might be interested in making that deal due to Bassitt playing his best baseball right now, and being able to help the Angels immediately. They may prefer to go after Bassitt, who can help them right now, over keeping Bush for the future. Bush isn't expected to be in the Big Leagues until 2024.

The Halos may try one of these trades, or something similar to acquire pitching that they've made clear is a priority for them. Pitching has held the team back for a long time now, but they have a chance this offseason to right the ship there.