3 reasons to get excited about the LA Angels in 2022

The LA Angels are likely not done this offseason, but they've already created some buzz around their team this winter.

And part of it isn't even based on what they've done this offseason. They had a really talented lineup to begin with, it was just unhealthy. Guys are resting up, and we have a chance to root for a really good baseball team in 2022.

There are reasons to be excited about this club, and they may finally fulfill their potential this time around.

No. 3 reason to get excited about the LA Angels in 2022: Noah Syndergaard's upside

Noah Syndergaard was signed to a one-year deal by the LA Angels. There's not much long-term risk there.

It's worth taking a step back and looking at the positives of the signing. When Syndergaard is on, he's one of the best pitchers in baseball. Take a look at his 2016 All-Star season.

He recorded a 2.60 ERA to go along with a 2.29 FIP. Striking out 10.7 batters per nine innings and only allowing 0.5 home runs per nine innings, he proved just how electric his stuff truly is. I mean, the guy was 14-9 and had a 155 ERA+.

The interesting thing about Syndergard, though, is that even when he's at his worst, he's still...pretty good? In 2019, he had the worst year of his career. While we don't enjoy seeing a 4.28 ERA, we do enjoy seeing 4.3 fWAR, and we don't mind seeing a 3.60 FIP.

That fWAR would place fourth in the American League this year. Even the worst version of Syndergaard isn't bad.

No. 2 reason to get excited about the LA Angels in 2022: An elite back-end of the pen

Raisel Iglesias and Aaron Loup are playing in the back-end of the LA Angels' bullpen. It doesn't get better than that. If the Halos play their cards right with other bullpen signings and re-signings this offseason, they'll be in perfect position to just have Loup man the eighth inning all year and Iglesias close out every ballgame.

Iglesias is one of the top closers in baseball, and there's no doubt about that. Recording 34 saves this season and posting a 2.57 ERA, it doesn't get much better than our closer. A guy who owns one of the best fastballs in baseball, Iglesias struck out 13.2 batters per nine innings this past season.

Coupling him with a guy in Loup who was a perfect 6-0 last year is incredible. Loup was unstoppable last season, and posted a 0.95 ERA. Both of them recorded WHIP's under 1.000 last season, and Loup held hitters to a .192 batting average in 2021.

These two are as elite as they come, and are going to put the Angels in really good spots as long as the Halos can enter that eighth inning with a lead.

If anybody's down to the Angels after seven frames, their chances of winning ballgames are dangerously low these days.