3 things we'd like Santa to leave under the LA Angels' tree
It's Holiday season, and the LA Angels have quite a few items on their Christmas List.
Some are more high up on the list than others, and some are more reasonable than others. That being said, if Santa came by and dropped three gifts at Angel Stadium for our team, it's clear as to which three we'd like to see the most.
All three aren't too much to ask for, and we're more than deserving. After the bad luck we received last year with injuries, we deserve some presents to pick us up and put us up to where we're supposed to be as a franchise.
No. 3 thing we'd like Santa to leave under the LA Angels' tree: Trevor Story
Here's the thing about the LA Angels asking for Trevor Story, as opposed to who lots of people are suggesting is the better free agent in Carlos Correa: If we ask for Story, then Santa will have enough resources left to make us even better gifts to go along with this one. If we ask for Correa, regardless of if he's better or not, the Elves won't have enough to build many more presents of that worth to also put under the tree.
Correa is going to cost a lot this year, as he has been rumored to be looking for a mega deal that he's still diligently searching for. Everyone knows that Story is a cheaper gift than Correa. If we ask for Story on our Christmas List, Santa is more inclined to also drop these next two gifts under our tree.
No. 2 thing we'd like Santa to leave under the LA Angels' tree: Kenley Jansen
If we ask Santa for Story, there's a far better chance he'll also give the LA Angels Kenley Jansen. Jansen would be quite the Christmas present, too, as the two-time Hoffman Reliever of the Year award winner has been there and done that in this league.
Jansen is a three-time All-Star, and has even finished as a top five Cy Young candidate as a reliever before. One of the best relievers in baseball for a long time, Jansen has amassed 350 saves to go along with an absurd 2.37 ERA and FIP.
Recording an 0.928 WHIP, Jansen also boasts a K/BB ratio over 5, and has struck out 13 batters over the course of his 11-year career. Surrendering just 5.7 hits per nine frames, Jansen is as reliable as they come.
Sure, the Halos just re-signed Raisel Iglesias, but Jansen has really thrived in multiple different bullpen roles before. He's not just an effective closer.
He'll cost more than most relievers, but relievers in general aren't a position that's going to cost as much as another, so we're not asking for too much from Santa.
No. 1 thing we'd like Santa to leave under the LA Angels' tree: Carlos Rodon
Carlos Rodon would put the finishing touches on the LA Angels Christmas List.
He's had troubles staying durable in his career, but came back to pitch in the end of the year last season as well as the playoffs, so he's at least fine right now.
And that year for Rodon was phenomenal. He was an All-Star, and finished fifth in Cy Young voting. Recording a 13-5 record and a 2.37 ERA, he posted a 183 ERA+.
It goes to show just how dominant Rodon is when he's hitting his ceiling. One might suggest that those numbers go to show that he has no ceiling. He's as good as it gets when he's healthy and pitching to the best of his ability.
He's the same guy who struck out 12.6 batters per nine innings last year, and has a K/BB ratio of 5.14. Posting a 0.957 WHIP, he's exactly what the Angels are looking for this Holiday season.
Unfortunately, the MLB lockout may be far from over. If a Christmas Miracle takes place, however, and the lockout ends by the time of the Holiday, I know exactly what the Angels will be asking for.