4 players facing uncertain futures with LA Angels

The LA Angels are staring at a lot of uncertainty right now as a franchise.

The entire MLB is. Nobody knows what is to happen with the lockout, and there's even a possibility we don't even have a season.

Many players on the Angels were looking at uncertain futures no matter what. Not necessarily for bad reasons, but it's just that there are a lot of things that complicate the roster-building for this team moving forward. All four have uncertain long-term futures with this team for different reasons.

No. 4 player facing uncertain future with LA Angels: Max Stassi

Many LA Angels fans, including myself, like what Max Stassi brings to the table these days. Defensively, he was a top five catcher when it came to defensive runs saved this past season, and he's great as a pitch framer.

Offensively, he was 12th among catchers in OPS last season (catchers who had 300 plate appearances or more). That was a .752 OPS, so not great, but it's worth pointing out that he's recorded a solid 112 OPS+ in these past two seasons.

The issue with Stassi, though, is his health. He's played just 301 games, and he's been in the league nine years. This past season, he played just 87.

This becomes even more complicated due to the fact that Stassi's contract is up after this year. It's going to be a contract year for Stassi, and he may only get the bag he wants if he stays healthy.

No. 2 player facing uncertain future with LA Angels: Brandon Marsh

Brandon Marsh is...too good of a prospect to be confident in his future with the LA Angels? Sounds odd, but it's 100% true. Everyone in the league loves Marsh's potential power-speed combo with already fine defense, that he's the No. 1 trade chip on the Angels.

In fact, the No. 1 trade target of the Angels, Luis Castillo, is expected to only be acquired by the Halos if they trade a package that includes Marsh. Marsh was a tremendous Minor Leaguer, has been on many teams' radars for years, and really flashed promise last season in his first taste of the Big Leagues.

In fact, he was so good defensively that many suggest he might take center next year and have Mike Trout move to right. He has athleticism one can't teach, and all of this makes for a great trade piece that can net a big return.

Unfortunately, Anaheim doesn't have a very good farm, so they have few pieces they can trade other than Marsh. Regardless, Marsh has a very bright future in this league and will flourish no matter where he goes.

No. 1 player facing uncertain future with LA Angels: Noah Syndergaard

Don't get it twisted; Noah Syndergaard is going to FEAST for the LA Angels this year. He's going to be healthy, and a healthy Syndergaard has been NASTY in his career--especially in the postseason. That being said, his contract was only a one-year deal.

When looking at recent one-year deals for Halo starting pitchers, these guys' Angels careers didn't last long. Matt Harvey, Jose Quintana, and Trevor Cahill all signed one-year deals to start on the mound for the Angels and their contracts didn't end up getting renewed.

I know--they suck, and Syndergaard is a monster. That being said, Alex Cobb certainly didn't suck, and was very good for the Angels this past year in his one-year deal. He was still done with after just that one year with the Halos.

And Cobb didn't even sign elsewhere for a lot of money. The Angels, for whatever reason, really didn't want him back.

So Syndergaard got a nice $21 million deal for this year, but it remains to be seen how the team will see his value moving forward. Even if he plays really well, will the Angels be willing to re-sign him?

For what it's worth, they didn't re-sign Cobb for even just $10 million of AAV, which he is absolutely deserving of. Hopefully, Syndergaard goes crazy in his return to the mound, and gets brought back.

It's tough to guarantee Thor will be back next year, however, as it is to guarantee any of these four will.