The perfect LA Angels starting rotation for 2022

Sep 28, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) throws | Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The perfect LA Angels starting rotation for 2022: The middle

No. 4: Noah Syndergaard

Noah Syndergaard was the first big signing of the LA Angels' offseason. An extremely high-upside pitcher, Syndergaard was signed on a one-year deal for $21 million. So yes, it's theoretically not a high-risk deal due to the short length, but it does come with some risk due to the price and Thor's recent history.

Syndergaard has only pitched two innings in these last two years due to injury. He is, however, a year removed from his Tommy John surgery, and Shohei Ohtani obviously recovered from it just fine on the Angels. If Syndergaard performs to his potential, which is possible, he'll be right back to being the All-Star he once was.

No. 3: Chris Bassitt

According to CBS Sports MLB Analyst and former MLB GM Jim Bowden, the LA Angels have already had conversations with the Oakland Athletics about trading for Chris Bassitt.

Bassitt was an All-Star this year, so that's a great idea. Bassitt posted a 12-4 record and 3.15 ERA this season, while striking out a career-high 9.1 batters per nine innings. In these last two seasons, he's posted a 2.90 ERA and 142 ERA+.

If we can work out a deal to acquire Bassitt, we need to get working on it.