The perfect LA Angels starting rotation for 2022

The LA Angels are likely going to have another six-man starting pitching rotation.

It's going to be tough to roster those six next year with Chris Rodriguez out, but it is manageable when considering how deep Arte Moreno's pockets can get this offseason.

The Angels have a payroll still under $150 million, so they can push the envelope when it comes to free agent signings and taking on contracts if they're as serious as they reportedly are about this starting rotation. The type of rotation they can put together is ridiculous:

The perfect LA Angels starting rotation for 2022: The back end

No. 6: Jose Suarez

Jose Suarez is great in the bullpen for the LA Angels, but it's time to continue trusting him as a starter. When he was turned to a starter in July, he wasn't perfect for the first couple months. He posted a 5.53 ERA and allowed a .263 batting average in July and August.

In September, however, it was a different story. Suarez threw five starts to end the year, and recorded a 2.97 ERA and .202 BAA. Going 3-1 with a complete game and really beginning to fulfill his potential, we should feel confident riding this momentum into next season with Suarez as a quality starter.

No. 5: Patrick Sandoval

Patrick Sandoval was also really developing as a good starter before he got injured last year. He took Jose Quintana's spot in the rotation while posting a 3.62 ERA and 124 ERA+. He was a starter for 14 of the 17 games he pitched in, and struck out 9.7 batters per nine innings.

The Halos finally got the most out of their 11th-round draft pick, and he's proven he can be a reliable guy for the Angels. He already was that for the team last year.

The perfect LA Angels starting rotation for 2022: The two Aces

No. 2: Shohei Ohtani

No matter what happens this winter, the LA Angels have an Ace on their roster in Shohei Ohtani. Well, they actually have two if Syndergaard pitches the way we know he can and likely will if he's healthy. However Shohei, who was the All-Star game starter for the AL, is of course a top 10 pitcher in the Majors.

The only slight negative I can find on Ohtani is that he walked three batters per nine innings last year, but it's hard to care when he still had just a 1.090 WHIP. Striking out 10.8 hitters per nine last year, Ohtani posted a 3.18 ERA and 141 ERA+. It's tough to get better than Ohtani, but our dream rotation would have one more starter who's better.

No. 1: Max Scherzer

Max Scherzer is still a guy that the LA Angels are looking into according to Bowden. Bowden's original projection for Scherzer was $50 million per year for three years. And, the Angels can afford that, even with this rotation.

They can hit $200 million in payroll with Moreno and his $3.6 billion net worth, so they absolutely could be the team to land Scherzer. And if they trade for Bassitt, they're only taking on an $8.8 million contract. They may be able to even unload some cash in that deal too.

Either way, they have the money to field this rotation. This is the best rotation possible right now.