Ranking 5 remaining free agent targets for the Angels

4) LA Angels free agent target: Gary Sanchez

Gary Sanchez is in a similar boat as Andrus. He'd be a rather uninspiring signing because of his recent track record, but can be considered a necessary one because of the uncertainty the Angels have behind the plate.

In a perfect world, Logan O'Hoppe shows that he's the catcher of the future with a monster Spring Training. Is that possible? Yes. Is that likely? That's harder to say. The one thing the Angels cannot do is rush another top prospect.

If O'Hoppe isn't ready and is sent to the minors, that means the Angels are stuck with Max Stassi and Matt Thaiss as their catchers. To say that's poor would be an understatement.

Sanchez would provide the Angels with some power and improved defense as well. A once horrific defender behind the plate, Sanchez ranked in the 50th percentile in pitch framing according to baseball savant.

Sanchez is not the star he was once projected to be, but is much better than Stassi and Thaiss. If O'Hoppe isn't ready, the catching situation is awful. Sanchez makes it better.

3) LA Angels free agent target: Matt Moore

Matt Moore turned his career around with an unbelievable year as a reliever in Texas. Moore was once seen as a potential ace for the Rays but injuries and underwhelming performance had him bouncing around as far as Japan before finally settling in last season.

Moore had a 1.95 ERA and a 2.98 FIP in 63 appearances and 74 innings pitched. He struck out 83 batters (10.1 K/9) and had a 203 ERA+. The walks (4.6 BB/9) were very high, but Moore pitched out of those jams effectively.

With Fulmer off the board, Moore is comfortably the second-best relief pitcher left on the free agent market. The Angels did sign Carlos Estevez, but the bullpen needs more work.

Moore likely won't have a repeat of the season he just had, but the Angels would benefit even if he was just above-average instead of elite.

On a one or two-year deal I think an agreement to keep Moore in the AL West but pitching for the Angels rather than against them would be a good idea.

2) LA Angels free agent target: Michael Wacha

Michael Wacha is another free agent I'm not in love with, but he's the best starting pitcher left in free agency by far and the only one that really makes sense for the Angels to pursue.

The Angels have five of their six starting pitcher slots decided on already with the sixth spot very up for grabs. They could go with an internal option like Griffin Canning or Chase Silseth, but every option they have includes a ton of risk. With very little margin for error, the Halos would benefit by bringing a veteran like Wacha in.

Wacha had a really solid season for the Red Sox posting a 3.32 ERA in 23 starts but the advanced metrics would suggest he's due for some regression in 2023. Wacha was also not good at all in 2020 or 2021.

Wacha still being available at this time tells me his ask is completely unreasonable. The Angels should only consider him if his cost is under $10 million dollars. I'd be willing to do one or maybe two years, definitely not more.

There're reasons why the Angels should and should not sign him, but I think with really no other option available, Wacha is the only guy to get if the Angels do decide to upgrade their rotation even further.

1) LA Angels free agent target: Andrew Chafin

Relievers are very volatile. You often never know what you're going to get from them. Just take Raisel Iglesias for example. He was one of the better closers in all of baseball when the Angels signed him last offseason to a four-year deal. He had an ERA over 4.00 and had taken six losses as he blew many games the Angels had a chance to win. He then went to Atlanta and allowed one earned run in 26.1 innings pitched.

Andrew Chafin is a rare example of a reliever that hasn't been volatile in recent memory and has been at his best for the last two seasons. This past season the southpaw posted a 2.83 ERA in 64 appearances for the Tigers. This season made him opt out of the contract he signed last offseason in an effort to pursue a new one.

I get that the Aaron Loup signing didn't end up working out as well as Angels fans hoped, but Chafin has more than just one year of elite production (unlike Loup). He's a guy who can get lefties and righties out at a high level, and who can say no to that stache!

The Angels need another reliever who can get big outs for them at the end of games and are fortunate that there is a proven one still out there. He only costs money to sign. Please, Perry. Get it done.