Upgrading The Pitching Staff Is A Must For The Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels traded two prospects for Danny Espinosa. Now, the question is, will the Angels upgrade their pitching staff?
The Los Angeles Angels didn’t do much during the Winter Meetings. However, three days after, GM Billy Eppler made a trade for Danny Espinosa. Although, it’s noteworthy to add that the Nationals were going to deal Espinosa regardless.
Still, the Angels took full advantage of the move. Acquiring Espinosa will help the Angels defensively. One thing is clear, the Angels are beefing up their defense in order to help support the pitching staff.
The Angels have had their eye on a handful of pitchers according to various rumors. Among those is RHP Bud Norris. Norris spent time with Atlanta and the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. The Greenbrae native had a 6-10 record last season with an ERA of 5.10.
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While those numbers don’t really jump off the page, the Angels haven’t pulled the trigger on any potential moves to sign a big name pitcher. If you recall, the Angels signed Jesse Chavez earlier in the offseason.
I could throw out a couple of names of some pitchers that would help the Angels next season. However, most of you would disagree. Keep in mind, saying a pitcher would be a good fit doesn’t mean the Angels have the money or a way of acquiring him. Nevertheless, the Angels intend to contend next season. The question is do they currently have enough to do so?
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I would say yes, they do. By adding Maybin and Espinosa, the Angels will have a major upgrade on defense. The only question will be the pitching staff. We know what we will get with Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs, and Matt Shoemaker. However, Ricky Nolasco is a question mark.
Nolasco struggled mightily in his early days as an Angel. He lost his first five games. Since then, he went 4-1 and his ERA to finish the season was 3.21. So hopefully, Nolasco can continue his impressive pitching.
Chavez will also be interesting, he’s been a reliever for most of his career. In fact, he’s only been a starting pitcher for two seasons of his eight-year career. Chavez was signed as a starter, with incentives and bonuses in his one-year deal with the Angels.
Spring Training gets underway in just over three months, this season is going to be fun to watch. Hopefully, the Angels can turn around from last season and keep their quest to the World Series alive during 2017.
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