Who will be the Los Angeles Angels 5th starter?
The Los Angeles Angels still have not necessarily addressed their hole in the starting rotation. Will they make a splash in free agency? Or rely on their farm system?
The Los Angeles Angels have four penciled in starters for their starting five man rotation. Those names will be Garrett Richards, Matt Shoemaker, Tyler Skaggs and Ricky Nolasco.
However, as you may have noticed, that’s only four names.
Yes, the Angels still have a giant question mark on who will be the 5th starter for their rotation come opening day.
Since Richards and Shoemaker seem to be aces of the staff, the Angels don’t necessarily have to go out and sign a big name in free agency in order to be successful this upcoming season.
Luckily for the Angels, there are still plenty of names on the free agent market that could help the back end of the rotation.
Also, the Angels do have some names in their own organization if they do decide to save some money.
But, without further delay, lets take a look at some of the possibilities the Angels may have in solidifying their hole in the rotation.
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J.C. Ramirez
One of the gems that Angels’ GM Billy Eppler plucked out of the sand, Ramirez has been a surprisingly solid contributor out of the Angels bullpen last season.
After being claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds during the 2016 season, Ramirez was brought over to help solidify the Angels bullpen and it worked perfectly.
In 46 1/3 innings pitched, Ramirez posted a 2.91 ERA and a WHIP of 1.187. Both career highs for him.
According to Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times, the Angels are going to try to convert Ramirez into a starter during spring training or at least give him a shot. You can find his tweet here.
While this may seem like a head scratcher to some fans, Ramirez has handled the workload of a starter in the past.
From the seasons of 2009-11, Ramirez averaged 143 innings per season as a starter according to MLBTradeRumors.com
If the Angels decide to not address the hole via free agency, Ramirez may be the front runner for the job if he shines during spring training.
But, as Eppler has confirmed, the Angels will be shopping for starting pitching depth making the conversion to starter less unlikely.
Possibility: 3/10
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Jesse Chavez
In a more recent signing, Jesse Chavez was signed to a one-year, $5.75 MM deal this off-season.
What Chavez has to offer is his utility.
For most of Chavez’s career, he has been used as a relief pitcher from 2008-13.
However, in 2014 and 15, the Oakland Athletics experimented with him by making him a rotational starter.
In those two years, Chavez pitched 146 innings and 157 innings averaging out to a 3.81 ERA which is not half bad.
While I do believe Chavez will start some games for the Angels, I don’t believe he will be apart of the permanent five man rotation.
Since Richards and Skaggs are still coming off serious injuries, Chavez will be used as a starter when either of the two need rest or an off day.
Because most of his pitching experience is from the bullpen, the Angels will utilize him in that role while he makes a start every now and then.
Possibility: 4/10
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Nate Smith
Arguably the Angels best starting pitching prospect, Nate Smith will be looked at very hard this upcoming spring training.
After being drafted by the Halos in round 8 of the 2013 draft, Smith has quietly rose in the ranks of the Angels farm system and is currently an everyday starter for the AAA Salt Lake Bees.
While Smith has plenty of experience in the minor leagues, Smith has yet to flourish once he was promoted to AAA level baseball.
Since reaching AAA, Smith has sported an ERA of 4.61 and has a WHIP of 1.40. Both being career lows for him in the minor leagues.
Smith may see a start or two this season much like Chavez, but only if an injury were to happen.
I expect Smith to see most of his 2017 season in the minor leagues until his ERA and WHIP drop down to the Angels liking.
Possibility: 2/10
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Alex Meyer
Alex Meyer was acquired by the Angels last season in the Hector Santiago trade.
Meyer, who used to be regarded as a top 50 pitching prospect, has faced many significant shoulder injuries in his past which has seen his stock drop significantly.
The Twins primarily used Meyer as a bullpen option and many scouts deem him as a bullpen piece rather a starting pitcher.
In 21 innings pitched for the Angels last season, Meyer earned a 1-2 record with an ERA of 4.57. However, Meyer pitched well in his brief 2016 stint and that could earn him some playing time for the 2017 season.
It’s unclear how the Angels will use Meyer this season because he has plenty of potential when he is healthy. But, that’s hard to come by.
Once Meyer proves that he is healthy and has the possibility of playing an entire season, the Angels may look to him to help their starting rotation.
Possibility: 5/10
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Ivan Nova
The Los Angeles Angels have plenty of money to spend this off-season thanks to the expired contracts of C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver.
According to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, the Angels are around $160-$165M and the new luxury tax threshold is going to start at about $195M. So, the Angels do have some money to spend.
This move also makes the most sense as well.
GM Billy Eppler has ties to the Yankees organization and Nova was originally signed by the Yankees, so the familiarity is there.
While Nova’s ERA has inflated at times, he played his best baseball once he was traded to the Pirates and it currently sits at 3.06.
Nova may be the perfect addition to the back end of the Angels rotation and his asking price will be roughly $12-15M a year which the Angels can certainly handle.
Possibility: 7/10
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Doug Fister
Doug Fister is another free agent that the Angels should at least keep an eye on.
For most of Fisters’ career, he has been a relatively successful starting pitcher and his career ERA sits at 3.60.
However, his last two seasons have been disappointing.
For 2015-16, Fisters’ ERA has shot up to over four and his WHIP has increased from his career averages as well.
Maybe his age, being 32, may have resulted in some of his struggles. But none the less, he still has some fuel in the tank and has winning experience in which the Angels could desperately use.
Fisters’ asking price will definitely be a lot cheaper than Nova’s given his recent struggles and age. I expect his asking range to be around $8-11M which the Angels can obviously afford.
Possibility: 6/10
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