There is no denying that the Los Angeles Angels have improved their pitching situation from 2021. While there may be some dispute over how drastic those improvements were, adding Noah Syndergaard, Michael Lorenzen, and Aaron Loup are undoubtedly positive moves.
Where the Angels have rightfully received criticism is watching the free agent starting pitcher market be picked clean while staying quiet. Very quickly, all of the top starters from the beginning of free agency found their homes, and the Angels are left with a thin crop to select from.
Now, the only starter that they have reported interest in is former Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners starter Tyler Anderson, according to Mike DiGiovanna of The L.A. Times:
Among the free-agent starters the #Angels are interested in is Tyler Anderson, a 32-year-old LHP who went 7-11 with a 4.53 in 31 starts, with 134 Ks and 38 BBs in 167 IP, for the #Pirates and #Mariners last season.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) March 14, 2022
As DiGiovanna states, Anderson had a pretty solid 2021 campaign. He started the year with the Pirates and was traded to the Mariners midway through the year, putting up a 4.53 ERA and 1.246 WHIP over 167 innings pitched. In that time, he struck out 134 batters while walking just 38.
As far as bulk starters go, he may be one of the best available on the market. Only Zack Greinke tossed more innings among free agent starters, but Greinke is 38 while Anderson is just 32.
Angels fans may not remember Anderson with high regard, as the Halos crushed the Mariners starter in his last two starts of the season against L.A. He tossed 3.2 innings over two starts against the Angels, allowing 12 earned runs and striking out zero batters.
But outside of his starts against the Angels, Anderson was almost a sub-4.00 ERA pitcher on the year, and he could serve as a quality mid-rotation and depth piece for the Halos.
He would slot in well as a No. 4 starter behind Syndergaard, Shohei Ohtani, and Patrick Sandoval with Michael Lorenzen and Jose Suarez serving as No. 5 and No. 6, if the Angels choose to go that route.
Mike Trout puts pressure on Angels
When asked about the job that Angels GM Perry Minasian has done so far this offseason, Mike Trout was complimentary of the pitching moves. However, in a move that could be perceived as intentional, Trout put some pressure on the organization by saying that Minasian was clearly “not done” making moves.
