The Los Angeles Angels have been arguably the most active team in all of baseball to begin the offseason. After saying that they intend to try and build one more winning team around Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, the Angels made three moves to prove that plan true.
They signed free agent starting pitcher Tyler Anderson to a three-year, $39 million contract. Then, Perry Minasian made two trades. One was for a infield depth piece in Gio Urshela, and the other for a new starting left fielder in Hunter Renfroe.
Minasian has said that the Angels are nowhere close to being done, but they already appear to be off to a better start than 2022. If the injury bug does again hit the Angels, they are far better prepared to weather the storm.
Here, we’ve already done a way-too-early Opening Day roster projection shortly after the conclusion of the 2022 season. But after some moves, another projection felt warranted. Below is our second attempt to put together a 26-man roster based on the players currently under contract with the Angels.
Based on this analysis, the Angels still have several critical things to address, the most glaring of which is the bullpen. While the Halos have some reliable names like Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera, the unit as a whole is not nearly as deep as it needs to be. It’s arguable the Angels need to add as many as three or four more relief arms.
The Angels could also use a sixth starter if they want to return to the six-man rotation that has helped Ohtani and their young starters in their development. They could add a player via free agency/trade, but could also develop that sixth arm from within.
Finally, the Halos need to make some decisions regarding position player depth. Can the trio of Michael Stefanic, Jo Adell, and Mickey Moniak provide enough pop off the bench? Do the Angels have other Minor League options? Or is there more work to be done on the open market?
Opening Day 26-man projection
Pitchers
SP Tyler Anderson
SP Reid Detmers
SP Patrick Sandoval
SP Jose Suarez
RP Jaime Barria
RP Jimmy Herget
RP Aaron Loup
RP Jose Quijada
RP Ryan Tepera
RP Andrew Wantz
RP Austin Warren
RP Zack Weiss
Two-Way Players
SP/DH Shohei Ohtani
Position Players
C Max Stassi
C Matt Thaiss
INF David Fletcher
INF Anthony Rendon
INF Luis Rengifo
INF Michael Stefanic
INF Gio Urshela
INF Jared Walsh
OF Jo Adell
OF Mickey Moniak
OF Hunter Renfroe
OF Mike Trout
OF Taylor Ward
