Free Agency, Part 1: Where do the Angels Currently Stand?

12/9/19 - Jay Sheehy - Founder and Editor-In-Chief

The Winter Meetings start today in San Diego yet there has already been increased movement to this point in the off-season, compared to years past. The question on the mind of every Angels fan is this: what does that move mean for us? General manager Billy Eppler has already been working the phones as is evident by the trade with the Baltimore Orioles that secured the services of Dylan Bundy (who we will look at in great depth in the next article). So we’ll take a look on where the Angels stand heading into what is usually a hotbed of activity.

Off the board:
Stephen Strasburg - Seven years, $245 million; $35 million per season.
As I began this article Strasburg re-upped with the Washington Nationals (as most people expected he would). What people probably didn’t expect was how much money super agent Scott Boras would be able to wrangle from the Lerner family. Wow. This changes the whole offseason as Gerrit Cole’s contract probably increased by $50-75 million dollars. Lucky for him…and Scott Boras, who is also Cole’s agent.
What it means for the Angels: Gerrit Cole is going to cost more than $300 million. He’s definitely getting an eighth year on his contract now.

Zack Wheeler - Signed 12/4 with the Philadelphia: 5 year/$118 million; $23.6 million per season.
The first top flight pitcher to sign, Wheeler’s deal set the second tier pitching market (Ryu, Bumgarner, Keuchel, Hamels, etc.).
What it means for the Angels: One less pitcher on the market. There was no way the Angels were going to sign someone for $100+ million before they found out about Cole.

Yasmani Grandal - Signed 11/21 with the Chicago (AL): 4yr/$73 million; $18.25 million per season.
The first free agent signing over $50 million, Grandal put the league on notice that the Chicago White Sox are going all-in this season. The best catcher on the market by a considerable distance, Grandal struck early in an offseason that will be decided by pitching.
What it means for the Angels: They missed out on the best catcher available. One of the best catchers in the game, really, and now they will have to comb through the second tier to find an everyday guy. Because they NEED an everyday catcher. Stassi and Bemboom don’t exactly warm the hearts of Angels fans. Let’s go, Billy.

Mike Moustakas - Signed 12/2 with Cincinnati: 4yr/$64 million; $16 million per season.
Moose finally got paid. After consecutive offseasons where he couldn’t find a deal that he liked, Moustakas finally got a four year deal in Cincinnati, who like the White Sox, seem to be involved with everyone in free agency.
What it means for the Angels: Not too much. There has been quiet whispers that the Angels might go after Anthony Rendon or Josh Donaldson, but that could only represent the backup plan to Cole (there’s no way to acquire Cole and a third baseman- way too expensive). Yet, as it stands right now, Zack Cozart will play until injury then David Fletcher and Tommy La Stella will switch off at third.

Will Smith - Signed 11/14 for 3yr/$40 million with Atlanta.
Drew Pomeranz - Signed 11/27 for 4yr/$34 million with San Diego.
Kyle Gibson - Signed 11/27 for 3yr/$28 million with Texas.
Michael Pineda - Signed 12/5 for 2yr/$20 million with Minnesota.
Cole Hamels - Signed 12/4 for 1yr/$18 million with Atlanta.
Jordan Lyles - Signed 12/8 for 2yr/$16 million with Texas.
Travis d’Arnaud - Signed 11/24 for 2yr/$16 million with Atlanta.
Yan Gomes - Signed 11/28 for 2yr/$10 million with Washington.

What it all mean for the Angels: First off, the third and fourth tier starting pitchers are still getting paid about $10 million per season. So, prices are obviously going up. Texas is trying to find their next Mike Minor/Lance Lynn, and picked out a couple of quality candidates. Hopefully they fail this time around because Lynn and Minor were wonderful last season. Atlanta seems to want to get their shopping done before Christmas as they shelled out $74 million to Smith, Hamels and d’Arnaud.

The big names left:

Gerrit Cole - The second that Strasburg contract became official this morning, Gerrit Cole’s projected contract went from $250-270 million to easily $300 million plus. At this point, it’s really down to the Yankees, Angels and Dodgers. In early November, MLBTradeRumors.com predicted an 8yr/$256 million deal with the Angels. Strasburg’s deal will add 20-25% more money to that.
Angels need (1-10): 11…WE NEED AN ACE!!!

Anthony Rendon - The best position player on the market, Rendon rumors revolve around the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. While I think Angels fans would love Rendon’s contributions (who wouldn't?), his signing would effectively end their chances with Cole. Unless Rendon can spin a 3.75 ERA over 150+ innings while playing third during his off time, then the Angels have bigger issues at hand. David Fletcher was a gold glove finalist at third base. Plus, they are still paying Cozart in the hope he can provide anything during this three year deal.
Angels need (1-10): 6…which means he’s probably their main target.

Madison Bumgarner - With Wheeler getting $118 million over 5 years and Strasburg gettting $35 million a year over a seven year deal, Bumgarner’s deal increased right along side Cole’s (no, not along side, but as well…Cole is in a different stratosphere).
Angels need (1-10): 8.75 (we need HEALTHY pitchers; we’ve spend the last decade with guys who can’t get to 200 innings).

Hyun-Jin Ryu - What do you pay a 33-year old hurler who has a history of injury AND who had a second half ERA that was 1.45 runs higher than the first half? (to be fair, his first half ERA was a ridiculous 1.73 and his second half was a solid 3.18). This was Ryu’s second season over 180 innings pitched since he came to the MLB seven seasons ago. Ouch. A lot to think over.
Angels need (1-10): 7.75 (Bumgarner, but more so…at least Bumgarner did 200 innings in 2019, and is three years younger than Ryu).

Josh Donaldson - Sure to be the main target of whoever falls short of Rendon. Donaldson is the superior defender of the two but he’s also 34 and has a history of injury (2016 is his last full season). Definitely a gamer, talk is he’d like to return to Atlanta but that he’ll go where the money is.
Angels need (1-10): 4…he’s just, like, too old, you know? But for a three year deal ($75 million?) you could do a lot worse.