OC Register: What the Angels’ roster looks like as they eye changes for 2020

[AngelsWin.com]

ANAHEIM — The Angels’ offseason makeover starts with hiring a new manager, which could happen any day, but more important will be upgrading the roster.

Certainly, Houston Astros ace Gerrit Cole will be their top target, but he’ll be in high demand when free agency begins, and the Angels will need more than one pitcher.

Their payroll normally ends up around $175 million, and so far they have something in the neighborhood of $140 million committed, depending which arbitration-eligible players they keep.

Player ————————– 2019 salary ————————– 2020 status (salary)

LHP Justin Anderson ————– $561,000 ————– Under club control

Control issues are keeping him from his potential as a high-leverage reliever.

RHP Luke Bard ————– $575,000 ————– Under club control

He bounced between Triple-A and the majors all season.

RHP Jaime Barría ————– $563,000 ————– Under club control

He will need to show improvement to earn regular starts in 2020.

RHP Cam Bedrosian ————– $1.75M ————– Arbitration eligible

He might be a trade candidate if the Angels choose to sell high and save some money.

RHP Ty Buttrey ————– $557,250 ————– Under club control

He should be a long-term part of the bullpen, despite a poor second half this season.

RHP Trevor Cahill ————– $9 million ————– Free agent

He’s the only pure free agent left on the roster.

RHP Griffin Canning ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

The only one of the rookie starters who debuted in 2019 who is a lock for the 2020 rotation.

RHP Taylor Cole ————– $557,000 ————– Under club control

Wildly inconsistent, but he showed flashes of being a capable multi-inning reliever.

LHP Miguel Del Pozo ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

He was impressive at times during his first months in the big leagues.

RHP Luís García ————– $1.675 million ————– Arbitration eligible

He improved later in the season, but he’s still a candidate to be non-tendered.

LHP Andrew Heaney ————– $3.4 million ————– Arbitration eligible

With two years left before free agency, he’s still looking to reach the potential he showed in 2015.

RHP Jake Jewell ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

He has options and can pitch multiple innings, so he could be on the Triple-A shuttle again.

LHP Adalberto Mejia ————– $560,000 ————– Under club control

He’s out of options, and uncertain to fit as an everyday member of the bullpen.

RHP Keynan Middleton ————– $563,5000 ————– Arbitration eligible

Healthy again, he figures to be a long-term high leverage reliever, thanks in part to an improved changeup.

RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani ————– $650,000 ————– Under club control

He is expected to return to full-duty as a two-way player in 2020, after undergoing knee surgery last month.

RHP Félix Peña ————– $569,000 ————– Under club control

He might miss time early in the season recovering from knee surgery.

LHP Dillon Peters ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

He earned consideration for the back of the 2020 rotation, but more likely as a spot starter.

RHP Noé Ramirez ————– $569,000 ————– Arbitration eligible

The Cal State Fullerton product is useful as a durable, multi-inning reliever.

RHP Hansel Robles ————– $1.4 million ————– Arbitration eligible

He will at least double his salary after a breakthrough season as their closer.

LHP Patrick Sandoval ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

He has a chance to eventually earn a regular spot in the rotation.

LHP José Suarez ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

He struggled most of his rookie season as a 21-year-old.

C Anthony Bemboom ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

He got a shot when the Angels suffered a raft of injuries to their catchers.

C Kevan Smith ————– $572,000 ————– Arbitration eligible

Known more for his offense than his defense, and he finished strong.

C Max Stassi ————– $569,100 ————– Arbitration eligible

He could be a poor man’s Martín Maldonado.

1B Justin Bour ————– $2.5 million ————– Arbitration eligible

A candidate to be non-tendered after a disappointing season.

1B Albert Pujols ————– $28 million ————– Under contract through 2021 ($29 million)

Despite modest improvement in 2019, he’s likely to see reduced playing time at age 40 in 2020.

3B Matt Thaiss ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

He’s going to play winter ball to improve at third base and find offensive consistency.

1B Jared Walsh ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

He could be a platoon partner for Pujols if he can improve at the plate.

2B Tommy La Stella ————– $1.35 million ————– Arbitration eligible

He will be looking to show his breakthrough half-season in 2019 was no fluke.

2B Luís Rengifo ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

He has potential as an everyday middle infielder with power, but he’s still raw.

IF Kean Wong ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

He’s useful as a utility player with options and a knack for getting on base.

IF Zack Cozart ————– $12.7 million ————– Under contract through 2020 ($12.7 million)

He has one year left after his first two years were spoiled by a shoulder injury.

IF David Fletcher ————– $561,500 ————– Under club control

He earned a shot as an everyday big leaguer with consistent production in 2019.

SS Andrelton Simmons ————– $13.1 million ————– Under contract through 2020 ($15.1 million)

After a slight decline in 2019, the Angels face a tough decision whether to offer him an extension.

OF Brian Goodwin ————– $583,500 ————– Arbitration eligible

He came out of nowhere to play a prominent role in 2019, earn a spot in 2020.

OF Justin Upton ————– $18 million ————– Under contract through 2021 ($21 million)

He must bounce back from an injury-marred 2019 to regain his status as a middle-of-the-order run-producer.

OF Michael Hermosillo ————– $556,500 ————– Under club control

He might have a shot to break camp as a fourth outfielder in 2020.

OF Mike Trout ————– $36 million ————– Under contract through 2030 ($35.5 million)

Remember how much everyone was worried about keeping Trout a year ago?

OF Kole Calhoun ————– $10.5 million ————– Club option for $14 million

The fan favorite might have played his final game for the Angels.

OF Taylor Ward ————– $555,000 ————– Under club control

He has moved from catcher to third base to outfield but mostly needs to find consistency with the bat.

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[TroutCron]

There are several candidates to be DFA’d. Suarez, Sandoval and Barria need time in AAA. The bullpen needs a couple of upgrades. Robles, Buttrey, and Middleton are locks and probably Noe Ramirez. It would be nice if there was a reliable lefty too. There will be lots of FA opportunities for the pen. 
The needs of the rotation are obvious. There are two returning pitchers in Heaney and Canning neither who are without serious question marks. 
 

Hopefully the stigma surrounding the Skaggs investigation won’t deter FA from signing with the Angels. 

[Angelsjunky]

I think Sandoval is ready, or ready enough to be a solid #4-5 with #3 potential. 

The bullpen is the least of their problems. An upgrade is possible, but not necessary. The main way to improve the bullpen is acquire two good starters to take some of the pressure off.