OC Register: What starting pitchers could the Angels still add?

[AngelsWin.com]

TEMPE, Ariz. — On the first full day that the Angels could upgrade their pitching staff after the lockout, two of the top available free agents went off the board.

Clayton Kershaw reportedly agreed to return to the Dodgers and Carlos Rodon agreed to a deal with the San Francisco Giants, according to reports. It was unclear how aggressively the Angels pursued either pitcher, although Kershaw was widely expected to return to the Dodgers, sign with the Texas Rangers or retire.

The free agent starting pitching options are dwindling for the Angels, with Yusei Kikuchi perhaps the best arm available. Kikuchi, 30, posted a 4.41 ERA with the Seattle Mariners last season and lost his job in the rotation.

The best bet for the Angels might now be to look to the trade market.

The Cincinnati Reds could trade Luis Castillo or Sonny Gray, and the Oakland A’s might deal Chris Bassitt, Sean Manaea or Frankie Montas. The Angels would likely need to part with at least one of their top prospects in any deal for a pitcher of that caliber.

Without additions, the Angels’ rotation is counting on pitchers who are unproven, coming off injuries or both.

Shohei Ohtani is the only starter who was healthy and effective all of last season. Noah Syndergaard is coming back from Tommy John surgery. Patrick Sandoval and José Suarez each were good for about half a season, and Sandoval finished the season with a back injury. Michael Lorenzen has been a reliever for almost his entire career, and last season he missed time with a shoulder injury and a hamstring injury.

Griffin Canning, Reid Detmers and Jaime Barria are the top candidates for the sixth spot in the rotation.

BUTTREY RETURNS

Right-hander Ty Buttrey reported to Angels camp on Friday, beginning his attempted comeback after he abruptly retired just before the season in 2021.

Buttrey was placed on the restricted list when he retired, and the Angels still haven’t sorted out his roster status for 2022 yet. He is currently still on the restricted list.

Buttrey, 28, was one of the Angels’ best relievers in 2018 and 2019, combining for a 3.86 ERA. He struggled in 2020 and again in spring training last year. The Angels optioned him just before Opening Day, but he refused to report to Triple-A and then announced he was retiring.

NEW CACTUS LEAGUE SCHEDULE

Major League Baseball released a revised exhibition schedule, which includes the Angels playing 15 games in Arizona and then the traditional three Freeway Series games in Southern California.

The Angels will open the Cactus League schedule on March 18 against the Oakland A’s in Tempe. The first home game will be the following day, against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Angels play each day through April 2 in Arizona, with an off day on March 30, and then play the Dodgers at Angel Stadium on April 3, and at Dodger Stadium on April 4-5.

Tickets for exhibition games go on sale next week.

WORKOUTS OPEN

The Angels are opening their workouts to the public, starting with the first full-squad workout on Monday. The team will be working out at the minor league complex, just down the street from Tempe Diablo Stadium, because of renovations at the stadium. Exhibition games will still be played at the stadium.

Workouts begin each day around 9:30, although they are likely to start later on Monday.

RAMOS SIGNS

Right-hander AJ Ramos reportedly signed a minor league deal with the Angels, including an invitation to big league camp.

Ramos, 35, spent most of last season in Triple-A with the Angels, pitching in four major-league games in September. He did not allow a run in 4-2/3 innings.

The former closer for the Miami Marlins, Ramos has a career 3.04 ERA with 99 saves.

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[ejg2022]

Go Ty!!!

[nando714]

Someone on a minor league deal 

again

[Revad]

Pineda would make sense, then add Cishek and another reliever, a backup catcher and splurge on Villar for SS.  

[Angels 1961]

10 minutes ago, Revad said:

Pineda would make sense, then add Cishek and another reliever, a backup catcher and splurge on Villar for SS.  

Pineda, Petit, catcher not named Suzuki and Correa

[ThisismineScios]

I mean why not a guy like Cueto or Greinke to eat innings? It's not flashy but we need depth and flexibility to back our high risk guys (Thor, Lorenzen, even Ohtani). 

[Puget Sound Angel]

I'll take Sonny Gray.

[Taylor]

[Blarg]

2 minutes ago, Puget Sound Angel said:

I'll take Sonny Gray.

This is the state of Angels fans these days. 

Sonny Gray was traded already. Move on to your next name brand. 

[Mark68]

The Angels are being linked to Tyler Anderson.

Angels Interested In Tyler Anderson - MLB Trade Rumors

[ejg2022]

On 3/12/2022 at 12:36 AM, nando714 said:

Someone on a minor league deal 

again

That is okay, god has the ultimate plan!

[Stradling]

On 3/14/2022 at 2:18 PM, Mark68 said:

The Angels are being linked to Tyler Anderson.

Angels Interested In Tyler Anderson - MLB Trade Rumors

He signed with the Dodgers.

[Lou]

4 hours ago, opensky92092 said:

That is okay, god has the ultimate plan!

Please stop.