alden gonzalez projections on our current starting five

[stevestevens]

http://aldengonzalez.mlblogs.com/2014/01/15/do-the-angels-need-another-starter/

Honestly a lot better than I would have imagined. I still would like another starter to avoid the depth problems we will have if a guy gets hurt. We need to go into spring with a solid 5, skaggs in aaa and to be used as a spot starter, and Mulder solely as a possible nice surprise

[Blarg]

Mulder has a slim chance of returning to service but the Angels cannot bank on that at all. Going in to Spring training with this rotation means they have to rely heavily on no long term DL stints for any starter and the offense producing at a high level. That is not a very comfortable jumping off point to me.

[wopphil]

I guess it is that time of the year and I am getting to be way too optimistic, but I have high hopes for the rotation.  Skaggs, in particular, has the potential to be a difference maker, and I still can't believe Jerry managed to acquire him (not to mention the criminally underrated Santiago). 

[wopphil]

And if we can bring Garza on board, slotting everyone down a notch, the rotation could actually be one of the better ones in the AL.

[Guest]

Hector Santiago will become one of our best starters. Better than Skaggs (IMO).

[Angelsjunky]

I think there's a good chance Santiago ends up in the bullpen, as either a "super everything guy" or the closer. Skaggs has more potential as a starter and could be the staff ace by 2016.

[SoWhat]

I'm really anxious to see if Skaggs' velocity picks back up.

[nikkachez]

I'm really anxious to see if Skaggs' velocity picks back up.

One thing Jerry noted when the Halos first reacquired Skaggs was that his velocity dipped at the end of the year when young players velocity tend to dip a little bit anyway. Plus Skaggs is a really skinny dude, adding some strength to his frame could help him maintain the velocity maybe heading into this season. 

[nikkachez]

I think the Angels could possibly head into the season with Weaver, Wilson, Richards, Santiago, Skaggs, and Mulder as options but I'd still like to see an addition. 

[Docwaukee]

the halos needed two SP seasons worth of starts (60+) last year.  In any given season, you'll usually need at least one and you can't assume that your #6 will be good enough to make all those starts as well.  Probably 2/3rds, 1/3rd from your #6/7 guys. 

 

Right now our 6/7/8 is Shoemaker/Mulder/Blanton in no particular order. 

 

The top of our rotation have neither age nor injury history on their side.  The bottom of our rotation is inexperienced and none of the three have pitched an entire seasons worth of innings. 

 

There is no chance in hades that we get thru the year only needing our top 5, and I would work under the assumption that we are going to need at least 30 and probably closer to 45 starts from those not in the top five. 

 

This team seriously lacks depth and is absolutely gonna need it.  150-200ip from someone in the middle or even toward the back of the rotation may not add additional talent to what will amount to the starting five, but instead of 40 starts and a 5+era, you are looking at offsetting that by having someone make 30 of those with and era around 4-4.5

Edited January 15, 2014 by Dochalo

[wopphil]

the halos needed two SP seasons worth of starts (60+) last year.  In any given season, you'll usually need at least one and you can't assume that your #6 will be good enough to make all those starts as well.  Probably 2/3rds, 1/3rd from your #6/7 guys. 

 

Right now our 6/7/8 is Shoemaker/Mulder/Blanton in no particular order. 

 

The top of our rotation have neither age nor injury history on their side.  The bottom of our rotation is inexperienced and none of the three have pitched an entire seasons worth of innings. 

 

There is no chance in hades that we get thru the year only needing our top 5, and I would work under the assumption that we are going to need at least 30 and probably closer to 45 starts from those not in the top five. 

 

This team seriously lacks depth and is absolutely gonna need it.  150-200ip from someone in the middle or even toward the back of the rotation may not add additional talent to what will amount to the starting five, but instead of 40 starts and a 5+era, you are looking at offsetting that by having someone make 30 of those with and era around 4-4.5

 

Way to bring us back down off our high Doc.   

[Blarg]

Well, last season we filled those extra innings with an ERA closer to 5 so it should be a better year.

[Docwaukee]

Way to bring us back down off our high Doc.   

 

I just don't want Joe Blanton anywhere near our depth chart. 

 

Last year's rotation had less talent, but fewer question marks going in imo.  We knew Blanton was gonna suck.  Hanson was the big question mark.  Weaver, Wilson, and Vargas were solid.  Freak injuries or not, our best depth pieces were Richards (who has now graduated to the rotation), and Williams (who wasn't all that great but serviceable).  As it stands, we may be worse off than last year in the depth department relative to the rotation. 

We can't rely on Mulder, I like Shoemaker, but he is untested, and Blanton still sucks.  Am I missing someone?  Jarret Grube?

 

don't get me wrong, I really like the potential talent of our top 5.  Way better than last year.  But I am fearful of what our 6/7/8 guys can provide. 

[Angel Oracle]

Sappington is likely still at least a full season away. 

[Brent Maguire]

Those are some encouraging projections.

 

There's still the injury factor so adding a guy like Capuano would make sense. If they add Tanaka, then it's even better. They just need 1 more starter just for the purpose of having some rotation depth.