N-From-OC

Interesting that they have Yamamoto who has never pitched in MLB as the top free agent pitcher over Blake Snell who literally just won the NL Cy Young. 

Is any team doing anything, besides KC?

This would be good gamble he is 24 or 25.

I’d take Urshela for like $5M as a bench option.
But I’m not guaranteeing him playing time or multiple years.

Hey, the Angels could save $200M and sign this guy, who was once traded as part of a package for Blake Snell.
 

I think anyone but Tim Anderson will suffice. I also don't want Whit Merrifield but that's a personal matter. I'd like to see Urshela get a full season's chance with us.

That's a lot of caveats. You forgot "who can grow a bright red beard" and "who can expose teammates to viruses". Let's just sign Urshela.

I think that would be an underrated move, if he’s fully healthy…

That does change things.

Not hard to forget about his $245M on the payroll though.

Who?

uhhh, he gave a Scott Boras client by the name of Anthony Rendon $245M a few years ago.
Ever heard of him?

Seemingly Arte has had a grudge that goes back to 2008 over the attempt to resign Mark Teixeira and since then oddly enough the Angels have not signed any player that is represented by Scott Boras.
Playing the odds I would not bet on them signing any player represented by Scott Boras. 
 
But hey, this is just my dumb opinion based off of things I’ve read and evidence to this point that we haven’t signed any player represented by Boras since then, as far as I know. 

Sign:
Clevinger
Manaea Or Montas
Justin Turner
 
Hicks
Garver
Trade Sandoval and Rengifo in a package for Burnes and Adames

Why?

Seriously doubt it. The Angels aren’t getting Snell or anyone else represented by Scott Boras.

Just turned 78 this month , I’m an old cocker , but been an Angel fan since 1961.
Wanted to say I’m so excited than the Angels have jumped right in and been so aggressive to improve the team since Shohei left 😎
 

If the Angels want to compete, they need to gamble on some players. Off season not over but with current roster not impressive. Bellinger had a nice bounce back year after getting away from Dodgers. He was healthy and with help from new hitting coach. If Trout is healthy he will need protection in the lineup. Maybe his broken hand is not completely healed. Arte may not want to spend this off season and wait till next year. I'm just guessing like all of us on AW. Next month will tell what direction halos are going in. 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/padres-reportedly-close-to-signing-yuki-matsui.html

(Reference in Japanese) Nikkan Gendai Digital on December 20, 2023 (JST)
As I read abobe article, I got the impression that Matsui's transfer destination has not yet been determined and is still in the realm of speculation. I will quote part of the article into English.
According to one of our correspondents,
"Matsui seems to have a good impression of the atmosphere of the Cardinals and the city of St. Louis, but the Cubs and Padres are also interested in him. Among them, it seems like that the Padres are more likely than the Cardinals."
"At the WBC, Darvish (Padres) followed up Matsui with a variety of information, not just how to deal with major league-approved ball. Matsui feels strongly that he was helped by Darvish at that time, and adores him."
 

And neither will cost them a first rounder.  Are protected picks still a thing?

That isn’t the same as saying as we aren’t interested in him

Montgomery and Imanaga are both better options than Snell

Not sure who ever said that

two things:
I thought we weren't interested in him
OH GOD HERE COMES ARTE....