The Angels are looking to add to their rotation and have been “mulling” whether to make a run at Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post, though Heyman adds that they’re more likely to go after a back-end guy like Michael Lorenzen. The club has been loosely tied to Snell and Montgomery earlier in the offseason but without anything seeming close or particularly viable.
The club’s current rotation projects to be fronted by some combination Reid Detmers, Patrick Sandoval, Tyler Anderson and Griffin Canning. Options for the fifth spot include Chase Silseth, José Suarez and Zach Plesac. That competition also would have had Sam Bachman in it, but Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports that Bachman had arthroscopic surgery last fall and won’t be ready for Opening Day.
That rotation mix has talent but plenty of question marks. Detmers had a 3.77 ERA in 2022 but it jumped to 4.48 last year. Sandoval went from 2.91 to 4.11 while Anderson jumped from 2.57 to 5.43. Canning was healthy enough to get to 127 innings pitched last year but that was a new high for him, thanks to injuries and the pandemic. Suarez missed most of last year due to a shoulder strain. Silseth has just 81 innings of MLB experience and only 45 2/3 at Triple-A. Plesac’s ERA shot up to 7.59 with the Guardians last year. There was some bad luck in there but he was nonetheless passed through waivers and outrighted off the roster.
Given those question marks and the inevitable pitcher injuries that arise in a long baseball season, there’s plenty of logic in adding to that group. A run at Snell or Montgomery would be interesting, as there are reasons to doubt the possibility. MLBTR’s Contract Tracker shows that the largest contract the Angels have given a starting pitching since the start of 2012 is the three years and $39MM they gave Anderson. That historical lack of spending on starting pitching and owner Arte Moreno’s recent comments about operating with a lower payroll this year would make it surprising to see the Angels suddenly splurge on Snell or Montgomery.
Even with a lower payroll, it’s possible they have some powder dry. They opened last year with an Opening Day payroll of $212MM, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts, and also flirted with the luxury tax line. This year, Roster Resource pegs them at $173MM, almost $40MM below where they were a year ago. Their CBT number of $188MM is almost $50MM below this year’s $237MM threshold. That could leave some wiggle room for them to make a notable signing while still having lowered their spending slightly.
Coming into the offseason, MLBTR predicted Snell for $200MM over seven years and Montgomery for $150MM over six. The fact they are still on the open market in mid-February suggests they may be having difficulty getting into that range, so perhaps there’s an opportunity for the Angels to make something work, despite their past resistance to long-term deals for starters.
Either would immediately become the best pitcher on the staff, if added. Snell is coming off his second career Cy Young victory, posting a 2.25 ERA with the Padres last year. He’s had his ups and downs but is obviously one of the best in the league when he’s throwing well. Montgomery has continued to build his innings totals and lower his ERA since returning from Tommy John surgery. He tossed 44 innings in 2020 with a 5.11 ERA, then got to 157 1/3 frames with a 3.83 ERA in 2021. He followed that up with 178 1/3 innings of 3.48 ERA ball and then 188 2/3 innings with a 3.20 ERA last year, then adding another 31 postseason frames with a 2.90 ERA.
But signing someone like Lorenzen would be more the Angels’ style and they have, in fact, done it before. After years of being pushed to the bullpen by the Reds, the Halos gave Lorenzen a one-year, $6.75MM deal and let him try starting in 2022. It went reasonably well, as he made 18 starts and logged 97 2/3 innings with a 4.24 ERA.
He was able to parlay that into a one-year, $8.5MM deal with the Tigers and pushed himself even farther in terms of workload and results. He had a 3.58 ERA in 105 2/3 innings with Detroit before getting flipped to the Phillies. He made two excellent starts for his new club, the latter being a no-hitter, but seemed to run out of gas after that. After completing his no-hitter, he was sitting on a 3.23 ERA through 122 2/3 innings on the year. He was lit up the rest of the way and finished the season with an ERA of 4.18, but it seems possible that was a result of him pushing his innings tally into new territory.
MLBTR predicted he could secure a two-year, $22MM deal this offseason. He remains unsigned and is arguably the best starter in free agency apart from Snell and Montgomery. Unless the Angels plan to make a pivot and open themselves up to the idea of a mega deal for a pitcher, Lorenzen would be their best path to solidifying the rotation. Other notable remaining free agent starters are Mike Clevinger, Hyun Jin Ryu, Eric Lauer, Noah Syndergaard, Rich Hill, Zack Greinke and Johnny Cueto.
Same stories every year.
1) Moreno won’t sell the team.
2) Angels seeking starting pitcher.
Angels Hope every year. Hope is not a plan.
Then there are team like Miami and Pittsburg who act like they’re trying
1-800-Drew-Smyly.. Just take him. Send the 25.000 you put in for a waiver claim and he’s yours.
Marlins are run like a game of electric football. Everyone crashing into each other and getting nowhere. Pirates need to dump Cherington and get a real GM in there. I, personally, preferred Neal Huntington.
Mickey Moniak or Taylor Ward being discussed for Shane Bieber
The rotation isn’t the worst in the mlb by far, a lot of pitchers regressed, could’ve been the spotty defense because of the injuries, the blowpen, or a pitching coach in over his head. They have three guys capable of having 3 eras just need a top of rotation guy, and Anderson is Anderson can’t move him.
That is true, which is why I was surprised to see this. I suppose with many starters still on the market, Angels might see this as an opportunity to improve, especially with how frequently pitchers are getting injured.
I think the rumors mean angels are checking to see if the prices drop, if they do that means everyone will be in on them except the a’s
Lorenzen is fine. I don’t mind him as a fifth starter.
Keep Silseth in the minor leagues. Maybe you can push his service time back a year.
Unless the planets align, the Angels are not going anywhere.
There is some talent, find out who rises, who falls, and adjust in 2025…..hopefully with a new GM.
Or sign Montgomerry for short and sign a better 2B/SS. See where it goes.
I have a feeling silseth is going to start in the minors until saurez gets released a month later.
Aragon, Monty would be nice, but they have a SS and 2b already. You have to fill holes, not try n upgrade pretty good positions.
Yep same worthless strategy every year. If they plan to evaluate this year they should be signing guys to trade at the deadline and trade veterans for prospects. How can a team be a top 5 bottom-ranked farm system for 15 years?
Because Arte gutted the scouting department, and hired gms that hate pitchers too
The Angels don’t have a second baseman.
Rengifo range is the 3rd percentage. He has the worst feet I’ve seen since Spiezio. Drury’s arm is the 11th percentile.
I’m hoping Rengifo can play third. I’m hoping he can hit with everyday ABs. That’s one of the questions that needs to be answered. If not, get rid of him.
Drury has to play second. His arm is going to come into play less often than Rengifo’s feet.
Agree with most of it 11, but they do have a 2b. And you’re right it will be Drury leading the way again in starts.
I don’t have Drury playing much 1b this year, simply because I have Sano getting that last spot on the roster, giving Schanuel some lefty days off.
@Plug. I really want Schanuel to play everyday. It’s important to see if he can handle lefties.
Do you know who this is…290/396/391? Of course you don’t. It’s Mike Hargrove. He was a nice player. But Schanuel has to play everyday to become Hargrove.
I agree, but nothing wrong with him sitting him once a week on average vs. the tough Lefty, not every lefty. That’s full time AB’s to me, and no excuses not to be consistent and produce.
Once a week is less than 140 games. I want him playing 150+..
If you believe the same. I agree.
Yup that’s about 135 games, but I have him leading off most the times with that nice OBP. That’s near 5 AB’s a game, times 135. So that said, he should get over 600 PA’s. Plenty enough to see what he’s got.
Halo – That’s great on paper, but in reality, they stink every year and never “adjust” as needed for the next year. It hasn’t mattered who the GM was so Perry isn’t the problem. It’s Moreno. The historical evidence shows that as long as Moreno owns the team, payroll will remain around the 170m to 180m mark and we will never sign a front of the rotation starter to a multi-year contract. (The last two years of payroll involve the Ohtani exception so they can be thrown out.)
BTW – I like Lorenzen too.
Prov, this team was a bullpen away from competing and Perry locked in roster spots to give to Guerra and Claudio.
Perry drafted Bachman, when it was obvious his delivery was going to restrict him to the pen.
Perry has been here four off-seasons and has done next to nothing to help this squad get better.
Perry might not be THE problem. But he’s part of the problem.
Halo – Right, and we’ve had this debate for a long time. You blame Perry, I blame Moreno. The evidence to support my opinion is the fact that this situation has been the same for two decades under many GMs. Moreno is the only common denominator.
You blame Perry for the moves you cite. How do you know for a fact that it was Perry acting unilaterally and not at the direction of Moreno?
Easy, you keep calling them up and seeing who sticks. Especially when they’re called up from AA. Notice how many prospects came up with the Angels from AA in 2023 and showed promise. Those are the ones you want in your core. The ones who can push through it. Farm system rankings don’t mean s$&@.
Moreno told Perry to draft Bachman and sign. Claudio?
Moreno may have told him not to trade Ohtani, but you think it was Moreno who was responsible for every move that didn’t work?
Roll Eyes.
Ryan, they don’t mean anything? Tell that to the Astros Dodgers, Orioles and Braves.
They don’t mean everything, but mean a lot more than nothing.
Halo – Take your eye back because every report on the topic says Moreno is way too involved in baseball decisions and doesn’t give his GMs the autonomy to build a team. That’s what is reported, not my speculation. There’s no reason to think Bachman and Claudio were Manasian working in a vacuum based on the evidence.
He’s not that involved. Are you kidding?
Hard to believe anyone is blaming these lower level bad moves on Moreno.
To be fair they had a ridiculous amount of injuries last year and would have competed for a Wild Card. But I get your point.
Halo – Again, what is your source that tells you that Minasian made all of those moves in a vacuum without direction from Moreno? That’s contrary to all reports about Moreno’s meddling in baseball operations.
@prov i guess there’s really no proof either way, but I agree with you because with all the gm’s under his tenure it seems to be the same gameplan.
@Rex… again, locking up a roster spot for Claudio in December? I don’t think even Reagins did something that stupid.
@halo no he traded Napoli, and riviera for wells and took on the whole contract.
That was Moreno.
Big name blunders are almost always Moreno. Small moves are almost always the GM.
Claudio was small. Anderson was medium, so I really don’t know. Keeping Ohtani was big and that was Moreno. Other than that, I don’t know what Moreno did over the last four off-seasons.
It’s the worst.
Welp, somebody has to sign Snell & Monty, right?
Angels don’t have the best track record on recent long-term contracts. I feel it’s unlikely those guys will sign there, unless Moreno goes against he statement about cutting payroll.
Maybe snell or Montgomery sign a one year opt out deal. 2/60 but like I said if that was the case they would’ve signed
Is Arte bi-polar? Just yesterday the story was “no more spending” or so I thought…
Think he said less spending than a year ago. They still have some money to spend and stay below that amount. Though I think it’s more likely to be in the mid tier market.
“No more spending” probably means no big money deals to Snell or Montgomery. Guys like Lauer or Cueto won’t cost much more than Plesac did
Rsox, I believe it’s the opposite. If u go with what Arte has said, and how the pitching is constructed right now.
They’re not going to spend just to spend cause u have room. With Lauren, Lorenzen, or Cueto. They have plenty of those guys. It’s looks like a Snell, or go with what you have to me.
Both articles were by the same writer, too
It’s called PR and holding your cards close to your chest.
Weren’t they going to have a lower payroll this year? If so, then it seems they’ll be going dumpster diving and taking on rookie pitchers to achieve this while dumping some other guys.
It also said they could target lorenzen, but that’s pretty much Anderson, and plesac
Yes Arte said that. But he didn’t say what the ceiling was
I don’t think he said they would have a lower payroll than last year. He just said he doesn’t want to spend just to show he will spend because Ohtani is gone, He doesn’t want to go over budget unless it is for a player that will make a difference. He really didn’t say all that much. Who knows what the budget is, If the budget is around the tax line and they sign Snell, I think he might be considered a “difference maker.”
No need to dive into the dumpster to acquire pitching as that’s where they reside.
FabGraphs gives the Angels a 15% chance of making the playoffs.
They are in the range where every win matters.
Ask Rendon if he wants to pitch, apparently he doesn’t like baseball maybe pitching will change his mind
Rendon thinks the season is too long…so do most players… and doesn’t like watching baseball…again so do most players.
The press has it in for Rendon. They report a negative, and fans buy it hook line and sinker.
It’s hard to believe anyone still trusts the press, let alone influences their opinions.
Do “most” players tell you that themselves? Where do you learn that most players think the season is too long, the press? It’s hard to believe anyone still trusts the press, let alone influences their opinions.
Actually yeah. When you listen to ex players, they usually tell you they don’t sit in front of TV and watch games.
The Angels brought back a number of ex-players recently and interviewed them in the booth. They don’t watch the games like fans do.
Really…….I’ve heard Gubie make reference many times about Bobby Grich, Wally Joyner, Bert Blyleven and many other former Halos texting in during Angel broadcasts. I watch Angel games far more than any other team but have also heard Dodger broadcasters refer to some of their former players checking in as well. I suspect this is the same with all teams as well.
You have no way of knowing what “most” players do.
Rendon has it in for Rendon, don’t blame the media for his output
So what did you want Rendon to say during his interview? That the Angels medical staff is incompetent and there is something wrong with his leg that he they won’t report?
Teams give out medical information, not players. The Orioles have know for a month Bradish had a UCL strain. They reported a couple days ago.
You can go on and on and on showing teams release medical info, not players. AND every reporter knows this, yet they still made a big deal out of this.
Reporters tell you how to feel, and that’s how you feel. You’re sheep.
You’re making this out to be way more than it is my friend. Rendon’s an overpaid bum. Hope your anti media crusade keeps you on your high horse and that ego bigger than it already is. Enjoy your dumpster fire of a team.
Sincerely, the sheep.
He is overpaid.
My high horse?
Some idiot wrote that Rendon doesn’t like baseball. That’s the guy on the high horse.
You think human beings simply fall into being major league players? Right, everyday there is a young person devoting his life to a career he hates. And you have to be devoted to play big league ball.
It’s just stupid. That sheep is being told exactly how he should think by a reporter who ass is not kissed by Rendon.
@halo11 most players say generic answers, and answer questions without answering. He constantly puts his foot in mouth. Rendon had shopped 8-9 doctors until he got the note saying his season was over. that was not incompetence on the angels staff. He got paid to stay home seems like a common trend with him since he signed with the angels. Has a throwing error that let’s a runner score, and he’s laughing. He’s enjoying his paycheck, and not playing. Talking about ex players even papelbon called him out it was a former teammate. The fan incident none of the players stuck around except lamb, and ohtani looked like he was in shock
Rex, Watch ESPN documentary on Harry Carry sometime. I can’t remember which player disrespected him, but he ruined that player out of pure spite. And fans were sheep.
That said, Rendon is awful with the press and the press is awful covering him. They have it out for each other. I don’t pay too much attention to the press.
My brother’s wife’s brother is a famous sports writer. Good guy. He got on the wrong side of an issue ( I think the right side of an issue) and became a National story. He was butchered.
I hate the press and don’t let them shape my opinion of people.
If you say Rendon and most players think the season is too long, then they should be willing to take a salary cut and think about the fans that get up every morning at 4am, work a full shift, some overtime, and still are able to buy some tickets for a day out at the ballgame with the family. The tickets are higher prices because the team decided they needed another star player that’s not performing up to his past capabilities, but yet still making $39 million a year to play a game for entertainment of fans that could find something else to spend their money on with such spoiled attitude.
Maybe some of these players that want a shorter season need to take some inspiration from Kobe Bryant. He once was asked why he was playing with an injury and he said that there were kids that paid a lot of money to see him play and that might have been the only time they ever get a chance to ever see him live.
I agree with you, he’s paid based on a 162 game season.
But if you saw the interview, he was laughing about it. And even said it was going to be taken out of context and this was going to get him in trouble.
Did you see the interview? These reporters seem to have some kind of vendetta. And people react exactly the way reporters want them to react. I think Sheep is the appropriate answer.
I gave him the benefit of doubt when he acted unprofessionally with the A’s fan. He needs to understand that he’s above silly idiots in the stands that just want a reaction. I grew up in blue collar household where you showed up to work everyday regardless. That’s why I admire guys like Lou Gehrig, Kobe, Jordan, and others that played hard, didn’t make excuses and also trained hard. Guys that don’t put the effort or show disinterest don’t get my respect. This year will definitely be a year that Rendon can redeem himself. He still has three years on this contract. Wouldn’t that be great if he can prove to all the naysayers three years from now with his play the field?
Alex, it sounds like you have an open mind. By all means judge the guy based on what you see, not by all the crap you read.
The press didn’t report Rendon battering a fan in Oakland, a camera did. The press didn’t report him swinging his casted broken hand at Seattle Mariners players, the camera did. The press didn’t report his missing 3/4 of the games he could play, facts did. It’s not the press, the dude is a POS. If you can’t see that you’re blind.
But the press reported he took a swing at the fans head when he clearly slapped at the bill of his cap.
And I thought it was cool he had his teams back. But, if you had an issue with that no problem.
Then you probably didn’t like Bobby Grich. That’s one thing I loved about him.
There has been plenty of evidence to support the press’ claim. Rendon, by alienating the fans and the team has brought this on himself. He needs to prove that he can play a full season and contribute at a high level to bring the fans vack into the fold. As far as the press goes, he needs to engage with them enough to change their opinions of him. He needs to show some humility towards thr fans and teammates to win them over. I wish him well and hope he has some gas left in the tank.
Isn’t this contrary to Arte saying he won’t spend? What an inept organization.
It’s not necessarily true that the Angels avoid spending on SP, they just usually get beaten by another offer or the player just doesn’t want to go there
If the Angels really are going with a 5 man rotation, and addition could lead to a trade. The youngsters have good value.
With Ohtani gone there is no longer need to facilitate his demand for a 6 man rotation. An addition would protect the younger arms innings wise for the early part of the season though I’m not sure if the Angels actually sign anyone else. Anderson/Sandoval/Detmers/Canning/Plesac is a decent, if underwhelming rotation to open the season with
The entire rotation is valuable trade bait.
@Tom ha ha ha ( Ricky Ricardo laugh) another in funny Rendon take.
Unfunny
Sign Dick Mountain and Greinke. I don’t know why, but it would be fun. They couldn’t hurt and the young guys would learn… something.
Respectfully, do they think they can contend this year? 2025? If so, it could make sense to pursue Snell or Montgomery but seems like more frivolous spending if not. Coming off a 73 win season with an epic Aug/Sept collapse, they need more than either one of those two could bring even at their career best(s)
They need good health
Heyman carrying water for the Boras Org, what a joke of a journalist.
Why are they not talking to Trevor Bauer? This is just stupid. Arte proved it is all about the dollar and nothing to do with team success when he explained why he didn’t trade Ohtani. He is a great business man but a horrible owner.
No California team will touch Bauer, last thing Arte needs is more bad press
Bauer is too toxic. No team will sign him. Just too much baggage .
Heyman notwithstanding, how much “Mulling” would Angel’s ownership be doing on the price tags Snell and Montgomery might have? Moreno just said lower payroll. Let’s put aside the Boras-Heyman combo whispers for a second and ask what the value would have to the Angels for doing this?
Why don’t the Angels just sign Bauer? The guy was accused of something. Police found no evidence of wrong doing. People treat this guy like the 2 nd coming of Charles Manson. He can be had for the league minimum.
Bauer is still making stupid comments and he was only exonerated as to the woman who made an easy mark out of him.
Owners look at what helps or hurts their business. No one wants to catch TB.
I agree. People with worse offenses are in Hall.
There is a Cy Young winner with great stuff wiling to play for the league minimum and incentives to prove himself as a player and teammate. Arte and Perry need to wake up. To hell with public perception for what has was falsely accused of. Embrace the bad boy image. Be the bad boys of baseball!
The Angels are still recovering from a drug related death, they don’t need to further torpedo their reputation
I can see it now 2025 WS Angels and Dodgers.
Game 7
Bottom of the 9th Bauer facing Ohtani with the bases loaded. 2 outs
4 to 1 Angels
The Pitch….
Swung on a deep drive to center Trout dives and makes a catch for the ages!!!!
The Angels are the champs of baseball!!
Angels season expectations: thoughts and prayers
Angels are a joke of an organization and it’s frustrating.
Doesn’t matter what they do or who they sign. Regardless, no one will be paying attention to them in the metro area for years to come….
Jon Heyman is the Greek God of reporting nonstories
I heard Arte called the Dodgers and was trying to get them to trade him Ohtani and Yammamoto. Angels ARE BAAACCKK and ALL IN!!! At Least for 1 Day. jk
Trying to sell some tickets
Maybe Arte read my comment yesterday that all these teams announcing they aren’t spending borders on collusive.
@Joe Brady Say What?