MLB insider: "People will laugh at the Angels...truth is they added a ton of offensive depth and good pitching"
It is difficult to refer to the Los Angeles Angels as dark horses when they have Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout on the roster. Yet that is exactly what the club is. There is not much faith in Phil Nevin's team turning things around next season.
The organization has now failed to qualify for the playoffs for eight straight seasons. They have not posted a .500 or better win-loss percentage since 2017 (.501).
Yet somehow, there is still a sense of optimism amongst the fanbase. The club has been active during the offseason and has picked up some top-tier talent. MLB insider and podcast host Ben Verlander addressed the club's offseason in his latest Tweet.
@MLBONFOX People will laugh at the angels. But the truth is they added a ton of offensive depth and good pitching. Will they be any good? Who knows. But they definitely improved
"People will laugh at the Angels. But the truth is they added a ton of offensive depth and good pitching. Will they be any good? Who knows. But they definitely improved" - Ben Verlander
Verlandar is not wrong. With Shohie Ohtani set to return for the 2023 season, the Angels have added some key pieces to compliment the Japanese star.
Hunter Renfroe, who hit 29 home runs and recorded 72 RBIs with the Milwaukee Brewers last year, adds some depth to the outfield. Highly rated infielder Brandon Drury is an exceptional fielder and an above-average hitter. Gio Urshela will provide some experience and depth in the infield.
The Los Angeles Angels added 2022 All-Star Tyler Anderson to their pitching rotation
The pitching rotation and bullpen have also been solidified. Ohtani cannot do it all by himself.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers starter Tyler Anderson was brought in on a three-year, $39 million contract. The left-hander has a dangerous five-pitch arsenal but predominantly uses a fastball-changeup-cutter combination.
Tyler Anderson agrees to 3-year, ~$39M deal with Angels, per @JeffPassan https://t.co/dn1nYRb6zN
"Tyler Anderson agrees to 3-year, ~$39M deal with Angels, per @JeffPassan" - B/R Walk-Off
Last season, Anderson was one of the Dodger's most reliable pitchers and finished with an outstanding 15-5 record. He also finished with a career-best 2.57 ERA. The 33-year-old was rewarded for an excellent season with his first All-Star Game selection.
The club may still need some help in the bullpen. Reliever Carlos Estevez was brought in on a two-year, 13.5 million deal. The club is also rumored to be interested in former New York Yankees pitcher Zack Britton.
Overall, the organization has spent wisely this offseason. They have picked up some experienced MLB players without breaking the bank. The core of last year's team remains in place, with some key additions to support Ohtani and Trout. Keep an eye on the Los Angeles Angels to surprise a few people in 2023.