The Angels made a major addition to their rotation last week, signing lefty Tyler Anderson to a three-year deal worth $39 million.
Anderson, 32, is coming off a career year with the Dodgers, as he went 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA in 30 outings (28 starts). He was an All-Star for the first time in his seven-year career and also struck out 138 batters in a career-high 178 2/3 innings.
The Angels are going with a six-man rotation next year and they have five starters who are considered locks, with two-way star Shohei Ohtani leading a staff that’s set to include Anderson and young lefties Patrick Sandoval, José Suarez and Reid Detmers.
The Angels have one spot left to fill in the rotation, and general manager Perry Minasian wouldn’t rule out adding another starter via free agency or trade this offseason. Right-hander Michael Lorenzen, who became a free agent after the season, has expressed interest in a return, and it can’t be ruled out.
But if the Angels decide to go with an in-house option for the sixth spot in the rotation, here’s a look at a few of their candidates:
RHP Chase Silseth
Silseth, 22, was dominant at Double-A Rocket City, posting a 2.28 ERA with 110 strikeouts in 83 innings, but he struggled a bit in his first taste of the Majors, posting a 6.59 ERA in seven starts. Silseth was the first player to reach the Majors from the 2021 Draft, and he still has plenty of potential. There's a chance he could be moved to the bullpen down the road, but he'll compete for a spot as a starter this spring.
RHP Griffin Canning
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Canning missed the 2022 season with a back injury, but he is currently on a throwing program and is expected to be ready for Spring Training. Canning, 26, has a career 4.73 ERA with 214 strikeouts in 209 1/3 innings over three seasons with the club. His best year was the shortened 2020 season, when he had a 3.99 ERA in 11 starts and won a Gold Glove.
RHP Chris Rodriguez
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Like Canning, Rodriguez didn’t pitch in 2022, as he dealt with a right shoulder injury that ultimately required surgery. But Rodriguez is also expected to be ready for Spring Training and was solid as a rookie in '21, recording a 3.64 ERA with 29 strikeouts and no homers allowed in 29 2/3 innings, mostly in relief. Injuries have been an issue throughout the 24-year-old’s career, but when healthy, he's electric on the mound.
RHP Jaime Barría
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Barría was excellent in long relief this past season, posting a 2.61 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings. But he made just one start during a doubleheader against the Mariners on Aug. 6. Otherwise, the Angels preferred to keep the 26-year-old in his long-relief role, because he helped the other relievers with his ability to go multiple innings. Barría is likely to be in that role again, but he will get a chance to compete for a rotation spot this spring.
LHP Tucker Davidson
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Davidson was acquired in the trade that sent Raisel Iglesias to the Braves on Aug. 2, but the lefty struggled in eight starts with the Angels down the stretch. He had a 6.87 ERA with 23 strikeouts and 22 walks in 36 2/3 innings. The Angels have been working with him to improve his slider and changeup, as the 26-year-old still has some upside.
RHP Davis Daniel
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Daniel, 25, was called up by the Angels late in the season, but he has yet to make his Major League debut. He pitched well at Triple-A Salt Lake, with a 4.49 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 102 1/3 innings. Daniel has a career 4.19 ERA with 237 strikeouts in 217 innings in the Minors. He'll give the Angels depth at Triple-A and is likely to make his debut at some point next year. |
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Who holds the Angels' record for most career wins?
A) Nolan Ryan B) Jered Weaver C) Chuck Finley D) Mike Witt
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ANDERSON EXCITED TO JOIN ANGELS |
After signing his three-year deal with the Angels, Anderson spoke to reporters via Zoom last week and discussed why he chose the Halos. He said he had other three-year offers, but he liked the direction the Angels are heading and also preferred to be on the West Coast, as he lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., with his wife, Taitym, and their three young children.
Anderson also said his goal was to secure a deal early in the offseason, as he signed with the club shortly after he rejected his $19.65 million qualifying offer from the Dodgers.
“There were a lot of teams that had three [years] and were willing to do maybe more if we went into free agency longer, but that wasn’t a risk I wanted to take,” Anderson said. “I wanted to either take a qualifying offer or get a deal done right before the qualifying offer expired.”
Anderson said he’s plenty familiar with the Angels, as he played for the Mariners in 2021 and believes the Halos can be in postseason contention next year despite not having a winning record since '15.
“The last couple years, I’ve seen Anaheim quite a bit,” Anderson said. “I know the talent here and the players. Obviously, there’s been some issues with health and depth and stuff, but I always thought playing them it was a really good team."
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Aug. 4, 1985: Hall of Famer Rod Carew picked up his 3,000th career hit with a single off Twins lefty Frank Viola. He became the 16th player to reach 3,000 hits. Carew finished his career with 3,053 hits and won seven batting titles.
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C) Chuck Finley
Finley won 165 games with the Angels. Weaver is second with 150, while Ryan is third with 138 and Witt is fourth with 109.
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