The Los Angeles Angels have missed several opportunities this offseason to strengthen their pitching staff. They have added starters Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran, but who knows how that will play out. Not a big fan of those signings pitching wise and it seems as if Billy Eppler and the Angels have taken more of an offensive approach after the Anthony Rendon signing for 7-years/ $245 million. 

This week it has been much of the same after completing a deal with the Dodgers. The Dodgers are sending outfielder Joc Pederson to the Angels and in return will receive infielder Luis Rengifo.  However, along with Pederson the Angels will also receive Ross Stripling. I like the Ross Stripling aspect of the trade as long as Stripling can stay healthy throughout the year. This has created a surplus of outfielders for the Angels, as they now have Mike Trout, Justin Upton, Joc Pederson, and the promising prospect Jo Adell. Personally, I’d love to see the Angels make a trade for Mike Clevinger and send Justin Upton and another pitcher to Cleveland, but we will have to see. 

As far as relief pitching goes, the Angels still have Ty Buttrey and Hansel Robles in the bullpen. However, also look for contributions from Kenyan Middleton, who’s coming off Tommy John surgery, and Cam Bedrosian. If these guys stay healthy, they show great promise as well. 

Overall, I do like this Angels team a lot more than the last couple years. I see a lot of promise in this team especially with Joe Maddon at the helm. Maddon will get the most production out of this offense and the results will be clear especially when you compare it to the last two seasons. If the Angels starting pitching and relievers can stay healthy, I see them making a run this year and finding their way into the postseason for the first time since 2014.