So far, the Los Angeles Angels’ offseason has gone quite well. The players they added won’t make the loss of Shohei Ohtani any easier to bear, though. Without the star player of the sport, the team will need to decide how to proceed most effectively.
This winter, the team added Aaron Hicks, Robert Stephenson, and Matt Moore, among others. Stephenson and Moore will aid in controlling the bullpen, and Hicks, who just finished a strong season with the Baltimore Orioles, will provide support.
The Halos still want to add more players before Opening Day despite these actions. According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, they are targeting Michael Lorenzen, Amed Rosario, and Enrique Hernandez.
Hernandez, who hit.237/.289/.357 with 11 home runs and 61 RBIs, is coming off a season that he spent with the Red Sox and Dodgers. This team would benefit greatly from having the superutility man on it.
In 48 games, Rosario hit.256/.301/.408 with three home runs and eighteen RBIs during his time with the Dodgers in 2023. He would be a terrific addition to a team that has concerns about its middle and infield depth.
Here, Lorenzen is an intriguing option. He is a product of Cal-State Fullerton and may be a terrific middle-of-the-road starter for the team. With the Philadelphia Phillies, he pitched a no-hitter in the previous season.
The AL West as it is suggests that the Angels may have a difficult season
The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers, the reigning World Series winners, are in the same division as the Angels. The Seattle Mariners, who have some young and intriguing players, are another team you cannot discount.
Josh Hader, one of the best closers in the game, was added by the Astros. This was already a difficult squad to score runs off of because of their outstanding beginning rotation. With their primary players back, they aim to win another division championship.
Even with some key losses, particularly in the bullpen, the Rangers should still field a strong club this coming season. guys like Marcus Semien and Corey Seager are not slowing down, and younger guys like Josh Jung and Evan Carter are still growing.
With a 73-89 record, the Halos concluded the season in fourth place in the AL West. If they don’t make a few more significant changes, supporters might witness this squad struggle through another comparable season.