Hot Stove Season Review: Angels

Maybe it's because the Angels feel they've lost ground in the SoCal market to the Dodgers over the past few seasons or maybe it's because they've looked into the not-so-distant future and seen the Mike Trout window closing, maybe a bit of both, but the Angels were clearly looking to make a big splash or even two coming into this last Hot Stove League Season.  If you believe the rumors, they had designs on signing both of the top two free agents on the market, Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon, in that order.  Of their needs, pitching was what everybody could and can see.  Alas, it seems Gerrit Cole played on a Yankees travel ball team as a kid and had his heart set on pitching in the Big Apple. Key Lines:

Free Agent Losses:  Kole Calhoun(OF), Trevor Cahill(RHP), Justin Bour(1B), Luis Garcia(RHP), Kevan Smith(C), Nick Tropeano(RHP), Adalberto Mejia(LHP), Kaleb Cowart(IF), Miguel Del Pozo(LHP), Kean Wong(IF), Jake Jewell(RHP), Luis Madero(RHP).

Free Agent Signings:  Anthony Rendon(3B- 7 yrs/$245 M), Julio Teheran(RHP- 1 yr/$9 M), Jason Castro(C- 1 yr/$6.85 M).

Trades:  Acquired Dylan Bundy(RHP) from the Orioles for Isaac Mattson(RHP), Zach Peek(RHP), Kyle Bradish(RHP), Kyle Brnovich(RHP).  Acquired Garrett Williams(LHP) from the Giants for Zack Cozart(IF) and Will Wilson(SS/IF).  Acquired Matt Andriese(RHP) from the D'Backs for Jeremy Beasley(RHP).  Acquired Kyle Kellar(RHP) from the Marlins for Jose Estrada(C).  Acquired Parker Markel(RHP) from the Pirates for Cash.

Waiver Claims:  Mike Mayers(RHP), Jose Quijada(LHP).

Minor League Free Agents:  Ryan Buchter(LHP), JC Ramirez(RHP), Hoby Milner(RHP), Neil Ramirez(RHP), Elliott Soto(IF).

Summary:  Any team that adds a hitter of Anthony Rendon's caliber is going to be a better team, and the Angels have never worried much about the back end of long term contracts, which makes the desperation to get rid of Cozart and his contract all the more bizarre.  Since I am a Giants fan, I am happy they were willing to sacrifice a first round draft pick to do it.  Then there is the curious trade that didn't happen.  We may never know what prospect was going to the Dodgers with Luis Rengifo for Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling.  If it was Jo Adell, then Arte Moreno probably got lucky the trade was delayed had he to act on his buyer's remorse.  If not, well, it sure seems like Pederson and Stripling would have helped the Angels a lot.  So, the big splash signing of Anthony Rendon saves an otherwise bizarre and inadequate Hot Stove Season.

Grade:  B-