It would make no sense to deny the fact that the Los Angeles Angels lost some firepower they had in their rotation last season. With Zack Greinke signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Angels have now lost three starting pitchers from their 2012 rotation. Ervin Santana was traded to Kansas City earlier this offseason and Dan Haren just signed a 1 year, $13 million contract with the Washington Nationals. While few in the game have the ability to lead or co-lead a pitching staff like Greinke, I want to make a case for the Angels starting pitching staff to still be fine next season.
It is safe to say the hardest sell will be how the Angels could possibly be better without Greinke. Especially considering they traded their top SS prospect Jean Segura to the Brewers to get Greinke for two months. It was clearly the Angels intention to sign him, but it did not work out. But, the Angels came into the 2012 season with a solid rotation, without Greinke. Jared Weaver finished 3rd in the AL in the Cy Young voting and was 20-5, 2.81 in 30 starts. CJ Wilson (13-10, 3.83, 34) led the team in innings pitched and was consistent throughout the season. So, outside of losing Greinke, the Angels will have back their two top starting pitchers from the 2012 season.
Their rotation seemed stacked with the likes of Haren and Santana pitching 3 and 4. Of course, they were pitching 4 and 5 when Greinke arrived. But lets be honest, both pitchers had disappointing seasons in 2012. Haren was 12-13, 4.33 and Santana was 9-13, 5.16. Both pitchers made 30 starts and are clearly looking to rebound from down years. Haren, 31, gets replaced by Atlanta's Tommy Hanson, 25, who was 13-10, 4.48 in 31 starts for the Braves in 2012. Santana, 29, gets replaced by top pitching prospect Garrett Richards, 24, who was 4-3, 4.69 in 30 games, 9 starts for the Angels last season. Richards has compiled a 34-11 record with a 3.34 ERA in 4 seasons in the minors. While Haren and Santana are looking to bounce back, Hanson and Richards have not reached their full potential. Neither have reached their ceiling, while a case could be made that Haren and Santana have.
Last year, the Angels started the season with former Giants prospect Jerome Williams as their 5th starter. Joe Blanton is far from a sure thing, but does provide innings and could be a bigger asset as the team's 5th starter. Blanton was 10-11, 4.71 in 31 games, 30 starts for the Phillies and Dodgers last season. In my opinion, Weaver, Wilson, Hanson, Richards and Blanton of this season have the opportunity to give the Angels more than they got from Weaver, Wilson, Haren, Santana, Williams last season. Not signing Greinke could hurt them, but they could still trade for a starter this season if they feel necessary. They may not have to, especially if Hanson and Richards improve as expected.
Their rotation seemed stacked with the likes of Haren and Santana pitching 3 and 4. Of course, they were pitching 4 and 5 when Greinke arrived. But lets be honest, both pitchers had disappointing seasons in 2012. Haren was 12-13, 4.33 and Santana was 9-13, 5.16. Both pitchers made 30 starts and are clearly looking to rebound from down years. Haren, 31, gets replaced by Atlanta's Tommy Hanson, 25, who was 13-10, 4.48 in 31 starts for the Braves in 2012. Santana, 29, gets replaced by top pitching prospect Garrett Richards, 24, who was 4-3, 4.69 in 30 games, 9 starts for the Angels last season. Richards has compiled a 34-11 record with a 3.34 ERA in 4 seasons in the minors. While Haren and Santana are looking to bounce back, Hanson and Richards have not reached their full potential. Neither have reached their ceiling, while a case could be made that Haren and Santana have.
Last year, the Angels started the season with former Giants prospect Jerome Williams as their 5th starter. Joe Blanton is far from a sure thing, but does provide innings and could be a bigger asset as the team's 5th starter. Blanton was 10-11, 4.71 in 31 games, 30 starts for the Phillies and Dodgers last season. In my opinion, Weaver, Wilson, Hanson, Richards and Blanton of this season have the opportunity to give the Angels more than they got from Weaver, Wilson, Haren, Santana, Williams last season. Not signing Greinke could hurt them, but they could still trade for a starter this season if they feel necessary. They may not have to, especially if Hanson and Richards improve as expected.
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