Angels Linked to Veteran Japanese Pitcher as Potential Free Agent Landing Spot

Would he make sense for the Halos?

As the Los Angeles Angels get ready for the offseason to really get going, they are trying to figure out how to build their roster for next season. The team plans to remain competitive next year, so they will be aggressive in building everything out.

One area that they need real help in is their starting rotation, and as we have seen over the years, without a solid starting rotation, most teams aren’t successful. The Angels have a few good options in their rotation for next year, but they want to add a few starters it seems.

One name that could make sense for them is veteran pitcher Kenta Maeda, as he has been linked to the Halos by an MLB insider. Jim Bowden of The Athletic believes that the Halos could be a good landing spot for the right-hander.

“Kenta Maeda returned from Tommy John surgery and pitched effectively this year, posting a 4.23 ERA over 20 starts, with 117 strikeouts in 104 1/3 innings. From June 23 to the end of the season he made 17 starts and yielded three earned runs or fewer in all but one of them, and he allowed two runs or fewer in each of his final four starts. Teams could be hesitant to give Maeda a multiyear deal based on his injury history, so he might have to sign a one-year contract and go back on the market next offseason if he can replicate this season over another 25 to 30 starts next year.”

Per Jim Bowden of The Athletic

Maeda could be a low-risk, high-value add for the Angels, and he could help them build out their rotation for next season. He was solid once he came back from injury, and he would bring some veteran experience to the table as well.

The veteran also has experience playing in Southern California already and may welcome a return to the area with the Angels. He could be a great mentor for some of the younger pitchers that the Halos have on their staff, and he likely wouldn’t cost too much either.

The Angels probably aren’t going to dip their toes into the big-time starter pool this offseason, so a signing of a few guys like Maeda could make sense. The team has a ton of moves that they need to make, and it all starts with them figuring out their rotation this winter.