Angels News: Halos May Utilize 5-Man Rotation in 2024

A change in philosophy.

A shift may be coming to the Angels' pitching plans next season due to the impending free agency of Shohei Ohtani. 

Anaheim implemented a six-man rotation to suit their superstar's unique skillset, but his potential exit could prompt a shift back to a more traditional approach next year. 

Minasian said the Angels are comfortable using a five-man rotation next year, but won’t settle on that until they know exactly which pitchers are on the roster. “It’s something we’ve talked about at length,” Minasian said. “We feel the arms we have in-house can handle it.”

via Jeff Fletcher, OC Register

Ohtani took the bump every sixth day as the Angels' best starter throughout his six-year tenure. 

Such a method was used due to the immense workload that Ohtani also took on as the team's best hitter throughout that time. 

Uncertainty about the Japanese superstar's next destination already brought questions as to how the organization might adjust without both his bat and his arm. 

Chase Silseth, Griffin Canning, Patrick Sandoval and Reid Detmers are all but guaranteed to be parts of the Angel rotation heading into 2024. 

Even if Ohtani returned to the Halos, his recent elbow surgery will prevent him from pitching for all of next year. 

Ohtani will still command an insane market in free agency as a dominant bat, but he may not receive the record-breaking contract many anticipated before his injury. 

Many teams could be wary of these injuries and a longer-term deal may be unattainable due to concerns about how Ohtani's elbow might impact his two-way ability. 

2023's WBC MVP will more than likely win his second AL MVP award in three seasons even with his absence from the Angels' final 20-plus games of the season. 

Life without the superstar would be tough on every Angels player. but a shift in their starting rotation will be step one to dealing with such a possibility.