Fanmail Friday #4 - Who will take the Final Spot in the Rotation?
Feb 14, 2025 - Written by Bryan Whitfield
Photo Credit : @MLBTradeRumors - X
It's that time of the week again. Every Friday, where fans can interact with us directly. A member of the Inside Halos team answers a set of questions submitted by our followers via Instagram or the Q&A Google Form and this week is my 2nd Fanmail Friday that I will be able to answer your questions. Make sure you mark your calendars and submit your questions for us to be answered every Friday right here on InsideHalos.com!
Q: Who do you have winning the 5th rotation spot? Reid Detmers or Jack Kochanowicz? I’m leaning Jack (@armani_c23)
A: Personally, I’m a big Detmers guy. I know he pitched very poor last season, but if Reid Detmers can find himself and get into a rhythm, I truly believe he has the capability to be the best starter on this roster. Kyle Hendricks shouldn’t be gifted a rotation spot in my opinion, but with that happening, I think Hendricks is going to vastly help Detmers get back on track. I do however think Jack Kochanowicz earned himself a spot in the rotation last season, but he has to prove it and out pitch Detmers along with the other starters that will be fighting for that 5th spot in the rotation.
Q: Is Jansen the only new addition to the bullpen? (@mannyg.18) Do you think the Angels will add more? (@cory.estrella.756) Anymore additions to the roster? (@yoshitorii) Should the Angels check in on Arenado? (@kbautodetailing_)
A: If you want to get technical, the Angels have added Garrett McDaniels to the roster as well via the Rule 5 Draft. He has to be on the MLB Roster all year for the Angels to retain him, otherwise he has to be offered back to the Dodgers. They also have Michael Peterson, who was just claimed a couple days ago, long with some non roster invitees that could make the roster such as Connor Brogdon, Victor Gonzalez, and Angel Felipe who were brought in this offseason. However, I do think Perry is currently working on adding one more reliever. Robert Murray of FanSided reported I believe last week that the Angels were looking to add multiple players to their roster and he used the word plural when reporting that on his podcast. If I had to guess, the easiest addition is a reliever, although they could look to add someone that can play 3B after the Anthony Rendon news. I also wouldn’t count out a trade, Arenado is a very interesting candidate, it really is up to Arenado if he wants to be an Angel, and I don’t think the price tag would be much. My guess is we’d pay Arenado about $16M a season and give up a low tier prospect. I do however think a trade is less likely at this point…
Q: Since Rendon is out, would we move Rengifo to third base some games and bring up Christian Moore? (@iam_bm_lxi)
A: I fully expect Luis Rengifo to start games all over the infield. I think if Christian Moore is up, Rengifo either slides over to SS until Neto is back or he plays 3B over Yoan Moncada. You also have the added wrinkle if Tim Anderson performs this Spring and makes the team. A lot of competitions will happen this Spring to ultimately determine some roster spots and the overall depth chart but I fully expect Rengifo to play everyday, he just might play a different position every single day and be that super utility man.
Q: Who do you want to lose their projected spot on the roster? (@ggonzales_82)
A: The easy answer is Jose Suarez, I don’t understand why the Angels continue to roster him. At this point, I’d like to release him and if he goes to another team, I’m more than ok with that. I’m fully over him and I think it’s time to move on. Would much rather give Sam Bachman or Chase Silseth a bullpen spot over Suarez.
Q: When do you think Christian Moore gets called up to the Majors? (@adiventura._) Who do you think will be called up to the big club and who will stay in the minors? (@denirolopez)
A: The Angels have been quick when calling up their top prospects. Neto was called up the April after he was drafted. Schanuel only took a month after getting drafted to get called up, so when is Moore going to get that call? Well I think as long as Moore performs well this Spring, I fully expect him to be the starting second baseman on Opening Day. If there’s something he’s lacking this Spring, I can very easily see Perry and Wash wanting to give Moore a couple of weeks in the minors and let Tim Anderson get everyday reps in the big leagues either at second base or shortstop. Neto likely starting on the IL this season gives the Angels a lot of options and they have players that are versatile as well. My realistic guess though is Christian Moore will be the starting second baseman for the Halos on Opening Day in Chicago against the White Sox.
You’ll see a lot of competitions this Spring. You’ll have JD Davis, Scott Kingery, Tim Anderson, Carter Kieboom, Christian Moore, Ryan Noda as well as Yolmer Sanchez battling out a spot on the roster in terms of the infield position battles are concerned. On the pitching side, you’ll have Reid Detmers, Jack Kochanowicz, Caden Dana, Samuel Aldegheri, Chase Silseth, Sam Bachman, and possibly George Klassen and Dakota Hudson all battling for a spot in the rotation this Spring. On the bullpen side, the only two locks are Kenley Jansen and Ben Joyce, although Brock Burke, Jose Quijada, and Ryan Zeferjahn all should have a spot in the bullpen. Meaning there are about 3 spots up for grabs. On the 40-man roster you’ll have Jack Dashwood, Hans Crouse, Jose Suarez, Garrett McDaniels, Michael Peterson, and Victor Mederos looking for a spot. Some non-roster invitees include, Connor Brogdon, Angel Felipe, Michael Darrell-Hicks, Victor Gonzalez, Dakota Hudson, Camden Minacci, Shaun Anderson and Sammy Natera Jr are all options looking for a bullpen spot.
Q: Realistic chances of a significant SP signing in the near future, or is this truly it? (@bkschuler)
A: Unfortunately at this point, I don’t see the Angels adding another starter, the only starter that I have interest in on the open market is Spencer Turnbull. I’m honestly shocked he is still unsigned after a pretty good year as a starter and reliever in Philly. Other options still available are former Angels, Andrew Heaney and Jose Quintana, both of which I don’t see the Angels going after. Some other names include, Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson, Chris Flexen, Patrick Corbin, Ross Stripling, Mike Clevinger, Alex Wood, and Marco Gonzales. Of that list, I think Turnbull is the only starter of note.
Next offseason however, you have Dylan Cease, Michael King, Framber Valdez, Shane Bieber, Nestor Cortes, Zach Eflin, Jack Flaherty, Zac Gallen, German Marquez, Jordan Montgomery, Ranger Suarez among many other intriguing names. You could also see a trade, but I don’t see us acquiring a starter until at least the Trade Deadline in July.
Q: Could the Angels be interested in Dylan Cease or Michael King? If so, how likely is a deal to get done? (@a1exca1deron)
A: As mentioned in the previous question, I don’t see the Angels really trading for any big name pitcher until at least the deadline…and if the Angels are even in a battle for a playoff spot. Both Cease and King are Padres, and the Padres have been a very competitive team so I don’t realistically see either being available on the trade market. However, both are in the final year of their contract, King however now has a mutual $15M option attached for the 2026 season. I do see the Angels pursuing both these guys on the open market, to me I think Cease is more of an Angel than King would be. But both would provide a much needed boost to the rotation. The Angels will also be losing both Tyler Anderson and Kyle Hendricks to free agency after the 2025, so they will have room unless they want to give their young guys a chance.
Thank you all so much for those who participated this week, if we didn’t get to your question or if you have any questions you want to submit to InsideHalos.com, please click the button to submit your questions for next weeks Fanmail Friday! Thanks and see you next Friday for more!
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