Offseason moves? Here's where Angels stand

This story was excerpted from Rhett Bollinger’s Angels Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ANAHEIM -- It’s undoubtedly been a slow offseason for the Angels and for most of the clubs around the league, but general manager Perry Minasian believes there’s still plenty of time to improve the roster before Opening Day.

Minasian acknowledged the free-agent market hasn’t been as active as he expected, but he didn’t sound concerned when talking to reporters last week. The Angels continue to check in on the top free agents available such as outfielder Cody Bellinger, right-hander Marcus Stroman and lefties Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, but they did see Japanese lefty Shōta Imanaga finalize a deal with the Cubs on Thursday. The Angels, along with the Giants, were interested in Imanaga.

Minasian said on Saturday that he believes free agents still have plenty of interest in signing with the Angels, especially after they hired Ron Washington as manager this offseason.

“Absolutely, yeah,” Minasian said. “Obviously Wash was a big add for us. As an organization, we feel like he's going to do a great job. He's already helped with some recruiting when we signed Luis García, so he's somebody where players know what he brings to the table. And there's a lot of players that would love to play for him. And we've heard that echoed all offseason.”

The Angels have made a few additions such as signing right-hander Zach Plesac to a one-year deal on Saturday, as well as signing relievers Adam Kolarek, Adam Cimber and García to one-year pacts. But they’ve yet to make a splash after losing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani in free agency to the rival Dodgers, and they remain roughly $65-70 million under the first competitive balance tax.

The Halos could use plenty of help coming off back-to-back 73-win seasons, and adding a marquee free agent like Snell, Stroman, Montgomery or Bellinger would be a big boost.

The Angels are expected to shift to a five-man rotation without Ohtani and have Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, Chase Silseth, Tyler Anderson, Griffin Canning, José Suarez and Plesac as internal options, but adding another veteran starter to that mix would make sense. Other veteran free-agent starters who could be a fit include Mike Clevinger and Michael Lorenzen.

Adding an outfielder would also make sense, as the Angels had interest in center fielders Kevin Kiermaier and Harrison Bader before they signed with the Blue Jays and Mets, respectively. Bellinger would be an even better fit and could allow Mike Trout to spend some time in a corner outfield spot. The Angels have Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell as part of their outfield mix, but they could use another big bat. Bellinger wouldn’t come cheap, but he would bring some excitement back to the franchise after Ohtani left for the Dodgers.

• Cody Bellinger rumors

The Angels could also decide to go with a bat-first player who could see a lot of time at designated hitter now that Ohtani isn’t their regular DH. Teoscar Hernández agreed to terms with the Dodgers on Sunday, but sluggers J.D. Martinez, Jorge Soler and Rhys Hoskins remain available in free agency.

As far as the bullpen, along with adding Kolarek, Cimber and García, the Angels traded for Braves lefty Tyler Thomas. Carlos Estévez is expected to be the closer again next season, although he did struggle in the second half after putting up All-Star caliber numbers in the first half. If the Angels are looking to make a splash, relief ace Josh Hader is still available in free agency, but the club might be better suited spending that kind of money on a starting pitcher or a position player.

Last year, the Angels didn’t sign lefty Matt Moore until Feb. 16, and he was one of the club’s better relievers with a 2.66 ERA in 44 innings before he was placed on waivers and lost to the Guardians in late August. Moore is also currently a free agent as well as infielder Gio Urshela, who fit in well as a utility man with the Angels until he suffered a season-ending pelvis fracture in June.

So despite the quiet offseason so far, there’s still more than a month before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, and a lot could happen between now and then. The Angels could also look to swing a trade or two if they feel like they can’t get what they need via free agency.

“There's still a ton of players out there,” Minasian said. “Guys that can help this team, make this team better that we'll continue to talk to and explore.”