The Los Angeles Angels have a number of up-and-coming young pitchers that will eventually contribute to the starting rotation. Does this mean the team will be parting ways with their veteran starters before the end of the 2016 season?
Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson are the two established veterans in the Angels' rotation and both will be free agents after the 2016 season. Los Angeles was believed to have been talking to teams about a trade for Wilson prior to the 2014 deadline, but general manager Jerry Dipoto denied such happenings. The 34-year-old battled injuries for most of the season and had his worst year as a starter (13-10 with a 4.51 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 31 starts).
Similarly, despite an 18-9 record, Weaver posted his worst ERA (3.59) and WHIP (1.21) since the 2009 season. Additionally, the 32-year-old will be entering the 2015 season weighing 224 pounds, which is the highest he's ever been. His goal was to bulk up and pitch deeper into games, but it's unknown how such a frame will improve his ability to pitch, especially at his age.
Could one or both of these veterans be shown the door when they hit free agency or even before then?
"Heaney, 23, was Miami's top prospect last season and will challenge for a rotation spot this spring. [Sean] Newcomb, 21, was the 15th overall pick out of the University of Hartford in June, a 6-foot-5, 240-pounder who has drawn comparisons to Jon Lester," writes Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
"The Angels could allow Weaver and Wilson to leave as free agents after 2016 and fill their spots from within or with a high-priced pitcher via free agency or trade," he continues.
"Heaney will almost certainly be the Angels' No. 5 starter coming out of Tempe, Arizona. [Nick] Tropeano belongs on the MLB staff somewhere, preferably in the bullpen but perhaps in the rotation if he's needed there," adds ESPN Insider Keith Law.
With Garrett Richards and Matt Shoemaker proving their ability to perform at a high level, the Angels can save themselves a lot of money (a maximum of $76 million) if they move their costly veteran starters, who appear to be on the decline as they approach their mid-thirties. Perhaps a contender would be willing to take on the salaries of Weaver or Wilson if they need an experienced starter to contribute down the stretch.
"That's the Angels' master plan - to be World Series contenders while getting younger, deeper, more athletic and more cost-efficient - a goal that, if achieved, should extend their window for winning," writes DiGiovanna.
In addition to Richards, Shoemaker, Heaney, Newcomb and Tropeano, the cost-efficiency continues with Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs, who have also proven to be serviceable starters. If Heaney proves he can contribute at the major league level and Skaggs returns healthy as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, don't be surprised if trade talks heat up for Weaver and/or Wilson during the 2015 season.
If not, it's likely the team lets both of them walk after 2016.
