MLB

Making sense of Angels' pitching deals

FOX Sports
Share This Story

Updated Dec 8, 2012 1:26 PM ET
     
 

It’s difficult to like what the Los Angeles Angels have done this offseason, particularly when they seem likely to lose free-agent right-hander Zack Greinke.

MLB

PICK 'EM

When it comes to predicting division winners, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi only agree on one thing.

I wrote recently about the different approaches of the two L.A. teams. But the Angels’ starting-pitching choices may not be as illogical as they appear.

I’m not saying I like them, mind you — right-hander Tommy Hanson is a physical risk, righty Joe Blanton might get smoked in the AL, and losing Greinke just plain hurts.

The other perspective, though, is this: Hanson, 26, and Blanton, 32, produced approximately the same performance last season as the two starters they will be replacing, righties Dan Haren, 32, and Ervin Santana, 30. And they will cost the Angels a lot less.

Pitching comparison

 
Stat Haren/Santana Hanson/Blanton
GS 60 61
IP  354.2 365.2
K/BB  2.78 3.11
ERA  4.95 4.60
ERA+ 80 87

STATS LLC

Consider the comparison from 2012 in the chart to the right.

Now consider the finances:

Haren and Santana would have earned a combined $28.5 million next season if the team had exercised their club options.

Hanson and Blanton likely will earn a combined $10 million to $11 million; Hanson figures to make about $4 million in arbitration, and Blanton signed a two-year, $15 million free-agent contract with a club option/buyout for a third year.

The difference more than helped the Angels pay for two free-agent relievers; righty Ryan Madson, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract, and lefty Sean Burnett, who signed a two-year, $8 million deal.

So, going strictly by the numbers — the performance numbers, the salary numbers — the Angels may come out ahead. They also could sign another free-agent starter, though at the moment they don’t seem inclined to play in the Anibal Sanchez-Kyle Lohse-Edwin Jackson market.

In the end, all that matters is results. And the Angels, after missing the playoffs three straight seasons, are banking on two pitchers with questions, Hanson and Blanton.

Tagged: Angels, Tigers, Nationals, Zack Greinke, Joe Blanton, Anibal Sanchez, Tommy Hanson
Play Baseball Hot Streak and Win Prizes!

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by
Baseball Hot Streak


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

MLB Videos

MLB on FOX: ATL/NYM recap Posted: May 26, 2013
Tom Verducci and Justin Kutcher discuss the Braves' 6-0 win over the Mets.

MLB on FOX: STL/LAD recap Posted: May 26, 2013
Tim McCarver and Joe Buck give their thoughts on the Dodgers' 5-3 win over the C...

MLB on FOX: PHI/WSH recap Posted: May 26, 2013
Bill Ripken and Tom McCarthy on the Phillies' 5-3 win over the Nationals.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »
SimLeague Baseball - Simulation Baseball Game

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike New York Yankees Practice T-Shirt - Ash http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/606363/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606363_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike New York Yankees Practice T-Shirt - Ash
    Majestic Detroit Tigers 2012 MLB American League Champions Clubhouse Locker Room T-Shirt - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/1064043/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1064000/ff_1064043_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Majestic Detroit Tigers 2012 MLB American League Champions Clubhouse Locker Room..
    Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room T-Shirt - Gray http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067359/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067359_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker R..
    Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room Pullover Hoodie - Steel http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067382/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067382_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker R..
    New Era San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room 39THIRTY Flex Hat - Charcoal/Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067785/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067785_xl.jpg&w=100 31.95 New Era San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Ro..
    Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Glory T-Shirt - Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1068294/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1068000/ff_1068294_xl.jpg&w=100 21.95 Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Glory T-Shirt - Bl..
    Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Batting Practice Performance Jersey - Black/Orange http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1068787/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1068000/ff_1068787_xl.jpg&w=100 94.95 Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Batting Practice P..
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft