LAS VEGAS — Maybe someday the Angels will be at the point where they simply need to tweak the back end of their rotation because they have enough talent and depth at the top.
Until that day arrives, though, they will hit every winter as they are heading into this week’s GM meetings. They need to add significant pieces to their rotation.
Hiring veteran pitching coach Mike Maddux was a good first step. Not only could he help improve the Angels’ current young pitchers, but perhaps he’ll be a selling point to free agents.
The Angels aren’t likely to have a chance to simply spend the most money to buy the pitchers at the top of the market as long as owner Arte Moreno maintains his current approach.
And they aren’t likely to have a chance at making deals for the most coveted trade pieces as long as the farm system languishes toward the bottom.
So forget about signing free agent left-hander Framber Valdez or trading for Detroit Tigers right-hander Tarik Skubal.
If you are looking for what could be realistic for the Angels, start with these pitchers.
RHP Zac Gallen, free agent
A year ago, Gallen was in line to be one of the top starting pitchers available on this winter’s market. He had a 3.20 ERA while making 93 starts over a three-year span, from 2022-24.
Gallen, though, had a 4.83 ERA in his walk year with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He still pitched 192 innings, and he had a 3.32 ERA over the last two months. Gallen is also going to pitch most of next season as a 30-year-old.
His age, durability and strong finish to the 2025 season will make him attractive. His bad season might cut his price tag just enough for the Angels to be interested.
RHP Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins
When the Twins were unloading everyone at the deadline over the summer, they hung on to Ryan, despite fielding offers for him. The Angels had some interest then.
Ryan is 29 and has a career 3.79 ERA, including a 3.42 mark last season, so the Twins aren’t going to give him away. Ryan is under control for two more seasons. A deal would cost the Angels two or three prospects, and at least one top prospect.
One of the biggest appeals of Ryan is that he doesn’t walk people. The Angels desperately need to cut down on the free passes they issue.
RHP Tyler Mahle, free agent
Mahle, 31, hurt his shoulder in 2023, and missed much of the next two seasons. He was also out for half of 2025. All of that is certainly a red flag.
However, Mahle did come back and pitched two games in September for the Texas Rangers, allowing one run in 9⅔ innings. For the season, he had a 2.18 ERA in 16 starts.
The best reason to think Mahle might be a fit for the Angels is that he is a product of Westminster High. Mahle still has some upside, so if he wants to come home, he could be a good fit.
RHP Merrill Kelly, free agent
Kelly just turned 37. Although that makes him definitely past his prime, it also means he could be available on a short-term deal. He made only $7 million last season. That’s about half of what the Angels paid Tyler Anderson.
Kelly had a 3.52 ERA in 32 starts and 184 innings last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Rangers. His expected ERA was 4.16, so he was a little lucky, but still provided passable work and durability.
RHP Brady Singer, Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are always looking to save money, and Singer is projected to make about $12 million in his final season of arbitration. The Reds have some younger arms – most notably Chase Burns – who could step up into their rotation.
Singer, who will pitch most of next season at age 29, had a 4.03 ERA in 32 starts and 169⅔ innings in 2025. Although it’s easy to think Singer might be better once out of hitter-friendly Cincinnati, he actually had a 3.29 ERA at home last season.
RHP Lucas Giolito, free agent
Yes, Angels fans probably still have some bad memories of Giolito’s nightmarish six-game stint with the Angels in 2023. He’s also the personification of the club’s decision to go for it, rather than trading Shohei Ohtani.
The Angels believe part of what went wrong with Giolito then was that he had started divorce proceedings right before the trade – unbeknownst to the Angels when they made the deal – and he was distracted.
Putting all that aside, Giolito is just 31 and he had a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts and 145 innings with the Boston Red Sox in 2025.
Giolito is also a Southern California native (Harvard-Westlake High), so perhaps there’s some appeal to returning home and making a better impression this time.
Giolito made $19 million in 2025.
RHP Luis Severino, Athletics
The A’s made a rare splash by committing to Severino for $45 million over two years, with a $22 million player option for 2027. He responded by posting a 4.54 ERA.
Severino said he didn’t care for the Triple-A facilities the A’s are using in Sacramento, where he had a 6.01 ERA. On the road, he had a 3.02 ERA. The A’s are going to be hoping those numbers will encourage someone to take Severino, who will be 32 next season.
He has a career 3.92 ERA, including a 3.91 mark in 31 starts with the New York Mets in 2024.