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Three Free Agent Starters Angels Should Target This Winter
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- Three Free Agent Starters Angels Should Target This Winter
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Pitching and the Los Angeles Angels haven't been best friends in recent memory. Only seven Angels pitchers have made the All-Star Game since 2010 , with the two most recent being Tyler Anderson in 2024 and Yusei Kikuchi in 2025 – not exactly who you think of when you hear "All-Star".
Due to their lack of true stars in their rotation over the past decade, excluding two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, the Angels have been far from a scary team to face. Still, things seem to be changing for the Halos, as they finished the year as a legitimate threat on the mound after letting go of key coaching staff members.
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Heading into the offseason, the Halos have a chance to build on this rise and add an arm or two that can take them to the next level. Here are three free agent starters of different tiers that could help take the Angels' young rotation to the next level.
Shota Imanaga, LHP
From the top tier of the upcoming free agent starters, Imanaga may be the most realistic name for the Angels to have a chance on. While teams may have their eyes set on the biggest names like Tarik Skubal and Sonny Gray, the Angels could swoop in on the Japanese star.
The 33-year-old threw the most innings of his major league career in 2026 while holding opponents to just a 3.77 ERA. Anaheim may not be ready to contend just yet, but perhaps playing with his Japanese teammate in Kikuchi could be enough to pull Imanaga to Southern California. It would be a surprise signing for sure, but with a new owner on the way, the Angels have the chance to start this new era with a splash. Imanaga could be just that.
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Tyler Mahle, RHP
Mahle had a great end to 2026 after being dealt to the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline. His 1.99 ERA in his last nine starts will be enough to boost teams' interest on the open market, though there are still concerns surrounding the Orange County native.
Although Mahle tossed nearly 150 innings this season, it was his first season over the 100-inning mark since 2022. His struggles with injury and a rough stretch with the San Francisco Giants to start the year will keep Mahle in that tier below the stars, but he clearly still can be a greatly impactful starter. It would be a perfect storyline for the SoCal native to return home and help guide the Halos into their new era.
Zach Gallen, RHP
Gallen didn't get the offers he looked for last offseason, and it may have impacted his confidence in 2026. Having his worst season yet with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Gallen's market value is at an all-time low. His 6.07 ERA and 5.34 FIP will scare off many teams, but the truth is Gallen was receiving Cy Young votes just two seasons ago. At 31 years old, it may be too soon to call it quits on the former All-Star.
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The Angels have a past of bringing in players past their prime in hopes of low-risk, high-reward deals, but it hasn't worked out in almost all cases – think Alek Manoah of last season. Though the strategy has a poor track record, if the Angels aren't ready to make real change this offseason until the sale of the club is official, it's a feasible outcome for the Angels to give Gallen another shot.
