The Los Angeles Angels have already made two moves to address the team’s horrendous pitching situation, trading for promising right-hander Grayson Rodriguez from the Baltimore Orioles and signing former All-Star righty Alek Manoah to a one-year deal.
That won’t nearly be enough if the goal is to compete this season, but it’s a good start. Rodriguez has been a top pitching prospect for several years and when he is on the field, he has ace-caliber stuff. Rodriguez didn’t pitch in 2025 due to injury, but in 2024, he made 20 starts and went 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 116.2 innings pitched.
While the team will have to address other positions during the offseason, pitching should remain as the top priority moving forward. Even though the Angels are reportedly going to spend more money in free agency this year, I expect the team to make key additions via trade.
There’s a former All-Star right-hander who has been shopped for two seasons and has been one of the most consistent out-getters in Major League Baseball, and he could be just what the Angels need.
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller has made 31 or more starts in each of the past four seasons and would be an upgrade for the Angels should they express interest.
“If Keller, 29, is moved -- and the Pirates would like to deal a starter for a bat -- the return might be an every-day player with a hefty salary commensurate to Keller's than a collection of prospects,” ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan wrote Tuesday. “At $55.7 million for the next three seasons, Keller provides value more as an innings eater than a top-of-the-rotation pitcher.”
It might be tough for the Angels to make up value in terms of money alone, but they have enough talent that the Pirates would want to make a deal.
“Keller is reliable, ranking sixth in baseball in innings over the past three seasons (548⅔). Keller's raw stuff is more good than great, with average velocity on his fastball and sinker, along with a standout sweeper; he's a steady No. 3 or No. 4 starter.”
The stats don’t tell the full story for anyone on the Pirates, especially pitchers like Keller. He was 6-15 with a 4.19 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, but for much of the season, his ERA was in the low-3.00s. He won’t be an ace, but he has great stuff and can eat innings with the best of them.
Whether the Angels pursue Keller or not, expect them to be active in pursuit of a quality arm or two.