Major League pitching staff had to cover approximately 515 innings in the shortened 2020 season. That number is likely to climb to around 1,400 when the sport returns to a standard schedule in 21, and every team has to ask themselves: will our staff be deep enough?
For the angels, the question is particularly urgent. You're trying to make the postseason with Mike Trout for the first time since 2014. Her rotating ERAs over the past two seasons have been the second worst of the majors. And right now, they're relying on Shohei Ohtani's limited returns and humble additions from José Quintana and Alex Cobb to change everything.
Barely any role for right-handed Trevor Bauer, the biggest prize in the free agency, the Angels believe they have nine potential starters, including at least three younger pitchers in reserve. You are approaching the luxury tax threshold. You want to keep the flexibility of the roster. But for both ’21 …