Financial commitments to leave Los Angeles Angels facing a quiet winter?

Financial commitments could keep the Los Angeles Angels quiet this winter.

Don’t expect the Los Angeles Angels to be too aggressive this winter, according to team beat writer Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register.

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After being swept by the Royals in the American League Divisional Series, the club would like to make changes to the roster, especially in the back of the rotation, as promising lefty Tyler Skaggs will miss the entire 2015 season after Tommy John surgery. Right-hander Garrett Richards (torn patellar tendon) will be sidelined at least until May.

The Los Angeles Angels have a mammoth financial commitment to CF Mike Trout, 1B/DH Albert Pujols and OF Josh Hamilton that all but eliminates the possibility of pursuing a pitcher the caliber of Jon Lester or Max Scherzer.

“Assuming they pick up Huston Street’s $7 million option and offer arbitration to all of their eligible players — picking either David Freese or Gordon Beckham, but not both — they are at about $180 million right now,” Fletcher notes. “That doesn’t leave much room for adding payroll unless they decide to pay the luxury tax.”

Trout signed a six-year, $144 million deal this summer, which goes along with the 10-year, $240 million the Los Angeles Angels owe Pujols through the end of the 2021 season and the last three years of Hamilton’s $133 million contract that runs through 2017.

Even if the Los Angeles Angels pondered the possibility of moving one of their young hitters — either RF Kole Calhoun or 1b/DH C.J. Cron — in exchange for pitching, the financial strain which would result from that would be too much for the franchise. Owner Artie Moreno has built a reputation for being free-spending, but his past trips of picking on the high-end tree may be enough for him to go toward the much cheaper side of the free agent orchard this winter.

Financial commitments could keep the Los Angeles Angels quiet this winter.

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