5 teams who should make a Godfather offer to Astros for Carlos Correa

1. Los Angeles Angels

This time next week, as of this writing, “if today were Opening Day” talk will be done. But if today were Opening Day, after the free agent departure of Andrelton Simmons, the Angels’ starting shortstop would be Jose Iglesias. He hit .373 with a .956 OPS last year for the Orioles, so he might work out nicely after being acquired this offseason.

The Angels keep missing on big-name targets to lead their starting rotation (Gerrit Cole, Trevor Bauer), as pitching lingers as a primary need. After this season, Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and (probably) Shohei Ohtani will be the stalwarts in a lineup that otherwise is likely to have some questions too.

If they continue to get it wrong around him, the Angels could find themselves in the same position with Trout that the Rockies just were with Nolan Arenado. Trout is under contract through 2030, and he’s not one to air his grievances with management. But continued failure to make the postseason, let alone any subsequent lack of success should they get there, may change that faster than seems likely now.

The Angels have to be all-in to surround Trout with other stars, whenever there is even the hint of a chance to do it. In the case of Correa, they would also weaken the team they’re trying to usurp in the AL West.

Other possible Correa suitors: Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers