The perception among Angel fans this offseason seems to be that they need more starting pitching, which makes sense considering the way in which last season unfolded. However, Billy Eppler and co. need to find more creative ways to build starting pitching depth than by dipping into this winter's free-agent market even though it might be tempting to splurge on pitcher at the top of the market.

Last year, the Angels' lack of starting pitching depth was exposed with nearly every member of their rotation missing at least a start or two. But do they really need to acquire more starting pitchers? I'm not so sure.

Garrett Richards has seemingly successfully avoided Tommy John surgery for the time being and should be ready for the 2017 season. And in 2014, he proved that he has the ability to be a staff ace, and I think it is realistic to believe that he can return to that status.

Last year, Matt Shoemaker showed that he does indeed have the ability to return to the form that nearly won him a Rookie of Year Award in 2014. After a dreadful April, he posted a 3.13 ERA in 138 innings before ending the season on the disabled list.

The untapped potential of Tyler Skaggs is difficult to ignore. He's six-foot-five, left-handed, and seemingly has the ability to be a front-line starter one day, not to mention the fact that he is still just 25 years old.

Then there's Andrew Heaney and Nick Tropeano, who both underwent Tommy John surgery and will likely miss all of 2017. Tropeano -- and his 3.65 ERA since joining the Angels -- has proven that he can be a reliable major league starter, and Andrew Heaney was once a top prospect and flashed his potential in 2015 when he posted a 3.49 ERA in his first extended action in the majors.

Assuming all injuries heal as expected, come 2018, the Angels will have a solid rotation consisting of those five. In addition, Shoemaker is the only one over the age of 28, and Richards is the only one with under three years of team control remaining.

Because the Angels have the pieces in place for 2018, they must be patient and not sign a pitcher to a contract they will come to regret. The current market for starting pitchers is the worst we've seen in years, which means teams will be overpaying for starters. For example, the Astros gave Charlie Morton $14 million over two years after pitching a grand total of 17 innings in 2016. Furthermore, the Rangers agreed to pay Andrew Cashner $10 million to pitch for them next season. That same Andrew Cashner posted an ERA over five last season. These two deals simply demonstrate how far desperation for capable arms can take a team, and the Angels are not in a desperate enough position to make a deal like one of these.

Therefore, the Angels need to stay as far away from the free-agent starting pitching market as possible. MLB Trade Rumors predicts them to sign Ivan Nova to a four-year, $52 million deal. After posting a 5.10 ERA with the Yankees last year, he was traded to the Pirates, where he flourished. In a Pirates uniform, he posted a 3.06 ERA while striking out 52 batters and walking just 3. It was a miraculous turnaround for a guy with a 4.26 career ERA, but in no other market, would it even be realistic to think he would come close to cracking $50 million, and the Angels should avoid falling into the trap.

The Angels did already sign right-hander Jesse Chavez to a cheap one-year deal, which I think is a move that makes a lot more sense for them, as it doesn't commit any more money to the 2018 rotation. Not only will the Angels have the entirety of their desired rotation back in 2018, but there will also be much better free-agent options to choose from following the 2017 season if they find it necessary to supplement their rotation.

Regardless of who they do or don't sign, odds are that the Angels won't be contending in 2017. However, it is definitely feasible that they can return to contention in 2018, and they shouldn't hinder their ability to do so by signing a player to an ill-advised contract this winter under the delusion that they can compete for a postseason spot next season.