Angels Open To On a regular basis Addition At Third Base

It’s no secret that the Angels’ seven-year, $245MM contract with third baseman Anthony Rendon has not gone because the membership hoped it will. Whereas Rendon turned in an outstanding inaugural marketing campaign in Anaheim through the shortened 2020 season, the 4 seasons since then have been marred by harm and ineffectiveness. Rendon has totaled simply 205 video games and 863 plate appearances throughout that point, and his .231/.329/.336 (89 wRC+) slash line on the uncommon event he’s wholesome sufficient to take the sphere leaves a lot to be desired. With two years and $77MM left on the contract, it might appear inevitable that the Angels will proceed to aim to make Rendon work as a daily fixture of their lineup, however MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger relayed feedback from membership GM Perry Minasian Monday that counsel the membership could be open to entering into one other path.

“We now have to be open to a minimum of taking a look at that spot and seeing if there are different alternate options make us higher,” Minasian mentioned of the new nook, as relayed by Bollinger. “Clearly, a wholesome Anthony Rendon makes us rather a lot higher. However with the final 4 years being the final 4 years, we’d like to have a look and sort of see what else is on the market.”

To that finish, Bollinger stories that Rendon will enter Spring Coaching 2025 “competing for a roster spot” and added that Minasian steered the 34-year-old veteran could possibly be moved right into a part-time utility position the place he sees time at first and second base along with his native place at third. That situation would possible come to go if the Angels have been so as to add a full-time third baseman to their ranks by way of commerce or free company, a chance which Bollinger notes that Minasian didn’t rule out. The Angels GM additionally famous that the membership’s inside group of infielders presents a handful of gamers able to dealing with the new nook like Luis Rengifo, Scott Kingery, and Kevin Newman.

That the Angels would think about transferring on from Rendon as their beginning third baseman is definitely justified primarily based on his efficiency in recent times, however nonetheless registers as one thing of a shock given the substantial sum he’s owed over the subsequent two seasons. With that mentioned, this winter does supply some fascinating infield candidates the membership to bolster its offense with. It appears unlikely that the Halos would greenlight one other huge third base signing with Rendon on the books, so it will be a shock to see them goal Alex Bregman in free company this winter. Wanting past Bregman, free company presents a lot of fascinating choices akin to Josh Rojas, Donovan Solano, Yoan Moncada, and Paul DeJong. Commerce candidates on the scorching nook this winter embrace Nolan Arenado (whose cumbersome contract comes with the identical obstacles a pursuit of Bregman would), Alec Bohm, and Brett Baty.

DeJong particularly could possibly be an intriguing match for the Angels given the truth that Opening Day is in query for shortstop Zach Neto following offseason shoulder surgical procedure. DeJong, 31, has loads of expertise at shortstop and will deal with the place for the Halos whereas Neto is on the mend earlier than shifting over to the new nook as soon as the teenager returns. Another choice could possibly be utilizing the positional flexibility of Rengifo so as to add a second baseman to the combination. Gleyber Torres is the highest free agent accessible on the keystone this winter, but when the Angels are unwilling to fulfill his price ticket extra reasonably priced choices embrace Jorge Polanco, Jose Iglesias, Amed Rosario, and Whit Merrifield. Iglesias and Rosario, very similar to DeJong, additionally supply ample expertise at shortstop and will assist fill in for Neto early within the season earlier than transferring off the place late within the season as soon as he’s able to go.

If the Halos do add one other bat to the offense in some unspecified time in the future this winter, Bollinger suggests the addition is way extra prone to be an infielder than an outfielder. The Angels nonetheless intend to offer longtime face of the franchise Mike Trout each alternative to return from harm and re-establish himself as one of many video games greatest gamers, and whereas the membership has not but determined whether or not he’ll proceed to play heart area every day or spend extra time within the outfield corners and DH going ahead Bollinger relays that the membership believes they’ve the place coated given the presence of Jo Adell, Mickey Moniak, and Taylor Ward as potential choices in heart on a minimum of a part-time foundation. Bollinger provides that whereas Jorge Soler is anticipated to get the lion’s share of enjoying time at DH after being acquired from the Braves final month, if the Angels determine to relaxation Trout on the place or make the most of different gamers there once in a while the Halos are snug enjoying him in both outfield nook as nicely.