Angels third baseman David Freese was hit by a pitch from Minnesota’s Mike Pelfrey tonight and will be placed on the disabled list with a fractured in his hand, tweets Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. Gonzalez further clarifies that it’s a fractured index finger for Freese. The finger is already in a splint, which Freese will have to wear for at least the next two weeks (Twitter links). Freese’s hope is that he can return within three weeks.
The loss of Freese comes on the heels of a report from Gonzalez that the Angels, who are looking for help at the leadoff spot and in the middle of the order, are slightly prioritizing a power bat over a top-of-the-order catalyst. Freese and his roughly league-average production have occupied the five spot in the Halos’ lineup for much of the season, but according to Gonzalez, they were already interested in adding a bat, possibly in left field, that could move into that spot and push Freese down the lineup. One would imagine, then, that the loss of Freese only serves to enhance the club’s desire to add an authoritative presence behind Mike Trout and Albert Pujols in the heart of the order.
Gonzalez and the OC Register’s Jeff Fletcher both reported today that the Angels, who previously had been said to prefer controllable bats, have now warmed to the idea of adding rental players. Fletcher added that beyond that openness, the club is now considering right-handed bats after previously preferring lefty hitters.
The Angels do have a fairly Major League ready replacement in Kyle Kubitza. The 25-year-old prospect was acquired from the Braves this winter and is hitting .276/.346/.446 at Triple-A this season. His first taste of Major League action earlier in the year didn’t go particularly well, though, and while the Angels hope that he’s their third baseman of the future, it’s not certain that they’re willing to hand him a significant role in the midst of a pennant race while Freese mends. He could be a short-term stopgap, but adding a player that’s at least capable of playing third base would seem to be a reasonable target for the Halos.
The Angels have been linked to outfield bats such as Jay Bruce, Yoenis Cespedes, Josh Reddick, Ben Revere and Gerardo Parra, though I personally wonder if the injury to Freese will lead to interest in players capable of handling multiple infield spots. Ben Zobrist’s name is popular on this year’s trade market, but someone such as Juan Uribe of the Braves strikes me as a logical target. Uribe could fill in at third base in the short term and, upon Freese’s return, could potentially be an offensive upgrade at second base in the event that Johnny Giavotella’s recent offensive struggles continue.
Mikey Trout can’t save you Angels……your team blows………..
You realize the Angels have a better record than your Yankees? And that is including the sleepwalking act they were pulling off for a majority of the year.
The Angels have become the LA Trouts……With out him their worthless…….Ellsbury missed 40 games……..they’ve never missed him……..
1 player doesn’t make a team good, no matter how good the player is.
Examples:
Stanton
Tulo
Wright
Longo
Ryan Zimmerman
whats it like being the most downvoted troll on here?
2nd best record in the AL and I believe the best record in July. Yep, they stink!!
They’ve been fine since the GM that wanted to tell the manager how to manage resigned.
Even if Giavotella has a couple mini slumps like the one he was in (went 3-4 tonite) I think he’s still a better option over Uribe…that would be a throw away trade imo
I think the best option is Bruce, he’s controllable, a lefty, and offers good protection behind Pujols, which allows Aybar to stay at 6th in the order where’s he’s doing all his damage this year
I don’t think Uribe can play 2nd at this point in his career. I guess he could technically stand out there, but I doubt he’d play a passable two bagger.
2 dWAR at 3B last season, roughly replacement level this year. Wouldn’t shock me if he could be passable at 2B.
I just doubt he has enough range to play 2nd base. His glove is great, but I don’t know if his range is good enough.
Mike Scioscia has always prioritized D. Doesn’t expect a gold glover at each position, but does expect players that not only “make the routine play”, but players that make big plays and smart plays. Don’t know that Mike compromises D at a defensive position such as 2B for a little more hitting – and in this case, he would be giving up quality baserunning which he also prioritizes.
Wouldnt be shocked if Cowart gets called up…he’s on fire since being called up to AAA
maybe he just needed the promotion and a little encouragement to jump start him again…lets see what he can do with a ML promotion
I think Martin Prado makes a lot of sense. He can play 3B or LF, which just happen to be the two positions that the Angels need the most help at right now. He can play third for now, and then LF when Freese returns. Or if Kubitza tears it up, he can just play LF. As for Giovatella, he isn’t getting taken out of the leadoff spot or losing playing time anytime soon. The Angels are 21-4 with him hitting leadoff, and I have no doubt that Scioscia sees a David Eckstein-clone in Giovatella, just a tough-nosed kid who battles. Never mind the obvious limitations he has as a player.
what would be considered Kubitza tearing it up? still amazing that the Angels gave up one of their best prospects to get a 25 year old who isnt even is good as Cody Asche.
but Prado would make sense due to his versatility.
“The Angels are 21-4 with him hitting leadoff,”
You mean winning counts?
No way Ben Zobrist goes to a Divisional revival. Ramirez,Hill,Owings,Gennett,Phillips,Chris Johnson are few others they could get.
the division could use a revival but if the A’s arent in it, why would they care if they give Zobrist as a rental within the division, if its the best deal? its more likely not to happen as other teams can likely give more than LAA.
This hurts… his splits aren’t beautiful but he was definitely having a decent year. He’s always been labeled as an average to below-average defender, but I thought he’s been solid and he’s already got more HR’s than last year. Get back soon bud!