The Angels might make a run at free agent Yoenis Cespedes, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News tweets. Cespedes would, of course, provide an outfield solution for the Angels, who have been trying to find a third outfielder to start alongside Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun.
A left-handed hitter might be a better fit, given the Angels’ heavily right-handed lineup. Obviously, though, Cespedes’ bat would have an impact for any team, regardless of handedness. He hit .291/.328/.542 last season and was one of the keys to the Mets’ unexpected run to the playoffs, hitting 17 home runs in 249 regular season plate appearances for New York after a midseason trade. While his average seems fairly likely to drop next season, his power has been undeniable in four seasons in the Majors. He’s also very helpful in the field, where his arm is a tremendous asset.
As Joel Sherman of the New York Post notes, Cespedes did not hit well in the playoffs, and there are questions about his motivation and coachability. Still, the 30-year-old appears likely to fetch a nine-figure contract. Last month, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes predicted Cespedes would sign with the Angels for $140MM.
He was injured in the post season. He had a shoulder issue that even forced him out of a game against the Cubs. The guy was red hot down the stretch and he made himself some money.
Not just down the stretch. Cespedes has been a solid slugger the last few years and he’s still only 30.
This could get interesting. Moreno has previously balked at going over the luxury tax threshold. This could lead to some form of trade to cover the infield holes and a salary dump of Wilson. If Eppler can pull all of that off, that would be one hell of a first offseason for him
I think trading wilson + bedrosion and salas to the twins for plouffe
Would be great. But Twins GM Ryan has stated recently that they’ll hold onto Plouffe.
they have a void because sano looks like he’s the real deal and he shouldn’t be playing the outfield. Not sure where else the angels could look for third base unless they bring freese back
They are still talking to Freese. Would line the fire that Lawrie brings to the table, but I doubt the A’s trade him within the division; unless it is a total overpay.
the angels would have to over pay for him, I know they were in on longoria supposedly
Zobrist is a good fit. I’m sure there still trying to sign him.
This doesn’t make sense to me, between trout, cron, pujols, Simmons, Carlos Perez, they have a ton of right handed bats, they need to snag a left handed hitter like heyward or Gordon, that way they balance out the line up and get two players who are better defensively then Cespedes , the only difference is that cannon he has for an arm
The lefty bat may come in the form of Daniel Murphy or perhaps Neil Walker at 2B. Plus they can move Calhoun down if they have to.
Neil walker is a pirate for life. He’s not leaving anytime soon.
He will if they trade him which is apparent.
Move Calhoun down where? That makes no sense he is a very good outfielder.
Move Calhoun down in the lineup, not AAA.
Cespedes doesn’t cost a pick like Heyward, Gordon and Murphy. I do believe that if we sign Heyward or Gordon we do go sign Murphy too.
I am hoping for a Trout (24), Heyward (26) and Calhoun (28) outfield.
Yeah but idk if that’s really going to matter to them honestly, they seem to be dishing out prospects in a win now mode and I think they would sacrifice their pick for Gordon or heyward
Or do you think they go after a second tier like Parra
I don’t think so, they had a lot of second tier options in Murphy and Dejesus and Victorino and let them all walk, I think they want a more impactful bat
I believe they are still trying to figure out if it is worth it or not.
The Angels have had issues with players with “coach ability” issues in the past, Jose Guillen. Not sure they try it again. Though, he does not have a 1st round pick attached to him signing.
I just think heyward would be a better fit then Cespedes
Billy Eppler, the next AJ Preller
Really? The guy has been GM for what 2 or 3 months? Only one major trade so far (Simmons). Way too early to compare him to a NTAC (no talent ass clown) like Preller.
Geez, I’m just joking. There is some similarity in styles that they both have acquired overrated stars and by doing so, have sold off the best of their farm system.
No way. Eppler has been there 2 or 3 months. Give the guy a break. He’s made one noteworthy trade. A long way from being a NTAC like Preller.
This will not work out well, Angels. Not the right guy. Overpay Gordon (I’m assuming Heyward is going back to StL), or sign a pitcher and trade one of your existing starters for Cargo or someone.
Agree 100%
CarGo might cost the angels richards + heaney or skaggs
Nah. I’d guess just Heaney would do. The Rockies love Heaney (he came into Coors last year when the Rockies were hot, and just absolutely crushed them).
I still wouldn’t trade Heaney, CarGo is owed 33 million over the next two years, I think I would rather sign Cespedes and keep the draft pick
You get one back for Cargo in a couple years. Plus I bet the Rockies would cover some cash to get Heaney back.
Thats a hard choice to make if your the angels, sign cespedes or somebody, or trade for CarGo or Gardner
Rockies have asked the Indians for one of Carrasco, Salazar, or Bauer for CarGo. So if the Angels were to acquire him it would likely take one of Richards, Heaney, Santiago or even Shoemaker, any of which is about equivalent to those CLE starters in question. I even heard that Jerry Dipoto turned down a deal for CarGo centered around Shoemaker.
Hoping the mets are still in the hunt for Cespedes.Its a long shot,but you never know
I really hope an AL team doesn’t sign him to be the NL Cespedes, when there’s already a larger body of work of him as AL Cespedes that is decidedly less-excellent than the NL Cespedes was.
The Angels COULD also sign Gordon, Heyward… we already knew they COULD sign Cespedes…
I would rather see the angels go after heyward or gordon, but if they are off the board, then I guess cespedes would be better then upton, and he won’t cost a draft pick, another cheap option they could go after is parra.
Upton’s underrated. I think he’s better value than Cespedes, given their ages.
Yea but Upton doesn’t have a cannon like Cespedes, I just hope eppler makes a big splash
Cespedes can’t talk a walk. I think whoever signs him is going to be disappointed given the contract people are projecting. He is a very good player, but I’m not sure I’d go over 120MM on him and that seems like a bit of a stretch.
“Cespedes’ bat would have an impact for any team”
The same could have been said for Hamilton and Pujols… how’d those work out?
Hamilton was a bad signing, Pujols can produce as long as he is healthy, but now he is hurt again so we will have to see what the angels do. They have no choice but to go over the luxury tax if they want to make a run to win the al west.
Pujols had 40 HRs last year. I’d say pretty well.
Oh, Pujols hit 40 HRs?? All is great; nevermind me… or the fact his OPS+ of 118 cost you $24M. In 3 of the last 4 years, he has posted career lows in AVG, OBP, SLG, and OPS, and not by mere percentage points, but rather by vast amounts. He’s barely OPS’ing .800 as an Angel.
Josh Hamilton’s OPS as an Angel is 160 points lower than as a Ranger… Compare that to the 233 point gap from Cardinal to Angel for Pujols.
Josh is costing the Rangers very little so the figured he was a decent gamble. He just had knee surgery so who knows how or if he’ll come back. He won’t be the MVP player he was 4-5 years ago but they aren’t paying him to be that player. Yes…Albert is not giving California the numbers he put up for STL. But it’s not like he’s a complete bust like Hamilton, either. He’s still a very dangerous hitter–he’s just become more like Adam Dunn than Miguel Cabrera.
Albert isn’t producing as he did for STL….but his power numbers are still very good. Hamilton had a lousy second half of 2012 for Texas. I never understood why the Halos signed him. There’s a reason the Rangers didn’t.
And that reason is because Hamilton signed with the Angels without allowing the Rangers to match the offer, which is what Hamilton and his agent told the Rangers they could do that offseason. Arte Moreno put that offer on the table and said “take it or leave it”, knowing Josh’s history of substance abuse. And Josh took it.
Would love to see him on the White Sox, but given Ventura’s lack of everything as a coach Im guessing he would give half an effort
For the Angels, what about a deal for Brett Gardner?
I don’t think they would want to give up Heaney or Skaggs for him
i do see the price of Heaney being way too high and Skaggs probably high as well. However, what about a deal involving Nick Tropeano and a low level prospect or two? Tropeano gives them the cost controlled young arm they are looking for and he still has options. Although he isn’t great he could be a start and if you add Austin Robichaux and Chad Hinshaw might get it done.
maybe but the depth of the pitching the angels have right now is good, Tropeano and a low level prospect could get it done, I still think the angels could use another starter , I hope Weaver comes back strong
Please don’t thank you
Surprised the Angels aren’t interested in Denard Span. They really lack a leadoff hitter.
Linked to Cespedes? If I were an Angels fan, I would prefer Heyward.
I actually prefer Gordon
I suppose along with being 9 years older and less productive he would also be more affordable
Anaheim probably doesn’t want another bad contract. Pujols contract is awful since he’ll be 45 by the end of it. Cespedes should stay in the AL Maybe the jankees. He needs a hitters park.
Pujols’ contract will have him in the Angels organization until he is 51, which is when his 10 year/$10M “personal services” contract expires, which goes into effect after his age 41 season, which is when his player contract expires… either way, I have no clue how you got 45…
I bet you would’ve been ecstatic though if he had signed with your team though. Now the Tigers have Miguel Cabrera until he’s 42. Sometimes a franchise needs to lock down a player like those two to brand themselves.
I’m not high on the Angels signing Jason Heyward at all.
Yes, he’s a left handed bat and plays great defense in RF, but we have that in Kole Calhoun. Heyward has only hit 20 HRs once in his career and that’ll only get worse in Anaheim. He’s not a huge RBI producer and will cost a lot for not hitting HR’s and a draft pick that we need badly.
Cespedes won’t cost a draft pick, will give you power, slots into LF nicely with his strong arm and has played in the AL West.
I think the Angels would be better off signing Cespedes AND Gerardo Parra. You get a Left Handed bat in Parra. Above average defense and you round out the line-up more. You could rotate the Outfielders in the DH spot as well. Plus he has speed which the Angels need.
Angels should talk to the dodgers about a Wilson for Eithier or Crawford deal. Just moving some extra pieces that both teams would benefit from. Eithier would be best but has more value and not sure the Angels could make it work.
I wouldn’t touch Crawford….can’t stay on field
Seems like a non-story. The Angels COULD pursue anyone!
I doubt that they’ll chase after Cespedes too hard. This is an organization that avoids clubhouse problems like the plague.
Also, if they sign him, I’m going to get a migraine every time he underhand flips the ball back to the infield.
I hope the Angels add some speed, youth, and defense.. don’t care how you do it, just do it
Get Matt Joyce on minor league deal, think Heyward price will go to high. Remember few years ago Carl Crawford was big ticket Angels were suppose to get, I feel most long term deals do not work out, See Angels resigning Freese trading for LF Wilson for Ethier. Not big fan of Cespedes.