The Angels have outrighted second baseman Johnny Giavotella to Triple-A, the club announced. Giavotella cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week.
After being acquired from Kansas City in a December 2014 trade, Giavotella has spent much of the last two seasons as the Angels’ starter at the keystone. He didn’t provide much offensively (.267/.305/.375 over 869 plate appearances) or defensively (the UZR/150 and Defensive Runs Saved metrics indicate below-average glovework over the last two years) and Giavotella had recently lost playing time to Gregorio Petit and Cliff Pennington. Second base certainly appears to be one of many areas of need for the Halos this winter as they look to recover from a thoroughly disappointing 2016 campaign.
As Pedro Moura of the L.A. Times tweets, the Angels will use Giavotella as a utilityman at Triple-A. Giavotella has some experience at third base and left field in the minors, though he has only appeared at a position other than second once at the Major League level (a single game at shortstop). Gaining some multi-position versatility could be helpful for Giavotella’s career prospects, given his lack of success against MLB pitching. Giavotella will be eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter and is a potential non-tender candidate, though he doesn’t figure to be in line for a very big salary in his initial trip through the arb process.
Kind of shocked he cleared
Why exactly? I understand he’s a fan favorite, and he seems like a good guy, but all he really brings on a diamond is a decent batting average
He has a decent .BA, ik it doesn’t mean much but he is hitting the pitching
Okay. And?
2B is not a real area of need. They need at least a SP or two and bullpen overhaul. Petit and Pennington would be just fine as the 2B committee next season. But I agree. Johnny G has a lot of fire but that means nothing when your on-field value is still minimal.
Sherman Jackson will most likely be given every opportunity to be the Angels starting second baseman next season
Would love to see Sherman Johnson get an opportunity. But if the Angels end up hanging onto Escobar, I hope Cowart ends up with the nod at second, or preferably him at 3rd with Esco at 2nd.
The Angels can find someone else to play second, but in response to Ryan, when you say they need a SP or two you should really say a SP or 4.
I think the Angels will more than likely ending up trading Escobar Calhoun and Cron for a starting pitcher. Give Cowart and Jackson an opportunity to become every day players. And with the money Calhoun and Cron will be looking at in arbitration along with the 8 million to Escobar, maybe the Angels can get a top end starter. From a team looking to dump salary, someone like Grienke. Or for someone who will be a FA after next season. I know why would the Angels trade Calhoun? He is their best trade piece, not named Trout. And there is more position players who will be FA, than starting pitchers this offseason. Say the Angels get Grienke for those three players. Then trade Noralsco to the Braves for Markakis to replace Calhoun in right. That will still give the Angels between 40 to 45 million to fill holes. Sign Helickson for about 15 million on a 3 to 4 year deal. That would leave the need for a left fielder and another starting pitcher. Maybe Fister on a 2 year deal around 13 million per. Maybe someone like Seth Smith for left field
You need your medical marijuana card revoked. First off the Angels don’t need much. A good LF. Calhoun moves to left after sign Trumbo to play RF.
Richards,,Skaggs and Shoemaker are our 3 SP.. I’m sure we can find decent SP’s
I like to see Calib play 2B.
Giovatella’s slash line doesn’t tell his offensive story, for 2015 at least. I’m sure someone could correct me on this but he was one of the top clutch hitters in the game. #1 in go ahead/winning hits for much of the year, if not all year.
Too bad for Johnny this isn’t the NBA. Robert Horry made a career off being ineffective 47 out of 48 minutes a game.
Multi-position versatility is a speaking benefit for a professional player. By the way I do my assignment about Giavotella and I don’t think Angels need somebody else.