The Angels are among the teams interested in free-agent infielder Josh Harrison, Jon Morosi of MLB.com tweets. They join the Nationals, Yankees, Reds, Astros, Brewers and Giants as teams that have shown interest in Harrison since the Pirates declined his club option after last season.
Harrison has picked up vast experience at both second and third base, making him a logical fit for the Angels. They’re currently set to start David Fletcher at the keystone and Zack Cozart at the hot corner in 2019, though there are concerns with both players. Cozart struggled mightily in 2018, the first season of a three-year, $38MM contract, before his campaign ended in late June on account of left shoulder surgery. Fletcher’s defense helped net him an impressive 1.9 fWAR in just 307 plate appearances, on the other hand, but as evidenced by a .275/.316/.363 line with one home run, the 24-year-old wasn’t exactly an imposing offensive presence.
Of course, while both Cozart and Fletcher come with question marks, the same is true of Harrison. He held his own at times in Pittsburgh, especially during a 4.8-fWAR campaign in 2014 and a 2.6-fWAR showing in 2017, but endured his share of down seasons as a Pirate. Just last season, the 31-year-old Harrison hit a mere .250/.293/.363 (78 wRC+) in 374 PAs and offered almost no power (eight home runs, .113 ISO).
Harrison’s 2018 offensive numbers may have taken a hit as a result of the fractured left hand he suffered in mid-April, and it’s worth noting he has been a roughly league-average hitter throughout his career. Combining Harrison’s normally competent offense with the plus defense he has shown off at both second and third, it’s no surprise plenty of teams are eyeing him on what should be an affordable, short-term deal.
Josh Harrison would be a perfect fit for the Brewers
If he wanted to lose he’d stay with the brewers.
Josh Harrison has never played for the brewers so he cannot “stay” with them. Nice troll attempt though
Auto correct some how changed pirates to brewers. My ph1 is weird. If you were smart you’d get what I meant.
Just because I made a good point and said the wrong team because of auto correct doesnt make me a troll. Literally nothing I’ve ever posted has made me look like a troll.
Only trolls call out trolls.
Nice attempt at covering for your error. The edit was good too. A for effort……..C- for effectiveness…..I would not call you a troll but you should own up to the error in teams
Man this is the only app I use with so many people being the grammar and typing police. Who friggin cares ha!?!?!
As I said it was auto correct. I took out the term brewers out of my ph1 dictionary. I have to hit the checkmark to make sure it’s the right word.
braveshomer u mist a cupple commas their good try tho!
lol, dang you’re right
Brewers should get someone who can spell Arcia at short. I think Tulo or Hechavarria is better for them.
I would go for Hechavarria. Rumor has it that Tulo wants a promise of regular playing time at one position if he were to sign with someone.
Angels (Trout) need all the help they can get. Mike Trout deserves it.
TRADE TROUT!!!
never
I read this as Josh Hamilton at first
thanks for making me lose my lunch ha ha.
I did the exact same thing!!
Ditto
Almost barfed up my Shepherds Pie.
i thought it was about chris davis with his -2.8 war in ’18.
Is it fair to to say “Angels Interested in [insert name here]”?
Every team is interested in everybody to some degree.
Pass, it doesn’t seem like much of an upgrade
It’s not. Typical non-move by an incompetent organization.
Grow up.
Five years ago it finished with the best record in baseball. When was the last time the Sox did that?
Sox should be buying Christmas gifts to the 2005 umpiring crew every Christmas.
Ouch! Lol
1983 was the last time the White Sox had the best record in baseball at 99-63, which was one more than Baltimore and while that was their record in 2005, it was not the best as the Cardinals won one more game than they did.
Have the White Sox had the best player in baseball the last six years straight? Trout is 27 years old, and soon to be a free agent. You’d think the Angels would have a sense of urgency to win now. They haven’t had an ace-caliber pitcher there since Weaver in his prime. Go get one!
He’d be a solid bench piece.
if his price is low.
Hes a pesky scrappy player. He broke up rich hills no hitter in the bottom of the tenth. Of a 0-0 game. He doesn’t have a ton a power but hes a great clubhouse guy. Hes like brandon Phillips hes always smiling.
I agree, he will make any clubhouse better and will be a very good utility player for someone. That said, I hope that’s with his hometown reds. He along with Kemp would definitely bring some veteran leadership to fairly young team.
Agree. Stay away and use players from within the organization. Get some help on starting pitching and bullpen instead.
Only if there’s a trade. The Angels already have multiple options that should out perform Harrison in 2019 and beyond, plus Rengifo and Ward putting up good numbers in AAA.
Yep, Harrison would be redundant on a roster with Cozart and Fletcher plus Rengifo lying in wait.
Respectfully disagree, Harrison can play OF as well and is The type of utility player any team should want to have. Plays hard and has a great attitude, good in the community. Halo fans would love him. I think we should trade Calhoun for pitching, just throwing that out there.
Calhoun has no trade value whatsoever.
Lol I’m no Calhoun guy either but his arm and defense alone would give him value
Kole’s mom would certainly agree with you. MLB GMs however would say he’s not worth a AA lottery ticket unless the angels take on most of his salary.
News from the Machado front. Former beat writer, (can’t remember name, heard on 670 the score) who is close to Machado, says Phi, NYY and CHW submitted final offers. Says Machado will be a Yankee and news will be announced shortly after the New Year.
Former Baltimore bear writer*
Beat*
*beer writer? That would be a fun job 🙂
Shut up you’re not even old enough to taste beer let alone drink it.
on Twitter a baseball writer I don’t remember his name I heard on FAN in NY heard his credentials too and name a few times no clue I hope it’s not true
Its Dan Clark
Typical major market fan. Tramps on a thread to provide BS. Go shave your ass, pal
LOL!
Interest not a pen sign. I interest for Cindy Crawford, but she won’t be my 2B.
Angels offer him 2/14, and he signs.
The Angels would be better off signing Mike Moustakas. They need a LH power bat and a solid defensive third baseman.
Moose is one of those two.
Problem with Moustakas is that he thinks he’s REALLY good and wants to get laid really good baseball player money.
Moustakas is a terrible idea.
His power is disappearing, his strikeouts are increasing, he’s a human rain delay on the basepaths, and he’s never been significantly better than MLB average at 3B his career, aside from being modestly higher in 2012 and 2015–both of which are far in the rear view mirror of his career.
Of course they have interest. I think every team has interest. It is a question how much. Minor league deal? 1year deal? 13 year $320 mil?
I think these “interested” articles are made up just to have material to write about
Not a bad call.. The Angles have Ohtani and Pujolos, which means they needed a LH firstbaseman for at least 81 games. That greatly limits their roster.
Harrision means they have an extra infielder and outfielder in the same player, which for them is very desirable.
He’s a smart add.
Harrison hits from the right side.
I never really cared about that. I have a problem when RH hitters can’t hit RH pitchers.
I have a problem when major league hitters can’t hit pitchers.
True. But again, he’s a utility guy who should not get a lot of ABs.
With the Angels using three players who can only play DH and 1B, one player who can adequately play 2b, 3b, LF, RF has value..
Even someone caught in a Taco Bell drive through window should be able to see that.
Justin Bour was brought on as the lefty first baseman.
True, but the Angels are using 3 players for 1b and DH. Not the best way to utilize your roster, but it was out of necessity.
That leaves 12 pitchers. 2 Catchers and only 8 postilion players to cover three outfield spots and three infield spots.. Unless you have someone who can can play both infield and outfield that leaves one extra infielder and one extra outfielder. Getting someone who can play both has a lot of value for this team.
You keep writing “three players for 1B and DH”, but that doesn’t make it true.
Pujols and Bour are set for 1B. Ohtani and Pujols are planned for DH (but Ohtani may not be back in time for season opener). That’s three players over two spots, and since the positional spot is a platoon, there is no excess. Ohtani doesn’t play 1B.
As for players with positional flexibility, Cozart plays 3B, SS, and 2B, and Fletcher does that plus corner OF, LaStella plays 3B and 2B, with reps at 1B. The Angels are not without flexibility already. Harrison would add to that, but if the team went in a different direction it wouldn’t mean the roster was straitjacketed.
yes
His defense at 3B wasn’t anything more than passable the last time he saw substantial time there. He is quality 2B and OK elsewhere in a pinch.
This guy has a career 725 ops and they had a fairwell ceremony for him lol
Some things aren’t measurable by advanced statistics, yet still matter to an organization and fanbase. By all accounts a great teammate and clubhouse presence, always hustled, friendly and outgoing, and solid charitable work in the community. Fun to watch and easy to root for—I wish him the best of luck.
A month or two ago when he knew he wasnt going to be in living in PGH anymore he donated all the furniture in his house to a local charity instead of moving it after he bought a new house for himself in Cincinnati. Pretty classy farewell
Bold.
With needs to fill in the field and behind the plate, curious to see where the angels will prioritize move forward.
I can’t view leaderboard page for the contest. Is it just me?
Angels are interested in another player, while I’m interested in another burrito.
Which is more interesting?
Depends. Are we talking about a breakfast burrito or a bean and cheese burrito? Lol
Now I am hungry for a breakfast taco with some retried beans, eggs chees, a little sausage and a few dashes of hot sauce. Must have a quality tortilla though…..
Miguel Jr.? Are you named after the Mexican food joint here in SoCal?
Oh, the burritos were teriyaki chicken with avacado, cheese, and sour cream.
LMAO sufferfortribe!!
I guess the Angel’s “interested in another player” would be slightly more interesting than that Teriyaki Burrito of yours since they’re not on Miguel Jr’s menu!!
your being interested in another burrito. will we be able to watch the spectacle of your gut bursting out?
Pay-per-view.
Haters gotta hate. Not enough Kluber coverage this winter?
Who’s hating. I love burritos!
I dont see this happening. We have got plenty of talent in the minors ready to come up. Rengifo, Fletcher, Cozart and La Stella and Ward all in the mix. Angels with limited money still need a catcher and RP.
I got to watch Rengifo in High-A last season. Dude was outstanding, and his walk up music was cool.
Poor Trout. TRADE TROUT!!!
we’ll trade you to the mars when the wind blows at 200 mph.
Pass.
Funny. Angels fans think their team is too good for a hustling, positive guy who gives 100% every time out. What was their record last year again?
Harrison sucks.
angels. Please don’t get Harrison..we don’t need another average\below average 3rd\2nd with no upside. Get tulo , or stop trying and get a catcher \pen!