Prior to tonight’s game, the Angels announced that infielder Luis Rengifo had been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right hamstring strain. Righty Jaime Barria was also optioned to the team’s alternate training site, while the two open roster spots were filled by infielder Jahmai Jones and right-hander Luke Bard, both called up from the alternate site.
It’s been an altogether tough year for Rengifo, who hit only .156/.269/.200 over 106 PA and also had another IL stint due to hamstring problems at the start of the season. Rengifo didn’t do much with quite a bit of regular playing time this year, as he was needed at second base since Tommy La Stella often played at first base and Andrelton Simmons’ injury meant David Fletcher moved over to shortstop.
This performance came after Rengifo was on the verge of being traded back in February, as the Angels walked away at the last moment from a deal that would have sent Rengifo to the Dodgers as part of a trade package for Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling to Anaheim. While Rengifo is only 23 and has less than two years of MLB service time to his name, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his name again surface in trade talks this winter.
Jones is back in the big leagues after a one-game cup of coffee earlier this season that saw him make his MLB debut as a pinch-runner but not actually take the field or receive an at-bat. (Jones was in the Angels’ starting lineup and doubled in his first plate appearance tonight, however.) A second-round pick for the Angels in the 2015 draft, Jones was a consensus top-100 prospect as recently as the 2017-18 offseason, though a pair of unimpressive years at Double-A lowered his stock. The 23-year-old Jones has a career .258/.338/.386 slash line over 2159 PA in the minors, and has mostly played second base over the last two years but has plenty of experience in the outfield.
He sucks. Maddon will probably let Taylor Ward get reps at second to see if he can get a viable bat there for 2021.
In hindsight, Angels should have done the deal.
You can thank Arte for that one. I know he’s the owner of the team but you need to let the people you hire do their job and not meddle in things you know nothing about.
Jones hit an RBI single in his first PA and not a double. Just a heads up.
Have you looked at Joc and Ross’s stats for this season? They dodged a bullet rejecting that trade.
I agree that not giving up anything for Pederson is probably the right move… but I’m also not sure that giving up Rengifo is really giving up anything anyway…
I never really understood the appeal with Rengifo… I was shocked when he was almost the headliner in the deal for Joc Pederson… not that Pederson is a superstar either but personally I don’t see Rengifo as anything more than a borderline utility man. He had one good season in the minors but otherwise has just been mediocre and he isn’t particularly young either — idk I thought maybe I was missing something but given how significantly he’s struggled in the majors this year I think maybe I was right. Idk… if someone else has a different opinion and some legit reasons why I am wrong — I’d certainly be open to hearing them. I just personally don’t really see much value/potential there with him.
He’s not young ? He’s 23
23 is the new 29
I know the article is mainly about Rengifo but seeing as Pederson is mentioned (and the trade involving Rengifo was for him)… is Pederson arbitration eligible this off-season one final time or can he be a FA? And if he is Arb-Eligible — seeing as he made $7.5M this year… does it look like maybe he’s a non-tender candidate or will the Dodgers write off this season as an ‘outlier’/short-season and bring him back despite his troubles? If he winds up a FA and is looking for a 1-year “show me deal” he could be an interesting player to watch on the market. Could be an interesting signing for a team like the Red Sox who could be losing JBJ (and if they don’t feel comfortable with Pederson in CF could always go with Benintendi — or verdugo but more likely Benintendi) and give Pederson a shot in LF.
I can see the Dodgers letting him walk. Their outfield is set with Polluck, Bellinger, and Betts. Taylor and Keke and solid backups and I think if the DH were to stick, the Dodgers would prefer to give Rios a chance at it over Joc.
Pederson is a free agent Jeff. So is Kiki Hernandez. Considering both are underperforming this season I highly doubt a qualifying offer will be offered. But, stranger things have happened. Justin Turner received one in 2016 and I believe he cannot receive a second one.
Could see the Red Sox going after Springer or buying low on JBJ and adding a RH bat to platoon.
For a player who sucks and has literally done nothing in the big leagues, this little guy sure has made a lot of headlines over the past year.