The Angels were exploring the market for prominent right-handed hitters, checking in with such notable names as Trey Mancini, J.D. Davis, and Luke Voit, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link). However, that search may now be limited if not over, as after signing Ryan Tepera, the Angels appear only willing to significantly stretch their payroll for a starting pitcher, rather than a position player.
With Tepera signed for two years and $14MM, Roster Resource projects the Angels for a payroll of roughly $188.3MM, and a luxury tax number of just under $204MM. The latter figure is well under the $230MM luxury tax threshold, and while the Angels have been willing to spend in general under Arte Moreno, it is clear Moreno considers the CBT threshold to be something of a barrier, as the Halos have only paid the tax once during Moreno’s ownership (in 2004, his second year owning the franchise).
In terms of pure dollars, the Angels had roughly $179MM on the books in 2020 before accounting for the prorated salaries of the shortened season, and then around $182MM in payroll last season. So while the current $188.3MM payroll represents some increase, surely some Angels fans won’t be pleased at the idea that this Los Angeles-based team is hesitating about further spending, particularly since the Halos are coming off six losing seasons, and seven seasons without a playoff appearance.
If the club is only willing to spend in one area, focusing on pitching rather than hitting does make sense from a roster-building perspective. In a response to the club’s long-standing pitching woes, the Angels added Noah Syndergaard and Michael Lorenzen to the rotation mix this year, though both of those hurlers come with some injury concerns. Plus, the Angels have an even greater need for pitching than most other clubs since L.A. is deploying a six-man rotation — Syndergaard, Lorenzen, Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Sandoval, Jose Suarez, and Jaime Barria, and look to be the top six choices, with top prospect Reid Detmers in the wings.
The three names cited by Rosenthal also represent somewhat curious fits for the Angels, considering that Ohtani will get most of the DH at-bats and Jared Walsh is penciled into regular first base duty. Voit is a pure first baseman but presumably no longer an option anyway since the Yankees already dealt him to the Padres. Mancini has some outfield experience but is perhaps best suited at first base. The same could be said of Davis, as while he has spent the majority of his big league career as a third baseman and left fielder, his defensive struggles at both positions could ultimately lead him to a future path as a first baseman/DH type.
Walsh is somewhat in the same boat, as he can play a corner outfield spot in a pinch, but isn’t known for his outfield glove. Walsh also struggles against left-handed pitching, so the Angels are looking for a righty bat who can spell Walsh when a southpaw is on the mound. The Los Angeles outfield picture consists of the returning Mike Trout (who could be moving out of center field), highly-touted young prospects Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh, bench option Taylor Ward, and veteran Justin Upton, who has himself been getting some reps as a first baseman. It could be that in lieu of landing a new right-handed bat to share time with Walsh at first base, the Halos might now be prepping Upton for the role if he can adjust to the new position.
Though recent reports suggested that the Mets were looking to keep Davis, rumors have swirled for months about his trade availability, particularly as New York has added several other position players this winter. Davis missed over half of the 2021 season due to injuries, but he has hit a very solid .288/.373/.472 over 893 PA in three seasons with the Mets. Davis will earn $2.76MM this season, and while his addition wouldn’t necessarily be a big financial hit for the Angels, he would likely come at a notable trade cost since Davis is controlled through the 2024 season.
Mancini will be a free agent next winter, and thus would be cheaper on the trade front. Money-wise, Mancini and the Orioles could be going towards an arbitration hearing, as Mancini filed for an $8MM salary in 2022 while the O’s offered $7.375MM. As the Orioles continue to rebuild, they haven’t shown any inclination towards retaining their veterans, Mancini included — The Athletic’s Dan Connolly reports that the O’s haven’t talked to Mancini about a contract extension. After sitting out of the 2020 season to battle cancer, Mancini made a triumphant return to the field last year, winning AL Comeback Player Of The Year honors while hitting .255/.326/.432 with 21 home runs over 616 PA for Baltimore.
thank god the A’s will take last, but the Angles will be close
Another troll makes his way. Do you feel better about yourself?
Fans that come on threads about other teams just to talk smack have real issues.
The Angels, Yankees, Phillies, Padres are all teams that essentially have to spend their way out of trouble.
As such, it’s been a little frustrating for Yankee fan as we don’t seem to have quite done enough. Seems the Angels are behaving similarly.
This is like a record with a skip in it, So basically, the Angels want a new team?
2 little, 2 late
No.
However: they would like another SP & another RH bat.
I like the Angels, always have, but they never close the deal. It is 2 little 2 late.
They have some pieces, but the whole pie is missing. Who are they getting at this point to make a difference?
Bro. They have the two best players in MLB.
The Angels *have* difference makers. They also have a deserved reputation for constructing “top heavy” rosters.
Quite reasonably, they are looking to add capable role players. Of which, there are still some options. I think that is *exactly* what they should be doing & signals a different approach.
Jered Walsh was an All-Star and should be given full time play. It’s so ridiculous to think that they would spend money in anything but badly needed starting pitching. That would shock me and make me angry.
Walsh will be given every opportunity to hit LH pitchers but 196/225/380 is not acceptable.
If he doesn’t start hitting LH pitchers soon, he has to be platooned, and in critical saturations, he needs to be pinch hit for now. The Angels can’t afford to have a 196/225/380 hitter up with the game on the line.
You can huff & puff & blow your own house down. This is what the Angels seem to do best. You can have the 2 or 3 best in BB but still not have the FO to put it together.
Nope
Dude, I’m not an Angels fan. Just pointing out what should be fairly obvious.
that would be acute, wouldn’t it?
Davis is making three mil so makes no sense.
Listening to a fantasy baseball podcast, I heard one of the pitching gurus say the Angels rotation has a chance to be sneaky good. I agree with that.
The Angels will have one of the worst middle infield combinations in baseball. Get a shortstop!!!! Fletcher can’t handle it, and if he moves to short whoever they put at second can’t handle that.
This is yet another unforced off-season error.
Agree. Strange to say it but their biggest need is a SS. At this point Iglesias, released last year, would have been an upgrade over what they have.
I didn’t understand that move to release him either. He had a career high in errors, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be as bad this year…
I thought they cut him to see if they had a replacement on their current roster. Once it became obvious they didn’t, I thought they get a shortstop this off-season.
I think Perry did a good job this off-season, but not getting a shortstop was an unnecessary unforced error. I just don’t get it.
Thing is, there were a whole lot of very good shortstops this offseason. They could have had one of them, moved Fletcher to 2B, and had Duffy cover a bench role at 2B/3B when someone got hurt or needed to be spelled. But no, instead Tyler Wade is next guy up, and two of those shortstops went to a division rival – Texas.
They can try to trade Oakland for Montas or Manaea but that would mean thinning out an already thin farm system.
I feel the Mets trading one of Smith, or Davis makes some sense. while they arw great bench bats, you could certainly get more value in swapping them for, say, prospects or RP help.
JD Davis to the Angels . Bring Loup back . Mets need LH bullpen help.
Where would he play? Rendon is already at 3rd. That trade doesn’t make sense.
LF/1B most likely
They’re not gonna trade Loup, especially after just signing him.
Right handed bat? Their lineup is already mostly right handed except for Ohtani and Walsh
Brandon Marsh is also a left handed bat.
I like what we have…not real confident about either short or 2nd wherever Fletch doesn’t play. But if we are in it then I could see a trade for fixing holes that are on the team. Of course we could use an arm or two in the rotation or pen….what team doesn’t? Gotta see how it all shakes out. Health can be the decision factor once again
Fletch doesn’t go to his left well and doesn’t have the arm to go into the hole. It’s a bad combinations.
Fletcher had two plays in the first today, and his weak arm was on full display. A quick release does not make up for that.
And I’d rather him play second rather than having a weak shortstop and second basemen.
Not saying your wrong Halo but I wonder how Eck would be viewed today
Analytics weren’t as prevalent in his day so maybe his “Rudy” schtick wouldn’t have played as well in 2022… Interesting to ponder…talk about a quick release tho
I remember how Eck was viewed. He was non tendered and was let go. The Angels brought in Cabrera.
And unlike Fletcher, Eck could go to his left. And like Fletcher, he couldn’t go into the hole.
Fletcher can play second base very well. Eck’s Angels had second basemen.
I think Eck was a better shortstop than Fletcher. Eck could plant and throw and get a little behind the ball. I’m not sure Fletcher can plant and throw. Sometimes you need to plant and throw, especially when you are the cutoff man.
I think Eckstein and Fletcher games are very similar. I think Fletcher would be a little better defensively. Fletcher is a superb defensive 2nd baseman, but I believe the best you can hope for at SS is about league average. Unfortunately, league average may be the best out of the Angel’s current available option. He did not look good today in spring training. In a bit of irony, he looked bad 2 times with Andelton Simmons at the plate.
I hope Fletcher can hit again. He was over 300 in the first half, but down near the Mendoza line the 2nd half.. Hopefully, he can return to form.
I hope we don’t find out that Fletcher is average. My guess is he’ll be way below average.
According to stat cast Fletcher can’t go to his left. He’s very good at coming in. But what good is that at shortstop, where because of his arm, he has to come in?
At this point, I don’t believe there are any viable options at this point. There were a lot of big time free agents available this off season, but I don’t think the Angels were in the market for a big time SS. The one that comes to mine to fit the bill for what the Angels were looking for was A Simmons and they probably felt slighted by him since he quit on the team not long ago.
I thought that Villar wudda been a good Angels pickup. I’m sure he’s not outstanding defensively, but he runs and has pop and wouldn’t be expensive.
What about Giancarlo Stanton?
No
i 2nd the no
@MrAngelFan
Why x 2?
I think its kinda obvious. He makes about $30M per year He has a total of 3 WAR over the past 3 seasons. He gets hurt a lot. He is a defensive liability. The Angels can’t use him at DH, they kinda already have one.
@James1955
Why?
The Angels would be better off with Starlin Castro
@Rsox
Well, he’s a FA. Why not sign him?
If I remember correctly, Castro had some character issues. Arte doesn’t bring in those kind of players.
Villar
Davis for a left hander reliever could work, although the Angels should be hesitant to give up an arm. I really like the Halos bullpen additions this offseason.
JD Davis for Aaron Loup
Not happening
Angels needed pitching far more than hitting. So, no. They shudda signed Villar, who has power and speed.
I had no idea they were looking for a right handed hitter (considering their lineup is primarily right handed). Upton has been taking reps at 1st, that’s the most likely “platoon” scenario.
On any given night the Angels will have 5 or 6 RH hitters in their lineup. Arte is again trying to bypass starting pitching in hopes of bludgeoning the other team
Even if all your pitchers throw no-hitters every night, you would need some offense as well or you’re not going to win.
Trout, Ohtani, Rendon, Walsh, Adell, Marsh.. the potential for a beastly offense is there.. just hoping the bullpen holds up.
I don’t think he was saying that. No one in their right mind would say the Angels can’t hit.
Given that Trout and Rendon haven’t been able to stay on the field the past few years for the whole year, I can’t assume that they’ll be at top form. So, you always need depth. Adell and Marsh were horrible last year and aren’t showing promise.
Why wouldn’t you, as an owner, get some depth for your team?
Adell isn’t showing promise? He cut his k rate to 23%. Based on 520 ABs last year, he was on a 20 HR, 100 RBI season. And he’s 22.
I like Marsh, but I’m less sold on Marsh. He strikes out a lot, but that’s combined with a low launch angle. He either needs to strike out less or increase the angle. And it’s not like he tore it up last year.
Syndergaard and Lorenzen in the same rotation. Yikes.
Heaney and Anderson in the same rotation… yikes I could say such a thing about 25 rotations.
it’s not very good analysis.
The team desperately needs SP and MI and good ol’ Peary is looking at adding an SUV? WTH Peary?!!
The Angels don’t desperately need help in their starting rotation.
What they need is their rotation to stay relatively healthy and pitching depth that doesn’t stink.
They have enough talent in the starting rotation.
GM’s look at many option and ask about many players. I would not read into much about looking at RH bats. This season or off seasonnext halos need to extend Ohtani. Maybe add depth in SP like a Chris Archer or Brett Anderson on minor league deals. SS halos have other option such as Tyler Wade, Jake Mayfield and Andrew Velaquez. If Syndergaard healthy and in 6 man rotation watch out for halos this year.
I was hoping the Angels would acquire a LH hitting SS to balance the lineup. That said, some combination of Fletcher, Rengifo, Wade and Velazquez can man the position for a few months until one becomes available in advance of the trade deadline. Though he hits RH, Nick Ahmed should be available as early a June. The roster will be upgraded throughout the season – SS, RP and maybe a SP.
Didi is available….make an offer..
I wouldn’t mind Didi. Since Ohtani is both a hitter and a pitcher, they can afford to carry 2 utility infielders.
@Halo Sometimes I dont understand your thought process sometimes.. You don’t like Fletcher because he can’t go to his left, but you’re ok with Didi who is even worse at going to his left. Plus, he can’t go right. He can’t hit. He is set to make $15M next year. He makes no sense for the Angels.
My feeling is that the Phils will need to pick up at least $10M of next year’s salary to get any team to consider picking up .the phone.
Fletchers value is in his defense. I’m not sure he can hit. Is he the guy in the first half, or is he the guy in the second half? He has no power and doesn’t walk.
Statcast shows he can’t go to his left, you’re eyes tell you he doesn’t have the arm to go to his right at short.
I don’t know who he is, but I know he’s not a shortstop, and I’d be shocked if he was a plus defender there.
Didi is not a good shortstop, but at least you will not have Fletcher playing out of position.
Why on earth are the angels not go after a shortstop. It is by far their largest weakness and it’s not even acknowledged. The only belief is that Perry believes the majority of the SS value is defensive as a position?
Walsh is a little better than a “pinch” he had a game saving catch in the All Star Game
Andujar might be available…
Makes no sense why the Angels would need a righthanded bat with potentially six right handed hitting starters in the lineup (assuming Duffy starts over Wade) and Justin Upton on the bench. They need one more left handed bat, but they need another starter more.
Fletcher cannot play short. Neither can anyone else on this team. At least not according to statcast.
I don’t see how either Duffy or Wade can start. Why do we have two of these guys I will never know.
Today’s game shows we definitely have a shortstop problem. Just glad its a practice game.
How about Ozuna ? Bet Atlanta would trade him.
The Angels don’t need an outfielder and Arte wouldn’t bring him in even if he was a shortstop.
Get Kevin Newman from the Pirates to play SS. He can field with the best of them.
That actually wouldn’t be a terrible idea for the Angels and wouldn’t cost a lot. Oneal Cruz will be up at some point and the Pirates have a few other SS options in the interim
Not much left in free agency. You have to give up top prospects in a trade.
So the premise of a righty bat was for someone to potentially spell Walsh at 1B against lefties. It seems this could be an added role for Matt Duffy. He’s 6’2″” and an IF with very limited experience at 1B but given playing IF he should be able to handle that limited role when needed. Yes the Halos should have made a better move at SS.
And I know some think they are ok with their rotation. But I’m not so sure that what they have is quite there yet. I heard similar comments like this from Halos fans (I live in the OC) last year, and how dis that work out. Like every team, if things work out well maybe they’re ok. But they rarely do. With Canning and Rodriguez, possibly decent depth options, hitting the 60 IL some back end help couldn’t hurt.
But dare I say it, there is a righty hitting 1B still available in FA that shouldn’t be too pricey (unless Arte gets involved). Have you heard of Albert Pujols?
We saw Shohei literally carry this team on his back last season. It’s time for someone other than Trout or Ohtani to step up. If they can get key guys to produce and stay healthy (esp the pitching), it could be an interesting season.
If Trout and Ohtani both finish in the top three in MVP, I like this teams odds.
And if they are healthy, that’s an easy bet to win.
Notani was getting closer to the Mendoza line in the second half with a handful of HRs. Doesn’t sound like carrying the team to me.
Jd davis to the angels for cash an couple of 4a caliber minor leaguers makes sense for both sides
The Angels don’t need another utility player. They don’t need another outfield.
They could use another starting pitcher, but they desperately need us a shortstop
Will never happen b/c of Sd but a trade of
Meyers Kim and Profar for Jupton could probably benefit both teams long term
Sd cleans up the future ledger, takes a (small-ish) hit this year
Angels get a Ss, RH bat upgrade in Meyers>Upton.
Perhaps anahiem adds a couple lottery tickets as well but nothing too big
Profar is a little bit of dead weight to persuade Sd and can fill a utility role Ana needs currently
Myers and Profar are free Agents at seasons end as is Upton and Kim isn’t expensive. This deal neither clears any future ledgers or has any long term effect other than the Angels getting Kim, who the Padres are probably not ready to give up on after only one season
Profar has a 8.3 million player option for 23 and then a 1 mill b/o for 24 left
Kim, maybe? But I wasn’t impressed what I saw last year …tough circumstance/time to move out of country I get it ,but good chance that contracts underwater as well today. Lotta cash hidden in those 2 players
Id assume they’d get some prospect capital along with the savings ….tho as I mentioned SD probably isn’t capable of sidestepping today as they are All In on an open ended straight it seems
I bring this up mainly as Ana had big interest in Kim before inking with SD and the fit is perfect
Bohm and either Segura or Didi for Adell
If the Angels aren’t willing to trade Adell in a package for a starting pitcher? Why would they trade him for a guy who is a defensive liability no matter where you play him and Segura? And as for Didi, he has less trade value than Upton. No one is trading for him. Unless the Phillies package him with Wheeler.
Why would the Phillies trade two Infielders they actually need for an OF they really don’t?
GMs dont view the conclusion of Spring Training as an end point. They are constantly assessing their team and exploring ways to improve. The 26/28 man roster that starts the season is not the same group that will end the season.
For the Angels, if they’re healthy and playing solid ball through May, Im guessing they will upgrade at SS. If they’re in the playoff hunt thru June, they will look to fortify the BP, as well. They don’t need to have all the pieces on day one.
I couldn’t see Mancini making much sense for the Angels. He’s a natural 1B that forced his way onto the Orioles roster with his hitting skills. That left DH and corner OF as positions left open, and because of the softball lineup the Orioles deploy, DH was already occupied by other “corner INF/OF/” DH types. That’s still the case now.
At this stage of his career and after battling cancer, DH and 1B seem to be the best options defensively for him. He really shouldn’t be in the OF. Sure he is on a 1 year deal, but that would be a lot of money to spend for an off the bench PH bat.
Macini is a great character player. A team guy, plays hard, gives you all he has. It is a shame the O’s will kick him to the curb after all he’s done for this team, but the time has come to move on. I just don’t think this move makes sense for the Angels.
Why are Angel fans nervous ? Relax.! You just locked up Max Stassi
Cleveland is loaded with MIF. Could be a trade partner.
Ahmed Rosario does make sense for the Angels
RSox, He sure does.
Yes but he makes more sense for the team he’s already on.
Red Sox got the best of that deal with the Orioles. Rodriguez has turned into a very good starting pitcher that we gave away for a late season rental that didn’t pan out. in victory for the Orioles, even though Miller was very good in his stint here in Baltimore.
For better or worse, the Angels have built a team that’ll try to out pummel the other team and then have a good bullpen to close out the game. It seems Arte thinks a 7-5 win is more entertaining than a 3-1 win. And he’s kinda right.
With Ohtani and hopefully Thor, we have a good chance to win the 3-1 games against the other teams best pitchers, but the other games will be higher scoring.
As a longtime Angels fan my favorite games are 9-1 wins with a lot of early runs so I can relax and watch the game knowing it is in the bag. But with all our decent young starting pitchers (they aren’t great, but they’re certainly decent) it looks like we are going to have a lot of high scoring nail biters because Arte thinks those games are the most entertaining. I hope it works.