The Angels announced that outfielder Juan Lagares has been signed to a new minor league deal. The former Gold Glove winner will report to Anaheim’s Triple-A affiliate.
Lagares also signed a minors deal with the Halos prior to last season, and ended up seeing quite a bit of action at the big league level. Lagares hit .236/.266/.372 over 327 plate appearances and 112 games in 2021, and defensive metrics were a little split on Lagares’ glovework — +2 Defensive Runs Saved and +1 Outs Above Average for his 784 1/3 outfield innings, but a -1 UZR/150.
Long known as an outstanding defender, Lagares can provide depth at all three outfield positions, and might not spend too much time in the minors. Los Angeles has a starting trio of Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, and Brandon Marsh, with rookie Aaron Whitefield just called up today to work as the fourth outfielder. With Jo Adell still working things out in the minors, Lagares provides a more experienced option to Whitefield should the rookie not be ready for MLB action. Lagares and Whitefield are both right-handed hitters, so they could spell the left-handed hitting Marsh when a southpaw is on the mound.
Should Lagares reach the Angels’ active roster, it will mark a 10th big league season for the 33-year-old. Lagares spent the first eight of those seasons with the Mets, usually working as a backup or platoon outfielder but also getting some time as the everyday center fielder. Lagares caught on with the Angels last winter, and re-entered the free agent market back in November.
Lagares played well for the Angels last year so not a bad pickup
Thank you Johnny Superscout
@ thekid9….thank you Johnny Smart Ass; can’t help but wonder how many checks you’ve written with your mouth that you body can’t cash.
With his weak CF is league-wide, I’m surprised he wasn’t already on an MLB bench…
Glove has slipped, bat is non existent
Made no sense to release Upton.
They’re doing fine with out Upton. He’s done anyway.
Upton would want everyday AB’s that they wouldn’t be giving him. The surprising thing is that he hasn’t signed anywhere else either
He’s done, didn’t you see the post above yours?
I guess I missed all the teams lining up to offer him a deal on the league minimum (pro-rated at that). Average to below average hitter, virtually useless in the field. Done.
Exactly. They’re paying Upton millIons to not play for them and digging through the trash heap for a 4th outfielder.
To anyone who says he wouldn’t be happy as a 4th OF, oh well. He’d be happy enough to collect a check and platoon bat for the money. I doubt he’d quit and if he did it would save Angels some money. This is what happens when you have a new GM every few years. They don’t mind cutting guys they never signed.
But he’s not an ideal 4th OFr cuz he can barely play LF. A fourth OFr needs to play more then just a poor LF.
Releasing Upton was the best move we’ve made since releasing Pujols. Upton stinks.
Woo-hoo! More OF’s to platoon with Marsh. I can hear the big brain imploding now.
Ring?
Guess they can trade Trout now.
One of my favorite players for about 2 years with the Mets.
Was a force in CF; did just enough with the bat, and was always on the verge of a breakout that never came.
For those couple of years, he was one of the best defensive CFs I’ve ever seen. Covered so much ground and got great reads on the ball. It’s too bad injuries and hitting inconsistencies kept him from putting it together.
The Angels are winning that’s all that matters
Angels need to trade for Bumgarner
Pitching like in his prime and can lead the staff.
Especially in the play offs.