The Angels have signed infielder Charles Leblanc to a minor league deal, per the transaction tracker on MLB.com. It’s unclear if the deal includes an invite to spring training.
Leblanc, 27, was a fourth-round pick by the Rangers in the 2016 draft. After spending six seasons at second and third base in Texas’s minor league system, Leblanc signed on with the Marlins on a minor league deal prior to the 2022 season. It didn’t take long for him to break into the big leagues with his new organization, as Miami called him up just before the trade deadline that July. Leblanc primarily played second base in the majors, though he did spend time at both first and third base as well. He did fairly well for himself at the dish in a bench role, slashing .263/.320/.404 in 169 plate appearances, good for a wRC+ of 104, though a 31.4% strikeout rate and a .374 BABIP both stood out as potential red flags.
Those concerns surely contributed to the Marlins designating Leblanc for assignment back in January, a move that cleared space on the 40-man roster for then-freshly signed infielder Jean Segura. Leblanc cleared outright waivers and remained in the Marlins organization for the 2023 campaign, spending the entire year at the Triple-A level. He once again split time between first, second, and third base and hit fairly well in 94 games at the level, slashing .253/.384/.423 in 370 trips to the plate with an eye-catching 16.5% walk rate. Following the 2023 season, Leblanc was once again eligible for minor league free agency, allowing him to sign on with the Halos ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Looking ahead to next season, Leblanc could prove to be a valuable piece of non-roster infield depth for the Angels. The club lost Gio Urshela to free agency earlier this month, and while Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel, and Luis Rengifo could form a solid trio of young infielders for the club, Anthony Rendon has struggled to stay healthy in recent years and Brandon Drury profiles as a likely trade candidate if the Angels look to retool with franchise face Shohei Ohtani likely headed elsewhere in free agency this winter. Given those question marks, it’s certainly possible that there’s a path back to the majors available for Leblanc in Anaheim next year.
slow go on the signings..need some breaking news!
Angels being aggressive?
That’s what Perry calls being aggressive.
Perry is yet another GM that always looks trashed when on TV.
if I was the Angels GM, I would be trashed all the time
At last, the big splash we’ve been waiting for.
The Angels are contending with him leading the way.
I wouldn’t call anything the Angels have done as aggressive if they do not resign Ohtani.
My opinion of signing Ohtani is the same as signing Garrett Cole. An Ohtani contract would cripple the Angels for the next decade, assuming an AAV of 40m-50m. I’d pass, especially knowing his ability to pitch in the future is in question.
I agree, the only way Ohtani works, or if he’s interested in coming back, is to increase payroll so his salary doesn’t take up such a significant percentage.
only if arte keeps spending like the team plays in san antonio and not LA with good tv deal
He probably would’ve been better than Jean Segura.
I think this is the big slash Angel fans have been waiting for. This likely pushed them into playoff contention.
Just keep in mind that Harper signing with the Phillies propelled the Nationals to a WS title.
Hemlock gives you both a Leblanc stare.
Minasian has said several times since the end of the season they are going to be competitive, and it doesn’t seem likely Washington on a two-year contract and those coaches signed on to a “retooling” year. “Retooling” is open to interpretation but it seems likely from the GM’s comments they’ll again be a top 10 payroll.
Trout and Rendon are over $75 million. Add in Andersonbabd Esteves and there’s $100 million on four players.
Unless they dumpster dive it’ll be tough not to be a top 10 payroll
Yep, good point. If there is good news, Esteves will be gone after this season and Anderson after 2025. So if they want to backfill contracts now that should be an option.
And is the reason that they should get rid of everyone they can for prospects and do a rebuild that allows them to compete for years to come.
Hot Stove has turned into a tepid smoldering backyard mulch fire.
Am I suppose to care?
Not a bad MiLB signing for organizational depth. When Rendon, Drury, and Rengifo land on the DL, they’ll have Stefanic and/or Leblanc to call up.
Sad, but true.
There’s also David Fletcher who I forgot about…
If they don’t move, not sure what they were doing with him.
Stefanic has Ben a bust so far
What’s the deal with fletcher again, does he have to stay on the roster this year.
His contract is guaranteed, so the Angels must pay him no matter what. They can remove him from the 40-man roster, as they did last season, but must pass him through waivers first. They’d love for another team to take Fletcher and his remaining contract as is, but that won’t happen.
Charles LeBlanc sounds more like an insurance salesman’s name than an athlete.
Charles De Mar!
Roy Stalin : You’d make a fine little helper. What’s your name?
Charles De Mar : Charles De Mar.
Roy Stalin : Shut up, geek.
Angels should scrap the showtime pursuit and use that coin for Yamamoto & Imanaga.
Wouldn’t be against it, but they need atleast two solid relievers, and a bat if they let ohtani go
Good idea, but will top free agents even want to come to the Angels after they couldn’t win with Ohtani? Will be interesting to see what the Angels are selling them.
Maybe yariel Rodriguez. Cuban defector that played in Japan might not be too picky.
The Angels’ signing of Charles is expected to lead to a contract with MATT Leblanc.
Once they get him and Jennifer Aniston on board the Angels will be ready for that playoff run.
I wonder If the LAA go full rebuild that includes not resign S O and trading Mike T and get rid of A R even pay 90% of his contract.
They have a low cost Manger and same as a general Manger.
Just asking folks
Rendon will get released if they have to pay 90% of his contract, he’s really not that bad for the 30 games he plays, trout will have to ask for a trade. Pretty sure he’s content with staying on angels.
Trout said what he had to say at the end of the season and it was partially motivated trying to keep Ohtani. The day it is announced Ohtani has left is the day Trout’s family gets in his ear about leaving. It’s simple math–Trout is 32. Do you really think Trout is willing to coast on sub .500 teams for two more seasons going into his age-35 season? I don’t buy it. I think he respectfully tells the Angels he’s open to being moved to certain teams…. Dodgers, Phillies, Yankees, Mets– if they can do a deal? The only way this doesn’t happen is if Moreno says he’s ready to add three starters and relief core and a middle infielder, DH and outfielder– is that going to happen?
Even if they wanted to, it might be difficult to move Troyt because he has a full no-trade clause, really loves living there, and apparently doesn’t mind all the losing.
Mike Trout isn’t going anywhere.
How you doin’?
Crap on sale is still crap.
Why did the Marlins send him down? His career BABIP in the minors is 0.340 so having part of the season with a BABIP of 0.374 isn’t unusual.
For me I’m happy is from Quebec hope i will play couple more game in major good luck
Holy crap Peary!! WTF is this???
What a sad, lost organization…. This is embarrassing