The Angels are one of the clubs with interest in free agent Joey Votto, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
Votto, 40, is a free agent for the first time in his career after spending parts of 17 seasons with the Reds. His performance was excellent in many of those years but he’s coming off some recent struggles. He has been dealing with a significant shoulder injury that required surgery in 2022, with the effects lingering into 2023. He hit just .204/.317/.394 over those two seasons, production that translates to a wRC+ of 95, or 5% worse than league average.
But he has been among the best hitters in the game in the past and was in good form as recently as 2021. He hit 36 home runs that year and drew walks in 14.4% of his plate appearances. His .266/.375/.563 slash line during that season led to a wRC+ of 140, or 40% better than league average. He also received strong grades for his glovework at first base, helping him produce 3.8 wins above replacement in the eyes of FanGraphs and 3.7 WAR per the calculations of Baseball Reference.
Perhaps it may be asking too much for a club to expect Votto to get back to that kind of production as he is now 40 years old, but if he’s able to get beyond the shoulder issues and produce at a level beyond the past two seasons, he could still be a useful contributor. His hometown Blue Jays have also been connected to him in rumors this offseason but a return to Cincinnati seems to be off the table.
With only three weeks until pitchers and catcher report to Spring Training, the Angels have question marks both at first base and designated hitter. The DH spot has been utilized primarily by Shohei Ohtani in recent years, though he has now moved across town to the Dodgers. At first base, Nolan Schanuel was rushed up to the majors to take over the position last year. He was only just drafted in July and made a handful of minor league appearances before making his debut in the big leagues.
Remarkably, he managed to carry himself well despite the short track record of professional experience. In his first 132 plate appearances, he showed Votto-esque discipline, drawing walks at a 15.2% clip while striking out only 14.4% of the time. He only hit one home run, giving him a hunched batting line of .275/.402/.330, though that was still good for a wRC+ of 112. Despite that solid debut, Schanuel has just 51 games of professional experience and just 29 in the majors. For a club like the Angels with plans on contending this year, it’s a risk to be relying on him.
The club would be wise to get some insurance in case he experiences a swoon or the league figures out a way to attack him. Brandon Drury is on the roster and could play some first, but he also may be needed at second base or third base. Anthony Rendon is the on-paper option at the hot corner but he hasn’t played as many as 60 games in a season since 2019, meaning Drury may be needed over there. Miguel Sanó was recently added into the first base mix via minor league deal, though he sat out the 2023 season and had a rough injury-marred season the year before. Hunter Dozier was also signed to a minors pact but his only two above-average seasons at the plate were the juiced ball season of 2019 and the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.
Bolstering the first base mix makes plenty of sense, especially with the designated hitter spot open for extra at-bats in the event Schanuel is justifying a regular role. The first base market has recently started to move, with Sanó, Rhys Hoskins, Joey Gallo and Trey Mancini all signing in the past few days. Cody Bellinger is capable of playing some first base and still out there, though will be primarily considered an outfielder and is in a different stratosphere than the other available free agents.
Brandon Belt, Garrett Cooper and Carlos Santana are some of the other guys out there with Votto. Justin Turner isn’t likely to be counted on for everyday action in the field but can play the infield a bit while mostly DHing. The open market also features names like J.D. Martinez, Joc Pederson and Jorge Soler, who could be used as primary designated hitters with varying degrees of outfield playability. The Halos have been connected to big bats like Bellinger and Martinez in this offseason.
The Angels should have plenty of payroll space available, assuming they are willing to get close to the competitive balance tax line again, as they did last year. Roster Resource currently pegs their CBT number at $187MM, which is $50MM below this year’s base threshold of $237MM. Replacing an elite bat like Ohtani’s won’t be easy but they should have resources available to make upgrades to the current lineup in some form or another.
This is the ultimate Arte move. We have a kid who is only going to get better but he’ll pay big money for a guy who can only get worse.
HHJJ, you know Arte, anyone with star power attached to their name haha
There’s an opening on the banners out front!
Precisely…
You know when I said I was confused? This is just another one of those times. It’s like Arte is taking all the money he doesn’t have to pay Ohtani and having a stripper, Make it rain episode. SMH
Yeah, Votto just doesn’t make sense. If he truly is healthy again, what’s his ceiling? Probably the same as what u have in Schanuel. A lefty and high OBP guy. I can’t see this happening.
Let Nolan play 1B, put Votto at 3B LOL
Rendon 22 homers over last four years
Votto 72 homers over last four years
Did they really write “with plans on contending this year”?
Sorry Trumbo, I know you like the Angels, but I don’t see them within 10 games of Houston or Texas after 162 games, hope you guys at least add Snell or Monty
I thought the exact same thing about the contending remark! Lmao! That had to be tongue in cheek – no way that was serious lmao!
Minasian has said they intend to contend this year. So whatever you think about the likelihood of the Angels contending, it’s not something that the author made up.
They can contend if they spend their last $50 mil effectively, perhaps make a trade. Remember, they likely didn’t make the playoffs last year bc of injuries and regression in the rotation. A top SP and good DH makes up for a lot of Ohtani.
Manny, that’s OK. You keep speaking the ugly truth!! Haha
conin – They didn’t make the playoffs last year because the BP lost too many games. The BP was ranked fourth worst in blown leads in 2023. Every team had injuries including every playoff team. The Angels had no depth to cover them. Spending 50m wisely means they get a top end starter and Bellinger.
Getting Snell and Belli would make up for Ohtani and get them to where they were last year, the last wild card spot requires a lot of luck for them and contending for the division is almost a pipe dream. If they add Snell and Duval, I could see Angels go maybe 78-84.
Yeah I got a good laugh out of that planning on contending this year line. I’d like to know how they plan on doing that. Losing a top 3 player in baseball and replacing him with a top 3 player in baseball from 10 years ago isn’t how you do that. Arte never learns.
Rob, do you live in Texas now? Did you live in New York before?
prov356- A big part of why the BP was as bad as it was the way it was managed. A lot of other things they did really bad. I have confidence in this new staff to improve those areas. They did have some replacement depth and kept adding. A large portion of them got hurt too. Some played hurt with a drop in performance. The opening day roster had only 2 pitchers NOT go on the injured list. Tell me how many any teams had that. If the same amount of injuries happen in 2024, it won’t matter who they sign because they will just be on the IL. Fangraph’s 24 player projections has the Angels , After a big hit by losing Ohtani and predicting a terrible BP at a 500 team. I think Washington and staff is perfect for this team. They now have what I think of as a strong BP. If they where to land Snell I think they would have a good shot at the Wildcard.
Maybe if Votto wasn’t such a blockhead and waived his no trade clause when he still had something left in the tank he probably wouldn’t be in this situation. Listen, I spent a year in Cincinnati one weekend & it ain’t all that. Ahahaha!
How would waiving his no trade claus put him in a different situation? He’d still be a free agent this year because the acquiring team wasn’t picking up his option either
Glad to see you go and dont come back
He’s likely willing to accept a one year contract, he’s coming off a season with a .747 ops, and I assume he’s comfortable in a limited role where they take advantage of pitching match ups. Seems like a great signing for a mid tier team.
A comp is Longoria with AZ
maybe what he did just 2 years ago in 2021 before his injury and surgery?
hes a future HOF…will sell tickets jerseys etc.
BigD gets it..
IDK, I find it hard to believe a lot of Angels fans would run out to get a Votto jersey right away if they signed him. And even less so later on if he gets off to a slow start. Of course things might be different if he starts off strong, but it’s hard to bet on that happening.
Votto will not get big money from any team
Take it easy. Anyone they say hello to is suddenly leaked to the press as the Angels having interest when it suits the agent. You know when they have interest? When they make an actual cash offer. Angels are doing that right now with Duvall. They have interest in Bellinger when his price drops and it will. Same with Snell and Montgomery. It’s a matter of who blinks first. I guarantee you they’re even kicking the tires on Chapman.
I’d totally be down with Chapman if the price is right. He’s not quite the player he used to be, but I like the idea of the bat they add, being able to play a solid 3b.
Yeah as long as Chapman is at the right price. It’s great when you can dream on a player getting back to where they once were at a point in time and that was what I was doing with Chapman on the Jays. Hoping he can get back to his 18 – 19 Oakland A’s production with great defence. The strikeouts took a toll though. My heart can’t stand him striking out with runners on, 60 or 70 times a year again at twice the 12.5 Mil the Jays were paying him. Good luck to him as he is a great player even as is but I hope the Jays stay away at that price.
Chapman is great if you want to make the playoffs but prepare for him to be overmatched by a lot of the better pitchers. Big time overpay candidate.
I think a lot of teams would be down with Chapman if the price was right. But I think the price is a problem.
I take it you didn’t watch the Jays playoffs this year. He missed a three run homer by inches to deep center in the first game that would have tied it and had a screamer down the left field line late with the base loaded that missed by inches again that would have given them the lead late, both just missed, he wasn’t close to over matched.
Glad to see he finally got an extra base hit in the playoffs, his track record is quite bad. I watched him for years in Oakland and top quality breaking pitches tend to turn him into Joey Gallo where he just swings as hard as he can and hopes for the best.
Jon Heyman just posted that the Angels are interested in Carlla Fong.
You’ve obviously never seen the movie. It’s La Fong, Carl La Fong. Capital L, small a, capital F, small o, small n, small g. La Fong, Carl La Fong.
Thanks Jean. I gotta admit, I like it better as Carlla Fong. I thought we had a spicy lady on this board named Carlla who spelled her name weird.
I have to admit that made me laugh.
Reminds me when they signed Steve Finley. Huge prior year on another team then immediately nose-dived with the Angels and was pretty much done after that
al, just like Matthews Jr.
Yeah good comp. And many others!
Big Money? LOL.
Schanuel probably needs more time in the minors.
What makes you think a 40 year old Votto is going to get big money?
Votto can’t get worse, he is at the bottom of the barrel already!!
Votto can be signed for 1yr @ 2mil
No risk, high reward
And he’s not blocking anyone.
Yes, I believe they lost a famous DH, do there is a spot available.
Can Schanuel do better than “remarkable”? Interesting word for someone who slugged .330
Yeah, he’s the answer.
Yea he is! Ahahaha!
Na Na Na Na..Na Na Na Na…Hey Hey Hey!! Gooodddddbyyyeeee!!! Halo’s going for it!!!! WoooOoooooooo!!!!!!
Wouldn’t mind the Twins giving him a cheap one year contract.maybee split time at first with Kiriloff.
Man! I really hope he goes somewhere he has a chance to win.
That clown had plenty of chances to leave the Reds to a winner and the loser wouldn’t go. He’s a loser and will always be!!
The guy with 64.4 career WAR and a decent shot at the Hall of Fame? Christ what a stupid comment.
Call someone like Votto a clown after what he did for the Reds all his career? Get outta here you trash.
You absolutely know nothing about baseball if you think Votto did anything for the Reds other than take millions of dollars and not deliver. The trash is a loser to the core.
Now what did he not deliver? A World Series?? Sorry bud, but if you think he didn’t deliver anything to the team, then your baseball knowledge is minimal.
What did he deliver. He was overpaid for the majority of his career (Reds fault), he was a poor teammate and we never won with him. He is such a poor teammate the Reds don’t want him around this good young bunch of players. A quick ticket out of town is what he got
Back off Chop!!! He’s ours!!!
Trumbo,
Maybe Votto can pull an Albert Pujols and go on a tear one last time before retiring!
Acoss, Now THAT would be something!!!
So who do the angels get from the reds at the deadline?
At least they’re making some moves (bad or not). Beats being a Marlin fan.
I love that you are honoring Donnie Moore, but it’s still a super depressing reminder =/
The Marlins are investing in scouting, development, coaching, video, and nutrition.
I’d much rather have Arte do that than continue to sign guys approaching 40.
You just signed Mancini.
You’re off-season is complete.
Well maybe he could help with some power off of the bench
What the Angels should do is continue in repairing the bullpen and get a starting pitcher and maybe sign Justin Turner
Heavens knows the Orioles lost Turners phone number
Sounds like a plan to me, Lefty!
Good plan. I like Soler too at DH but it looks like they want to keep it open
Lefty_Orioles_Fan- Good post but just wanted to point out that They really should be done with the pen. If they can get Snell and Anderson off the bench they can contend for a wild card.
They probably just checked on his price, drury can slide to 1st if we get urshela or atleast spilt with Nolan and dh. Votto is like signing lamb last year a backwards move
Urshela?? I’ll take Fletch back please..
Man, Fletcher was on one of those banners out front not long ago. They might still have it!
Darn right he was!
I like fletcher trust me, but that ship has sailed, urshela can move around and hit 280. 15 hrs as far as a shortstop/3b option he makes the most sense. He’s better defensively than rengifo. As far as dh they have plenty of options to move around at that spot trout/ Rendon/ drury/ urshela.
Votto > Ohtani
<
64.4 war to 34.7 war.
17 year career to 6 year career
Yep I know just having fun….
Me Too =)
You’re forgetting Votto speaks English unlike Ohtani and Rendon. Won’t need to pay an interpreter.
YBC, way to think of the team and keep costs down!
When you mute me, Trumbo, at least let me give you a good reason.
Six foot four vs six ft two
Brew, you saying they would be saving on uniform costs as well?? Standard XL jersey for Votto as opposed to Ohtani’s custom jersey from the big and tall store??
Some say Votto needs interpretation
Think of how much money they save on electricity by not lighting the halo every time they lose.
Prov, It’s a wash actually. I hear the money saved there is being relayed to Rendon’s daily anger management classes that the Halo’s are footing the bill for. I think they have like 4 world class experts working with him. So it’s a lot of dough. Gotta scrimp everywhere they can!
Dammit Tony
They have to replace Ohtani in the aggregate. On the mound…. Snell is better and would be an upgrade in ERA, innings pitched. In the field You sign Bellinger and Justin Turner, or Duvall and Turner to replace the power numbers. Spreading it out creates better balance. And remember if Trout stays on the field even for 135 games and hits 38 HRs– that’s 20HRs more than he was able to produce last year and almost half of Ohtani’s production.
CF, and imagine if Tony 2 Bags decides he wants to play big league ball and contribute again?? WooooOoo!!
Signing Bellinger is just asking for trouble. He could very well add to the very long line of expensive hitter busts over the last 15 years.
It would be a gamble Conin, in signing Bellinger. The only way I see that happening is, if they somehow sign or trade for there ace pitcher first. It puts there ceiling higher to take on such gamble. I’m down for it.
Bellinger could very well break that streak, also. Its a coin flip with him.
Getting belly and snell would be making the same mistakes they’ve made in the past. They need to see what they have in the 4 starting pitchers with a pitching coach. That has already been in public talking about problems that he saw. Same with moniak, ward, and adell after this year they can access and make trades to address the weaknesses. I agree they need to address the rotation but that’s comes with getting rid of the spare parts first step was to shore up the bullpen.
You can bet this story was planted by the agent. It may or may not be true. An article comes out saying the Reds are moving on and, boom, a post saying the Angels are interested. I’m surprised Heyman didn’t also claim a “mystery team” is in the mix.
It would be a shame if he wasn’t a career Cincinnati Red. That being said I would take him on the Braves bench.
Yeah, it would be new to see him as a Reds lifer or go to a legitimate WS contender.
Yeah, he’s been there that long, they should give him the league minimum offer just to have him stay. Just having him around for the younger players makes it well worth re-signing him.
I wish the Angels would sign Justin Turner. He gives them more production as DH and he’s a righthanded bat that would allow the Angels to sit Schanuel against tough lefties, while also being some insurance to play third. He”s great in the clubhouse and community and he’s clutch. Still producing.
And went to Cal State Fullerton!
Angels are going all in!
If you look at the Angels roster and ignore the salaries, they look like an expansion team that has Mike Trout. It’s embarrassing. I’ve been an Angels fan since 1975. It’s been bad, but this team is awful.
I understand. Stay strong Frank!
Halo11! Talk Frank off the ledge like you did for me…
Angels be Angeling
I don’t like Jon Heyman
Joey in LA? Yeah, no, I’m not buying this one
Yeah-no= $5.00 fine.
I was going for a Lumberg but it didn’t land. I have $5 in Camel cash ready to send
You’re lucky “I know right?!” Is a Hamilton in our group.
Dock, The Halo’s have been known to make the most random moves possible. I totally believe it.
I just mean from Votto’s angle, I know enough about him to know a suffocating city like that is the kind of thing he avoids. My money is still on him returning to the Reds sometime during the season like mid summer, lesser so to Toronto or possibly Minnesota. I know The The Angels Angels would love to have his bat
lol as much as it would be cool to see him finish up with the Reds I think the Reds made it clear they do not intend to bring him back, especially in a full time capacity & he’s made it pretty clear he wants another opportunity to play with someone in a full time capacity…
Unfortunately just don’t see it happening
Probably was Johnny Votto according to Heyman.
Arson Votto?
For his age 39 season, that .747 OPS last year was pretty solid. Feel like he should be a DH (platooned) in his home country for a year.
Edit: actually, he was born in Toronto.
Edit 2: he actually did better against lefties, albeit a small sample size
I think this would be a great move, even if it’s just to have a solid bench guy/player coach to teach Schanuel the ropes at 1B (and wouldn’t hurt their young players to have an ear like his to talk to about hitting).
That’s the spirit, Greg!
Are you intentionally spelling Greg Pikitis incorrectly?
Angels have Trout and Rendon (if he’s playing) to DH, and asking Votto to play a considerable amount at 1B would be a big ask.
Not to mention, so I will, they have a young 1B’man, Nolan Schanuel, who had a .402 OBP after he was called up.
Angels scream rebuild.
Rendon should be sued for Corporate theft.
LOL!!!!!
sac
“Rendon should be sued for Corporate theft”
Nearly every player in MLB should sue MLB for wage theft, then
I can’t get worked up about this.
I just want to see the kids play , I want to see how much Trout and Rendon have in the tank, and Votto is not going to prevent that from happening.
So, I just don’t care.
Reds angels World Series here we come
Angels, better terrible and interesting than terrible and boring. Get Votto. Get anyone remotely interesting.
Trevor Bauer would fit the bill then.
Anaheim figure out your identity!
Clueless IS an identity. The Angels hold the patent.
Votto will have them yelling, “Shohei who?” In no time.
Does he get 8/160 or 10/275?
6/60
Angels can have Stanton for a dozen in and out Burgers from California.
6 burgers + Jo Adell and Rengifo…Deal?
Let it go Joe!
Why do once great players insist on making us remember them as the lousy players they become when they stay too long?
a 40 year old who won’t possibly have an above average season with the bat is a big time angels move
Sign all the remaining FA’s. Sort it out in Spring Training.
Dumb. So dumb!. There is no upside!
Nothing against Votto. But I rather have Turner.. I can see it now …
Dateline Anaheim …
October 18th Angels Vs Dodgers Mike Trout hits a walk off Grand Slam off Kershaw. The Angels win the WS.
Trout is mobbed at the plate. Ohtani is standing on the top step of the visitors dugout. Ohtani doesnt weather to laugh, cry or grab a mop.
The LA Angels beat the LA Deferers for 2nd WS Title
@Winslow Leach
Yeah, I’d rather that than the Los Karens winning it. Fake 2020 WS win.
I can see the fit, red jersey and all.
Schanuel doesn’t have a major league bat yet. He needs time in the minors to develop power. First base is a run production spot, especially on the Angels, who lack much thump. Schanuel looks like a backup/line drive pinch hitter at this point. I’d take a low cost flier on Votto for a 1 year and 1 mill, maybe some incentives. Why not???
Imagine the young team they could have if they had traded Trout and Ohtani at the deadline and kept all the young guys they barfed up to try to make the playoffs. The only thing Arte Moreno is worse at than putting together a good team is being a decent human being.
Trout has full no trade clause. It’s a mute point.
moot
Schanuel was “rushed to the majors”? So was Joyce, Silseth, Neto, Bachman, Deters, Adell..
Too bad you can’t reply to articles with a laughter emoji.. because, well, that’s how this article makes me feel.
I have a question. Did the St Louis Cardinals even call Joey Votto before signing Matt Carpenter? They’re both in identical situations (left handed bats who primarily DH and provide veteran leadership)
The one difference being is Votto was an MVP candidate just a couple years ago in 2021. Carpenter has only shown life in part of one season over the last 5!
They could have tried to catch lightning in a bottle with Votto like they did Berkman in 2011. I think if they gave Votto a chance in the lineup with Goldscmidt and Arenado protecting him good things could have happened. Oh well…so it goes. Smh
If Toronto doesn’t sign Votto they’re idiots. If Anaheim does sign Votto then both the Angels and Votto himself are idiots.
of course they’re interested. it’s where all players on the wrong side of their career go to play before retirement.
Dear Joey,
The Angels are a bunch of clowns. They don’t need you they don’t deserve you. They should be trading Mike Trout and giving Anthony Rendon away for an unruly fan he can yell at. Please sign with a contender and get the extended playoff run you earned.
Jays should just bring back Belt. He was productive.
5 years, 185 million. Let’s just jump right to the back end of a debilitating contract for an aging veteran. Atre?
Not saying Votto is done but the Angels is where great/HoF players are put out to pasture…
Joey Votto could be a very good signing on a one year deal if his shoulder is healthy. It wouldn’t tie up money for next years free agent class. If he can regain some of his pre-injury form, he could rotate through the the DH spot, and rotate at 1st base. His ability to hit with power while at the same time have a decent Batting Average, and above average On Base Percentage with high Walk rate could help contribute to putting pressure on opposing team pitch count. The 2002 Angels were very good at driving up the opposing starting pitchers pitch count and forcing the opposing team to bring in the Bullpen early. They famously would bring out the Rally Monkey, come back and win with their patient hitters and shut down Bullpen. I think that Votto’s experience could also help some of the young Angels players as a Mentor! He could possibly bat in the middle of the lineup or stretch out the lineup putting pressure towards the back of the lineup! I just hope the Angels Scouting have been doing their scouting and bring in another middle lineup hitter that can also play in the field. There’s nobody that can replace Ohtani, but as a team the Angels could collectively be a deeper lineup and possibly have a vested offensive and defensive team than last year. Their biggest need is pitching, but they still need one more big bat!
If joe mauer got into the Hall of Fame, then it will be pathetic if Mike Trout and Albert Pujols end up being rejected by the Hall of Fame.
Pujols amassed 101+ rwar and 85+ for Trout. Mauer was the best catcher for a while but inferior player to them.
Why would Trout be rejected? He was already in the HOF 6 years into his career
Sign Bauer and Cody, trade for Bieber and there’s a wildcard team there, assuming Trout and Redon are healthy.
Assuming what?
Please sell the team Artie. This makes sense!
Does the deal come with a Disneyland season pass?
This is inaccurate. when Joe first decided to have the required surgery, he admitted that he’d been playing with an injured shoulder across at least 4-5 years. Dude is a baller, and he’s likley 100% now. As a Reds fan, I’m gonna lmao when the team that signs him gets 20-25 bombs out of him and around a .260 average, while Candelaria hits .240 with 13 walks around the diamond. Dumb move, and the list gets longer..
So, Toronto is actually going to have to pay him a little. Fine.
Isn’t it just time for the Angels to stop making stupid moves?
It was time 12 years ago.
You mean the guy that said he would be Taylor Swifts 2nd boyfriend lol