It’s no secret that the Angels’ seven-year, $245MM contract with the third baseman Anthony Rendon it didn’t go as the club had hoped it would. While Rendon turned in an incredible opening campaign in Anaheim in the shortened 2020 season, the four seasons since have been marred by injuries and inactivity. Rendon totaled 205 games and 863 plate appearances in that span, and his .231/.329/.336 line (89 wRC+) in a rare season healthy enough to pitch leaves a lot to be desired. With two years and $77MM left on the contract, it may seem inevitable that the Angels will continue to try to make Rendon work as a regular, but MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger relayed comments from club GM Perry Minasian on Monday that he suggested. the club will be open to going in the other direction.
“We have to be open to at least look at that area and see if there are other ways that make us better,” Minasian said of the hot corner, as relayed by Bollinger. “Obviously, healthy Anthony Rendon it makes us so much better. But since the last four years were the last four years, we need to look and see what else is out there. “
To that end, Bollinger reports that Rendon will enter Spring Training 2025 “competing for a roster spot” and adds that Minasian suggested the 34-year-old veteran could be moved to a part-time role where he sees time at first and second base. base above his birth position in the third place. That situation could be realized if the Angels were to add a third full-time pitcher to their roster via trade or free agency, which Bollinger noted Minasian did not rule out. The Angels GM also noted that the club’s internal pool of infielders offers a number of players who can handle the hot corner as well. Luis Rengifo, Scott Kingeryagain Kevin Newman.
That the Angels would consider moving on to Rendon as their third baseman is certainly justifiable based on his performance in recent years, but it still registers as shocking given the large sum owed to him over the next two seasons. That said, this winter offers some interesting players within the club to strengthen the offense. It seems unlikely that the Halos could light up another big third base signing with Rendon on the books, so it would be a surprise to see them targeted. Alex Bregman in free agency this winter. If you look beyond Bregman, free agency offers many interesting options such as Josh Rojas, Donovan Solano, Yoan Moncadaagain Paul DeJong. Hot corner trade candidates this winter include Nolan Arenado (his onerous contract comes with the same hurdles as Bregman’s pursuit), Alec Bohmagain Brett Baty.
DeJong in particular could be an interesting prospect for the Angels given the fact that Opening Day is in question at shortstop. Zach Neto following offseason shoulder surgery. DeJong, 31, has a lot of experience at shortstop and can handle the position for the Halos while Neto is being worked on before moving to the hot corner once the boy returns. Another option would be to use Rengifo’s positional flexibility to add a second baseman to the mix. Gleyber Torres is the top free agent available for a key player this winter, but if the Angels aren’t willing to meet his price tag affordable options include Jorge Polanco, Jose Iglesias, Amed Rosarioagain Whit Merrifield. Iglesias and Rosario, like DeJong, also provide plenty of experience at shortstop and could help fill in for Neto early in the season before stepping down late in the season when he’s ready to go.
If the Halos add another bat to the offense sometime this winter, Bollinger suggests the addition is more likely to be an infielder than an outfielder. The Angels still aim to provide the old face of the franchise Mike Trout every opportunity to come back from injury and re-establish himself as one of the games best players, and while the club has yet to decide whether to continue playing center field every day or spend more time in the outfield and DH moving forward Bollinger conveys that the club believes he has the position covered given the presence Jo Adell, Mickey Moniakagain Taylor Ward your options are in the middle and at least part-time. Bollinger adds that season Jorge Soler is expected to get the majority of playing time at DH after being acquired from the Braves last month, if the Angels decide to rest Trout at the position or use other players when the Halos are free to play him in any outfield. .
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