As the Angels head toward the first workout of spring training on Feb. 15, we are giving a breakdown of how they stand with their roster. Players acquired this winter include the method of their acquisition in parentheses.
2016 RECAP
The Angels had two-thirds of an outstanding outfield, and one-third the worst outfield in baseball. Obviously, center fielder Mike Trout is the best player in baseball and right fielder Kole Calhoun is one of the top right fielders in the league, and both performed as expected in 2016. But left field has continued to be a black hole ever since the failed Josh Hamilton deal. Since Hamilton played his final game for the Angels, they have used 22 left fielders in 2015-16. They have produced the worst OPS at the position in the majors both years.
HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW
Trout and Calhoun are back to man their positions again this year, and now both are signed long-term. Trout’s deal runs through 2020 and in January the Angels inked Calhoun to a multi-year deal through 2019, with an option for 2020. Left field got the makeover it needed, with a couple new players. Cameron Maybin (trade from the Tigers) is expected to get the first crack at playing the bulk of the time in left. He was once a top prospect, but his career had been a disappointment until a bounceback season in 2016 (.801 OPS). Even if Maybin regresses at the plate, his defense should be very good, because he’s really a center fielder. The Angels also picked up Ben Revere (free agent), who had been non-tendered by the Nationals after an injury-marred disappointing season (.560 OPS). Maybin is the right-handed hitter and Revere hits left, so it would be no surprise if the roles flip, getting the Angels the platoon advantage most games. The Angels obviously hope that Maybin’s 2016 wasn’t an aberration and Revere’s was. In any case, they have Plans A and B, so they are optimistic they’ll finally get some production from the position.
THE NEXT LAYER
The only player in the farm system who projects as a future everyday outfielder in the majors is No. 1 prospect Jahmai Jones, who is just 19 years old. The closest player who could be an everyday left fielder is Jefry Marte, a corner infielder who began the conversion last year. The addition of Luis Valbuena, who can also play left, likely pushed Marte into being an everyday player in Triple-A, so it will be telling whether he plays more infield or outfield in the minors. The Angels also picked up Ryan LaMarre (free agent) over the winter. He is a right-handed hitter who can play center field, a classic fourth outfielder in the mold of Collin Cowgill or Shane Robinson, who is also back on a minor league deal.
MOVE THEY COULD MAKE
The Angels’ four major league outfielders are set in stone, barring injuries, so there’s not much left to do here. However, both of their left fielders are free agents after the season, so the Angels could be trolling for a young player on the trade market. Ideally, they’d find someone who could be optioned to Triple-A this year, but has a chance to contribute in 2018 and beyond, until Jones is ready. It would be a deal similar to the one in January 2015 for Kyle Kubitza, who the Angels hoped at the time would be their third baseman starting in 2016.
Contact the writer: jlfletcher@scng.com
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