1 Year Later And The Angels Still Need A Power Hitting Left Fielder

No Comments November 21, 2015 Angels By John Stellman

3rd Of A 3-Part Angel Off Season Series

Today: Outfield

YIKES!!!

How sad that the Angels most productive left fielder last year was wearing a Texas Ranger jersey. Owner Arte Moreno was so anxious to get rid of Josh Hamilton that he was willing to pick up the remainder of his $60M salary.

So what we have is a broken down, 34-year old castoff who in 50 games, hit more home runs (8) and drove in more runs (25) than any of those who tried to fill his shoes in Anaheim.

Not surprising then that general manager Billy Eppler has set his sights on a left handed (preferably) hitting left fielder to slide between Mike Trout and Albert Pujols next summer.

Matt Joyce was suppose to be that guy. But in 93 games. Joyce hit .174. His home run (5) and RBI total (21) didn’t exactly excite the fan base.

Only two others who played the position, Daniel Murphy (5) and Colin Cowgill (1), even hit a home run. Murphy led the RBI parade with 23. Cowgill (.188) and David DeJesus (.125) joined Joyce under .200.

HELP!!!

The pool of available outfielders is plentiful. But their are two stumbling blocks: Money and Draft Picks.

Moreno might not be willing to dig deep into his pockets in light of past failed investments. And with the departure of Sean Newcomb, the depleted farm system can ill afford to surrender any more draft picks.

Yoenis Cespedes, Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Alex Gordon are all expected to command salaries in excess of $100M. Gordon also would cost the Angels a draft pick.

Though enticing, Cespedes and Upton are right handed hitters. Cespedes, 30, complemented his .291 batting average with 35 home runs and knocked home 105 runners. Upton. 28, hit 26 balls out of the yard and drove in 81 runs.

Heyward Too Expensive?

Seven free agent outfielders hit left handed. The most attractive is Heyward. The 26-year old Cardinal had a .293/.359/.438 slashline. Then again, he may be too expensive.

Perhaps Eppler should set his sights on a couple of 28-year olds who put together respectable years and probably wouldn’t break the bank: Jay Bruce and Gerardo Parra.

The Angels were interested in Bruce last summer. Although they couldn’t work out a deal with Cincinnati then, the Reds might now be ready to listen. Bruce will earn $12.5M next season and has a player option in 2017 for $13M.

Having finished dead last in the National League Central, Cincy (64-98) might be looking to slash payroll. In 157 games with the Reds, Bruce belted 26 home runs and drove in 87 teammates. His salary might fit into the Angels budget.

Despite sub par power numbers (14 HRs, 51 RBIs) Parra hit a solid .291 in 155 games for Milwaukee and Baltimore. He also fits the Angels defensive profile having captured Gold Glove Awards in 2011 and 2013. Parra has a career (7 yrs) slashline of .277/.404/.730.

Leftovers

Other free agents include Austin Jackson (.267/.311/.385), Colby Rasmus (.238/.314/.475), Dexter Fowler (.250/.346/.411), Denard Span (.301/.365/.431), and Seth Smith (.248/.330/.443).

With Gold Glover Kole Calhoun firmly implanted in right and MVP runner up Mike Trout entrenched in center, Eppler needs to plug that huge hole in left with a productive power hitter.

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John Stellman

I was born with sports in my blood. I began coaching little league baseball at 15. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper. I did football play by play for the college radio station. I broadcast high school basketball for a local commercial station. But baseball was always my passion. During the 1970's I covered the Angels for the Orange County Register. And now I am back where I belong...