Los Angeles Angels Second Base Options
The Los Angeles Angels have a hole at second base. Will they with an in-house option? Or will the test the waters in free agency?
The Los Angeles Angels have already made several off-season moves concerning the outfield and the pitching staff. With names such as Cameron Maybin, Jesse Chavez and Andrew Bailey all being recently signed by Angels’ GM Billy Eppler. There is still a major question mark in the Angels lineup and that’s at second base.
During the 2016 season, the second base position was given to fan favorite Johnny Giavotella. However, because of a below-average performance, Giavotella was DFA’d mid-season.
With Giavotella being released, that leaves the Angels with Cliff Pennington and Gregorio Petit. Both players considered to be solid backups and not necessarily everyday starters.
More from Halo Hangout
The Angels have some money to spend this off-season as well. Both Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson are set to become free agents this year which gives the Angels some breathing room.
However, with the recent signing of Maybin, the Angels exercised his $9MM club option for the 2017 season which could limit the Angels moves at second base.
Without further delay, we will take a look at some of the moves the Angels could make at second base.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
New York Mets’ Neil Walker
The biggest headline in a weak 2017 free agent class concerning second base is Neil Walker.
Now, his name may sound familiar to Angels’ fans as he was at many times rumored to be acquired by the Angels during the 2015 season. But, a deal was never made.
Walker has a very consistent bat and some power as well which would help the Angels’ middle of the lineup dearly.
Last season, Walker had a slash line of .282/.347/.823 which is why he’s considered one of the best. He also had 23 home runs which shows some of his power.
Walker last season made $10.5M and his price is only going to be more steeper. I expect his contract range to be around a three to four year deal worth $14-16M per year.
Want your voice heard? Join the Halo Hangout team!
What most fans don’t know is that the Angels may have an advantage in signing Walker. Besides the familiarity with him already, if the Angels do make the move, the Angels would only have to surrender a second round pick, given the qualifying offer.
The Angels have enough money to make a big move and Walker is that big move. If the Angels do try and pursue him, it would immediately fill a giant hole at second base.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Sean Rodriguez
Sean Rodriguez? Wasn’t he…Yeah.
Rodriguez was originally drafted by the Angels in the year of 2003 (90th overall). But, he never really panned out for the Angels and the Angels traded Rodriguez on September 1, 2009 to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Now, fast forward to 2016 and Rodriguez could be an acquisition that the Angels could make.
For 2016, Rodriguez’s slash line comes in at .270/.349/.859 which is solid, given his price range. He also had 18 home runs and comes at a cheaper price.
Last season, Rodriguez made an estimate $2.8M and with his recent success, that price is only going to be higher. I expect Rodriguez to ask around the $10-12M per year price range, which the Angels can certainly do.
But, Rodriguez has some red flags.
For most of his career in the majors, his batting average and on base percentage have been mediocre at best. For his career, his slash line comes in at .234/.303/.693 well below his 2016 averages.
He’s been playing his best baseball with the Pirates the past two years and his career has almost been revived. If the Angels acquire him, would he go back to his slumping ways? a decision Angels’ GM Billy Eppler must consider.
Sean Rodriguez may be the second best option in a weak 2017 free agent class. He comes at a cheaper price than Walker but his consistency is a major issue.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals’ Stephen Drew
Much like Rodriguez, Stephen Drew comes at a relatively cheaper price range if the Angels decide to put their money else well.
Last season, Drew batted .266/.339/.863 which is already better than any Angels’ second baseman last season.
Drew made $3M with the Nationals last season, and his price range per year may not be as high as Walkers’ or Rodriguez’s because he only started 31 games.
If the Angels do decide to pursue Drew, he may only be a one year option for the ball club as they wait for some of their younger prospects to move up in the system.
Also, Drew could be a platoon option to go along with Pennington or Petit as the Angels have done that in the past.
Drew was a solid second baseman early in his career, however he has not started 100 games since the 2013 season. If the Angels do bring him in, expect him to be a stopgap option for the Angels.
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chase Utley
The 37 year old, future Hall of Famer is still playing adequately good baseball.
For the Dodgers last season, in 118 games started, Chase Utley posted a batting line of .250/.317/.708 which is still better than any Angels’ second baseman last season.
What Utley has to offer is his consistency and experience.
Utley has started in 100 games or more in 10 of his 13 seasons he has played in. So, durability is not necessarily a problem for him.
Also, Utley has seen the playoffs multiple times throughout his career with the Phillies and the Dodgers. Having another experienced player with a winning culture would help the Angels get back to their winning ways.
This last season, Utley had a base salary of $7M per year. I don’t expect his asking price to be any reasonably higher and he could seek in the $8-9M price range.
With his age being 37, Utley is no franchise player obviously. But, he has winning experience and could be another stopgap option that the Angels could make.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
If the Angels decide to put their money elsewhere, there could be some in-house options to explore
Williams was drafted by the Angels in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft. According to MLB.com, Williams is regarded as the Angels sixth best rated prospect.
While Williams is considered a shortstop, he has the quickness and athleticism to play second base beside Andrelton Simmons.
He is considered a switch hitter which the Angels could use with their lack of left handed hitting and has above-average foot speed.
Given his age being only 18 and being drafted just last season, Williams is a long shot to make the Angels opening day roster. I expect him to continue to grow in the minors and work his way up.
Fletcher was taken in the sixth round of the 2015 MLB draft out of the University of Loyola Marymount.
According to MLB.com, Fletcher is rated as the Angels eighth best prospect and his natural position is second base/shortstop.
Fletcher draws many comparisons to former Angel David Eckstein due to how he plays the game according to MLB.com. He makes consistent contact with balls and has more walks than strikeouts.
While he is not the flashiest player, he plays steady defense and puts the ball in play which is why the Angels drafted him.
Since he is still relatively young being only 22, Fletcher is a long shot to make the opening day roster. He will be invited for spring ball, but he will start his 2017 season in the minor leagues.
Whatever the Angels decide to do, hopefully it will work out better than last season’s debacle at second.