Left Field - Four Options

[Angelsjunky]

While it is probably the most talked about position this offseason--probably because it is the biggest hold the Angels have, and Eppler has only picked up scraps so far--I thought I'd lay out the options.

 

1. Sign a Big Free Agent - one of Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes, or Alex Gordon. The word is this won't happen, but Arte has surprised us before. If we get to February or so and one or more of these guys is still on the table, they might come cheap and/or for a shorter contract and then I think the Angels would be seriously in the mix. Upton is the overall best of the bunch largely due to his age (28), although Gordon bats left and would be a nice leadoff hitter but is older (32). Cespedes is between the two in age (30), has the benefit of being Latino (LA, Arte) and won't cost a draft pick.
2. Sign a Lesser Free Agent - one of Dexter Fowler, Gerardo Parra, Denard Span, Austin Jackson. Fowler is by far the best of the bunch, and actually kind of underrated--I see him as a similar caliber player as Kole Calhoun--he also would require the loss of a draft pick, so I think is unlikely to happen. Span is coming off injury, so it would likely be Parra or maybe Jackson. Parra is more likely because he bats L.
3. Trade - I'm not sure who the options would be, but plenty of teams could use Hector Santiago, Matt Shoemaker, or CJ Wilson. Santiago has the most value, but all three could net someone halfway decent.
4. Stand Pat - Right now the Angels have a ton of options for left field, just none that are very good: Craig Gentry and Daniel Nava are both 4th outfielders; Rafael Ortega looks to be as well and is likely AAA depth at this point; Ji-Man Choi is more of a first baseman but the best hitter of the bunch and has played left field before - he's your sleeper: finally, Kyle Kubitza is also an option, especially with the Escobar signing. This would likely involve a platoon of some kind: One lefty (Kubitza, Ortega) and one righty (Gentry) or switch-hitter (Nava, Choi).

So what do you think the Angels will do? What do you want them to do?

Edited December 22, 2015 by Angelsjunky

[Ohtaniland]

Hmmm....Didn't Howie play Left Field for us?

[Adam]

I don't give the Angels a better than 50/50 chance to make the playoffs even if they sign an Upton or a Cespedes, but I think they have to if they want any shot. I guess you could throw Gordon into that mix. The outfield defense would be insane. 

 

We are really going to need CJ Cron to have a full, productive season as well. 

[nate]

Why

[Angelsjunky]

Why what, Nate?

[Angelsjunky]

Hmmm....Didn't Howie play Left Field for us?

 

Signing Howie to play LF would be all kinds of ludicrousness. First of all, if they sign him they'd put him at 2B. Secondly, if he were to play LF the Angels would be paying more and losing a draft pick for a guy who isn't much better of a hitter than the cheaper, draft pick-free Gerardo Parra.

[nate]

I just thought I'd tell ya

[Adam]

I think he's wondering why the Angels need Cron to be good. They have a serious lack of projected production throughout the line-up. There is some serious potential for an absolutely abysmal season. 

[Angelsjunky]

Cron is definitely one of the players who could most impact the Angels' fortunes in 2016, imo. I actually think he's got a good chance of a break-out. The bad news is that he's not got over 650 PA and both of his partial seasons are pretty similar, with no signs of improvement on the surface. The good news is that he's likely to get more consistent at bats next year, which might serve him well - and also that he was much better in the second half, hitting .292/.333/.514 from July 4th onward. I don't expect that next year, but if he can hit .270/.320/.480 for the year it would go a long way.

[Adam]

Cron is definitely one of the players who could most impact the Angels' fortunes in 2016, imo. I actually think he's got a good chance of a break-out. The bad news is that he's not got over 650 PA and both of his partial seasons are pretty similar, with no signs of improvement on the surface. The good news is that he's likely to get more consistent at bats next year, which might serve him well - and also that he was much better in the second half, hitting .292/.333/.514 from July 4th onward. I don't expect that next year, but if he can hit .270/.320/.480 for the year it would go a long way.

 

That would be nice. I know it doesn't appear to be likely, but I think Calhoun has a lot of room for improvement. I'm not sure what the numbers say in historical context, but he was one of the worst good hitters with 2 strikes that I can remember seeing. 

[Troll Daddy]

I like option #2 please .... Parra seems to make the most sense. The Angels will not be staying PAT. I guess a trade would be my second choice.

[Chuck]

I don't give the Angels a better than 50/50 chance to make the playoffs even if they sign an Upton or a Cespedes, but I think they have to if they want any shot. I guess you could throw Gordon into that mix. The outfield defense would be insane. 

 

We are really going to need CJ Cron to have a full, productive season as well. 

 

They were one game away from the playoffs with no LF, no C.J. Wilson, without Freese for 5 weeks and had to suffer through a 5-6 week prolonged slump from Trout and Pujols.

 

I think even if they stand pat they have a chance, but getting a bump in LF would be nice. 

[Stradling]

They were one game away from the playoffs with no LF, no C.J. Wilson, without Freese for 5 weeks and had to suffer through a 5-6 week prolonged slump from Trout and Pujols.

I think even if they stand pat they have a chance, but getting a bump in LF would be nice.

If they wanted a "bump" in left field they would have kept Josh.

[Troll Daddy]

If they wanted a "bump" in left field they would have kept Josh.

Well done ... I see what you did there.

[Chuck]

If they wanted a "bump" in left field they would have kept Josh.

 

Nice! 

[Troll Daddy]

I don't give the Angels a better than 50/50 chance to make the playoffs even if they sign an Upton or a Cespedes, but I think they have to if they want any shot. I guess you could throw Gordon into that mix. The outfield defense would be insane.

We are really going to need CJ Cron to have a full, productive season as well.

I almost have to agree with you.

We all know Arte has a huge ego ... my guess is that he blows past the lux cap this coming season but not just for one big contract. He'll spread the money around on 2-3 players.

SP

2B

LF

If they do sign a big name free agent ... then Gordon would be my guess. If that happens then you might as well sign Howie too.

[Blarg]

Arte went socialist and instead of paying top dollar for the best he brought in a couple of union guys to do the work of one.

 

And they will be using all of their sick days requiring an apprentice to take their spot.

Edited December 22, 2015 by notti

[ABC]

They were one game away from the playoffs with no LF, no C.J. Wilson, without Freese for 5 weeks and had to suffer through a 5-6 week prolonged slump from Trout and Pujols.

 

I think even if they stand pat they have a chance, but getting a bump in LF would be nice. 

 

TEX and HOU are going to be improved significantly on paper compared to last year. 

[ispy45]

TEX and HOU are going to be improved significantly on paper compared to last year. 

Agreed, TEX will have a full  year of Hammels and Darvish and Houston has  Ken Giles

[laagamer]

I think we're going to roll over and die. 

[ABC]

Agreed, TEX will have a full  year of Hammels and Darvish and Houston has  Ken Giles

 

Plus HOU will have another year of maturity. Angels need to spend to compete.

[Adam]

I think Arte will pay up at the end of the day

[HaloNArizona]

Right now, Houston, Texas and even Seattle have made improvements....The Angels have changed Simmons for Aybar, still have a hole at 2nd and Left Field.  Moving Gott weakens our bullpen, Escobar helps, but not unless we fill at least one of the two holes we have left.

 

Right now, we are at best a fourth place team, with an outside chance at 3rd. 

[ABC]

I think Arte will pay up at the end of the day

 

I do as well. I think he wants to be more level headed about the Angels but he will wake up one morning and say, "fvck it, let's win."

[NachoPop]

Yes the other teams in the division should be stronger but if the glass is half full;

Trout is still Trout

Calhoun and Pujols could easily improve on last year.

C, 3B and SS could also improve production with their non big contract moves

Heaney another year experienced

Skaggs back

Better bench

Must be the holidays fending off my fending off the negativity.

But hey, they'll probably come last. Eppler sucks. Fire Scioscia. Bullpen/pitching/LF/2B!!! Am I doing this right? At least there's no Ianetta or Joyce (probably bounce back players of the year)