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DALLAS — The Angels are looking to upgrade just about everywhere, and that includes third base.
Even though the Angels have Anthony Rendon signed for two more years at more than $36 million per year, he has been injured or ineffective for so much of his first five seasons with the team that General Manager Perry Minasian said they are open to acquiring a new third baseman.
“I’m not closed minded on anything, if there’s somebody that fits,” Minasian said Monday, the first day of MLB’s winter meetings.
He added that Rendon could move to second or first.
“Anthony is athletic enough to move around,” Minasian. “If you need Anthony to play second, when he’s healthy, he could do it. If you need Anthony to play first, he can do it. He’s more than willing to do that. We have to be open to all. I don’t want to be closed-minded on anything.”
Rendon has been hurt so much that he has played just 205 games in the last four seasons. In recent years, the Angels signed Brandon Drury and traded for Gio Urshela to have versatile players who could fill in for Rendon when he’s hurt. They also have Luis Rengifo, a utility player whose best position is third. This winter they signed Kevin Newman and acquired Scott Kingery, each of whom can play third.
If the Angels want to aim even higher, they could make a trade for Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals or Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies. Alex Bregman is the best third baseman on the free agent market.
Each of those players would be costly, either in terms of the talent they’d have to trade or the salary they’d have to add.
A ‘DESIRABLE’ SPOT
Even though the Angels lost 99 games last season and have the sport’s longest active playoff drought, Minasian said free agents are still expressing an interest in playing in Anaheim.
“In general, I don’t think our place is a tough sell,” Minasian said. “I say this all the time, and I don’t know if people believe it or not, you’d be surprised how many people want to play here. It’s a great place to play. It’s a great place to live. It’s a great place to spend the season. It’s a great place for families. It’s a good ballpark. It’s a great fan base. It’s a great – not a good place to play – a great place to play. I’ve seen it this offseason in particular. There’s a lot of people that want to play here.”
Minasian said the recent on-field struggles are mitigated with an understanding of what they’re trying to build.
“It’s less about talk and more about what’s on the field,” Minasian said. “I think people recognize what we’ve been able to do here over the last couple years, with some young players and with what we’ve added this year. You have relationships with people, with agents. They know what’s a good spot and what’s not. I think people recognize throughout the game that we’re in a spot where we’re a desirable place.”
ANGELS SIGN HUDSON
The Angels signed right-hander Dakota Hudson to a minor-league deal.
Hudson, 30, had a 6.17 ERA with the Colorado Rockies last season, getting designated for assignment in the middle of the season. Hudson won 16 games over 32 starts with the St. Louis Cardinals as a rookie in 2019, but he has failed to repeat that success.
Minasian said the Angels saw enough in him last year to give him what amounts to a zero-risk opportunity.
“In St Louis, obviously had a decent run where he had a couple good years, so just give him an opportunity to come here and make the team and pitch,” Minasian said. “You could see him out of the rotation. You can see him out of the bullpen. There’s stuff there. It’s not just being healthy and execution and all those types of things.”
NOTES
The draft lottery will be held on Tuesday, with the results announced during an MLB Network show at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The Angels have a 17.96% chance at getting the No. 1 pick. The farthest they can fall would be ninth. …
The Angels have promoted David Haynes and Joey Prebynski, giving each assistant general manager titles. Haynes is still going to work primarily with the major league roster, while Prebysnki will oversee player development. Haynes was a director in charge of player procurement, and Prebysnki was the director of player development. …
Right-hander Robert Stephenson, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, has been playing catch. The Angels aren’t sure when he’ll be back, but they aren’t expecting it to take as long as it would if he were a starter. “We’ll see where he is in the spring,” Minasian said. “If that’s middle of April, early May, whatever it may be, we’ll wait and get him when he’s ready.” …
Niko Kavadas, who was named Offensive Player of the Year in the Arizona Fall League, also made an impression on the Angels with his adjustment to the outfield. Minasian said he’s now an option to play there in the majors. Kavadas had been a first baseman and DH previously. The 26-year-old hit .329 with six homers and an OPS of 1.162 in Arizona. He hit .183 with a .616 OPS in 106 plate appearances with the Angels. …
Christian Moore, the Angels’ first-round pick this summer, played some third base, in addition to second base, during instructional league this fall. Minasian said he will be invited to major league camp, as expected.
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