Los Angeles Angels: Potential options for second base in 2018
After barely missing the playoffs in 2017, the Los Angeles Angels look to address some key positions to set them up to reach October baseball in 2018. Let’s take a look at some second baseman the Angels could target for the 2018 season.
A rather uneventful offseason has baseball fans begging for the hot stove to crank up the heat. We are just 10 days away from the Winter Meetings in Orlando, and that means that big trades and key free agent signings are mere days, hours or even minutes apart. One team with big offseason plans is the Los Angeles Angels.
With a few glaring holes scattered throughout its roster, we’ll look at second base and the players that Los Angeles could try to acquire or sign to take over the spot next season.
In 2017, the Angels platooned second base heavily. Cliff Pennington, Kaleb Cowart, Danny Espinosa and Brandon Phillips split time at the position. The Angels designated Espinosa for assignment in July, and both Phillips and Pennington hit free agency this offseason. It doesn’t look like that the Angels will re-sign either player. That leaves Cowart as the only one of the four to remain on the Angels roster in 2018.
Second base was a massive hole for the Los Angeles Angels in 2017. According to Fangraphs.com, the Angels ranked in the bottom three of many offensive categories last season. They ranked 28th in fWAR and batting average. They sat 29th in on-base percentage and wRC+. The Angels ranked worst in baseball in slugging percentage and wOBA.
Clearly, the Angels need to improve at second base in 2018. Here are a few players the Angels could target to play second base next season.
Dee Gordon
With Derek Jeter now the chief executive officer in Miami, the Marlins look more and more likely to start a rebuilding process. Even more evident, Clarke Spencer, Marlins reporter for the Miami Herald, reported that if Giancarlo Stanton doesn’t accept a trade, he’ll be the lone star left on the team.
With that said, the Marlins certainly seem ready to deal their superstar players and start fresh with the new ownership. One of those stars, Dee Gordon, could be on the Angels radar as a potential starter in 2018.
Gordon signed a five-year, $50 million deal before the 2016 season. The deal includes a vesting option for the 2021 season. With three years left on his contract, Gordon guarantees the Angels a solid second base option for the next few seasons to come.
The second baseman will enter his seventh MLB season in 2018. He’s well-known for his speed and scrappy play. His career slash line sits at .293/.329/.367. His game fits Angel Stadium well. He’s not a power hitter, but a gap-to-gap guy. He has 40 triples, 422 runs, and 278 stolen bases in his career.
The speedy second baseman played in 158 games in the 2017 season with the Marlins, where he put up a slash line of .308/.341/.375. Gordon racked up his second 200 hit season in 2017 with 201 hits. He hit 20 doubles, nine triples, and scored 114 runs. He led MLB in stolen bases last season with 60.
Fangraphs.com Steamer projects Gordon to hit .286/.324/.367 with 22 doubles, eight triples, 77 runs scored and 44 steals.
If the Los Angeles Angels can acquire Gordon, they instantly add a top of the lineup bat. He could slide in as their leadoff hitter and start getting on base for Mike Trout and Justin Upton to drive him in.
Cesar Hernandez
The Marlins aren’t the only team in the NL East that the Angels could try to acquire a second baseman from. Another team in on the mix is the Philadelphia Phillies and their second baseman Cesar Hernandez.
While the Phillies continue to improve through a rebuilding process, they haven’t developed enough to compete in the NL East yet. The team could move Hernandez before the 2018 season. According to Los Angeles Times reporter Pedro Moura, the Los Angeles Angels have had sights on Hernandez.
Hernandez is arbitration eligible for the 2018 season and won’t hit free agency until 2021. He could supply the Angels with a top of the order bat for the next few seasons.
The 27-year-old second baseman continues to get better as he spends more time in MLB. In five seasons, Hernandez owns a .284/.357/.379 slash line. Like Gordon, Hernandez isn’t a power hitter. Another contact oriented player that would fit well in Angel Stadium
In 2017, Hernandez played in 128 games. He missed time due to an injury to his oblique. Hernandez hit .294/.373/.421 last season. He put up 150 hits, 85 runs scored, 26 doubles, 34 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. His 2017 stat totals didn’t vary much from 2016, despite playing in 27 fewer games.
Fangraphs.com Steamer projects Hernandez 2018 season to include a slash line of .274/.355/.380 with 25 doubles, 78 runs scored and 52 RBI.
Ian Kinsler
The Detroit Tigers traded away star players during the 2017 season, including Justin Verlander, J.D. Martinez, and Justin Upton. The team finally indicated that they want to get younger and begin to rebuild. Ian Kinsler is another veteran player that the Tigers could trade away.
Ian Kinsler was a name thrown around during the deadline that the Angels could acquire, but a deal never happened. However, the Angels did strike a deal with the Tigers to acquire Justin Upton before the non-waiver trade deadline.
According to Anthony Fenech, a reporter for the Detroit Free Press wrote that the Angels continue to have an interest in acquiring Kinsler. The 35-year-old second baseman was toward the end of his five-year, $85 million contract with the Texas Rangers back in 2012. He has a team option left on the contract for the 2018 season.
With just an option year left on the contract, a deal for Kinsler could show the Angels believe in competing for a championship in 2018 with some new players and a healthier roster.
In his 12 seasons in MLB, Kinsler owns a .273/.342/.447 slash line with 234 home runs, 839 RBI and 1,149 runs scored. Kinsler is a four-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove in 2016. He’s coming off a bit of a disappointing season. In 2017, Kinsler carried a slash line of .236/.313/.412. His average reached the lowest ever in his career. He hit 22 home runs, scored 90 times and drove in 52 runs.
Kinsler remains a formidable player despite a down season. He would provide the Angels with a veteran bat and someone with playoff and World Series experience. Kinsler played in the World Series with the Rangers in 2010 and 2011. He also played on the 2012 playoff Rangers team and made the playoffs with the Tigers in 2014.
Veteran leadership is an excellent quality for a team to have. Kinsler brings that and a potentially potent bat to the club if the Angels plan to make a move for him.
Neil Walker
Second baseman Neil Walker entered free agency this offseason with nine seasons of MLB experience. Last season, Walker played for both the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers.
In his nine MLB seasons, Walker possesses a slash line of .272/.341/.437 with 130 home runs, 522 RBI, and 521 runs scored.
Espn.com reporter Jerry Crasnick tweeted out that the Angels have interest in Walker.
The #Angels are looking at second base upgrades through free agency. Neil Walker and Zach Cozart are on their list (if Cozart is willing to entertain the idea of moving off shortstop).
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 16, 2017
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Walker could provide a nice veteran presence at the second base spot. With Josh Hamilton‘s contract finally off the Angels’ books, they have some money to spend in free agency.
Walker isn’t the only free agent that the Angels could eye.
Howie Kendrick
A reunion between Howie Kendrick and the Los Angeles Angels could happen next season. Last season, Kendrick played for both the Phillies and the Nationals.
They converted him from a second baseman to an outfielder. The Angels could reconvert him to a second baseman.
Next: MLB Free Agents Tracker: Top 25 Pitcher free agents for 2017-18
Kendrick has a career slash line of .291/.334/.421 with 104 home runs, 636 RBI, and 703 runs. He made the All-Star team back in 2007.
The 34-year-old played with the Los Angeles Angels for nine seasons. He was a fan favorite as an Angel and could be a cheap, impactful bat if the Angels decide to sign him in free agency.
The possibilities are endless for the Los Angeles Angels at second base for 2018, a dire need for them, to say the least.