3 teams that should trade for Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts
By David Hill
Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels lead the American League in on base percentage, slugging, and OPS thus far. However, there is a major gap in the lineup.
Shortstop has been a black hole for the Angels all year. David Fletcher had been a solid option in the past, but he has been plagued by injuries thus far and his offense has fallen off since the end of the 2019 season. Andrew Velazquez may be brilliant with the glove, but his 28 OPS+ entering Tuesday shows why he is better served as a utility option.
There is also a lot of pressure for the Angels to return to the postseason. They have made the playoffs just once in Mike Trout’s career, being swept by the Royals in 2014. Shohei Ohtani has yet to reach the postseason. The Angels cannot afford to waste another year of their primes.
Enter the Boston Red Sox. Bogaerts would be a tremendous upgrade to the lineup, adding another potent bat to a solid batting order. Having Trout, Ohtani, Bogaerts, and Taylor Ward in some order atop the lineup would be a nightmare for opposing pitchers. It would also improve the Angels’ odds of being able to break that playoff drought.
The Los Angeles Angels have not gotten any production from the shortstop position this year. That would change if they make a move for Xander Bogaerts.