What Will The Los Angeles Angels Do In The Winter Meetings?

The baseball winter meetings start Sunday and many are wondering if the Los Angeles Angels will be major players, or sit on the sidelines. That decision will be made by the Angels front office and general manager Billy Eppler.

As we know the Los Angeles Angels still have some big holes to fill, most notably at second base. The team could use a decent starting pitcher and also a left-handed reliever. So far this off-season Angels general manager Billy Eppler has not done much to really get you excited, but if you recall last year he is willing to wait for that right deal.

Last season the Angels needed a younger shortstop and a third baseman as well as a left fielder. Eppler using a couple of the valuable trading chips to get third baseman Yunel Escobar. Eppler traded hard-throwing reliever Trevor Gott to get Escobar, and although Gott could have helped a struggling Angels bullpen, Escobar definitely was worth it.

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Escobar solidified the third base spot, but more importantly he provided the Angels with a strong lead-off hitter that they had been lacking the last few seasons. Escobar finished the season batting .304 with five homers and 39 runs batted in. He also sported a .355 OBP and only struck out 67 times in 517 at-bats.

The other move Eppler made at the Winter Meetings in 2016 was to acquire defensive wizard Andrelton Simmons, who has over 100 defensive runs saved in 2013-2015. To get Simmons Eppler did have to give up the Angels top pitching prospect Sean Newcomb to the Braves. Simmons hit .281 with four homers and 44 runs batted in with 10 stolen bases. Simmons defense was enough for him to be a finalist for the AL Gold Glove at shortstop.

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Unfortunately on filling the left field slot Eppler struck out as the Angels decided to go with a platoon which was nothing short of disastrous. Both Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry never quite got on track and both were gone before the season ended.

So enough about the past what will this off-season hold. So far Eppler has addressed the left field spot acquiring Cameron Maybin for pitching prospect Victor Alcantara. Eppler has also re-signed Andrew Bailey to solidify the bullpen.