LA Angels Hot Stove: Matt Adams

The LA Angels have expressed interest in a handful of veteran first basemen. Though he has not been linked to the Angels, one who may be of intrigue is Matt Adams.

The LA Angels seem to have given up on the chance of CJ Cron being their answer at first base. Instead, they just need someone who can split time with Albert Pujols in the first base and designated hitter spots. That man could be former St. Louis Cardinal Matt Adams.

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Adams’ career came to the forefront of the MLB when he rocked a Clayton Kershaw pitch over the head of then-Dodgers’ right fielder Matt Kemp in Game 4 of the 2014 NLDS. The three-run bomb to eventually win the game and the series was the highlight of a postseason that saw Adams hit three home runs for the Cardinals.

Since then, Adams has not been talked about often. The 29-year old landed on the Braves last season, where he hit .271 with 19 home runs in 100 games. Now, the left-handed slugger has hit free agency after the Braves decided against tendering him and entering arbitration.

Adams is exactly what general manager Billy Eppler is looking for in a first baseman. No, Adams won’t do much for you on the base paths. He can hit 25+ home runs with consistent playing time. a .280 batting average is not out of the question either. 2017 was the fourth time in five years that Adams found himself with an on-base percentage above .300. OBP is something Eppler has been adamant about when evaluating potential additions to the team.

Adams would not blow up the Angels check book either. The Halos could sign him for a reasonable contract to ride out the rest of his prime years. They would not have to spend enough money to take them out of the Mike Moustakas sweepstakes, either.

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The Halos should avoid signing a veteran on the tail-end of their prime or past their prime altogether. Instead, they should sign Adams and watch him flourish in a time split with Albert Pujols.