LA Angels Free Agency Breakdown: First Base

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CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 04: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Cleveland Indians talks with Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the outfield before their game at Progressive Field on August 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Angels 3-0. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

After Albert Pujols‘ season ended early for the LA Angels, they had a handful of players occupy first base to end the season. None of the young players flashed, which leaves the Halos with a predicament heading into free agency.

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The LA Angels are not likely to heavily invest in first base over the offseason. Albert Pujols has vocalized his hopes to play as many games in the field as possible. As Halo fans know, as long as Pujols is on the team, he is playing. And if he is going to be playing in 2019, he’ll have to play first base with Shohei Ohtani acting as the everyday designated hitter.

However, Pujols hasn’t been the icon of health recently. He hasn’t been an everyday first baseman in years, and the Angels can’t afford to play him over Ohtani at designated hitter this season. First base is one of the easier positions to play, but acquiring depth pieces might be something they’re interested in.

As always, we’ll take a look at a big name free agent, a depth piece, and a wild card player. As I mentioned though, the only way Pujols isn’t the starter at first is if he is injured or not on the team. So in the case of a last-minute Pujols’ retirement…

MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 19: Mike Moustakas #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after scoring a run off of a single hit by Erik Kratz #15 against Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game Six of the National League Championship Series at Miller Park on October 19, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The Big Name

Last year, prior to the Halos signing Zack Cozart to be their third baseman, there was mutual interest between the club and Mike Moustakas. Moustakas played third base in Kansas City his entire career until being traded to Milwaukee at the deadline in 2018.

Could the two parties come to an agreement (and position change) a year later?

Many would point to Moustakas as a platoon option with the right-handed Pujols. However, Moustakas has been better against left-handed pitchers than right-handed ones. Pujols has also been better against righties than lefties, which could lead to an unconventional platoon. However, Moustakas proved his worth in the postseason this year, as he was a key part of the Brewers’ run up until their Game 7 loss in the NLCS.

Like I stated, the Halos likely would not pursue a play of Moustakas’ caliber to play first unless Pujols retires. If he were to, they would likely need a one-year deal for a player like Moustakas until top prospect Matt Thaiss (read about him here) is ready to make his MLB debut. At 30-years old, Moustakas has the flexibility to be a short-term option but he could find himself a long-term deal as well this offseason.

However, as I’ve said, the Angels are much more likely to sign a depth piece/platoon first base option, so….

ST LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 12: Matt Adams #15 of the St. Louis Cardinals back hands the ball for the force out during the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium on September 12, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images) /

The Depth Piece

While Pujols was better against right-handed pitching in 2018, that was an outlier for his career. If the Angels want a platoon option, they will want a left-handed bat who can hit for power.

Look no further than Matt Adams, who is a career .279 hitter against right-handed pitching. He also has an .825 OPS. While his numbers against left-handed pitching aren’t great (unless you ask Clayton Kershaw), he would not need to do anything but start against right-handed pitchers or come off the bench which he has proven to be capable of (again ask Clayton Kershaw).

Adams, like Moustakas, is 30 years-old. Looking at his numbers by the year is uninspiring, but again it is all about the splits for the Angels. Looking at the two teams in the World Series, they are platoon heavy. If the Angels want to adopt this style of play, which I wouldn’t cancel out after new manager Brad Ausmus raved about his new knowledge of analytics, they will platoon nearly every position. The idea of playing Pujols everyday because he’s making history and making too much money is ludicrous. If the Angels want to contend, they will swallow the bullet and platoon Pujols.

And Matt Adams might just be the perfect prospect for that.

HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 17: Steve Pearce #25 of the Boston Red Sox falls into the Houston Astros dugout as he attempts to catch a foul ball hit by Josh Reddick #22 of the Houston Astros (not pictured) in the seventh inning during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

The Wild Card

If I told you there was a player out there who could play first base, has never hit above .300 over a season, and has 90 career home runs, you’d want him to be your everyday first baseman, right?

Well…let me explain.

Steve Pearce is a baseball anomaly. While most players play their best baseball in their late 20’s and early 30’s, Pearce is like wine, and only getting better with age. This season, for Toronto and Boston, Pearce slashed .284/.378/.512. Imagine if Pujols averaged that for an entire season, the city of Anaheim would have a parade.

Pearce is a right-handed hitter, which makes platooning tough with Pujols. That is where the wild card factor of this comes into play. Pearce hit .304 against southpaws this season, while his average dipped to .265 against right-handed pitchers.

The dynamic here is between starters and relief pitchers. Pearce’s average skyrocketed against left-handed starting pitchers, but he struggled against righties who started games. This is where the platoon comes in. Against left-handed pitchers, start Pearce. Bring in Pujols off the bench to handle relief pitching, which he has done well in his career. When a right-handed pitcher takes the mound, start Pujols and allow Pearce to sub in if a left-handed reliever comes on.

Next. Brad Ausmus Was the Perfect Choice

Pearce showed this year he can both platoon and be an everyday guy if need be. He will not be expensive this offseason, but will likely want to be on a team that is going to contend. Billy Eppler will have to sell him on that. If he can, the Angels could have a platoon option. Best case, they could have an All Star first baseman. Crazier things have happened.

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