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Ranking the LA Angels Positions By Need Ahead of the Offseason

By Vincent Page

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 22: Owner Arte Moreno and general manager Billy Eppler applaud as The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Introduce new team manager Brad Ausmus during a press conference at Angel Stadium on October 22, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 22: Owner Arte Moreno and general manager Billy Eppler applaud as The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Introduce new team manager Brad Ausmus during a press conference at Angel Stadium on October 22, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 22: Infielder Paul Goldschmidt #44 of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels during the MLB game at Chase Field on August 22, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Angels 5-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 22: Infielder Paul Goldschmidt #44 of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels during the MLB game at Chase Field on August 22, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Angels 5-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1.) First Base

The Angels have nothing at first base except a waning Hall of Famer and 90 feet to second. First base is the worst position for Angels, there are also many intriguing names on the market for the Angels., and first base is the position they need to upgrade this winter more than anything.

However, they probably won’t.

Albert Pujols still has (*shivers*) three years and $87 million left on his contract. Him retiring before his contract runs out is a pipe dream, and is unlikely to happen anytime soon. And until then, he will continue to be apart of the lineup, no matter how poor his play is.

Maybe that changes under new manager Brad Ausmus, but what is sitting behind Pujols is not much better. Sure, there have been rumors of Kole Calhoun moving to first base when top prospect Jo Adell is ready to take over in the outfield, but it seems unlikely the Angels take a Gold Glove outfielder and put him at first base. Right now Jose Fernandez and Jefry Marte are the backups at the MLB level, and neither of them has shown they can be an everyday first baseman.

Next. Brad Ausmus Was the Perfect Choice

Matt Thaiss is a name to watch for the Angels. The #5 rated prospect in the organization has been raking since debuting in the minors, and could be pushing for some time in Anaheim this season.

Overall, the Angels have a lot of work to do to go back to the playoffs in 2019 for the first time since 2014. That will rely heavily on what they do this offseason, and it is time for Billy Eppler to shine.

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