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Three Value Deals for the LA Angels to Make

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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ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 12: Matt Holliday #7 scores on a single by Matt Adams #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals as Carlos Perez #58 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim runs after a errant throw congratulated during the ninth inning of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the St. Louis Cardinals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 12, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 12: Matt Holliday #7 scores on a single by Matt Adams #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals as Carlos Perez #58 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim runs after a errant throw congratulated during the ninth inning of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the St. Louis Cardinals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 12, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Matt Adams, 1B/DH

Matt Adams does not jump off the table. His slash line of .239/.309/.477 is not inspiring at all for the 30-year old with little to no defensive upside. However, he may be just what the Angels need for the upcoming 2019 campaign.

For Matt Adams, it is all about his splits. For his career, Adams is a .279 hitter against right-handed pitching. Against lefties? He is barely above the Mendoza-line with an abysmal .208 batting average. That is awful for a major league baseball player, and hurts his value going into free agency.

Related Story. Possible First Base Targets for Angels

And that plays directly into the Angels’ favor. With Albert Pujols deteriorating before our very eyes, he will need help as he tries to play first base consistently. Coming off another season that ended early because of injury, it is unlikely Pujols can play even 100 games in the field. In years past, he would have been able to just play designated hitter but with Shohei Ohtani in line to be the everyday designated hitter, that won’t be an option.

That is where Matt Adams comes in. Pujols, in his career, has been better against left-handed pitching, and Adams is obviously better against right-handed pitchers. That makes an easy platoon for Brad Ausmus, and one that could give the Angels a threat no matter which arm the pitcher throws with.

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