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LA Angels: Three Free Agents That Can Make the Team Contenders

By Vincent Page

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the first inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the first inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 07: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim talks with Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles after flying out during the eighth inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 7, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 07: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim talks with Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles after flying out during the eighth inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 7, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Adam Jones

Last season, Adam Jones found himself mentioned in a swirl of trade rumors as he spent his days on the worst team in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles. He stuck it out for the rest of the season, finishing with an exceptional .281/.313/.419 slash line.

Going into the offseason he was expected to have a lot of suitors, but as this offseason has gone for most players, he has seen little to no action. Still without a team, the Angels make a lot of sense for the 33-year old veteran.

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It was well documented how awful Kole Calhoun was for the majority of the season in 2018. Despite a summer where he was one of the best hitters in baseball, Calhoun still finished the year with a .208 batting average. That is abysmal, and Jones would serve as a perfect replacement.

While Jones has spent his career in center, his range has decreased as his age has increased. He could serve as a perfect right fielder in Anaheim, pairing with Mike Trout to be the best defensive duo of outfielders in the MLB.

And even if new manager Brad Ausmus wants to keep Calhoun in the loop, there is a simple platoon between him and Jones. Calhoun struggled against lefties last year while Jones was great when facing southpaws.

Before this offseason, a multi-year extension for Jones seemed obvious. However, it seems only two free agents got paid this offseason, and Jones could be had for a cheap deal for whichever team signs him first. If they’re smart, the Angels will be sure that he is wearing the red and white come Opening Day.

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