LA Angels have some good pieces for 2020, but need to fill holes

Are LA Angels left fielder Justinpti — ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 15: Justin Upton #8 of the Los Angeles Angels looks out to center field after hitting a 3 run home run agaisnt the Chicago White Sox in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 15, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

Left field – The Angels thought they had shored up left field shored up when they traded for Justin Upton. However, an injury-plagued 2019 season which has seen his production go way down as Upton has hit only 11 homers and driven in 39 runs with a .220 batting average. Many Angel fans have questioned Upton because of this lack of production even though it is due to injuries that will limit him to under 81 games (half of the season).

While Upton’s production is much less than expected and his defense is average at best now, he is still a higher-end left fielder and should bounce back in 2020 when he will hopefully be fully healthy. The Angels could try and trade Upton to free up some salary that could be spent on some pitching the team desperately needs.

The issue with this is that it will be hard to get a team to take on all or most of Upton’s large contract. If Billy Eppler can do this then you can possibly keep Kole Calhoun and have Brian Goodwin play left until Adell is ready to take over. We will just have to wait and see.

Grade – C-

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