Should the Los Angeles Angels re-sign Tommy La Stella?

Why the Angels SHOULD re-sign Tommy La Stella

There is a lot to be said about the adjustments that Tommy La Stella made heading into the 2019 season and what those meant toward his development from an afterthought to an All-Star. However, there were questions about whether those changes were sustainable or simply a fluke outburst.

The 2020 season, in all its shortened glory, has made answering some of that a bit difficult, but when these 60 games have come and gone, it will be the task of the Angels to determine if another small sample size is enough to justify a longer-term commitment.

After hitting .295/.346/.486 in 2019, La Stella is off to a .268/.400/.439 start in 2020. The home runs are down, with the infielder hitting just a single bomb on the season, but many of the other metrics that helped produce the jump in performance are similar or better this season.

2019: 43.2% Hard-hit, 33.2% Fly-ball, 44.7% Sweet-spot, .476 xSLG

2020: 39.5% Hard-hit, 39.5% Fly-ball, 36.1% Sweet-spot, .438 xSLG

While the home runs are down this season, La Stella appears to be on a similar track to his 2019 campaign. That at least profiles La Stella as having a chance to duplicate his breakout given a similar opportunity to do so.

So how does that go into consideration in the Angels decision to retain La Stella after the 2020 season?

If La Stella can maintain his current bat-to-ball abilities with the increased power, even if it is marginally lower than his 2019 season, then he would have shown a level of dependability that he hadn’t in the past. Coupled with his ability to play around the infield, La Stella could be in high demand this winter.

Why the Angels should NOT re-sign Tommy La Stella

Of course, even if the Angels do complete their 2020 season, and La Stella plays well over his 50-plus games, it may not be as cut and try as relying on just his performance either.

In particular, age will play heavily in any negotiations with the would-be free agent. La Stella will be 32 when he plays the first season of his next contract, and while his breakout has been impressive, his chances of maintaining that as he crests his prime will be lower.

There is also the question of cost. If his performance is maintained in 2020, he’ll have a certain level of market appeal across the league. Infielders with a solid glove, positional versatility, and a mid-level bat are highly valued on the open market. Coupled with the fact that he wouldn’t receive a qualifying offer, and there could be a bidding war for his services.

The Angels already have one of the highest payrolls in baseball, and, as in every offseason, need to address their starting pitching with any available funds they may have. They also have similar decisions to make in regard to Andrelton Simmons, Julio Teheran, and Jason Castro.

If Simmons remains, then David Fletcher will be looking for a position. If Simmons leave, Fletcher becomes the obvious choice at shortstop, but then what of Luis Rengifo? There are also prospects on the way, with Jahmai Jones looming and the pair of Jeremiah Jackson and Kyren Paris a few years out.

The real decision comes down to if the Halos feel La Stella is in their long-term plans for second base. If they are not looking to commit to a long-term deal and don’t want to meet his asking price, La Stella may very well find himself in a new uniform again in 2021.

The Angels should re-sign Tommy La Stella

At $3.25 million in 2020 (before proration), Tommy La Stella isn’t a heavy earner in terms of annual salaries. So while the Angels may wish to save some money, there isn’t a major amount to be had by going with a cheaper option. As such, money shouldn’t be the deciding factor here unless La Stella’s market spikes drastically.

Rather, it will come down to where the club envisions itself in the next few years. The prospects on the way are still likely a few years from making an impact, and while Luis Rengifo is a good piece to have, he profiles more as a reserve option than a starter.

To me, it comes down to the Angels choosing between Tommy La Stella and Andrelton Simmons. The Halos won’t be able to re-sign both players, nor do I see them wanting to do so.

Simmons provides most of his value with his glove, but recent injuries have kept him off the field. David Fletcher has handled the position beautifully in his absence and has been a significant upgrade with the bat at the top of the lineup.

At $15 million in 2020, again before proration, Simmons is a costly piece to bring back, even if the Angels are able to negotiate a pay cut. Meanwhile, La Stella will come at a much lower cost and commitment requirement (two to three years). That will bridge the gap to the next group of prospects coming up the line. A $5 to $10 million cost savings can also be shifted to other areas of need.

While it is hardly a done deal, and the Angels will need to weigh their options, La Stella looks to like playing in Anaheim and the Angels appear to want him back. A deal makes sense on all fronts. That points to a reunion between the parties for 2021 and beyond.