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Los Angeles Angels: Pass or pursue on 5 marquee free agents

By Daniel Preciado

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 14: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during game one of a doubleheader at Great American Ball Park on September 14, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 14: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during game one of a doubleheader at Great American Ball Park on September 14, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 09: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees throws out the runner against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game Five of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 09, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 09: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees throws out the runner against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game Five of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 09, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

DJ LeMahieu

Once a contact hitting second baseman for the Colorado Rockies, LeMahieu has now left the New York Yankees as an All-Star caliber offensive player that can play three positions. A lot of the advanced statistics pointed to a potential LeMahieu breakout before the Yankees grabbed him on the cheap, but it came to fruition. LeMahieu rejected his qualifying offer from the Yankees this week as expected and that should be music to the ears of Angels ownership.

LeMahieu is already 32 years old, but it appears that he is just entering his offensive prime as he just learned how to put the ball in the air. The utility man batted .364 in 50 games for the Yankees in 2020 after a year where he batted .327. Across 195 games in a Yankees uniform, LeMahieu also hit 36 home runs. This could be a small product of Yankee Stadium type of deal, but he still has improved mightily at the plate.

A reasonable slash line expectation for LeMahieu should be something in the range of .320/.400/.500. That’s an All-Star and the Angels could use him.

Verdict: Pursue (3 years, $66 million)

Next. 3 reasons to trade for Francisco Lindor

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