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LA Angels: Why David Fletcher could be the perfect trade chip this winter

Daniel Preciado|
David Fletcher, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
David Fletcher, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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David Fletcher
ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 30: David Fletcher #6 of the Los Angeles Angels fields a ground ball against the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Red Sox won 7-6 in 15 innings. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

Potential Fletcher Trades

St. Louis Cardinals

According to Baseball Savant’s team positioning charts, the Cardinals had the third lowest shift percentage in 2020 and with Kolten Wong gone, they’ll need somebody to replace him.

Currently, FanGraphs’ Roster Resource has Tommy Edman projected to bat lead-off and play second, but he put up two defensive runs saved in 2020 at 3B, and would be well suited for the spot, leaving 2B open for Fletcher.

Recent draftees Jordan Walker, and Zach Thompson would probably be the centerpiece in a projected deal, with Genesis Cabrera, Trejyn Fletcher, Tink Hence and Andrew Knizner all being possible pieces in the deal.

Cardinals receive: David Fletcher

Angels receive: LHP Matthew Liberatore, LHP Zack Thompson, C/1B Julio Rodriguez

Kansas City Royals

Royals fans are probably sick and tired of the Nicky Lopez experiment, and we all know how well Whit Merrifield has worked for them, who appears to be the best case scenario for a player of Fletcher’s stature. Perhaps Kansas City sees a younger version of Merrifield in Fletcher and pulls the trigger.

We all know about the depth of pitching prospects in their system. And the Angels need starting pitching badly. If the Royals give the Angels a choice of Daniel Lynch, Jackson Kowar, and Kris Bubic, with one of Kyle Isbel, Khalil Lee, and Nick Loftin to top it off, I don’t see how they could turn them down. They’d probably ask for a third piece to sweeten the pot as well.

Royals receive: David Fletcher

Angels receive: LHP Daniel Lynch, OF Kyle Isbel

Miami Marlins

They don’t have a second baseman and they have young MLB-ready starting pitching. Given the influx of pitching lately through the draft, maybe the Marlins would do a one-for-one deal. Sandy Alacantra, Pablo Lopez, or Max Meyer straight up for David Fletcher is interesting. Would the Marlins even trade any of those three? Maybe not. But the Angels throw in a Trent Deveaux or Werner Blakely type to get what they need: starting pitching.

Marlins receive: David Fletcher

Angels receive: RHP Sandy Alcantara

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