LA Angels: Grading GM Perry Minasian this offseason (Part 2)

One of the final trades the Angels performed during the off-season involved gaining some additional outfield help after acquiring Dexter Fowler from the St. Louis Cardinals. Once again, this is another player with ties to Joe Maddon from their days with the Chicago Cubs. The details of this trade aren’t fully revealed, as the Angels will trade a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The Cardinals will also cover $14.75 million of Fowler’s salary in 2021, leaving the Angels to pay the outfielder just $1.25 million.

Dexter Fowler will be relied on to help further the development of young talent this season.

Like the other newly acquired Halos, Fowler is another player that will be a free agent after the 2021 season. The Angels definitely don’t Fowler as a long-term solution. Instead, Fowler will be a stop-gap player until Jo Adell can continue developing in the minor leagues.

The Angels shouldn’t be expected to give up something too much for Fowler as he’s a statistically average player. Fowler will provide more of a leadership role to help the development of the young talent and help build a winning culture.

In 2020, his Fowler slashed .233/.317/.389 with an OPS+ of 92, which puts him just slightly underneath league average.

Fans shouldn’t be expecting too much from the 34-year-old outfielder that is mostly looked like a filler option until Adell or Brandon Marsh is ready.

This trade-only raises a question, and it’s a question that the Angels really need an answer to should their development pay off. When will Adell or Marsh be ready to stay in the big leagues permanently?