LA Angels: 3 underperforming players who need to improve to stick around

The LA Angels have many free agents to re-sign this offseason.

Not everybody will be re-signed, but the Angels will have a lot of money to spend this offseason. Arte Moreno is worth $3.6 billion.

A few guys, however, are looking like they may not be able to stay on this team. They’ll need to perform better if they definitely want to stick around.

No. 3 underperforming player who needs to improve to stick around with the LA Angels: Junior Guerra

Junior Guerra has come to the LA Angels this year and is having one of the worst years of his career. Guerra has a 5.92 ERA, a 1.684 WHIP, and a 6.1 BB/9 rate this season (all stats are as of September 3rd).

There hasn’t been a ton to like, and it looks like he needs a change of scenery if he wants to be successful again. If he wants to stay with the team next year, he’ll need to turn it up.

I honestly don’t even know if he wants to be an Angel again next year, as it doesn’t really look like it.

The whole situation is pretty frustrating, as he was a good pitcher in both Milwaukee and Arizona. It was supposed to be a good move to get Guerra here, but it really has not worked out well at all.

He only made $750,000 this past year, and likely won’t cost a lot for next year. If he doesn’t show improvement, however, I don’t see either side wanting to stay together.

No. 2 underperforming player who needs to improve to stick around with the LA Angels: Juan Lagares

Juan Lagares has not been bad for the LA Angels. At least to what the expectations for him were, he really hasn’t been bad.

His stats aren’t great. He’s batting .242/.267/.367 and has hit three home runs and driven in 30 RBI. Those aren’t terrible considering there were little expectations put on him this season, and he has done better than many would have expected while filling in for this shorthanded outfield.

Remember, he’s a very good defensive player. Factor that into your evaluation of his performance.

He’s only making $1.25 million this season, and won’t be signed for a lot next season regardless of who he signs with. The issue is, the Angels may end up having too many outfielders to keep Lagares around.

Mike Trout will be healthy by next year, and the Angels have already brought up Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh. Taylor Ward will be back for next year, and even Jared Walsh has played well in the outfield.

I’m just not sure if there will definitely be space for Lagares next year if he doesn’t really pick up his play quickly.