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4 incredibly high-profile free agents that the LA Angels just don’t need

By Evan Desai

Oct 1, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Starling Marte (2) celebrates first baseman Matt Olson (28) (not pictured) hitting a two run home run against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Starling Marte (2) celebrates first baseman Matt Olson (28) (not pictured) hitting a two run home run against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 5, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (48) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning of the American League Wildcard game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (48) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning of the American League Wildcard game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

The LA Angels have holes on their roster; we know this.

However, they also have many strengths on their roster, and don’t need to fix everything.

Jon Becker of Fangraphs laid out many free agents that the Angels don’t have room on their roster for, or wouldn’t be upgrades for this team over the guys they already have. There are four very notable free agents he put in this category for our team.

No. 4 incredibly high-profile free agent that the LA Angels just don’t need: Anthony Rizzo

Anthony Rizzo is still a really good player, but he’s just not worth signing for the LA Angels.

Rizzo isn’t significantly better than Jared Walsh at anything these days, and Walsh is a much cheaper option. In the last two years, Rizzo has hit .240/.343/.432 (.775 OPS) with 33 home runs and 85 RBI in 199 games. Walsh has hit .280/.338/.531 (.869 OPS) with 38 home runs and 124 RBI in his last two years (176 games).

He’s a better baserunner, and while Rizzo is superb on defense, Walsh is great too and is in the running for a Gold Glove.

Of course, there would be no spot for Rizzo to DH either, as the Angels have the best DH in baseball. Rizzo is a great clubhouse guy and I don’t think there’s a single baseball fan that doesn’t like him. He just realistically wouldn’t be needed on this team.

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