4 Shortstops the LA Angels should pursue without breaking the bank

The LA Angels potentially have enough offense to not necessarily need to invest in an expensive keystone combo at the left side of the infield.

Sure, premiere free agent shortstops like Carlos Correa and Cory Seager would obviously help, but the club should focus on a more traditional shortstop.

The LA Angels are in dire need of speed.

The 6th position is traditionally a defense-first position. The LA Angels should go after a player that can cover ground and steal a few bases. Someone that can anchor the infield and create opportunities on the base paths.

The Kansas City Royals have a couple of them: Nicky Lopez and Bobby Witt Jr.

Witt Jr. is considered by Bleacher Report to be the No. 1 prospect in Major League Baseball. He has the potential to be an offensive and defensive powerhouse. He’s their star in the making.

If that’s the case, Nicky Lopez can be had. Lopez had a solid year last year. He hit .300, had an OBP of .365, fielded .987(!) and stole 22 bases. He’s exactly what the LA Angels need.

One other possibility is Pittsburgh Pirates SS Kevin Newman.

Newman is not fast by any means, but he is a fine fielding shortstop. He doesn’t hit much, but in 132 games he fielded at a .993 clip. Think of Newman as the LA Angels version of the old Baltimore Orioles shortstop Mark Belanger.

He can anchor the infield while Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and the rest drive in runs. Newman and David Fletcher would make a fine keystone combination.

Another player is Harold Castro of the Detroit Tigers. Castro can play multiple positions. He fielded at a .991 clip.

Castro hit .283 from the left side, but he can’t run a lick.

These are some of my ideas of how the LA Angels can solidify shortstop without going overboard. The squad needs pitching in the worst way.