3 hitters LA Angels can acquire after MLB lockout to help fix starting lineup

Sep 27, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA;  
Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) singles against
Sep 27, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) singles against / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 31, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits an RBI double
Oct 31, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits an RBI double / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The LA Angels starting lineup already looks pretty promising for next year, but there still is some room for improvement.

The team can absolutely go from having one of the best lineups in the American League to one of the best lineups in all of Major League Baseball if they could acquire another big bat--preferably in the middle infield.

Currently, the two starting middle infielders on the Angels look to be David Fletcher at second base and Tyler Wade at shortstop. There's not a ton of hitting prowess there (although there's quite a bit of speed there), so the Halos can really take a drastic step forward with the lineup if they can acquire one of these three hitters:

No. 3 hitter LA Angels can acquire after MLB lockout to help fix starting lineup: Carlos Correa

If the LA Angels want Carlos Correa, they are going to need to understand what that exactly means. It means that they will have to unload an insane amount of cash to bring him in, as Correa has already reportedly turned down a 10-year, $275 million contract offer from Detroit.

While some understandably accuse Correa of being overrated, due to him only having hit 25 or more home runs in a season once, only having driven in 90 or more RBIs twice, and only hitting .280 or higher once, he's still a clear upgrade over the likes of Tyler Wade and Andrew Velazquez.

Some Angel fans don't want Correa due to his involvement in the biggest cheating scandal in sports history, as well as his poor character he displayed in his lack of accountability for that. Some, however, are fine with it. Regardless of one's opinion on Correa as a person, he would provide a boost to Anaheim on paper if the Angels are cool with him joining the team.

Sep 26, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) takes a moment
Sep 26, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) takes a moment / Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 hitter LA Angels can acquire after MLB lockout to help fix starting lineup: Trevor Story

The LA Angels and Trevor Story are a great fit together, and Story would cost less than Correa. If the Halos land Story, they'd still have the money left over to fix the bullpen in free agency as well.

Story has been tremendous as an offensive player throughout his MLB career. A two-time All-Star, he would have been a three-time All-Star if there was an All-Star Game in 2020. Since he entered the league in 2016, Story has hit .272/.340/.523 (0.863 OPS). He's an extra-base hit machine, as he averages 34 home runs per 162 games, 39 doubles per 162 games, and six triples per 162 games.

A durable player, Story averages just 12 missed games per season since 2017 compared to Correa's 45.6 missed games since then.

Story is the better option for the Halos. I mean, he can also run well. He averages 22 stolen bases per 162 games, which is 15 more than Correa.

It's also important not to forget that Story can rake in the playoffs. Batting .318 with a .864 OPS in the postseason, he scored three runs in the five postseason games he's played in.

Oct 1, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) reacts after
Oct 1, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) reacts after / Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 hitter LA Angels can acquire after MLB lockout to help fix starting lineup: Ketel Marte

Ketel Marte would provide a lot of value to the LA Angels, and in particular because he can play so many positions. Therefore, we can use his utility to find all kinds of ways to fit his bat into the lineup if needed. Marte has lots of experience at second, lots of experience at short, and lots of experience at center.

Marte in his last three seasons has hit to a line of .318/.374/.543 (0.917 OPS) with a 139 OPS+. He also has averaged 28 home runs per 162 games, 92 RBIs per 162 games, and 98 runs scored per 162 games.

He finished in the top four in NL MVP voting for Arizona in 2019, and he was also an All-Star in that year too. Even before he became the elite hitter that he is in 2019, he showed flashes of promise including a 2018 season where he smacked 12 triples.

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The D-Backs have been reluctant to trade Marte in the past, but if the Halos want to pursue a new and improved bat without spending a ton of money in free agency, Marte would be the best option for them. Arte Moreno, Perry Minasian, and the entire front office are likely not done tinkering with this roster this offseason, and these three would be the best options for the team to improve the starting lineup.

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