Fansided

3 outfielders not named Aaron Judge that the Angels can sign

By Zachary Rotman |
Sep 28, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger (17) hits a
Sep 28, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger (17) hits a / Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 3
Next

The Los Angeles Angels could use another outfielder to fill out the roster for the 2023 campaign. Mike Trout is Mike Trout. Taylor Ward broke out this past season and could be even better next season. Left field is the vacant spot in the outfield.

Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak are both top prospects who have shown nothing at the big-league level. If the Angels have any dream of competing next season, they shouldn't go into Spring Training relying on one of those two to have a random breakout.

Aaron Judge is the best player and outfielder in this free agent class by far. While it'd be awesome to see him in an Angels uniform, I'm not sure how realistic that is for a variety of reasons. There are still some great outfielders that Perry Minasian should consider signing.

1) LA Angels outfield free agent target: Brandon Nimmo

Brandon Nimmo has quietly turned into one of the best center fielders in baseball. He's got an elite glove and a really good bat.

After being a corner outfielder most of his time during the minors, the Mets had Nimmo playing every day in center field starting in 2020. It was a disaster.

Since then. he's improved dramatically and is one of the better defensive center fielders in the game. Nimmo ranked in the 91st percentile in outs above average according to baseball savant.

Nimmo has improved every year since the change, and he even made possibly the catch of the year in a game against the Dodgers this summer.

Nimmo's glove is excellent, and so is his bat. Nimmo's best trait at the plate is his discipline and ability to get on base. His .388 OBP since 2018 ranks sixth in all of baseball among those with at least 2,000 plate appearances in that span.

He'd be the perfect leadoff hitter to get on base in front of guys like Trout, Ohtani, and Rendon.

Nimmo's one flaw is his inability to stay on the field. Nimmo played in 151 games this past season which set a career-high. He played 140 games in 2018 which was his career high. Those are the only two seasons in his seven-year career in which he's played in over 100 games.

When healthy, he's an elite player. He does just about everything well. Can the Angels rely on him to stay on the field? He's going to get a hefty contract. Nimmo would probably be in left field until Mike Trout can't play center anymore at a high level. Nimmo is 29 so he should have at least 3-4 good years in center left in him.

Nimmo is the second-best outfielder and the best center fielder available by far. Because of that, the contract will be large. The Angels might be priced out, but they should really consider bringing him in because he'd be an excellent fit in this lineup.

2) LA Angels outfield free agent target: Mitch Haniger

Mitch Haniger is another underrated player the Angels can sign. The 31-year-old is a really solid power hitter who would help lengthen the Angels lineup.

Haniger slashed .246/.308/.429 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI in 57 games played this past season. He missed time due to COVID in early April. He then suffered a Grade 2 high ankle sprain in late April that kept him out until August. He then played through back tightness in September and didn't hit that well.

Injuries have been a constant in Haniger's career. He played in 157 games in 2018 and 2021. He hasn't hit the 100-games played mark in any other season.

When healthy, Haniger's bat can be extremely impactful. In that 2018 season, he slashed .285/.366/.493 with 26 home runs and 93 RBI. He was an all-star that season.

In 2021 he slashed .253/.318/.485 with 39 home runs and 100 RBI. He received some MVP consideration as he finished in 20th place on the ballot. He constantly came up with big hits down the stretch including a monster game against the Angels as the Mariners were looking to break their playoff drought. The Angels sure could use a bat like that.

Haniger can be another power bat added to a lineup full of guys with the potential to hit 20+ home runs. Health is always a question, but the risk might be worth it.

The Angels can plug him into one of the corner outfield positions and the cost wouldn't be too high at all, especially coming off of a down year riddled with injuries.

3) LA Angels outfield free agent target: Andrew Benintendi

Andrew Benintendi is the third outfielder the Angels should look into signing. He's coming off a career year where he slashed .304/.373/.399 with five home runs and 51 RBI. The power wasn't there, but Benintendi was tied for sixth in the AL in batting and tied for eighth in OBP. He can get on base in front of the Angels' big hitters.

Benintendi has hit as many as 20 home runs in a season and has stolen as many as 21 bases. He's a very well-rounded player and would be a great fit in left field.

The Angels are a team that has struck out a ton over the past couple of seasons. Benintendi had a 14.8% K-rate in 2022 which was in the 88th percentile according to baseball savant. His whiff rate was in the 75th percentile and his chase rate was in the 84th percentile. Bottom line, he'll put the bat on the ball and won't chase to do it.

In addition to his intriguing offensive profile, Benintendi is a solid defender. He won the Gold Glove Award last season and is a finalist in left field for this season. He did only have 2 DRS but he's known to be a good defender in that spot.

The Angels would be signing the all-star coming off of his best season so they can expect some regression, but they could definitely use someone with his profile. A solid defender who doesn't strike out and can get on base at a high level. A .351 OBP isn't anything to scoff at.

The 28 year old could lead off or hit at the bottom of the order. He's done both in his career and I'm sure would do well in both spots as an Angel.

None of these three outfielders are close to Aaron Judge, but they're very solid players in their own right.

Next. Mets writer believes potential package is "more than fair". dark

Next
Home / LA Angels News

Schedule