Every free agent in the top 50 MLB Trade Rumors predicts the Angels will sign

MLB Trade Rumors released their annual top 50 free agents piece. In this article, three members of their staff predict where each of the top 50 free agents will sign and the terms of the deals these players will receive.

The Los Angeles Angels are linked to six different players in this article. Each one of the six would fill some sort of role on the roster, especially if Shohei Ohtani departs in free agency.

The staff does not predict the Angels end up with Ohtani or any of the high-end free agents available, but they do link the Halos to several players that would certainly be upgrades over what they have right now. The Angels obviously won't land all six players, but any combination would hypothetically make them better.

1) MLB Trade Rumors links pitcher Shota Imanaga to the Angels on a five-year contract worth $85 million

The big name out of Japan other than Shohei Ohtani that everyone is fixated on is Yoshinobu Yamamoto. It's easy to see why. He put up monster numbers in Japan, impressed in the WBC, and is just 25 years old. He's going to earn a massive nine-figure contract and could even cross the $200 million mark. MLBTR projects he will do just that.

While Yamamoto would be nice, the chances of the Angels landing him are low. They are, however, linked to a different Japanese arm who would instantly slot in toward the top of the rotation.

In his 24 starts for the Yokohama Bay Stars, the 30-year-old posted a 2.66 ERA in 159 innings of work. He fanned 188 batters while walking just 24 displaying remarkable command. In terms of stuff, Imanaga is right up there with the best of them and really impressed at the WBC this season.

The Angels have a need in the rotation and Darragh McDonald of MLBTR predicts they'll wind up with Imanaga. He's not one of the top arms in this free agency class, but he'd be a big get with a ton of room to grow. Like Ohtani, he could wind up being a bargain given he's unproven in MLB.

2) MLB Trade Rumors links outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to the Angels on a four-year contract worth $80 million

The Mariners made a big trade last offseason acquiring Teoscar Hernandez from the Blue Jays with hopes that he'd be the middle-of-the-order bat they lacked in 2022. While he definitely took a step back in 2023, Hernandez still put up quality numbers especially for a guy who played half the time at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park.

Hernandez slashed .258/.305/.435 with 26 home runs and 93 RBI in 160 games for Seattle this past season. His 106 OPS+ was his lowest mark since debuting with Houston back in 2016, but he was still extremely productive with those home run and RBI numbers.

While Hernandez struggled at T-Mobile Park, he's posted excellent numbers at Angel Stadium throughout his career, putting up a .901 OPS in 93 plate appearances. Some of that has to do with lackluster Angels pitching, but Hernandez clearly sees the ball well in Anaheim.

Adding Hernandez only makes sense if Ohtani leaves as there will be a gaping hole at the DH spot if he does depart. Hernandez being a subpar defender makes sense as a DH, but the contract figure they project is very steep for just a DH. With the Angels having a full outfield already I'm not sure I see them paying this kind of money for a DH that isn't named Shohei Ohtani like two of the three contributors do, but anything is possible.

3) MLB Trade Rumors links DH J.D. Martinez to the Angels on a two-year contract worth $40 million

J.D. Martinez is another player that makes sense only if Shohei Ohtani departs. He's a player that at this point is strictly a DH, but is a great one at that. He signed a one-year deal to join the Dodgers last offseason coming off a down year, and to the surprise of nobody, turned right back into the J.D. Martinez of old.

The 36-year-old slashed .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs and 103 RBI in 113 games played. He would've easily been the second best Angels position player only behind Ohtani despite missing 49 games due to injury. Martinez was an all-star and had a 134 OPS+ on the season, his highest mark since 2019.

Martinez being older and strictly a DH makes him a player only really up for a short-term deal. This works well for the Angels as they don't have to add more long-term money to the books, and he'd be easier to move if things don't pan out the way they envision.

If Ohtani leaves they'd need to bring a bat in to at least put up a somewhat competitive lineup. There is no replacing Ohtani, but Martinez is the second-best hitter available pretty easily. I'd be thrilled if McDonald was right about the team landing him if Ohtani does leave.

4) MLB Trade Rumors links first baseman Rhys Hoskins to the Angels on a two-year contract worth $36 million

The Phillies were dealt a big blow when Rhys Hoskins tore his ACL in Spring Training, but Hoskins missing his entire contract year stung even more. He now will be looking to take a short-term deal to try and rebuild his value. The Angels can once again be a team to help out there.

The 30-year-old is primarily a first baseman, but with the Angels set at that position, he'd be another guy they bring in to DH if Ohtani leaves. Hoskins would probably prefer to play first base than DH, but he's going to have to take whatever offer he thinks is best for his value. He was never a great defender anyway at first base.

If the Angels were to land him, he'd fit in pretty nicely. He has a ton of power and gets on base a lot by drawing a lot of walks. He strikes out a lot but Hoskins would add another much-needed threat to a depleted Angels order.

This free agency class is incredibly weak when it comes to hitters, so Hoskins is going to be a hot commodity even with the injury. Anthony Franco links him to the Angels, and if Ohtani does leave I'd be happy with the addition.

6) MLB Trade Rumors links pitcher Aroldis Chapman to the Angels on a two-year contract worth $24 million

Aroldis Chapman was not an intriguing name at all last offseason as his velocity was down, his production fell off, and his Yankees tenure ended with him suspended from the team after missing a workout before a postseason series. With his value at an all-time low, the Royals signed him to be their eighth-inning man and he wound up pitching wonderfully for them.

With Chapman's velocity back up and his production as good as it had been in a little while, the Rangers swooped in and acquired him one month before the trade deadline with hopes that he'd help turn around a subpar bullpen. Chapman had his ups and downs with Texas, but just played a big role in their World Series run.

Chapman wound up posting a 3.09 ERA in 61 appearances and 58.1 innings of work. He fanned 103 batters and did a much better job limiting the home run ball, allowing just four long balls all season. Chapman has always been eratic and has had his bumps in the postseason, but he'd obviously be an upgrade for this bullpen. It also doesn't hurt that he's left-handed with the Angels lacking any left-handed reliever.

The contract value is pretty steep, especially on a multi-year deal, but if the Angels fail to add other left-handers like Josh Hader and Matt Moore, Chapman would make sense as Darragh McDonald predicts.