LA Angels rumors: Halos active in hopes to steal surprise superstar free agent

The LA Angels are rumored to be in on one of the best players in our game in Kris Bryant.

This move's a little puzzling, as the Angels already have spent a ton of money on both third base and the outfield. And speaking of the outfield, they also have two bright prospects that they are expected to be giving playing time to in addition to the giant contract players in Mike Trout and Justin Upton.

Some suggest, however, that Bryant can fit at other positions for ballclubs.

This is where I disagree. He's only played 32 games of first base in his career. He could do a good job over there, but then the Angels wouldn't be getting his best defensive play with him at a position that isn't as natural to him.

Kris Bryant would be effective, but doesn't fit what the Angels' offseason plans should be.

With Kris Bryant inexperienced at first base, the LA Angels would be best to have him at third or in the grass, and they already have guys they're investing in at those positions.

Besides, even if he is just as valuable at first as he is at third or in the outfield, we already have a great first baseman in Jared Walsh. Walsh can move to the outfield, but then we'd have to sit two of Brandon Marsh, Upton, or Jo Adell. We'd be paying Upton $28 million next year to sit if we sit him, and we stunt the growth of Adell and Marsh if we sit them. We brought those two up last year to have them make strides in their games, and need to continue that process.

The only way we can fit Bryant into our team without creating a logjam of outfielders is if we trade one or more of Upton, Marsh, or Adell for starting pitching. If we do that, then we acquire a proven elite bat in Bryant, we acquire much-needed starting pitching, and then we can have Bryant (or maybe Walsh if Maddon chooses) play the outfield with the three other starting outfield options that remain. That way we'd have Trout, Bryant, and Walsh starting somewhere and we would then make our decision on who we'd want to start in the remaining outfield spot between who of Upton, Adell, or Marsh remains.

The issue with this idea, however, is that the Angels will need to have that trade locked up before they sign Bryant. Because if the Angels wait to trade Adell/Marsh/Upton until after Bryant signs, their trade values go down because other teams now know we have to get rid of those trade pieces.

And for what it's worth, we're not having a ton of success in trade talks as of right now.

This is an interesting idea, but there are a lot of factors involved. I personally would sit on what we have right now and spend money on pitching.

If we can figure out how to make a trade to clear up room for Bryant, that's one thing. As of right now, I just can't guarantee that will be happening.