MLB Trade Rumors prediction has Angels signing three players

MLB Trade Rumors released their annual top 50 free agents piece. In this article four 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 three different players in this article. Each of the three would fill a hole the Angels have right now.

While these three players wouldn't be my top targets, they're certainly upgrades to what the Angels have right now.

MLB Trade Rumors links Mitch Haniger to the Angels on a three-year $39 million dollar contract.

The first player they have the Angels signing is Mitch Haniger, who's ranked as the 20th-best free agent. Two of their writers have Haniger going to the Angels and the other two have him going back to Seattle.

Something very important about Haniger is he did not receive a qualifying offer. This means the Angels would not have to forfeit a draft pick if they signed him, making him much more attractive.

The Angels could use a corner outfielder as Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak haven't proven to be MLB starters yet. An outfield consisting of Taylor Ward, Mike Trout, and Haniger would be a very good one.

Haniger dealt with injuries this season and slashed .246/.308/.429 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI. The underwhelming season is why he's projected to get the contract he's projected to receive. In 2021 Haniger hit 39 home runs and was a big reason the Mariners were in contention until Game 162.

Haniger is 31 years old and the terms of the contract could potentially end up being a steal for Los Angeles if he stays healthy. He's a guy with 30+ home run power and can be an impact bat in the middle of any order.

MLB Trade Rumors links Brandon Drury to the Angels on a two-year $18 million dollar contract.

Brandon Drury has been a bench player who could play virtually anywhere other than center field for his entire career. He had a nice year as a bench player with the Mets in 2021 and was signed to a one-year $900,000 contract.

Drury was given a chance to play third base for the Reds and made the most of it. He slashed .274/.335/.520 with 20 home runs and 59 RBI before being traded to the Padres at the deadline.

He struggled with San Diego, seeing his OPS drop by over 130 points, but he did hit eight more home runs in 46 games.

MLB Trade Rumors' staff has one member linking Drury to four different teams; the White Sox, Marlins, Brewers, and Angels.

Drury would be a very welcome addition to the Angels, a team with awful depth. He'd probably play most of his games in left field and at second base. He could also occasionally spell Anthony Rendon at third to try and keep him on the field.

Something else intriguing about Drury is his ability to hit left-handed pitching. Jared Walsh has struggled mightily against southpaws in his entire career so Drury would be a nice platoon option with Walsh at first base against lefties. He had a .955 OPS against lefties this season, which is excellent.

The terms of Drury's contract are very fair and the Angels would only be giving him two years. The 30 year old probably won't hit another 28 home runs playing away from Great American Ballpark, one of the more hitter friendly parks in baseball, but he'd still be a very good bat who the Angels can deploy just about anywhere. The defense isn't great, but the bat makes it worth it.