Ranking the Angels pending free agents by likelihood of them re-signing

As we inch closer to the 2023 offseason, the Los Angeles Angels have seven pending that the front office will have to decide whether to bring them back or not. Two of these free agents have club options on their contracts, while the other five are unrestricted free agents.

The biggest free agent on the list, by far, is Shohei Ohtani. He's an Angels free agent the team will certainly want back, but how likely is it that he actually re-signs?

Here, we will rank how likely it is that Ohtani and the six other free agents remain with the ballclub past this season.

7) C.J. Cron

C.J. Cron is the only player the Angels acquired at the trade deadline that they didn't put on waivers. That could mean they like him, which I'm sure they do, but it likely has more to do with the fact that he was hurt.

Cron was acquired in the deal alongside Randal Grichuk at the deadline and hasn't made any sort of impact. He has just 10 hits in 50 at-bats and only one of those hits left the ballpark. He's been limited to just 15 games due to his back injury, and has no spot for next season.

Nolan Schanuel has gotten off to a fantastic start to his MLB career and looks like the first baseman of he future. Cron could DH if Shohei Ohtani leaves, but I think the Angels will prioritize getting guys like Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon more DH at-bats instead of just committing to one guy who wouldn't play anywhere else.

It would've been nice for Cron to succeed in his second tour of duty with the Angels, but he's done next to nothing since they acquired him, and the chances they keep him feel slim to none.

Chances the LA Angels re-sign C.J. Cron: 1/10

5) Eduardo Escobar

Eduardo Escobar is the other player who has an option for the 2024 season as the Angels can keep him around for $9 million if they choose, but the chances of them picking that up after his performance with the team are practically zero.

The Angels acquired Escobar shortly ater Gio Urshela went down with injury as they looked to find another quality third baseman to replace Anthony Rendon who also had the versatility to play other positions. Escobar's defense was fine at third base, second base, and first base, and he even pitched really well when called upon, but his bat really lacked.

As an Angel, Escobar slashed .214/.253/.304 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 54 games and 168 plate appearances. He's gotten more of. a chance to play consistently down the stretch as the Angels play shorthanded, but as his 51 OPS+ with the club dictates, he's done virtually nothing with that opportunity.

Escobar has his uses as a player who historically hits lefties well, is versatile defensively, and is a great clubhouse guy, but the chances the Angels want to bring him back after he had a .556 OPS with the club feel minimal. Even if the Angels stuck guys like Michael Stefanic or David Fletcher in the utility infielder role that feels like an upgrade.

Chances the LA Angels re-sign Eduardo Escobar: 1.5/10

4) Randal Grichuk

Randal Grichuk was acquired alongside C.J. Cron in the Angels attempt to fortify a lineup that was dealing with a slew of injuries. Grichuk essentially was the Taylor Ward replacement in left field, but unfortunately really struggled out of the gate with his new team.

Grichuk was hitting .140 with a .470 OPS in his first 26 games with the Angels before being one of the six players the team placed on waivers. He was so bad to the point where not one contending team claimed him either time the Angels made him available essentially for free.

Fortunately, Grichuk has made those teams pay as he's slashing .319/.372/.597 with four home runs and nine RBI in 21 games and 72 at-bats since being placed on waivers. Grichuk is showing some value to the team as a guy who could be a decent fourth outfielder, but with them needing to find time for Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak, and Jo Adell, the outfield is pretty full.

There's always the chance the Halos choose to move one or more of their outfield as it feels like none of them are 100% set in stone to be a part of the 2024 Angels. If a spot does become available, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Angels go after a player they liked enough to trade for, even if it is in a reserved role. I'd still consider it unlikely, though.

Chances the LA Angels re-sign Randal Grichuk: 2/10

3) Shohei Ohtani

This is the player everyone wants to see. The questions everyone wants to be answered are where will Shohei Ohtani end up and how much money will he make?

It feels more likely than not that Shohei Ohtani will depart for another team this offseason as the Angels have had eight straight losing seasons with no real end in sight. Ohtani above all seems to want to win, and I think he knows that this team has work to do before they can realistically say they're contenders.

While Ohtani might end up choosing to sign elsewhere, that doesn't mean the Angels have no shot at retaining him. I believe their chances are slim, but not none, for a couple of reasons.

First, I believe with his injury his price will go down enough to where the Angels can offer him a substantial contract and not be laughed out of the room. Would this contract be more than other bigger market teams like the Mets and Dodgers would offer? Probably not. It still should be enough to keep the Angels at the table.

Second, I believe Ohtani recognizes the role the Angels have played in his career. They're the team that has let him be himself. They're the team that has let him talk to the media only after his starts. They're the team that has let him dictate whether he plays or not. They let him make every decision for his career. I guarantee you he won't have this kind of autonomy everywhere.

Lastly, I do believe Ohtani wants to win here. He might consider it impossible at this point with Arte Moreno still around and the team showing no sign of improvement in 2023, but I do believe he loves this organization.

Ohtani ranks third on this list more because he's a player the Angels would actually want back. It's very possible the Angels don't even talk to the first four players on the list, and we all know they want Shohei back. As fun as it'd be, the chances are still quite slim.

Chances the LA Angels re-sign Shohei Ohtani: 2/10

2) Gio Urshela

Gio Urshela was brought over in a trade with the Twins this past offseason and when he was healthy, performed admirably for the Angels. They've needed depth for the longest time and finally got it with Urshela who could start on a lot of teams but didn't have a guaranteed starting job on this one.

Urshela filled in at shortstop to start the year before Zach Neto was promoted, and played a lot of first base as well in games Anthony Rendon wasn't on the IL. Urshela was a .299 hitter that put the ball in play a ton, but he also had just two home runs in 214 at-bats which was odd for a player who had hit as many as 21 in a season.

I believe Gio is a player the Angels will want back, as his defense at third base is spectacular and he showed an ability to play all four defensive positions at least adequately. Urshela's bat is solid, and he's just a smart baseball player.

Urshela remaining with the Angels feels unlikely for the simple fact that he deserves to start and wouldn't have a guaranteed spot on this team. Anthony Rendon, even though we all know he'll end up on the IL at some point, is the team's third baseman until they finally decide they've had enough with him. With Neto at short, Drury at second, and Schanuel at first, there aren't everyday at-bats available for Gio.

If the everyday spot I assume would be out there for him never turns up, maybe the Angels luck into re-signing him. I assume they'd want him back.

Chances the LA Angels re-sign Gio Urshela: 3/10

1) Mike Moustakas

Six of the seven free agents the Angels have available this offseason are ones I'd deem unlikely to re-sign for different reasons. These stem from the team not wanting them back to there not being a role available that suits the player. Mike Moustakas is the seventh free agent, and I believe he's a player likely to re-sign.

Moustakas was another player the Angels acquired in a trade with the Rockies to try and sure up their depth. The Angels have dealt with injuries all year, and Moustakas seemed like a logical replacement-level player to fill in at both corner infield positions.

Moustakas got off to an incredible start with the Angels before really slowing down and most recently landing on the IL. His statline doesn't look too pretty overall, as he's slashing .243/.265/.387 with eight home runs and 30 RBI with the Angels, but he's had several clutch moments and has filled in perfectly as the team's unquestioned leader.

Moustakas having to take on the leadership role when he didn't even start the year with the team is a whole separate issue, but he's stepped in quite nicely and has set a great example for the young players. The 35-year-old is a Los Angeles native who could have interest in being Anthony Rendon's backup.

The Angels should want him back in a reserve role, and I see no reason as to why Moose wouldn't want to stay. This has felt like a nice fit ever since Moustakas put the uniform on.

Chances the LA Angels re-sign Mike Moustakas: 8/10