LATEST UPDATE: Mike Trout Appears to Be Pushing Angels Owner Arte Moreno to Sign Specific Free Agent
The Los Angeles Angels have had a relatively subdued offseason, with their primary acquisition being right-handed pitcher Robert Stephenson, signed to a three-year, $33 million deal, though he’s set to start the season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury. Apart from Stephenson, their offseason moves mainly revolved around adding relievers on major league deals and outfielder Aaron Hicks on a veteran minimum contract, along with several minor league signings.
However, the Angels have also experienced significant departures, notably Shohei Ohtani along with players like Hunter Renfroe, Randal Grichuk, Mike Moustakas, and Gio Urshela, among others, finding new teams.
With Opening Day drawing near, there’s still time for the Angels to make impactful moves in free agency, and it seems Mike Trout is advocating for such additions. Trout expressed his desire to Angels owner Arte Moreno to bolster the team with a significant free agent signing before the season begins.
At this point you just feel for Angels fans.
Mike Trout is literally begging his owner to sign someone. https://t.co/TBx86mUKZ2
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) March 18, 2024
In a conversation with Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Trout emphasized the need for additional talent, mentioning players with significant home run prowess, particularly hinting at his interest in J.D. Martinez. Martinez, coming off an All-Star season with the Dodgers, remains unsigned despite his impressive stats from the previous season.
While there have been considerations about keeping the designated hitter spot open for rest purposes, adding an elite hitter like Martinez could significantly enhance the Angels’ offensive firepower, particularly in light of Ohtani’s departure. Martinez’s offensive output in 2023 closely mirrors Ohtani’s, albeit at a lower cost, making him an attractive option for the Angels.
By potentially adding Martinez and addressing their pitching needs with someone like Blake Snell, the Angels could mitigate the offensive loss incurred by Ohtani’s departure and strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.