SAN DIEGO — The Angels left the Winter Meetings on Wednesday with the same hole in the middle infield as they had when they arrived.
At the moment, their depth chart has David Fletcher and Luis Rengifo at shortstop and second base. Which one would play which spot is still up for debate.
You can squint and see that being a capable combination. Fletcher was a solid everyday player from 2018 through the first half of 2021, before a disappointing season and a half. Rengifo finally came into his own and finished with a strong second half in 2022.
General Manager Perry Minasian has acknowledged it’s an area that could use some help. After three days of talks with free agents and other teams in San Diego, he wouldn’t assess the chances of making a move.
“Hard to say,” he said on Wednesday. “I don’t know. That’s an area we’re looking at. If we can upgrade we will, but as I sit here today, I don’t know. I don’t like predictions.”
The best move would obviously be to sign one of the three remaining marquee free agent shortstops: Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa or Dansby Swanson.
Each of them would cost more than $20 million per year, and Correa would likely be more than $30 million.
The Angels’ current payroll is about $198 million, or $212 million for purposes of the luxury tax. The first luxury tax threshold is $233 million.
“I think there’s a possibility,” Minasian said of exceeding the luxury tax threshold, something the Angels have traditionally not done. “There’s no mandate that we can’t obviously. It just depends on the opportunities. We want to add to this club. We want to try and continue to make this club better. If that means going over the tax, I think it’s a possibility.”
If the Angels don’t sign one of the top free agent shortstops, it would be tricky to find a move at the next level that is still a worthwhile upgrade from what they have.
Gleyber Torres is probably the best shortstop who could be acquired in a trade, but the prospect cost would be high, particularly for an Angels team still trying to rebuild its farm system.
It would be easier to make a trade for shortstops Nick Ahmed, Paul DeJong or Isiah Kiner-Falefa, or second baseman Jean Segura. Each of those players has significant baggage because of age, injury or recent performance.
Shortstop Elvis Andrus is available as a free agent, as are Adam Frazier and Brandon Drury, a pair of utility players who can play second. Again, none would be a certain upgrade over the status quo.
OHTANI’S ARRIVAL
Team Japan is planning to start its camp on Feb. 17, which is just a few days after the Angels begin their spring training in Tempe, Arizona. The official start date isn’t set yet.
That raises the question of whether Shohei Ohtani would appear in Angels spring training at all before the World Baseball Classic. If not, and if Japan goes all the way to the final on March 21, he might not join his Angels teammates until just about a week before Opening Day.
Minasian said on Wednesday that he hasn’t yet had the conversation with Ohtani about his plans. Ohtani could come to Arizona earlier than the official opening of camp or arrive at Japan’s camp a little later. Japan’s first game isn’t until March 9.
“I think it’s something we’ll work with him and we’ll do what’s best for him,” Minasian said. “That’s a discussion for down the road, but I’m not necessarily concerned about any particular setup.”
Minasian acknowledged it would be “strange” if Ohtani barely spent any time in Angels camp, but he said it wouldn’t “bother” him.
“He’s going to be prepared for the season,” Minasian said. “I have the utmost confidence he’ll be ready to go.”
NOTES
The Angels did not lose anyone in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft. They were not eligible to select anyone because their 40-man roster is full. …
In the minor league phase, the Angels took catcher Ronaldo Flores and right-hander Willian Suarez from the San Francisco Giants, outfielder Jared Oliva from the Pittsburgh Pirates and shortstop Riley Unroe from the Seattle Mariners. Oliva actually played 26 games in the majors in 2020-21, posting a .435 OPS. He had a .753 OPS at Triple-A in 2022. Unroe, a former second-round pick, was selected by the Angels in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft in 2017 and then he was lost in the major league portion in 2018. Unroe has made it to Triple-A, and he spent last season at Double-A. …
Right-hander Zach Liginfelter was the only player the Angels lost in the minor league draft. The Philadelphia Phillies picked him. He had a 6.54 ERA at Double-A last season. …
The Angels are encouraged by the progress first baseman Jared Walsh has made since undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in August. “All signs point to him being 100 percent” for spring training, Manager Phil Nevin said. …
Minasian reiterated the Angels’ comfort in having Max Stassi as their starting catcher, despite his poor offensive season in 2022. “Our pitching staff performed extremely well, and he was an absolute huge part of that, maybe even the anchor,” Minasian said. Matt Thaiss is out of options, so he could be the leading candidate for the backup spot, ahead of top prospect Logan O’Hoppe. Minasian also said it’s nice to have the backup catcher hit from the opposite side as the starter. Stassi is a right-handed hitter and Thaiss is a lefty. O’Hoppe is also a righty. …
Reports have been good so far on third baseman Anthony Rendon, who is coming off of two injury-marred seasons, Minasian said. “I’m expecting him to have a really good year,” Minasian said. “He’s my pick for Comeback Player of the Year.”