MLB Trade Rumors drops their Top 50 Free-Agent list with predictions

The offseason is officially in full swing.

We’re nearly a week removed from the Dodgers winning the 2020 World Series and the subsequent flurry of offseason moves have begun. Add in an economic collapse, a global pandemic, and plummeting revenues and we’ve already seen a shifting landscape for the baseball universe this offseason. MLB owners, citing tight financial restraints this offseason, have declined options on several quality players who are now free agents. Under normal circumstances, players like Charlie Morton, Kolten Wong, Brett Gardner, Mike Zunino, and Brad Hand would’ve likely seen their club options exercised. Instead, they’re new free agents in a class that has added more talent by every passing day.

For the Angels, there is a real opportunity to add significant talent in this free-agent class. Obviously, the Angels are still without a general manager and will need to hire their next guy before they can truly engage in offseason activity. Once the club does so, they’ll have plenty of holes to fill this offseason. Luckily, there is both quality and quantity in this year’s free-agent class, which has been brought to light by many recent free-agent lists being released by prominent baseball outlets.

Keith Law at The Athletic dropped his list of top 40 free agents last week. Shortly after that, Craig Edwards and a handful of writers dropped their top 50 list at Fangraphs. Today, MLB Trade Rumors dropped their annual top 50 list along with predictions. Unsurprisingly, the Angels are listed as suitors for many of the available players in the MLB Trade Rumors piece.

According to Spotrac, the Angels have roughly $34 million in spending money before pushing up against the luxury tax. This scenario has the Angels spending $44 million on those four free agents alone. This issue is further complicated by the aforementioned financial issues that will likely hold the Angels back to some extent. That being said, if the Angels intend to contend in 2021, it’s pretty clear that they’ll need to have an offseason such as this proposed one, where they add significant pitching talent and look to add a shortstop/second baseman, a catcher, and potentially another outfielder.

What say you, Angels fans? Do you like this proposed scenario from MLB Trade Rumors? Drop your comments below and let us know which direction you want to see the club go this offseason.

*Cover photo from MLB Trade Rumors

31 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Guest
4 years ago

Let’s offer Bauer a dual role… President of Baseball Ops and every 4th day pitcher, which he would enforce as PoBO. The combo would lower his AAV and provide hours of entertainment. This is showbiz, after all.

h27kim
Trusted Member
4 years ago
Reply to 

If we do this, can we deduct his salary as pobo from his baseball salary to make some room under the threshold? (Non serious responses only. 🤪)

Warfarin
Trusted Member
4 years ago

I’ve mulled over different iterations of what I’d like to see us do, and based on what’s available, cost, etc, I think the best route is for us to simply pursue the most cost-effective ways to patch up as many holes as possible.

Essentially – would it make more sense for us to allocate 25-30mil/yr on Bauer, or instead perhaps spread that money around to sign a 2B (Hernandez, who will probably earn 5-6mil/yr), a strong-side platoon OF (Pederson, who can probably be had at 1/8), two significant relievers (Hand/Treinen/Rosenthal/etc)? While Bauer would be great, the latter would ensure our lineup is very strong and our bullpen strong as well.

We could then utilize our prospects to trade for/acquire a SP to plug up our most significant gap.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
4 years ago
Reply to  Warfarin

I definitely like the latter approach.

Going back to Turk’s/my idea of trading Adell to Detroit for Mize/Manning (I prefer Manning), our combined setup would be

Manning, Bundy, Heaney, Canning, Detmers in the rotation. But there are so many back end arms I wouldn’t be surprised to sign one cheaply (Minor, Richards, Anderson, Porcello, etc) for early season depth.

Versatile lineup with no obvious holes and more left handed balance.

Bullpen that should work most nights.

Warfarin
Trusted Member
4 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Yes, I love the approach.

I am all for trading Adell for either Mize/Manning or to CLE for Pleasac.

Sign Hernandez, Pederson, and two significant relievers (Hand/Treinen/Rosenthal/etc).

This would give us a very strong lineup, a strong pen, and a very respectable rotation.

We’d stay under the luxury tax, too.

FungoAle
Legend
4 years ago
Reply to  Warfarin

Anti-Pederson. dude is one-dimensional and a knucklehead. But all for trading Adell and stuff to lock in some arms.

Warfarin
Trusted Member
4 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

He’s been a pretty decent player if you look at his career – has generally logged 2.7 of fWAR or better.

I think he can be had on a very modest 1 year deal. I like Ward, but I think Pederson would help us ensure adequate depth in the OF until Marsh is ready (in this theoretical world where Adell is traded). Would give us another legit LH power bat.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Warfarin

Yeah, Pederson would be fine as part of an outfield mix, though I’d rather sign Kiki Hernandez since he can do IF/OF… or Profar.

JackFrost
Super Member
4 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

A “knucklehead” is a kind way of putting it. I was glad we didn’t get him.

Last edited 4 years ago by JackFrost
Eric_in_Portland
Legend
4 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

I think most people who want to trade Adell are looking at his less than stellar 2020 and thinking he’s not that good so lets get something for him before GMs figure it out.

It’s more likely, I believe, that he’ll be as good as advertised by 2022. I’d rather he be on our team at that time.

Charles Sutton
Editor
Super Member
4 years ago

He just needs to learn how to hold ’em and know when to fold ’em. Those gift home runs are for the birds.

Greatjake
Member
4 years ago

Agreed. If we’re trading Jo it’s got to be for a young/established/cost controlled SP. I’m not sure I’d be in favor of trading him for other prospects who maybe as risky or moreso. Do Mize or Manning help us in 2021? What are the chances they bust compared to Jo? For me it has to be a guy like Marquez or Plesac or Snell.

h27kim
Trusted Member
4 years ago
Reply to  Warfarin

Absolutely. We have more than our shares of big stars (even if some of them don’t play like big stars any more.). We are short on quality depth. If we can get 3 – 5 quality ( role) players instead of a single star, that’d be worth it.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Warfarin

YARRRRRR THAT NO MAKEE WINARRRRR! THAT JIVE CONTRIVE UM DUMPSTAR DIVE NOT ENOUGH MAKE ME HUFF HUFF CAUSE YOO YARR NO WINNAAARRR! TREVOR BAUER POWARRR HOUR PLUS PLUS STROMAN AND LINDOR AND HAND OR YOU NOT CARE ENOUGH WUSSY FAN!

h27kim
Trusted Member
4 years ago

The prediction of Semien at that kind of money seems crazy. I don’t think we should allocate that much to IF, unless there are two (I think a defensively oriented backup is highly desirable, esp if we sign a 2b.)

BallsAndStrikes
Member
4 years ago
Reply to  h27kim

They were saying a lot of these are just placeholders for a top/mid/lower tier talent and the players are more interchangeable than other in other years. So whether its DJLM or semien, its all a toss up.

FungoAle
Legend
4 years ago
Reply to  h27kim

Agree, love to see Fletcher at 2nd as a fixture and find. 1-year SS (Galvis/Iglesias) stopgap and wait for the ‘22 SS frenzy.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  FungoAle

I like this idea. If we settle for Galvis but sign more pitching I am fine with that. If I have to get stuck with average defense and an 80 OPS+ at SS but get a solid closer along with it for example. Though I’d actually consider offering Andrelton 3/30 before signing either a cheap alternative or Semein. I just think his value as a defensive “field manager” is really good for us.

JackFrost
Super Member
4 years ago
Reply to  h27kim

As Jeff has accurately pointed out, there are cheaper more logical solutions at 2b. I like Cesar Hernandez.

He can give you 1.5 WAR at what is generally a weak offensive position and that allows Fletch to take SS and frees up a lot of $ for Stroman and Rosenthal.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
4 years ago

I’ve been on the Stroman wagon for a while now. Loved him since the WBC a few years back, class guy, pretty durable outside of one year.

I think my preference for middle infield help is Hernandez. Schoop could probably perform equally to Semien for half the price.

Bullpen has a ton of options. If Billy “Velo” Eppler was still at the helm Rosenthal would be an obvious fit.

If we’re going to gamble on a 33 year old for the back of the bullpen, let’s let GRich have a last lap or two with Trout. Not Minor.

Greatjake
Member
4 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

I’ve read a whole lot suggesting Stroman is a difficult personality, enough so to believe it and be weary. With that contract and his mid-rotation type skills I wouldn’t give up a 2nd rounder to have him on the team.

Greatjake
Member
4 years ago

I actually don’t like any of the fits from MLBTR.

Stroman would work if not for the QO, I believe Bauer is the only FA arm worth losing a pick over.

Semien for $14m seems senseless when we: A) don’t need to pay for offense B) can fill SS/2B internally C) can re-sign Simba for less D) sign a gifted defender like Galvis for much less

Rosenthal is a RP and therefore should never get a multi-year contract unless he’s consistently elite. I’d much rather give 1yr/$5m to Kirby Yates

Mike Minor is worth a flyer and is versatile enough to be a much needed lefty BP arm if need be. I could actually get behind this one.

Last edited 4 years ago by Greatjake
Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
4 years ago
Reply to  Brent Maguire

Pretty much the same, here. Stroman seems like a solid fit. A generally durable 2 in a top rotation but far less expensive than Bauer.

Splitting hairs here but I think middle infield is a bigger issue than most people realize. Fletcher at SS for a year isn’t ideal, but if better value can be had adding a 2B than a SS, I’m all for it. Semien at that price range doesn’t make sense.

matthiasstephan
Super Member
4 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

I think Semien is overhyped for 14M. He had a good year in 2019, but Simba has also had MVP caliber years and can be had (imo) for far less than 14M. I have been saying we should offer him 3/30 and solidify the IF (I am much happier with Fletch at 2B, and Rengifo et al as the backups).

Stroman should be had for less money than Bauer (with a less good track record) and the next tier would still be a major improvement on our top of the rotation starters (and could be had at depressed prices on short deals this offseason).

Greatjake
Member
4 years ago
Reply to  Brent Maguire

I’d much rather pay Tanaka 3/$39m than Stroman 4/$68m + a 2nd round pick. He’s more durable, less expensive, less of a commitment, has shown better control (which is more likely to age well) and may help Shohei as a mentor. I think it’s Bauer and everyone else as far as pitchers go and to pay the most for (arguably) the best tier 2 pitcher is not a wise move. Plus, our INF defense will be meh without Simba and that’s a negative for an extreme GB pitcher. Do we really think Stroman is head and shoulders above the pack?

I’m not as worried about the middle INF but we could stopgap with Freddy Galvis for like a fifth of the price of Semien. If the idea is to address SS in 2021 free agency I think it’s silly to spend significantly this year. And there’s always the possibility of a Lindor trade looming.

I’m fine with 1yr deals on RPs but if nobody valued Hand at 1/$10m we should probably wait out the market. Rosenthal was absolutely awful for two of the last three years. Sure he was coming back from TJS but there are other smaller bets I’d take before handing him 2/$14m.

Agree on Minor

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
4 years ago
Reply to  Greatjake

Tanaka is such an interesting player here. I wonder if he’d prefer West Coast team in general. Tanaka at that salary and keeping the draft pick is nice. I’d want to trade for a TOR guy or spend the savings on another bullpen arm.

Tanaka, Bundy, Heaney, Canning, Minor/Richards is a decent rotation with Detmers and Barria as depth.

I still think the Angels trade for one starter and sign another. Taylor Blake Ward mentioned Joe Musgrove as a trade target. More upside than any back end guy.

Tanaka, Bundy, Musgrove, Heaney, Canning looks better. Cheaper, probably allows the addition of one A level bullpen arm or two.