This year’s Hall Of Fame Ballot is out. Several former Angels are on the ballot (Kendrick, Hunter, K-Rod). Fangraphs says nobody on the ballot is a slam dunk. This article concerns the toughest Rule 5 decision for each team. For the Angels, it is whether to protect Walbert Urena. Fangraphs discusses the situation and points out that the Angels only have 34 men on the 40 man roster so there should be room enough for Urena, Joel Hurtado, and Samy Natera Jr.
Having worked on the coaching staff, the Angels are now focused on roster upgrades. They want pitchers, of course, but they are also looking for a left handed bat. Supposedly, Robert Stephenson will be ready for spring training. The MLB official site spent a little time discussing what the Angels might do at center field.
The Padres re-signed pitcher Kyle Hart. Right handed reliever Nick Sandlin elected free agency rather than accept being outrighted to the minors. Lefty Ryan Yarborough agreed to a deal with the Yankees. It seems the only thing standing in the way of Josh Naylor returning to the Mariners is his physical.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
