In free agency, the Los Angeles Angels haven’t said anything so far. They lost two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani and added pitchers Zach Plesac, Luis Garcia, and Adam Cimber. Not quite a just exchange of value.

 

With plenty of cash to spend, the Angels have been linked to several of the best free agents still available, such as outfielder Cody Bellinger, designated hitter Jorge Soler, and left-handed pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. But maybe it’s time to give that final player a hard time.

The Angels are reportedly “reluctant” to add a designated hitter this summer, according to recent reports from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The logic?

They would rather “leave that spot open” for players like Anthony Rendon, Mike Trout, and others, he claims.

In terms of offensive potential, the Angels would sooner leave the DH position unoccupied for players like Trout, Rendon, and others. Rendon, who has only played in 23% of the team’s games over the previous three seasons, needs special care.”

During the previous season, Soler made 137 appearances, 102 of which were as the designated hitter for the Miami Marlins.

He got three outs and five defensive runs saved above average in his thirty-two right field outings. He’s switched to being primarily a DH because he was never a decent defender.

If the Angels really don’t want to add a designated hitter (DH), which makes sense given that they haven’t had a season-long player like Trout or Rendon since 2020, then will probably not be able to acquire Soler or many other elite DHs available, like J.D. Martinez and possibly even Justin Turner.

They might yet use another attacking boost from free agents, such as utility man Kiké Hernández, in whom they are allegedly interested this offseason.