This year, an exciting early run has demonstrated for the Los Angeles Angels that they need a right-handed bat as a counterpart at first base. It’s not a unique situation for many teams these days, with all the advanced numbers that help give managers better chances to make informed choices. Putting players in a position to succeed is always a position that should be at the top of the list.
Potential Right-Handed Bats To Help Out At 1st for the Angels
Taking a Flyer on Wil Myers
After a stint on the IL for kidney stones, Wil Myers was designated for assignment by the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. Myers signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the rebuilding Reds this offseason. In the 37 games he played, his numbers were subpar. His slash line was .189/.257/.283 with a shocking 34 percent strikeout rate. The Myers experiment in Cincinnati failed miserably, but the minimum salary it will take to sign him will raise interest in him once he hits free agency.
The Cincinnati Reds have designated Wil Myers for assignment, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/yKLgooZwp1
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 20, 2023
What adds value to Myers is his ability to hit lefties. For his career, he has a wRC+ of 116 against left-handed pitchers. This is important because current first baseman Jared Walsh doesn’t do as well when facing left-handed pitchers. Walsh has a wRC+ of only 62. For reference, 100 is the league average for wRC+. Walsh might be used best when he has a right-handed counterpart against lefties. Therefore, Myers could be a fix for first base when the Angels are facing a tough lefty.
The Angels’ current situation due to their recent wave of injuries does leave them with an open place for another proven right-handed batter. Myers can play both first base and the outfield. He has some versatility and the numbers to prove he can hit the against the hand that gives the Angels trouble. Why not see if he can get the job done?
Bobby Dalbec
One-time top prospect Bobby Dalbec was set up to take over at one of the corner infield spots. In recent years he has been underwhelming and sent down to Triple-A. Dalbec, in limited big-league action, has shown the ability to hit lefties. His line against lefties is .245/.321/.477 with a wRC+ of 120. His strikeout rate of 33.9 percent is a bit concerning, but it can be overlooked with everything else being so high.
Unlike Myers, Dalbec would require a trade. He has four years of control left with the Boston Red Sox before hitting the open market in 2027, but he is set to hit arbitration at the end of this season. Boston is in last place in the AL East, and they are currently 1 1/2 games out of the final Wild Card spot. It’s unknown what the plans are for Dalbec since he is blocked at both his positions and DH. It could be a cheap get for the Angels. With a few weeks left before the trade deadline, Boston could see themselves as contenders and want to buy. The Angels will probably be in a similar spot so that they may pass on the young slugger.
One thing in the plus column is that a minor-league trade is easier to do. Plus, in recent years, we’ve seen that contenders are more willing to both buy and sell at the trade deadline. This could be what these teams end up doing—selling off a guy who might no longer have value in that system.
Paul Goldschmidt
This could be the most wild option for the Angels if they want to make a change at first base. They could get Paul Goldschmidt. He is coming off of an MVP season for the St. Louis Cardinals, but these Cards are going nowhere in the standings, and rumors of them selling their star have been circulating. That price would be incredibly high. He has two years left on his deal and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Goldschmidt would go a long way toward solving the issue the Angels have with lefties. He has a career line of .327/..385/.622 and a wRC+ 168. This would be an upgrade over Walsh, who still hasn’t got it going at the plate since coming off the IL with sleep and headache issues. However, not knowing the price for the stellar Cardinal, it’s difficult to guess whether he is available. This would easily be the best option for the Angels since it would be an upgrade, and they add a stable bat to the lineup.
Being able to fill the holes that pop up during the season often separates the contenders from the pretenders. The Angels want to get back into the postseason, and as they fight for the Wild Card and possibly the AL West, a move appears likely. They’ve already made moves that were aggressive for being so early in the season. There is plenty of time left to see if things will work themselves out, but due to the aggressiveness they’ve displayed so far, it might just be a matter of time before more changes are made.
Photo Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned: Wil Myers, Jared Walsh, Bobby Dalbec, Paul Goldschmidt
