Before Monday’s game, the Los Angeles Angels announced that they designated outfielder Aaron Hicks for assignment and optioned pitcher Zac Kristofak to Triple-A. Additionally, the team recalled pitcher Davis Daniel and selected the contract of infielder Cole Tucker.
#Angels Transactions:
•Recalled RHP Davis Daniel from Triple-A Salt Lake
•Selected the contract of INF Cole Tucker
•Designated OF Aaron Hicks for assignment
•Following last night’s game, RHP Zac Kristofak was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) April 29, 2024
Los Angeles enters Monday eight games below .500, but the impact of new manager Ron Washington has been evident. Monday’s roster moves are no different, as the Halos moved on from one of their few free-agent signings after around just a month into the season.
Los Angeles Angels Designate Aaron Hicks For Assignment
The Angels signed Hicks to a one-year deal in late January as veteran outfield depth. Since most of his $9.5 million salary will be paid by the New York Yankees, the Angels owe Hick only a prorated portion of the $740K league minimum salary for his time spent on the roster.
While the Angels won’t pay Hicks a lot, it likely is too much for what he produced. In 63 plate appearances, the 34-year-old hit .140/.222/.193 with just one homer. Per OPS+, his offense was 80 percent worse than the league average.
Hicks has struggled for multiple years at this point but played well in 65 games with the Baltimore Orioles late last year. In a limited role, he produced an OPS of .806 (127 OPS+) and seemed to thrive away from the bright lights of New York. The Angels hoped that the trend would continue in his hometown, but Hicks looked lost at the plate.
With Mike Trout healthy again and Jo Adell breaking out with the bat, Washington is clearly setting a culture where production matters more than pedigree or contract.
Cole Tucker
The Halos signed Tucker, a former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, in mid-April to a minor league deal. Unfortunately, the former top prospect has struggled mightily in the majors between the Pirates and Colorado Rockies. He is a career .216 hitter (57 OPS+) with five homers and poor defensive metrics.
Cole Tucker said the Mariners offered him a coaching position after sending him down this spring.
He declined that, wanting to keep playing. Said he got the call from the Angels a few weeks later. He said he’s DHing tonight.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) April 29, 2024
That said, he hit well in the minors this year and the Angels can afford to give him a shot. In 36 Triple-A at-bats, Cole hit .313 with a .908 OPS. Though he came up as a shortstop, Cole has some experience playing all over the infield and some in the outfield. He will likely play a utility role in Anaheim but will be DH during his Angels debut on Monday.
Davis Daniel and Zac Kristofak
Daniel pitched well in 12 1/3 innings across three games last year for the Angels. Though he has an ERA above six in five Triple-A starts this year, Daniel has shown good strikeout and the ability to walk. The 26-year-old will likely pitch out of the bullpen for the Angels and serve as pitching depth with minor league options.
The Angels are calling up Zac Kristofak today, per @ByRobertMurray.
I hope all Angels fans take some time to read his story today — to truly understand what this big league call-up means.
Congrats to Zac and those that have supported him. https://t.co/I0e8ItIlqR
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) April 28, 2024
There are no moral victories in the cutthroat baseball industry, but Kristofak might be one of the better stories in the league. The Angels called him up on Sunday, and he made his debut by tossing two shutout innings against the Minnesota Twins. While the team demoted him one day later, the Angels will likely recall him at some point this season.
