Angels News: Former Halos All-Star Opts Out of Deal, Heads to Free Agency

Could this be the last we've seen of him at the Big A?

Recent Angels first baseman Jared Walsh was atop the baseball world just two short seasons ago after his first All-Star campaign. 

Fast forward to 2023 and the 30-year-old was on the fringes of the majors with a bevy of injuries and mental concerns preventing him from his best. 

After a quick return to the majors in September, Walsh and two of his teammates elected for free agency rather than another minor league stint with the Angels. 

Recent Angels transactions. Of note: Jared Walsh, Jaime Barría and Brett Phillips have elected free agency. pic.twitter.com/CH2fEzlwin

— Sarah Valenzuela (@Sarah_IsabelVee) October 16, 2023

Walsh's decision to choose free agency wasn't even a consideration after a brilliant first All-Star season in Anaheim. 

The first baseman was invited to the midsummer classic at Coors Field after a dominant first half to 2021. 

Shohei Ohtani joined Walsh as Halos representatives as the former won AL MVP for the first time in his career. 

The latter of the All-Star duo slugged 29 home runs and drove in 98 runs with an OPS of .850 by season's end. 

Though both stars notched those numbers in vain, both were still expected to be big parts of Anaheim's future. 

A shoulder injury ended Walsh's 2022 season prematurely after slight regression from his All-Star campaign but the wheels fully came off this year. 

After a terrible start to his 2023 season, Walsh got placed on the IL with insomnia and other mental issues that prevented him from seeing the field. 

Designated for assignment after the Lucas Giolito trade, Walsh spent most of his summer in Triple-A grinding out at-bats for another shot in the bigs. 

He would get his chance when the Angels were far out of the postseason race and finished his season with three homers in his final two-plus weeks of action. 

Walsh's future is now unknown as he leaves the franchise who drafted him as a Georgia Bulldog but his name will be added to the many players searching for new teams this winter.