Angels Not Likely To Add Full-Time DH Next Season

The Halos' front office has some work to do this winter.

After losing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to the crosstown Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Angels have a lot of work to do. They have to find a way to replace his production for this upcoming season.  is next to impossible. 

The team now has a glaring hole in the middle of its lineup. No designated hitter in baseball has Ohtani's recent track record of production. General manager Perry Minasian will not be able to fill Ohtani's shoes with a single trade or free-agent signing. 

MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that the Halos are not looking to add a full-time designated hitter next season.

"None of the remaining free-agent position players could possibly replace Shohei Ohtani’s production. So, the Angels likely will not even try to add a full-time DH, not when it would benefit them to keep that spot open for the oft-injured Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, among others."

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic

As internal options go, third baseman Anthony Rendon makes sense as a designated hitter. By not blocking his ability to DH, the Angels might be able to minimize the inevitable injury issues Rendon might encounter during the 2024 season.

As for who might replace Rendon at third base, the Angels have plenty of internal options on their 40-man roster, including Luis Rengifo, Brandon Drury and Michael Stefan. At his peak, Rendon is a better hitter than each of them.

Since joining the Angels years ago, Rendon has appeared far from his peak. He has yet to live up to the hype of his seven-year, $245 million contract. Three years remain on the pact, so he has a chance to make up for lost time.

Rendon and Mike Trout will both need to stay healthy for the Angels to have any chance of contention in 2024. Without a full-time DH, Minasian will have to get creative to make that happen.

Nobody expects Rendon to be Ohtani, but he can still produce when he's on the field. Without some measure of improvement from him, 2024 could wind up being another lost year.