Angels Rumors: Former Dodgers Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger Viewed as Fit for Halos

Could we see a return to California for these former champions?

The Los Angeles Angels could have a lot of picking up the pieces to do, and that could all come in the form of one player leaving this offseason... Shohei Ohtani. 

His potential departure could set back the Halos for years to come. But let's face it, they struggled with him in the lineup for six years, how much worse can it get? Surely fans hope they won't find out in 2024. 

Ohtani is priority number one, two, three, and four this winter but the roster is still in need of help from top to bottom. The Angels had a good offseason last year (on paper) and will be looking to build off of that this hot stove season.

As for what that looks like, Halos insider believes the club could be turning to the rival Dodgers and their past success stories Justin Turner and former NL MVP Cody Bellinger. 

Among position players, the Angels have a reasonable answer at every position on the field. Like last year, though, they could use some versatility to provide depth wherever they spring a leak. Last year they picked up Brandon Drury and Gio Urshela because both could play multiple positions. This time around, a player like Cody Bellinger or Justin Turner could fit that bill.

(Per Jeff Fletcher via OC Register)

Bellinger recently rejected his side of a mutual option for 2024 with the Chicago Cubs, making him a free agent. And Turner declined his $13.4 million player option with the Boston Red Sox to become a free agent. 

Could these two make their way back to California, this time in a Halos jersey? 

We shall see. Belli is coming off his best season since his MVP one in 2019, slashing .307/.356/.525 with a .881 OPS and hit 26 homers with 97 RBIs. He will have many teams come after him, one of which may be the Angels. We'll see if they can compete with the other teams and if they can match or exceed the six-year, $144 million he's projected to get. 

As for Turner, he is projected to be much cheaper. He is much older than Bellinger; at the not-so-rip age of 38, Turner slashed .276/.345/.455 with a .800 OPS in his first year away from LA in 10 seasons. 

Both of these guys are still playing some good baseball; we'll see if the Angels will be aggressive enough to go after these free agents. 

As for where they would fit, Bellinger has played Gold Glove right field in his career, and a Gold Glove caliber center field and first base. If Mike Trout is healthy, we assume he's slotting back into center. But, maybe it's time to consider a move to a position that a bit easier on his body. 

And with the veteran Turner, the Angels could get a clubhouse leader who can still man a solid third base and fill in at first and second base. He could also see time at DH, should Ohtani sign elsewhere.

These two players aren't the worst idea in the world. However, with both at a point in their careers where they want to win, the Angels might not be able to convince them to come to the OC.