Angels Seen As Strong Fit To Sign Six-Time All-Star Slugger After Stellar Season

Could Los Angeles sign the veteran slugger in free agency?

The Los Angeles Angels need to find a way to replace Shohei Ohtani's production in the middle of their lineup. 

Ohtani has been one of the best sluggers and pitchers in baseball since debuting with the Angels, but now calls Dodger Stadium home.

Angels owner Arte Moreno has plenty of money to spend and has been looking for ways to improve the club. Former San Diego Padres star Blake Snell has been mentioned as a possible option to improve the rotation, but the club could still use a middle-of-the-order hitter, as well. 

One who still is available and could make a lot of sense for the Angels is six-time All-Star J.D. Martinez, according to Major League Baseball Trade Rumors' Anthony Franco.

The Halos aren’t going to replace Shohei Ohtani’s production at DH, but Martinez is the closest remaining approximation. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has written that the Angels aren’t keen on bringing in a full-time designated hitter, reasoning that Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon might be better served rotating through the position to stay healthy.

On the other hand, Aaron Hicks is so far the only addition to a lineup that was merely average despite a (Most Valuable Player) season from Ohtani. It’s hard to reconcile that lack of activity with claims from (general manager) Perry Minasian and owner Arte Moreno that the team hopes to compete in 2024.

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MLB Trade Rumors

Martinez still is available, and already has found success in Southern California. He spent the 2023 season with the Dodgers, hit 33 home runs and drove in 103 runs, and represented the National League in the All-Star Game. 

The Angels have been linked to Martinez throughout the offseason, and the pairing of player and team still makes sense. Landing the veteran wouldn't fully fix the Angels' problems, but it would be a good start.