The Angels announced that they have declined their $5MM club option on outfielder David DeJesus. He’ll receive a $1MM buyout instead and hit the open market this winter in search of a new team.
DeJesus, 35, was one of three veteran corner outfielders acquired by Los Angeles at the trade deadline, all of whom are heading out onto the open market. Shane Victorino became a free agent with the expiration of his contract, and now both DeJesus and David Murphy have seen their options declined.
It wasn’t exactly a banner year for DeJesus, who ultimately slashed just .233/.297/.330 over 317 plate appearances. His production trailed off after his move out west, and he only received sixty turns with the bat while with the Halos.
Of course, DeJesus has been a rather productive player for the last decade or so, and managed a 115 OPS+ in 2014. He will certainly draw interest, though the market for sub-premium, left-handed-hitting outfielders also includes the above-noted Murphy as well as players such as Alejandro De Aza and Nori Aoki.
