Kolten Wong officially became a free agent earlier this week when the Cardinals declined their $12.5MM club option on the second baseman, and it hasn’t taken long for the former Gold Glover to draw attention. Multiple teams have already been in contact with Wong, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports, with the Angels named as one of the interested parties.
With Andrelton Simmons hitting free agency, the Angels are known to be looking at middle infield help, with David Fletcher’s ability to play either second base or shortstop allowing Los Angeles to explore options at either position. (For example, Didi Gregorius is another reported target.) Looking at the list of available free agent middle infielders, second base is the deeper of the two positions, and since the 2021-22 shortstop class is loaded with stars, the Angels could prefer to let Fletcher handle shortstop for a year and then explore signing a longer-term answer.
Or, if it will take a multi-year deal to sign Wong, the Halos could be content with Wong and Fletcher as their middle infield combo for the next couple of seasons. Wong would essentially be the second base version of Simmons — a roughly league-average hitter who provides elite defense, with the bonuses of Wong being a year younger than Simmons, a better baserunner and with less of a recent injury history. Since the Halos have mostly a right-handed hitting lineup, Wong’s left-handed bat would also add a bit of balance.
The Angels are one of many teams looking for second base help this winter, so it isn’t surprising that Wong’s market is already active. The Phillies, Indians, Rockies, Yankees, Athletics, Tigers, and Cubs are just a few teams that could fit as potential suitors, plus teams like the Nationals or Blue Jays could be fits based on how other in-house options are shuffled around the infield.
Can he pitch?
You do realize that they have other needs other than just pitching right?
It was a yes or no question but thank you for taking the post more serious than necessary.
No he can’t pitch. Do you ask that of the A’s. There second best pitcher was Lazardo and he had a 4.12 ERA.
The Angels could sure you a starting pitcher, and a couple bullpen arms. But, why don’t you go on the A’s board and ask them if they can pitch.
The A’s need for pitching doesn’t negate the Angels needs though
Halo who cares about Oakland. Your Angels neglect pitching every year and wonder why they do not win. You and your Angel fan cronies need to wake up. Wong would be a very nice addition. You still need pitching.
Now before you begin your tired diatribe of “Oakland needs pitching too” or “Angels have young arms ready to do damage”, the rhetoric is old and tired. AL West is weakening by the minute. No reason why the Angels can’t run away with the division unless they do not address pitching.
You’re the one who asked if a gold glove second baseman can pitch and you call their comment unnecessary?
WereAllJustGuestsHere thinks Kolten Wong is a pitcher! Hahaha.
So what are the Angels supposed to do? Neglect their other needs until they get pitching? That could cause them to miss out on good opportunities. It’s pointless to ask if Wong can pitch. The Angels obviously need a middle infielder.
In all fairness, the Angles will go big on getting bats, skimp out on pitching, and it comes back to bite them.
Well, wouldn’t that be a bad Angle to take!
There is an “angle” in every angels comment section
No, @werealljust,etc.
But, Trevor Bauer can’t play the infield, either.
So.
Every article with the Angels looking at a player, you get can he pitch? Like people don’t know that the Angels need pitching. Why don’t fans the A’s, can he hit?
Yeah, lol, I’ve seen that, @angelsfangorlife. I can understand how it would get annoying, serious.
It’s no secret that the Angels really need pitching.
It’s – also – even *less* of a “secret” a pitching staff comprises at most half a big league roster.
Uh?
Ducky – Bauer addresses the Angels biggest need. It would be somewhat of a rarity for the Angels to care about the mound.
For sure!
Angels should be all over Bauer, man.
I feel like they’ve tried some things with their rotation?
Not much of it has worked out for them, though. So there’s that.
And, they drove the price for Cole way up last winter. They were definitely in on him.
The last pitchers the angels spent decent money on were CJ Wilson, Ricky Nolasco & Jered Weaver. 15M+
Everyone else has been a reclamation project for 12M or less.
That’s why there’s so many people are begging for pitching. They’ve needed it for 3+ seasons, really more, but instead seem to only target bats+ the bottom of the pitching market
To answer is original question – no.
No he plays second base. You did not know that?
All defense no bat… where is fletch gon play?
Short Stop
Shortstop is one word, fan.
Your name is 5 words and you’re missing a ‘
and you don’t play pitcher
or play catcher
I’m a Red fans but have always liked Kolten Wong. He gets key hits and has had a .780 OPS 2 of the last 3 years before the shortened year. Too bad he doesn’t play SS or I would want him on our team..
Red Sox have a shortstop! Why would you want a new one?
the red sox might have a ss but i believe the poster is saying the reds need a ss
Good year to be in the market for a 2B as there are lots of solid options this winter – Cesar Hernandez, Kike, LaStella and Wong among others.
There are a lot of pitchers (Richards, Wood, hill) will Angles sign any? Angel needs 4 or 5 middle rotation even if they get 1 top of the rotation, qty first.
Does a poor left-handed batter really help balance the line up tho?
Fletcher moves to SS. Wong becomes the 9 hole hitter. Not the worst. Would still give the Angels the chance to spend on a decent SP. The Angels window isn’t exactly wide open; they should hurry up while the Astros are losing players and before the Mariners farm system hits the big leagues. The Athletics will always find a way to be cheap (poor) and in the playoff picture.
As long as it doesn’t cost “money”.
Sounds like a fine option…or La Stella…sign someone and let’s focus on pitching.
Wong is twice the 2B defensively of LaStella, and as competent a hitter, just without the HR potential. LaStella has a great eye, which made him a good PH off the bench and he could take a walk. But his defensive shortcomings are substantial, and Wong would be an improvement in that regard.
For the angels
1. Bauer/Quintana/Archer/Ray ( two of those 4)
2. Re-sign Simmons or replace him
3.Bullpen arms , plenty on the market
You had better hope that the two are Bauer and Quintana. Realistically if one if the two isn’t Bauer, there’s no point.
There’s definitely still a point if it’s not Bauer. That team needs top of the rotation pitching but also pitching depth.
It’s not like their rotation is one piece away and with Bauer they’ll be in contention. They need multiple arms to cover all of the quality innings they would need to make a playoff push next year.
Bauer , Tanaka , Stroman , Quintana , Ray. I think 2 of those 4 to pair with Bundy & Heaney
Bauer—sure, but bid against 29 other teams (Reds included). Houston will be motivated with Verlander effectively gone (2021 is his final season under contract and he will be on the IL all season).
Quintana—the trends and peripherals for him have not been kind the last two seasons.
Archer—Did the Angels not learn anything from betting on Linsecum, Harvey, Blanton, Kazmir, and so many others? Rehabbing a failing pitcher is something the team does to add surplus, not to address an area of need.
Ray—Great choice if you want to spend every 5th or 6th day screaming at the TV screen as Ray walks more than one batter per inning. Maybe Callaway can fix his problem, but this is a back of the rotation starter at best until he shows he can sustain a better K/BB ratio.
Don’t really care if they sign Wong, but get some pitching.
I think if they got pitching to go with that offense , I think they would be playoff bound. Bauer I think should be their top priority, then another solid starter behind him, Quintana or Robbie Ray
As an Angel fan this frustrates me. They need to spend all available resources on pitching. They realistically need 2 high-end SP and a 3rd SP middle rotation type guy. Also a top tier closer along with 2-3 proven bull-pen pieces..
I’d rather them spend all their money on this and let some rookies and castaways for 2b during Sprint Training. Ceasar Hernandez comes to mind.
Angels should show interest in about half a dozen middle infielders while prioritizing pitiching.
Hernandez, Wong, Didi, Schoop. Perhaps even Simba and Semien.
Someone will be available for a decent price.
I like Hernandez out of that group, I think what would be crazy if they signed DJ away from the yankees, but I would put the money in the rotation, re-sign jason castro.
KBO SS Ha-seong Kim
Lots of defense first 2B and no need to pay top dollar for them. Pay only if they add offense. I wouldn’t be rushing for Wong.
I hate Fletcher moving to Shortstop just to add a no hit second baseman. If you are going to add a no hit player, add a no hit Shortstop. Their baseball aggregate is likely much better than Fletcher/Wong.
Don’t do it.
Let Fletcher play 2B! He lacks the range and arm strength to play SS full time! But he will be a gold-glover and an all star at 2B!
I agree , what do you think of getting another big bat like DJ? He can play anywhere in the infield , then get Bauer plus another starter, plenty of bullpen arms out there as well, But I would prefer Cesar Hernandez
No troll and no problem with Angels but I confidently predict Trevor Bauer will be pitching for a team not named angels this season ! Non White Sox fan But I think they make the winning bid for whatever Year or years he wants
“No hit” seems a little overstated, @halo11fan.
He’s had a couple seasons of an OPS > league average. Indeed, before this season he was trending up.
I know stealing bags is no longer en vogue but he swiped 24 bases in ’19. So he can contribute on offense.
As to your larger point, I’m not familiar enough with Fletcher to really have a viable opinion as to which way they want to go at SS & 2B.
The Cubs keep getting mentioned for players who will get a good contract. Even though the Cubs can’t afford those players unless they shed significant payroll.
pujols will nix any signing of wong
Thought of something crazy, would Yadi leave the cards to come catch with the angels for 1 year and reunite with Pujols?
nope. but when the DH is MLB wide in ’22, Pujols will play his last year with Yadi and Waino.
4/30 back with the Cardinals.
Is it Wong?
Yankees want everyone!
I’ll never understand this huge fascination around Didi. Dude is looking for some big money, when he’s been inconsistent with being more on the below average side of things. Keep Fletcher at 2nd and look at acquiring someone cheap for SS. Angels have insane offense to begin with and the 2021 FA is loaded with SS.
I wonder if we will have to trade people and prospects this time. I hope we keep marsh so he takes over for upton whenever that may be. even if we got someone like Bauer I think we need two of someone like bauer. we have had more pitching injuries and bad luck the last 7 years.
do you all think prospects will go this time for the sake of pitching?
can’t we get la Stella back for 2nd base
no on archer. that hair has gotta go.