1:50pm: The Angels have officially announced the signing, with catcher Matt Thaiss optioned to Triple-A to create space on the active roster. To create room on the 40-man roster, reliever Archie Bradley was transferred to the 60-day IL. Bradley was recently shut down for at least four weeks with an elbow fracture, after which he’ll need time to get back into game shape. He isn’t likely to return within the next couple of months, making today’s transaction largely a formality.
10:50am: MLBTR has confirmed Villar is in agreement with the club on a major league deal.
8:20am: The Angels are reportedly signing infielder Jonathan Villar, according to Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital. The team has not yet confirmed the deal nor announced any corresponding moves. The club’s 40-man roster is presently full, meaning someone will have to be subtracted in order to make room for his addition. Villar is a client of ACES.
Signed by the Cubs in the offseason to a one-year, $6MM deal, Villar has struggled this year to the point that Chicago designated him for assignment and released him last week. With around $3.4MM left to be paid out, the Cubs will be on the hook for most of the remainder of that. The Angels will pay Villar the prorated league minimum for any time he spends on the roster, with that amount being subtracted from what the Cubs pay.
For the Angels, this is a way of trying to bolster an infield mix that is in serious need of bolstering. The middle infield was arguably the team’s weakest area going into the season, with a mix that included David Fletcher, Matt Duffy, Andrew Velazquez, Tyler Wade and Luis Rengifo. Fletcher struggled through 14 games before hitting the injured list and won’t return until around the All-Star break. The season-ending injury to Anthony Rendon created a hole at third base, further stretching this infield crew to cover three positions instead of two. The depth was further depleted when Duffy landed on the injured list with back spasms. Although he’s not expected to have an extended stay on the shelf, that still left the Halos with Velazquez, Wade and Rengifo in line for everyday roles, with David MacKinnon occasionally taking some time at third base.
No one out of that group has done much to solidify the infield mix, with Velazquez, Wade, Rengifo and MacKinnon all currently a sporting a wRC+ between 36 and 92, meaning they’ve all hit at below-average rates to differing degrees. Even if Duffy can return from his IL trip in short order, he’s only hitting .261/.308/.291 for a wRC+ of 74. Due to the uninspiring results of this group, the Angels have gotten a 68 wRC+ from the second base position overall, placing them 24th out of the 30 teams in the league. At third base, it’s an 82 wRC+ for 21st place, and shortstop is even worse, as their collective 44 wRC+ is dead last in the league.
Given that dearth of production from their infielders, it makes sense that they would be willing to take a gamble on Villar. Of course, whether that gamble pays off will depend upon which version of Villar shows up, as he’s had oscillating results in recent years. 2019 was arguably the best season of his career, as he hit .274/.339/.453 for a 107 wRC+. Combined with his 40 bases stolen bases, he provided 3.9 wins above replacement that year, in the estimation of FanGraphs. He followed that up with a downswing in the shortened 2020 season, hitting just .232/.301/.292 for a 65 wRC+. Last year was a nice bounceback, as he hit .249/.322/.416 for 105 wRC+, along with 14 steals. With the Cubs this year, the pendulum has swung back the other way, as Villar’s batting line is currently .222/.271/.327 for a wRC+ of 65. The defensive metrics have also soured on his glovework, with DRS giving him a -8 at second base this year.
With the Angels sporting a record of 37-42, they are currently five games behind the Guardians for the final AL Wild Card spot, with three other clubs in between them. The trade deadline is now one month away, making the next stretch of play incredibly important for teams like the Angels that could see their deadline status quickly altered by a streak, either hot or cold. If Villar can find some of the form he showed in 2019 or 2021, even for a short amount of time, it could be a significant boost to the club’s fortunes.
The Players Union and Major League Baseball need to come up with a “team’s falling apart” mid-season contract for such an occasion.
Perhaps he can teach the Angels a few things on the trash can!
The cheating comments stopped being funny and relevant a couple years ago.
I disagree. Teams have gotten punished far worse for significantly less transgressions. In fact, so much so that the teams feel the punishments for decades. The astro basically got zero punishments nor did their players. For that, they have accept the ridicule from fans until we decide they have served their true punishment. That can be decades. At least we can rest a little easier, as the Braves put a little sweet revenge in the system by embarrassing them in the World Series. NASA is still searching for Soler’s home run, which might be one of the most iconic home runs in baseball history! GO BRAVES!
Braves are mashing. Hope the overtake the Mets. They are my closest team to Nashville and I have yet to get there to see a game.
The problem is that unless the Astros are reading the MLBTR comment section, the only ones being punished are those of us who are tired of the repetitive redundant and obvious comments. It was five years ago. Let it go. Or maybe be creative and entertaining if you must bring it up.
Soler’s dinger was great, but I think we can all agree that Kirk Gibson’s homer in the 1988 World Series was the most iconic. The story makes it great.
Interested to see what unfolds with Freeman and his former agent. That’s dirty pool if what I’m hearing is correct.
Gibsons homer is trash. I’d go for Fisks’s or Ruth calling his shot. We all can’t agree on anything.
Maybe we can all agree that Gibson’s homer wasn’t trash. That’s just silly talk by any standard. You must be young and not know the story. I saw it live (TV) with Vinny calling it.
No. I love Eckersley and hate the dodgers. Nothing to like about it.
Have to agree with this Atlanta fan!
Solers Homerun is the second most famous homer against the stros behind Pujols mutilating Brad Lidges Career
Pretty sure the Gibson HR wasn’t trash. Your post however…
Brad Lidge’s career was mutilated by the Pujols HR in 2005? Houston and Lidge made it to the WS in 2005, not the Cardinals. In 2008 Brad Lidge had a perfect season as the closer for the WS Champions Philadelphia Phillies, including the Series-winning punch out. Give credit where credit is due…
He could barely walk when he hit that hr c’mon
I didn’t hate the Braves until their fans started opening their mouths after the 2021 WS, talking as if their team was some bringer of justice (lol). Even Nationals fans were better after the 2020 season and even after the cheating scandal became public!
Hopefully the Mets keep the Braves where they belong, out of first place.
We can all agree it was on a dodger team and we can all agree (or maybe just me) that they are and always will be the bums.
The cheating jokes have become tedious, boring and unoriginal. The fact that fans are deluded into thinking that these idiotic “jokes” are somehow a punishment to the Astros (umm, no) rather than an annoying syndrome of can’t-let-it-go’ism (which it is) notwithstanding. The whole MLB punishment system looks totally arbitrary from a birds-eye, historical view anyway. It’s not just this overplayed situation. Every time this old story gets brought up I just roll my eyes and shake my head.
They made their bed, they’ll have to sleep in it. It’s a far weaker punishment than they deserve. Cheaters almost always suffer a far weaker punishment than they deserve.
It’s a callback to a Foolish Baseball video.
Aren’t you a Cardinals fan?
they stopped being funny the day after they started
It’s still funny!
He played with the Astros In 2015…
He was on the pre-planning committee in 2015.
Villar hasn’t been an Astro since 2015 so even the cheating jokes don’t even apply to his situation
Surprising. I thought maybe a return to Miami for Villar since Chisholm is out.
Anthony Franco called this move yesterday on the Subscriber Chat.
Welp, that’s not nothing. But its not pitching either.
The Angels scored 2 or less runs in 28 games in June. The Angels also gave up 2 or less runs in 11 games in June. The Angels averaged 3.25 runs a game in the month of June. While the pitching had an ERA of 4.25 in June. Yes the Angels need to add pitching. But no team is going to have a winning record averaging 3.25 runs a game.
They scored 2 or less runs in 12 out of 28 games. I just seen I forgot the 12 there.
That bottom of the order is beyond atrocious
Failure to sign a legitimate middle infielder who can hit was the team’s undoing this year. Also they missed on Loup and Tepera who have not lived up to expectations.
First of all they’re not signing him, they claimed him off waivers. Second of all everybody knew that he was going to the Angels. They have no infield to speak of besides a first baseman. And no true third baseman so he immediately goes there and becomes the starting third baseman. Maybe even the starting second baseman but my guess is he plays third
The final piece! 2022 World Series champion angels lol
Kinda thought the Braves might make a move for him, mainly for the bench/2B. Luckily our backups are currently playing well enough to hold the fort down, ur though Villar adds a little extra speed for us. Idk.
Winning teams seem to avoid this guy
Is that why he was traded at the deadline twice?
One of those deadline trades was from the Brewers to the Orioles so that the Brewers could acquire Schoop. The Orioles certainly weren’t winning anything in 2018.
Hopefully a solid move by Perry. Can’t hurt and an upgrade at 3rd for now. In a corresponding move they should move on from Rendon and give Ohtani the money. I’ve said all along this season that July will be a very telling month for my Halos. Hope we get back to that early season magic
How do you purpose they “move on” from Rendon? No “take backs” in baseball.
Well…good question. I remember a few seasons ago when we traded Cozart and a top prospect to the Giants and then they took the contract over. It would have to be something like that AND pay some of it as well. It can be done. But probably not until next season when teams see he is healthy and able to take the field.
The only “move-on” from Rendon is to release him to which the Angels would be responsible for his $200+ million left in salary, so no money left for Ohtani. Trade is not an option unless they eat half of his salary because no team is going to trade for a player that has been injured 2 years since his arrival. So Arte (Minasian) will have to trade at the deadlne for two solid pitchers to reconstruct the starting rotation. The infield will get a boost when Fletcher returns, so that will leave Rengifo, Duffy and Wade (perhaps Villar) to cover the rest of the infield.
The Angels are not going to release Rendon. Upton money comes off the roof after this season. And they’re not going to trade him either. If you’re were looking for up votes, you failed with flying colors. Congradulations.
It’s weird how differently the Halos play with and without Rendon over the last two seasons.
59-43 with him
.578
55-84 without him
.395
That’s the difference between a 94 win team and a 64 win team.
I mean, it *can’t* be all due to him, but…wow, those are crazy numbers.
Ohtani will likely get (most/all of) the money freed up from the $25m Upton contract ending. That will cover any (arb record?) amount he would get in the arbitration process next year. From there, the gap to cover any long term Ohtani extension is maybe an additional $8-12m/yr. Assuming $40-45m/yr is needed to get a deal done.
Yep. Ohtani will get most of the Upton and Thor money (combined $53 million this year) with arbitration for a few other guys taking the rest.
Considering Arte’s payroll limit, that means yet another incredibly top heavy team with no depth.
And we know how well that’s worked.
Not sure what the record arb3 salary is but Ohtani isn’t getting close to $40m in arb for 2023. Ohtani+Upton salary would be ~$32-33m that’s probably the ceiling for his arb year.
Rinse and repeat
Sounds like an agent putting out feelers to me…
Not a Disciplined hitter or fielder but better than what they have.
Angels need a 3B, 2B, SS, and CA. Yes, even though Fletcher is coming back in 2 weeks, they frigging need players. No more dumpster diving Perry. Wasting the lil chance they have. Even if Fletch comes back, you’re still gifting outs due to so many subpar positions
Can the Angels finally DFA Velazquez??
Velasquez is a strange case. Has pop but can’t hit. Has serious range but flubs the routine. The talent is there. Is it a concentration/ mental thing?
Rengifo is awful, bring up Stefanic. Maybe he stinks, but we know every utility infielder on the roster also stinks.
100% agree to giving Stefanic a shot!! DFA the rest of the scrubs.
Don’t get me wrong, Rengifo is not doing much of anything. But he is at least doing more than Stassi with the bat. Stassi has been complete garbage the past 2 months.
I don’t mind Rengifo as a bench/utility infielder. Velazquez, Mayfield, Wade are all bums.
I really don’t know what the Angels seen in Rengifo.
I like Rengifo. His defense has really improved. I just wish he’d get on base more. Stassi has not been a very good hitter this season, but I like him behind the plate. Marsh has disappointed offensively too.
His defense has cost this team numerous games. He has been really unreliable. Bad throws, mental mistakes– it shouldn’t be happening at this point in his career. When you say he’s improved– where? He’s hitting .235 with a .282 on base. His career batting average is .220 with a .290 on base. These are horrible numbers. The experiment is over. We need capable league average players or better, not fans rationalizing that their guys, the guys no other teams want, are better than they are.
I find it humorous that some are saying he’s getting better. I was a big advocate of sending Adell down. Getting better is not the desired result of a major league player who is awful. Helping the team win and getting better is acceptable, going from really awful to simply awful is a player who should be in the minor leagues.
Stassi and Marsh have fallen off a cliff. Marsh has shown sone signs of life, but our deep offense has turned into anything but.
I think Stefanic is on the DL.
He’s been playing the last few games. 2B/DH on the SLC Bees.
Thanks for the update
Stefanic played yesterday. He’s off the IL.
Who cares? Really. If he is so dynamic he’d have a roster spot. He’s a marginal fielder– that is what has held him back. To think any of our solutions are in the minors is a fantasy.
I get the who cares comment. He’s replacing players who are terrible. I’d rather watch new blood than the horrid players they are playing.
How low can the Angels go?
Pretty low, but the law of averages is bound to catch up with them.
The Rendon signing has hand-tied the Angles. Its time for Trout to leave.
That will be the last guy that goes.
They have no farm man. The return they would be worth building around.
The weekend just started and your already 3 sheets to the wind. Trout is not going anywhere.
The owner/GM has hand-tied the Angels.
Rendon being injured doesn’t help, but if the team can cut Upton and pay $25-27m for nothing the Rendon contract isn’t the issue.
The team is $20.4m below the MLB Competitive balance tax (per sportrac), certainly they could’ve spent $5-10m on a STARTING SS instead of digging in dumpsters for Velazquez, Wade, Villar, etc.
Exactly. We knew going into the season the Angels needed one more legit infielder. Fletcher could be moved to SS in a pinch, but really needed SS.
Perry tried to grab a bunch of guys and hope one broke out. Didn’t happen.
Once Fletcher’s injury was known, the team had 2 holes. Then Rendon made 3.
OK, I’ll play: What quality starting SS was available on FA market last Winter for $5M to $10M? The marquee SS crew all signed for $20M to $35M.
And when the Angels tried a lower-cost option in Jose Iglesias and…well, we know how that turned out.
Free agents aren’t the ONLY source for players.
Thanks for playin!
NTC and he’s not leaving his safe zone of Newport Coast
He’s previously shown the ability to hit at or just above league average, as recently as last year.
Wade is an automatic out.
You mean Velazquez is an automatic out. At least Wade can hit over .200
They both are. Wade just always screws up at the worst possible time.
If I’m a pitcher I’m salivating over a Suzuki, Wade, Squid bottom 3. It’s like a free inning.
Angels are really just giving up 2-3 innings per game. Hard to win playing 6 on 9.
Could u imagine a Yankees or Dodgers trying out a MacKinnon at 3rd base? A position he hadnt played in 10 yrs against the best in the world mid season? They could trade some future picks if they were serious about winning, but here’s another dog w fleas that Perry wants you to believe he’ll get better once he “sees how Mike Trout prepares for a game”
Trade future picks? This is MLB, not NBA, NFL, NHL. MLB doesn’t allow trades of future picks. If the Angels were serious about winning they would’ve addressed this in Dec-Mar. with a legit MI signing.
Angel fans seem to make Wade the scapegoat but it won’t solve anything. Harrison is AAA, Mackinnon too, Silseth isnt ready. Stassi signed a 3 year extension! I doubt any other team wouldve even offered that much. so unnecessary.
Stassi should be the backup to a premium catcher. Problem is there is a real shortage at the position league wide.
Wade is a bench player with speed you want to utilize late in games. He’s a good fill-in. But he’s been overexposed– he’s not an everyday player for a reason.
Could Ward move back to third? Doubtful, but maybe Adell could come back up and at least put a few into the seats. He’d probably hit around .200 but at least there would be some pop from the bottom of the order.
Then bring up Stefanic to play short and leadoff. Ward moves to 4th in the lineup to break up the lefties and Walsh bats 5th. Villar plays second and bats 9th. Catcher trash at 8 and Adell at 6, with Marsh at 7th. And Rengifo fills in as utility.
It may not be the best option but it’s better than what they’ve been trotting out.
1. Ward RF
2. Ohtani DH
3. Trout CF
4. Walsh 1B
5. Villar 3B / Stefanic 2B
6. Marsh LF
7. Stassi C
8. Velazquez SS
9. Stefanic 2B / Villar 3B
Then when Fletcher returns…
1. Ward RF / Stefanic 2B / Fletcher SS
2. Ohtani DH
3. Trout CF
4. Walsh 1B
5. Ward RF / Stefanic 2B
6. Marsh LF
7. Villar 3B
8. Stassi C
9. Fletcher SS/ Stefanic 2B
I would rather go with this with the lineup
1:Villar 3B
2: Ohtani DH
3: Trout CF
4: Walsh 1B
5: Ward RF
6: Marsh LF
7: Stassi C
8: Stefanic 2B
9: Velasquez SS
Put Villar in front of Ohtani, he will see more fast balls that way. Once Fletcher comes back, put him at SS
I don’t think you wanna be leading off with a guy who was just released from a bad team. He’s about as bad a choice of a lead off hitter you could come up with.
Hey guy,
Stefanic and Villar are the answers to this offense? Really? Who knows when Fletycher will be ready and productive again.? One of these guys will get hurt along the way. The Angels will be in the draft lottery. They aren’t going anywhere now. We need to sell and stock the minors with legitimate prospects.
Who said they are the answer to this offense?
STEFANIC is a prospect that hits .320-.350 at every level so far… he’s worth a look in this lost season. Not a likely long term answer due to defense limitations. I take what he offers over what we’ve seen so far though
VILLAR would need to recapture his 2019 production but that’s wishful thinking. Its 50/50 he’ll be slightly better than Velazquez/Wade/Mayfield/Duffy. Not an answer either. Not a fan of this signing really, hope it works out well but not holding my breath.
Stefanic/Villar aren’t guys you would shop and sell for prospects they are stopgap reserves, that hopefully outperform the current scrubs.
The ones you sell are Thor/Lorenzen and maybe a few others, (guys that aren’t likely in Angels future plans but could help the other trade partner/playoff team) hopefully with a focus on filling a need at SS/2B for the Angels.
>>For reference see the Adam Kennedy acquisition many years ago, traded Bottenfield? and someone? for AK I think which gave the angels a steady 2B for years.
If the angels are confident in Marsh LF and Ward RF as the future…maybe Adell? is moved for a SS/2B prospect. Trade from depth (OF), fill a need (SS/2B). CJ abrams? Kim?
Oh oops…that was the Edmonds trade, for AK & Bottenfield.
Old memories
We are not saying that they are the answers. We are saying they are better options than what the Angels are currently using.
As for Villar hitting lead off. The Angels are 3rd in Homers but aren’t even top 15 in runs per game. Because they hit solo homers. Hell using Villar as a lead off hitter, couldn’t be any more painful to watch. Than when the Angels had Rex Hudler as a lead off hitter.
You don’t bat one of your worst hitters lead off. If Villar is your actual best option, you’re not winning anyway. That’s a last place team.
Amgels should trade ohtani. We will need to sign a shortstop, 2 starting pitchers and a catcher.
Ok, so Upton + Syndergaard this year = $53 million?
Ohtani at $40 mil/year looks like quite an outstanding value
The Angels have a couple Ferraris in the garage but no gas money to put in the tank
Well it time to plug in wave wire player this a joke again time never want pitching now we have a worthless 3 baseman that can’t stay healthy
A desperation move that will not alter this team’s offensive struggles– unfortunately. If Moreno can swallow hard and trade Ohtani (who might wind up requesting the move), Syndergaard, Lorenzen, Loup, and possibly Adell and even Marsh for the right prospects, they could rebuild their entire farm system by doing this combined with this year’s draft.