The Angels acquired infielder Mike Moustakas tonight, sending minor league righty Connor Van Scoyoc to the Rockies. The deal, which is now official, was first reported by Robert Murray of Fansided. The Halos designated infielder Kevin Padlo for assignment to open a spot for Moustakas, reports MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger.
Moustakas, 34, was released by the Reds in January, with the club eating $22MM in the process. He hooked on with the Rockies on a minor league deal in March and cracked the Opening Day roster with a strong spring. With the Rockies, Moustakas was used as a backup at the infield corners behind C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon. Cron has been on the IL with a back injury since mid-May, but Elehuris Montero has been drawing a good number of starts at first base in his stead.
After a pair of injury-wracked seasons, the left-handed-hitting Moustakas bounced back to a degree in his 136 plate appearances with Colorado this year by posting a 101 wRC+. Moustakas effectively got to walk over to the visitors’ clubhouse tonight, after the Angels set various franchise records with a 25-1 drubbing of the Rockies at Coors Field.
Moustakas didn’t get to play in that one, but he’ll move from the NL’s worst team to a Halos club that is tied for the third AL wild-card spot with the Blue Jays. The Angels are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014. With the Moustakas acquisition tonight, they’ve added a three-time All-Star, 2015 World Champion, and 13-year MLB veteran. Moose hit 35 home runs in 2019, the fifth time he’d hit at least 20 in a season.
Moustakas’ initial two bouts with free agency were disappointments. The first time through in 2017-18, he turned down a $17.4MM qualifying offer from the Royals only to return in March on a one-year, $6.5MM deal. The next time, he lingered on the market until February before re-signing with the Brewers for $10MM. Moustakas was able to use his 2019 All-Star season as a springboard to a surprising four-year, $64MM deal with the Reds. Unfortunately, Moustakas played in only 140 games for the Reds from 2021-22 due heel injuries, a right biceps strain, calf strains, and stints on the COVID-IL.
Moustakas spent some time at second base in 2019-20, but since then he’s been utilized at the infield corners and designated hitter. The Angels have used a cast of players at first this year, with over 100 innings apiece going to Brandon Drury, Jared Walsh, Gio Urshela, and Jake Lamb. Lamb was optioned to Triple-A in May, and Walsh followed him on Saturday. Urshela recently suffered a season-ending fractured pelvis.
Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon went on the IL last Monday with a bruised wrist. Luis Rengifo had been getting the nod at the hot corner, until the Angels picked up switch-hitter Eduardo Escobar as something of an Urshela replacement in a trade with the Mets on Friday. Escobar, the Mets’ starting third baseman last year, could complement Moustakas at first and dabble at second base once Rendon returns. Escobar has hit lefties quite well in recent seasons, with a 131 wRC+ in 398 plate appearances against them since 2021. Moustakas hit righties to the tune of a 115 wRC+ from 2015-20, and may need to do so again to maintain his roster spot.
As for the Rockies, Moustakas could perhaps be the first domino to fall in advance of the August 1st trade deadline. GM Bill Schmidt didn’t give much away in his comments on the topic on the Rockies broadcast about a week ago, but the team’s potential free agents include Charlie Blackmon, Randal Grichuk, Jurickson Profar, C.J. Cron, Pierce Johnson, Brent Suter, and Brad Hand.
In Van Scoyoc, the Rockies picked up a 23-year-old righty who’s served as a starting pitcher for the High-A Tri-City Dust Devils this year. He was an 11th round pick by the Angels out of an Iowa high school back in 2018. Van Scoyoc has posted a 2.76 ERA in 62 innings at that level on the strength of a 51.2% groundball rate. Oddly enough, Van Scoyoc also switched clubhouses to join his new team, notes Doug Taylor on Twitter.
The 26-year-old Padlo had signed a minor league deal with the Angels back in December, earning a Major League look by hitting .273/.396/.555 at Triple-A. The Angels selected his contract on Monday and gave him eight plate appearances, but now he’s lost a 40-man spot once again. Padlo, a corner infielder, has also seen MLB time with the Rays, Mariners, Giants, and Pirates.
Light that baby up! Perry makin boss moves.
So they ain’t trading Ohtani?
It would take a lot more than Moose to get Ohtani.
Perry is the man! When Rendon and Neto come back Valaszuez and Rengifo are out! Moniak is your new left fielder and Ward becomes the 4th outfielder and trade bait for the starting pitcher we need! One solid starter and another reliever and we can win our division! Replaced Urshela and Walsh with Moustakus and Escobar who are proven veterans! R lineup is as good as any in baseball..
Moniak doesn’t start against LHP now and he won’t once Rendon and Neto return. He can’t hit LHP. Ward will continue to get the lion’s share of the starts.
If he hits, Fletcher becomes trade bait. If he doesn’t he gets outrighted off the 40 man roster again once they come back. He did not endear himself to the organization with his refusal to change his approach at the plate in spring training and early in the season. If he cannot show marked improvement at the plate between now and the All Star break, there is no reason for the Angels to keep him on the roster and push their payroll over the CBT threshold.
Moustakas and Escobar are both costing the Angels only the major league minimum so keeping them all season won’t push the team over.
Both Rendon and Neto are expected back immediately after the All Star game at the latest. Rendon possibly earlier, although I have not heard that he is hitting yet even off the tee.
Velasquez is a much better defensive player and only earns the major league minimum, so I would not be surprised to see him stick on the Angels 26 man roster.
Rengifo has no options so he will have to be DFA’d once Neto and Rendon return. That is a serious possibility. He has the same time frame to show he can hit as Fletcher does. Until Rendon and Neto return.
Obviously Rendon and Neto will start at 3B and SS. Drury at 2B. Then Moustakas and Escobar platoon at 1B and play an occasional game at 3B. Velasquez becomes the backup middle infielder, late inning defensive replacement. IMHO Minassian has done a good job of restocking that infield.
What is yet to be seen is if Minassian is right about Walsh only needing a few weeks in SLC to get his hitting turned around. If he does, he is a better 1B than anyone else on the roster. Who else is DFA’d if he comes back around the same time Rendon and Neto return from the IL?
Beat that ass then trade with them.
Getting stuck with Moose is a good enough punishment for that beating.
He’s hitting .308 since the trade. If he an do that until Rendon returns, its a huge win for the Angels.
Hitting was never the problem with Moose.
The Rockies won Friday, it was 1 game.
Exactly. Even though the Rockies lost by 24, they won the first game by 3. If they win today by 1, they will be -20 in run differential, but they will be 2-1 in the far more important win/loss record.
And lo, it came to pass as the prophet predicted.
Angels leave Denver with a big boost to their run differential but a drop in the record that counts.
Then they lost 25-1 yesterday
Which counts exactly the same as losing a game 2-1 or 8-7.
It counts 25 -1 and the bullpen is completely wrecked for the next game dummy
Still just one loss. And the bullpen wasn’t affected at all because the Rox used only three pitchers in relief in the 25-1 game and two of them were starters. One has since been sent down.
And the Rox won today, so maybe you ought to rethink your opinion.
Guess that bullpen wasn’t completely wrecked.
Keep in mind, Monfort clearly stated that “.500 is the goal”.
Solid pickup. Insurance policy on Rendon & a 1B bat.
lefty bat too
Dumb move by my Halos. Moustakas is a waste of a roster spot. They could of just called up Mike Lamb, who’s hitting for power and average in Salt Lake. Lamb also won a game for us on a pinch hit home run on Chicago earlier this season.
Perry probably forgot that he is still employed by the Angels.
Mike Lamb. There was a solid ballplayer. Obviously, I know you mean Jake Lamb, but never a bad time to look back through a guy’s good years
They are trying win now not calling up spot fillers the angels are still in the hunt calling lamb up would signal tanking.
I figure you are talking about Jake Lamb.
.270 with 107 OPS+
VS
.216 with 67 OPS+
This was an easy decision for the Angels GM. He made the smart call.
You R joking right? Moustakas 3 time all star and World Series winner and U would rather have Jake Lamb who has 93 mlb at bats in the last 4 years! Moose careen payroll 100 million and Jake Lamb ????
Not only did the Angels annihilate the Rockies, but they stole one of their players.
Also love it when players switch dugouts during a series.
Makes the commute easy!
One of the many reasons that baseball is the greatest sport.
*why
Heck yah brother, I’ve been a huge fan since 2006. Nats are my team, but I love the sport overall. Always appreciate huge moments, awesome players, wonderful game overall!
Especially in [name of audience’s hometown]! [break for applause]
That game was amazing! Fletch is back!
Cool Beans. FLETCH is back!!!
4-6 with 5 RBI and 1 HR. Not bad for our #9 hitter (who had been hitting .376 in the minors).
He is 2 for 12 with no XBH since then.
“I don’t think you are at Coors anymore Fletch.’
If he can face the Rockies pitching staff every game.
Moose is just there to tell the players some stories about his World Series appearances
Only way they will ever know what the WS is like.
This is what can be accomplished in 6.5 innings of downtime.
Lol! His BBREf photo is so good. I have to assume it’s intentional. Looking like a confused gorilla
Holy crap I just looked at it and that’s spot on.
Looking like an angry gorilla. Not sure why he looks angry in most of his official photos.
For real, maybe he’s constantly pissed off?
My wife said its the same photo with the hat and jersey photoshopped.
That would make more sense then. Thanks @pads fans!
We still need bullpen upgrades more than anything else!
Call the Tigers. They gave some great short term (Cisnero, Akexander, Shreve) and long term (Lange, Vest, Foley) BP pieces for the right price. The Angels seem like they want to get out ahead of the trade deadline rush. Ben Joyce and some offense back the other way as a start.
Ben Joyce? Riiiiiiiight.
He’s a bum.
Even if he is a bum, he should still be an improvement over what Walsh had done so far.. Any improvements to a team teetering on the edge of a playoff spot can make all the difference in the world.
He’s a big booty freak
Rendon and Neto will eventually return and anchor 3B and SS, respectively. In the meantime, I’m thinking Escobar takes over Urshela’s role and plays 3B. Fletch and Velasquez share SS, Drury and Fletch share 2B, Moose and Drury share 1B and Rengifo is Utility.
Upon Rendon and Neto’s return, Velasquez and Rengifo go to SLC. The infield options will be as follows:
3B – Rendon, Escobar, Moose
SS – Neto
2B – Drury, Escobar
1B – Moose, Drury
Utility – Fletch (3B, SS, 2B)
Imo, the biggest guess is who stays on the Angels and plays the utility role between Fletch, Rengifo and Velasquez.
Rengifo and Velasquez will be out by the time Neto and Rendon return. They’ll likely be traded in some kind of deal.
Rengifo has little value. Much more likely the Fletcher is traded if he can even put up a 100 wRC+ from now until the deadline.
Who in the hell would want those 2? Rengifo had 1 good stretch. and that was late last year. Squid is a late inning replacement type player.
Velasquez needs to be strapped to an OceanGate sub and sent out to sea. Rengifo hasn’t capitalized on regular at bats so he’s primed to be sent down or packaged at the deadline. How long are we going to wait for Ward to turn it around? Moniak needs regular playing time in my opinion.
Wondering if they will put ward at 1st, moose is pretty much Jake lamb at this point, but we need some depth. They can spilt time between him, and drury while moniak playing full time in the outfield.
Moniak won’t play full time because he can’t hit LHP.
Moniak has 7 PA vs LHP and has 0 hits and 0 walks. He is strictly a platoon bat.
Ward has hit.291/.351/.523/.874 with 5 HR the last month.
Moniak’s splits are better during the same time. .350/.395/.795/1.120 with 3 HR and 12 RBI’s
Moniak’s splits are better than Ward’s during the same time so your point falls flat.
Moniak only played against RHP and couldn’t hit a LHP if his Momma’s life depended on it. That was his point.
Ward doesn’t get sat on the bench just because they are facing a lefty.
Moniak has hit ZERO/ZERO/ZERO/ZERO vs LHP. That is why he won’t get more playing time. That is also the point… that flew right over your pointed little head.
Moniak doesn’t face lefties. Stop spewing out misinformation.
Maybe read a few more comments fish brain. I already said he only has 7 AB vs lefties.
Do you know why? Because he can’t HIT LHP. Moniak is not getting more playing time because he can’t hit lefties. He is strictly a platoon player.
Come on BIL, he has 9 PA now and got a WALK off a LHP. Still no hits, but at least he got a walk. So he is getting more playing time.
Seriously, Moniak is not getting more playing time because that would mean he would have to start against LHP and he has not show in the minors or majors that he can hit them.
In 417 AB against LHP from 2019 in AA to the majors he has a .191/.267/.182/.449 slashline. That is a plenty big enough sample size to know he just can’t hit LHP.
In the majors he has 1 hit in 32 AB against LHP over parts of 3 seasons. .
stackinchips;
For 2 years Shohei Ohtani has requested that Andrew Velazquez play SS when he’s pitching.
How’s your Rotisserie League team doing?
Velasquez is a losing contribution player, he shouldn’t be on the team. Neto, Drury and Fletcher should be up the middle. Rengifo has been given nearly 200 AB’s to get comfortable and continues to disappoint. As far as Moniak, he’s been given 1/3 Ward’s at bats and runs circles around him in results. Results oriented mindset, those that produce get more playing time, simple.
Package Velasquez, Rengifo & Stassi for any decent starting pitcher. Just get them out of here.
Whoosh. That is the sound of the point going over your head
Moniak cannot hit LHP. AT ALL. Not even a little bit. He is not going to play against LHP. So he is not getting more playing time.
Moniak has a .434 BABip. Those numbers that you are drooling over for his BA are going to drop.
Velasquez is by far the best defensive shortstop on that team. Defense has value. As long as the player is not in negative OPS+. After Fletcher is traded he is the perfect backup SS.
With Escobar and Moose at 3B and 1B, Drury will be at 2B full time.
Rengifo is not cutting it, but he holds no trade value and has no options so he stays unless Walsh returns quickly.
Since I made that comment 5 days ago Moniak’s BABip and BA have dropped 30 points. Just 80-100 points more of a drop in BA until he gets to around league average BABip.
I say this to you as a professional comedian– you are hysterical!
Good for Moose. Going home.
At least he won’t have to go far to join his new team…
Fletch may still be out righted once Neto returns to save $ from tax and payroll so they can add to payroll and the bullpen. Remember if he is not on the 40 man roster his salary does not count toward tax limit. He needs to prove he can be an average batter.
What are you talking about? Fletcher is playing for the Angels, he has to be on the 40 man roster.
What i’m saying is if he does not hit or of he plays the way he has the last 2 years, don’t be surprise if he is out righted again to save $6,000,000 from the salary tax level. Players off the 40 man roster pay does not count towards payroll tax. This was the reason he originally was taken off the 40 man roster. And if he refuses they could release him and not pay the remainder of the deal.
That is not correct. Players off the 40 man roster still count against the payroll tax. For example, Ryan Tepera isn’t on the 40 man roster, but his salary still counts against the team’s payroll.
That is because of his time in the majors and being released.
Fletcher is still approximately 100 days away from qualifying. If Fletcher refuses to be taken off the 40 and not report he loses his contract.
From earlier when he was sent down;
There’s surely some amount of strategy in the Halos’ timing of the outright. Any player with over three years of major league service time can refuse an outright assignment in favor of minor league free agency. However, players with between three and five years of service would have to forfeit any remaining guaranteed money on their contract to do so.
You are comparing Apples and Oranges.
Fletcher has over 4 years of service time. You can look up his service time on Fangraphs. Because he is between 3 years and 5 years of service time, he could have refused the outright assignment and elected to become a free agent. However, if would of elected to become a free agent, he would have forfeited his contract. In that case, yes, the Angels would have been off the hook. However, no player in Fletcher’s position would forfeit the $20M he is owed given his recent injuries and struggles.
Because Fletcher has less than 5 years of service time, if he is outrighted off the 40 man roster, his salary is not counted against the CBT. The Angels still have to pay him his full guaranteed contract, but it gives them room on the luxury tax.
Fletcher started the season with 4 years and 111 days of service time and has had about 16 days on the roster this season so he needs about 60 more days on the big league roster to be over 5 years.
I agree that no one is going to give up $20 million. Play out your deal through 2025 in the minors and collect that cash.
This is a try out for Fletcher. If he can maintain even league average with the bat for a month he gets traded.
He is apparently not well liked in the clubhouse and his attempt to throw the organization under the bus after they totally reworked his swing in SLC does not bode well for his longevity with the Angels. Teams really don’t like it when you lie about them.
Either he hits ok and is traded or is DFA’d again when Neto and Rendon return.
He is on the roster now and still counts towards the payroll tax. Your spewing out misinformation.
Fletcher would not count on the CBT calculations if he was not on the 40 man roster.
The Red Sox hid Castillo in the minors for the same reason.
si.com/mlb/2019/09/18/boston-red-sox-rusney-castil…
I was looking for an article that explained that situation and couldn’t find it. 5 years in the minors in order to get all of the $72 million contract he signed.
He was actually decent for the Pawsox.
Are the Angels trying to get bad on purpose?
Hey, Moose is very stylish!!!
Overall .270/.360/.435 this year. That’s not fluky for a guy who has had a decent amount of offensive success in the big leagues.
.333/.442/.556 in June, so, like Escobar, he’s swinging the bat well right now.
And if he can provide offense for a month or two before the well runs dry, it’ll be worth it.
Yeah the Angels are hoping for a 2022 Matt Carpenter-like resurgence to maintain.
If you read the article you would have seen that Moose is hitting league average this season.
Above league average by OPS+.
“Stop, he’s already dead!”
Fair trade. Angels are going to need another all pitcher draft though if they keep trading for old utility guys.
Like the saying goes…if you can’t beat em, join em. Well played Moose. Welcome to the team!
Fire Minasian. Angels are grasping at straws, and it would be just embarrassing except that this clueless GM is sacrificing 3 pitching prospects now for absolute FODERAL !!!! Stabbing the fans in the back. What a disgrace.
— Make that “FOLDERAL”
Moose has a 107 OPS+ this season and is hitting 150 points higher than Walsh. He is also playing better than league average defense at 1B.
The Angels just got better and all they are paying is major league minimum.
They are paying more than just the major league minimum. They are also paying in prospects which is an opportunity cost.
It pays to actually read the article. The Reds are paying all but the major league minimum.
What prospects? A 23 year old that is stuck in A ball in his 5th year in pro ball. You are worried about that guy? When they are getting a guy who is has a 107 OPS+ in the majors? Are you serious? No opportunity cost there.
Also no one in Angels system he is blocking. No opportunity cost there.
Well I guess I was referring to the prospect package given up for both Escobar & Moustakas altogether: 3 minor league pitchers. I feel these 3 guys were good chits to use closer to the deadline for an actual Difference Maker, instead they were sacrificed for two replacement level players. Granted the Angels needed somebody to play these positions because of all the injuries to the infield, but I felt just as adequate a job could be done with the replacement level players already on the roster. So the sacrifice of the 3 pitching prospects seems fruitless & futile & needless to me at this point in time.
Not one of those pitching prospects was graded over a 40. They have practically no chance of making the majors. They are exactly the kind of filler that the Angels could afford to trade.
None of them were good enough to get the Angels a “difference maker”. Teams want good prospects that may be a difference maker down the road if they are giving up a difference maker. Not scrubs like these guys are.
Escobar and Moose are proven major leaguers that fill huge holes in that infield until the starters come back and provide better than league average bats as backups once they do return.
This is a win for the Angels. Both are good trades.
As a Reds fan, haha $22M is tough to read whenver I see it, but Moustakas is a tough out for any pitcher. I hope he stays healthy and can contribute to the Halos run. I can’t imagine I’d be super pumped if I was an Angels fan but it’s not a bad move by any stretch.
Splits are better on road this year. Like Escobar move more but this can’t hurt. Perhaps Moose had another solid year or more in the tank after all.
Nice move here Moose can maybe platoon with Escobar at 3B.
Only if you don’t mind sacrificing defense. Moose is mostly only playable at 1B at this point in his career.
He’s a better first baseman than Walsh right now.
1B.
He must have been so depressed by the rout that he may have begged for this trade.
Moose has always reminded me of a Greek entree which is nice now that one of my favorite Irish pubs ( and JFK Jr.’s also ) Rosie O’Grady’s is kaput.
Just goes to show you bat boy doesn’t know what he’s doing
What is the deal with Anthony Rendon, he’s always hurt
HBP.
I wonder who the Rockies will bring up today. Cron should be ready before too long, but not yet. Bryant and Blackmon are farther away. Maybe Toglia comes up until Cron is back?
Toglia
The Rockies did not even want Padlo. That’s depressing for him.
Angels cornering the market on mediocre corner infielders.
He’s washed and will be released in a month when everyone is healthy and he’s hitting .187. If the Halos are going to remain contenders they are going to have to make a larger splash-sneakier move than this.
Problem is he’s better than what they’ve been playing, don’t care about defense just hit .222
We’re five weeks from trade deadline. Now is the time to make “sneaky” moves.
If he hits .187, that is a huge improvement over Walsh.
Mets should pickup Cron and Suter from the Rockies, cut Vogelbach and use Cron as the DH
Walsh insurance. Nowhere near the glove, but getting first base up to league average offensively would be huge.
Walsh won’t be back.
That would be a huge surprise to Minassian and the Angels would said they expect him back by the break. “He just needs some at bats to get his timing down”.
That’s awesome. I went to high school with him (chatsworth high) and I’ll be catching an angels game July 15th that’s really cool
Rengifo blows!
Nevin after today’s game: “I wanted to use Moose in the 9th but had to bat Rengifo because Moose was still traveling.”
With the IF redundancies its time to get rid of Rendon for a starting pitcher. His contributions have been nil. We don’t need him.
Gonna have a hard time anybody wanting to trade for him and that salary.
Angels need to find a regular spot for Monika, suggest they move Renfrew for a decent pitcher.
Angels need to find a regular spot for Monika, suggest they move Renfrew for a decent pitcher..
As several people have already pointed out, Monial cannot hit LHP and will not be getting more playing time.
Rengifo has 0 options remaining. He will have to be traded. How much do you want to bet that the Yankees or Detroit trade for him?
He could replace Donaldson and play some left field. He would take advantage of the short porch in right.
What about Rengifo to Detroit for Alex Lange?
He could be traded to Kansas City for Scott Barlow.
Somebody is going to give the Angels a very good reliever for Rengifo because he is arbitration controlled.
Like that little runt said in that space movie: “yippee!!”
Halo MVPs in June by rank of Most Valuable.
1. Zach Neto
2. Shohei Ohtani
3. Griffin Canning… They seem to hit better when he starts.
4. Brandon Drury
5. Jaime Barria
6. Estevez
7. Bachman
8. Bullpen, especially Devinski, but recently has fallen apart.
9. Moniak
10. Taylor Ward
Halo MVPs in June by rank of Most Valuable and the primary contributors in order of their value.
1. Zach Neto
2. Shohei Ohtani
3. Griffin Canning… They seem to hit better when he starts.
4. Brandon Drury
5. Jaime Barria
6. Estevez
7. Bachman
8. Bullpen, especially Devinski, but recently has fallen apart.
9. Moniak
10. Taylor Ward
11. Yordan Alvarez
12.Halo MVPs in June by rank of Most Valuable.
1. Zach Neto
2. Shohei Ohtani
3. Griffin Canning… They seem to hit better when he starts.
4. Brandon Drury
5. Jaime Barria
6. Estevez
7. Bachman
8. Bullpen, especially Devinski, but recently has fallen apart.
9. Moniak
10. Jose Urquidy
11. Luis Garcia
12. Lance McCullers
13. Robbie Ray
Should have had Moose in there instead of Rengifo in that last at bat to end the game. Whatever
Welcome home Moose!