The front office will have plenty of salary to work with as nearly $40 million could be coming off the books. With holes at second base, catcher, and the outfield, it appears general manager Billy Eppler and his staff will have a busy off season as this franchise looks to get back into contention for a berth in the American League playoffs next season.
Issues in the middle of the batting order really hurt the squad this year. This team struggled to score runs and need more power. A look at free agents that could help and NY Mets Yoenis Cespedes jumps off the page.
The 31-year-old is reportedly set to opt-out of his final year with New York and test the market. With Los Angeles having a big hole in left field, adding the veteran would be a massive upgrade at the position and lend help to Mike Trout and company.
Cespedes batted .280 this year with 31 home runs and 86 RBI’s, a step down from the 35 homers and over 100 runs driven in back in 2015, but still quality production and the type of numbers that would help an order just three players drive in more than 70 runs in 2016.
According to MLB experts, catcher is another position that could use some help. Depending on how the front office goes about using its resources this winter, Matt Wieters is a good option.
The 30-year-old could fill-in at DH if needed and provide some terrific leadership on the field with his experience. The veteran hit just .243 this season, but his 17 homers and 66 RBI’s helped lead the Baltimore Orioles to the post season. His leadership on and off the field would help tremendously and help the LA Angles put a disastrous 2016 season in the rear view mirror.
