Outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger has been the best unsigned hitter in free agency since Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December. Could he help the Los Angeles Angels pick up the pieces after watching the two-way superstar leave the organization?
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During a live stream for Bleacher Report, the New York Post's Jon Heyman called the Angels a "good fit" for Bellinger. He also said that while it's unknown how serious L.A. could be about signing him, the baseball people in their front office like him. Heyman wouldn't rule out teams like the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies as other potential landing spots.
The Angels' current starting outfield mix is projected to be Taylor Ward in left field, Mike Trout in center field and Mickey Moniak in right field. Heyman noted that the Angels could accommodate Bellinger by moving Trout to a corner. That might help him stay a little healthier than he has been in recent years. Trout has suited up for 237 of a possible 486 games since the start of 2021.
Bellinger could also step in and play first base for Los Angeles. As it currently stands, Nolan Schanuel is expected to be the everyday player at that spot of the diamond. He's a first-round talent but also only became a professional baseball player in 2023. He reached the big leagues quickly, resulting in a .732 OPS in his first 132 plate appearances.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian recently said the team's 2024 goal is to be competitive and play meaningful games in September. According to Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA projections, more moves will need to happen to make that a reality. As it currently stands, they're expected to finish fourth in the American League West and flirt with yet another 90-loss season.
Adding to the offense and pitching staff would appear to be a no-brainer at this point, but it's undetermined as to what Los Angeles will do ahead of Opening Day.
