The Angels are reportedly “weighing” a pursuit of free agent first baseman Pete Alonso as they seek for one other bat so as to add to their lineup, in accordance with a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Publish.
Alonso, 30, is the highest free agent obtainable at first base this winter however hasn’t discovered the market he hoped for thus far. Whereas loads of golf equipment entered the winter with wants at first base, a number of possible touchdown spots for Alonso have subsequently addressed the place in different methods. For instance, the Yankees added Paul Goldschmidt, the Astros signed Christian Walker, the Nationals traded for Nathaniel Lowe and the Tigers shifted Colt Keith to first base after signing Gleyber Torres. In the meantime, many groups that would probably be out there for first base/DH, such because the Mariners, Padres and Twins, face payroll constraints that make a pursuit of Alonso fairly unlikely.
In latest weeks, that’s led to a sense {that a} return to Queens could also be inevitable for the slugger. The Mets haven’t but stuffed their gap at first base. Whereas they’ve changed Alonso’s bat within the lineup with Juan Soto, it’s exhausting to disclaim that the membership may gain advantage from including one other slugger to the combo, notably a right-handed hitter like Alonso, who can assist steadiness out Soto and Brandon Nimmo’s left-handed bats alongside switch-hitter Francisco Lindor. In latest weeks, nevertheless, it seems that Alonso’s market has begun to broaden a bit. The Giants have been related to the slugger final week, and now the Angels have seemingly entered the fray. Whereas each golf equipment would face a little bit of a good roster match given the presence of incumbent first basemen on the roster, both membership would certainly profit from including Alonso’s bat to the center of their lineup.
In Anaheim, teenager Nolan Schanuel seems to carry the keys to first base. The membership’s first-round decide in 2023, Schanuel, rocketed by means of the minors to succeed in the majors shortly after being drafted and since then has slashed a decent .255/.354/.357 in 176 video games on the huge league stage. Whereas the 22-year-old hasn’t developed the required energy to be greater than a median bat within the majors, his phenomenal plate self-discipline suggests a vivid future for the teenager. That makes it exhausting to consider that the Angels would kick Schanuel from the lineup to signal Alonso. Heyman stories that each may coexist within the Anaheim lineup even with Jorge Soler entrenched because the membership’s common DH by transferring Schanuel to left subject.
It’s a novel answer to the issue, on condition that Schanuel has not performed the outfield earlier than as an expert. Nonetheless, it’s not solely inconceivable to think about him with the ability to deal with the place defensively. In any case, Schanuel bought occasional reps within the outfield as an novice. These days aren’t practically as far behind him as they’re for extra established huge leaguers and even fellow kids who spent extra time within the minor leagues. That defensive danger may very well be price taking if it means including a hitter of Alonso’s caliber to the lineup, changing the doubtless platoon of Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak, which the membership at the moment appears poised to make the most of within the outfield alongside Taylor Ward.
That mentioned, it’s exhausting to think about the Angels preferring an association with Alonso that pushed Schanuel into the outfield to easily signing a giant bat for his or her outfield combine and protecting their younger hitter at his pure place. The Halos have additionally been related to Anthony Santander on the free agent market not too long ago. Heyman concedes that the Angels touchdown Santander is “extra doubtless” than the membership finally ended up with Alonso due partly to the cleaner positional match.
Santander’s market isn’t restricted to the Angels. Suppose he winds up signing some other place, corresponding to Detroit or Toronto. In that case, it immediately turns into simpler to think about Angels brass being extra keen to maneuver issues round to accommodate the addition of Alonso at first base, on condition that the one different impression free agent obtainable within the outfield can be Jurickson Profar, who lacks the prolonged monitor report of success that Alonso affords.
