The Angels are recognized to be open to an on a regular basis addition at third base, and Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register studies they’ve not less than gauged the respective asking costs for Nolan Arenado, Alec Bohm and Eugenio Suarez in talks with the Cardinals, Phillies and Diamondbacks, respectively.
The Halos are reportedly one of many not less than six groups to which Arenado would approve a commerce, although that’s a considerably shocking growth in and of itself. Each reporting out of St. Louis and, extra not too long ago, direct quotes from agent Joel Wolfe have recommended that the eight-time All-Star would favor to land with a workforce that has a transparent path to rivalry over the remaining three years of his contract. Stated Wolfe earlier this week to a bunch of reporters on the Winter Conferences: “He desires a workforce that has the throttle down … that he believes he can soar proper in they usually’re going to win proper now.”
Whereas the Angels are clearly trying to higher the membership — they’ve added Yusei Kikuchi, Jorge Soler, Travis d’Arnaud, Kevin Newman and Kyle Hendricks this winter — it’s much less clear that these strikes place them as a contender for the foreseeable future. The Angels’ 63-99 file was the fourth-worst in MLB final season, touchdown them final place within the American League West. Arenado is an Anaheim-area native, nonetheless, having been born in Newport Seaside and attended highschool in Lake Forest. That proximity to dwelling may understandably maintain some sway, particularly when coupled with a collection of win-now strikes from the Angels over the previous six weeks or so.
Arenado, 34 in April, is owed $74MM over the subsequent three seasons, however the Rockies are on the hook for $10MM of that below the phrases of the deal that despatched him from Denver to St. Louis a number of years in the past. His offensive contributions have fallen off over the previous two seasons — .269/.320/.426, in comparison with .293/.358/.553 in third-place MVP season in 2022 — however the six-time Platinum Glove winner stays a premium defender with wonderful contact expertise. That units one thing of a excessive ground, whereas the cash left on his contract means the asking worth for Arenado (prospect-wise) received’t be exorbitant except the Cardinals pay down a notable portion of the deal.
With Bohm, the asking worth has appeared increased, not less than within the Phillies’ early asks. They reportedly requested the Mariners about right-handers Logan Gilbert and George Kirby in early talks concerning the longtime Philadelphia third baseman — an outlandish ask even coming off a stable season for Bohm. (That mentioned, it stands to cause the Phillies would intention excessive early in any commerce talks.)
Bohm, 28, hit .280/.332/.448 this previous season, however the overwhelming majority of his manufacturing got here in an outrageous April whereby he slashed .366/.438/.598. From Could 1 onward, Bohm hit simply .258/.303/.410 — barely beneath league-average manufacturing. He’s lengthy had damaging defensive grades at third base however made strides in 2024 in response to each Defensive Runs Saved (0) and Outs Above Common (4). Whether or not that’s sustainable will likely be a query golf equipment weigh rigorously. Bohm is projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $8.1MM in 2025 and is controllable by way of the 2026 season.
It’s not completely clear that Suarez is accessible — Arenado and Bohm very a lot are — however the D-backs are a medium-payroll membership with inhouse choices to step up within the occasion {that a} deal comes collectively. High prospect Jordan Lawlar is all however MLB-ready, and younger Blaze Alexander may take some reps on the sizzling nook alongside shortstop Geraldo Perdomo if the Snakes choose to provide Lawlar a bit extra seasoning in Triple-A.
At one level this season, Suarez even briefly seemed to be dropping the grip on his beginning third base job to Alexander. Suarez caught hearth shortly thereafter, nonetheless, and never solely regained his type however was one of many recreation’s greatest hitters within the season’s ultimate three months: .312/.357/.617, 24 dwelling runs in his ultimate 325 plate appearances from July 1 onward. That prompted the D-backs to train a $15MM membership possibility. Suarez is a free agent following the season, although, and it’s possible that the Diamondbacks may transfer him for some minor league expertise, go together with Alexander/Lawlar at third base in 2025, and reallocate Suarez’s wage to wants at first base, within the bullpen and on the bench. That’s speculative, however the truth that the Angels have not less than checked in suggests the Diamondbacks didn’t expressly flip them away.
It appears clear that GM Perry Minasian is looking for upgrades on the sizzling nook, even with Anthony Rendon signed for an additional two seasons. Any of the three gamers listed right here would match the invoice, given what the Halos obtained at third base final yr (mixed .217/.290/.311 batting line). That’s additionally true of Alex Bregman and Gleyber Torres — one other reported goal of the Angels — however Fletcher provides that Bregman and maybe even Torres is perhaps out of the Angels’ worth vary at this level. That Torres is perhaps too spendy doesn’t bode properly for an Arenado acquisition (once more, barring monetary assist from the Playing cards), however Bohm and Suarez appear possible.
