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Angels' Injured Infielder Named Biggest Impending Free Agent
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- Angels' Injured Infielder Named Biggest Impending Free Agent
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Los Angeles Angels parted ways with several players, some controllable beyond this season, at the trade deadline this year and improved the scope of their farm system in doing so.
The Angels , which typically hang on to players with years of club control, uncharacteristically had a great trade deadline and should reap the benefits of it in the coming years.
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If former general manager Perry Minasian was still with the club making the decisions instead of John Mozeliak, I'd be saying something totally different. Thankfully, Mozeliak made some uncomfortable moves that will improve the health of the organization over time.
Right-handers Jose Soriano, Ryan Zeferjahn , Chase Silseth and Kirby Yates , lefty Brent Suter , catcher Logan O'Hoppe and outfielder Jo Adell were all dealt to new teams while lefty Reid Detmers and shortstop Zach Neto stayed put.
Detmers and Neto could be dealt in the offseason, but who knows how transactions will play out with a lockout seemingly likely. Trades and free agency will be affected, which will also affect players that are injured and missing the rest of the season.
Infielder Yoan Moncada , who is currently on the 60-day injured list after having right knee surgery in June, doesn't seem close to returning any time soon and could miss the rest of the season.
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Had Moncada been healthy at the deadline, given his contract status, he surely would have been traded. Nonetheless, he is set to hit free agency at year's end and was named the biggest impending free agent by MLB.com staff.
"Moncada has missed a lot of time due to injuries over the past several years," staff members wrote Sunday. "This season, he's been sidelined since late May and is recovering from right knee surgery.
"Still, he's only a year removed from posting a .783 OPS with 12 home runs in 289 plate appearances and can play both second and third base. He may very well be looking at a one-year contract or a Minor League deal with incentives."
Moncada is a former top prospect and has had a successful career when he's on the field consistently, but injuries have derailed much of his career. Moncada has three home runs and 10 RBI while slashing .189/.308/.297 (.605 OPS) in 41 games this season but carries a career slash line of .250/.331/.422 (.752 OPS) over 872 games.
The switch-hitting utilityman will turn 32-years-old on May 27, so he may still have some good production left in the tank if he can get healthy and stay healthy.
