Los Angeles Angels: Wilmer Flores is worth a look

The Los Angeles Angels need to add pieces to become a playoff team in 2019 and one cheap piece worth exploring is Wilmer Flores.

The Los Angeles Angels undoubtedly need to add pieces as the team heads into the 2019 season. With Mike Trout patrolling centerfield, it is impossible to even consider any type of rebuild and the team has to make the most of what it has.

The first order of business for the Los Angeles Angels this winter has to be starting pitching. With Garrett Richards leaving for San Diego and Shohei Ohtani not pitching again until 2020, an already thin starting rotation has been exposed.

While that is definitely the team’s number one need, it is not the only thing that the Angels need to consider. Upgrading at first base as well as catcher is certainly something the team needs to do, whether it is externally or internally does not really matter.

Another thing the team needs to do is add either a second baseman or a third baseman. Ian Kinsler was traded last season and Zack Cozart was a huge disappointment and played only a third of the year.

With so many other needs higher up on the Angels list, the team might look to go the safe and cheap route for the new second or third baseman. If that is the case, it is worth exploring Wilmer Flores.

Flores was non-tendered by the New York Mets with the addition of Robinson Cano and is now free to sign with whoever he pleases. While his defense was not the best at times, he isn’t too big of a headache in the field and has a bat that could help the Angels out.

Flores does not put together flashy stat lines. Last season, Flores hit .267 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs. That is right on par with the last several seasons as well. Flores’ best year was in 2017, when he hit .271 with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs.

Flores is not going to get a huge contract and provides positional flexibility. His bad fielding could lead to him being the team’s upgrade at first base or could lead to him switching between first, second and third base.

At the very least, Flores provides depth in the infield and a bat that is reliable and better than the bats the team currently has in those spots. The team does not need to sign a superstar there, they simply need someone that can get the job done.

Flores can get the job done and still has room to grow. Flores is still only 27 and has not even hit his prime yet. Perhaps a change of scenery to an American League ballclub that boasts the best player on baseball can help Flores.