Angels Among Top Landing Spots for All-Star Designated Hitter in Free Agency
The Los Angeles Angels have a major hole to fill with two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani heading to the crosstown Los Angeles Dodgers. His production will be missed in the lineup, and the team now has to find a way to replicate it.
Nobody knows what the team will do at the designated hitter position, but they have been looking around for help. There are a few solid names available on the open market who could make a difference with this team.
One of them is slugger J.D. Martinez, who spent the 2023 season with the Dodgers. He was extremely productive for L.A., and now should be cashing on a multi-year contract.
Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer listed the best landing spots for the designated hitter, and the Angels came in among the top three.
"Martinez is no stranger to Southern California after spending last season with the Dodgers. Otherwise, the Angels can offer him a great place to hit. Angel Stadium of Anaheim is friendly to sluggers in general and could be especially beneficial to Martinez's opposite-field power."
With the Dodgers last season, Martinez hit .271 with 33 home runs and 103 runs batted in over 113 games. He helped rejuvenate his career and would fit in nicely with the Halos lineup.
Alongside stars Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, the Angels could have a solid offensive attack with Martinez. But the biggest issue with the Angels is that they aren't considered a contender, which could take them out of the running depending on how Martinez views everything.
"If Martinez wants to win, though, he should steer well clear of Anaheim. The Angels managed to lose 89 games last season even with Ohtani, and underneath the franchise right now is one of the worst farm systems in the majors. They're not rebuilding, but they should be."
It remains to be seen how it will all shake out, but Martinez does have options. The Angels make sense, and he would get to stay in Southern California for another few years.
