Angels Rumors: Halos Linked to Multi-Time All-Star DH in Free Agency
The Los Angeles Angels have a ton of work to do this offseason.
Priority number one will be to retain the talents of possibly the greatest baseball player to ever live in Shohei Ohtani, along with getting a new manager.
However, it's not a given that Ohtani will remain in Orange County as he has many potential suitors that the Halos cannot compete with. It will be the storyline of the year, and if worse comes to worst for the Angels, then it'd be time to look for replacements.
One player they're linked to, according to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, is multi-time DH J.D. Martinez.
9) J.D. Martinez, DH (age: 36)
Martinez has been an All-Star in each of the past five full seasons since 2018, posting another stellar season at age 35 in 2023. The 13-year veteran slugged 33 home runs with 101 RBIs and an .893 OPS in his first year with the Dodgers, providing great value after signing a one-year, $10 million pact last December. For teams in the race for Shohei Ohtani, Martinez could be a wise pivot if they fail to land the presumptive AL Most Valuable Player to fill their DH role.
Potential fits: Angels, Dodgers, Mets
Obviously, no one can replace the likes of Shohei if he were to leave, but Martinez would be as good as it could get.
The 36-year-old is the second-ranked DH in the free agent class and is coming off a strong 2023 campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He slashed .271/.321/.572 with a .893 OPS, 117 hits, 103 RBIs, and 33 home runs, his most since 2019.
Martinez has shown that he still has some gas left in the tank and can still slug with the best of them. We'll see if the Halos make a move on the six-time All-Star.
