The Los Angeles Angels currently have a vacancy in left field and they have many ways of addressing that need. A couple of scenarios include trading for Brett Gardner or signing Jason Heyward, as rumors suggest could be legitimate possibilities.
Let's start with Gardner. The New York Yankees are reportedly open to trading him (along with many others) and that's been upheld after the outfielder was mentioned in trade talks with the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs.
And now the Angels could be a potential suitor.
Though #Angels prefer middle-of-order bat in LF they could also match up well with #Yankees on potential Brett Gardner trade. (more)
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) November 23, 2015
#Angels still need leadoff hitter and have excess of major league starting pitchers, which #Yankees need.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) November 23, 2015
Rumors indicate the Yankees want controllable starting pitching for Gardner, but will the Angels part ways with more such players after trading their top two pitching prospects to the Atlanta Braves for Andrelton Simmons?
It's clear Los Angeles has a plan for beyond 2016 because they've been working Andrew Heaney and Nick Tropeano into the rotation as C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver are set to hit free agency after 2016. Right now the only other starter that might interest the Yankees is Hector Santiago because Garrett Richards is probably off-limits, Matt Shoemaker had a bad 2015 campaign, and Tyler Skaggs is coming off Tommy John surgery.
Nonetheless, there are multiple advantages in acquiring Gardner. Angels' GM Billy Eppler was the Yankees assistant GM for a number of years and has a connection to Gardner. Additionally, he'd be a cheaper option compared to the other outfielders on the market (Heyward, Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton, etc.). Such a move would also allow the Angels to keep Kole Calhoun in right field, as opposed to signing Heyward, which is a consideration in Los Angeles right now.
"The Angels aren't ruling out a pursuit of free agent Jason Heyward, sources tell Ken Rosenthal and me," writes FOX Sports' Jon Morosi. "And if the Angels sign Heyward, they'd likely move Kole Calhoun from right field to left.
"It's important to note the Angels are only in the preliminary stages of their search for an everyday outfielder. But Heyward is among the many possibilities for new general manager Billy Eppler."
Angels owner Arte Moreno is known to be influential in the pursuit of high-profile free agents, as he was when the team went after Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton. Will he trust Eppler's discretion in the team's search for an outfielder or will he insist they sign Heyward or another top free agent?
Heyward could command a $200 million deal since he's only 26 years old and that would significantly add to the Angels' already high payroll (right now they have $132 million committed to 2016, which is expected to reach $161 million after takes care of their arbitration-eligible players).
The market for Heyward is unclear right now because a majority of MLB teams aren't too keen on offering $200 million contracts if it isn't for an ace starter (if that). However, the Angels are known to throw money at players and the fact that Heyward's representation would almost guarantee an opt-out clause after year three or four would certainly alleviate the stress of a potential $200 million commitment.
Eppler already surprised the MLB in acquiring Simmons shortly after the World Series and he could have other momentous plans in motion during his first year on the job.
