The Los Angeles Angles are in dire need of a left-handed power bat and general manager Jerry Dipoto said the team would be exploring their options on the trade market before the deadline. Dipoto could be giving the Philadelphia Phillies a call soon.
Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard has rebounded in the month of May and his trade value is increasing as a result. The 35-year-old is batting .256/.298/.519 with 16 runs scored, 10 home runs and 24 RBIs in 44 games and is climbing the ranks of among first basemen in the MLB.
Previous rumors indicated the Phillies were willing to cover a majority of the $60 million remaining owed to Howard, which now makes him more valuable on the trade market (if Philadelphia is still willing to do so amidst his recent surge). There have been no recent rumors or reports that documented what the Phillies' plan is with trading Howard, but it's at least known they want to get rid of him.
Are the Angels a realistic destination for the veteran?
There hasn't been a direct link between Los Angeles and Howard, but the team's left-handed batting and designated hitter situations are terrible. With Matt Joyce virtually unable to produce and C.J. Cron recently demoted to the minor leagues, the Angels don't have anyone contributing from the DH spot. In fact, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports notes their DHs have a collective .568 OPS.
Joyce (.187 batting average), Kole Calhoun (.282) and Marc Krauss (.143) are the team's cast of left-handed batters.
Earlier this month we touched upon the Angels specifically going after a left-handed hitting outfielder. Dipoto acquired outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis (who bats lefty) from the New York Mets, but it's unknown if he'll be a starter for the rest of the season. However, if he happened to be a viable option in the outfield, then Howard could be a target of Dipoto's.
Los Angeles' run scoring (187) ranks 21st in the MLB while their average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS rank 25th or worse.
"While there's no evidence his name has come up in talks with the Angels, it would be interesting to see him and counterpart Albert Pujols in the same clubhouse," writes Heyman. "However, an Angels person said they are being patient and looking at players with more versatility and an ability to play left field and that Howard doesn't really fit them ... one Angels person said, 'We could do worse than him.'"
Corey Seidman of CSN Philly thinks the Angels and Howard could be a match.
"The Angels' offense has been almost entirely Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun, with Albert Pujols, David Freese and Erick Aybar providing very little. C.J. Cron has been a disappointment, heightening the need for some left-handed pop. The Angels don't need help for October, they need help if they want to win the division, because the Astros are for real."
Los Angeles would probably only be willing to take Howard on a bargain price because they have one of the biggest payrolls in the MLB and have a lot of money committed to contracts over the next four seasons.
This connection doesn't have legs just yet, but look for it to potentially gain some traction as the trade deadline approaches.
