Los Angeles Angels Set to Replace Shohei Ohtani’s Hitting? DH Market Buzzes Amidst Anaheim’s Slugger Interest

Anaheim is waiting for a miracle. Ever since the Los Angeles Angels lost their superstar Shohei Ohtani, questions have been raised about what the Halos will do next. There have been multiple suggestions and predictions, but what the team has actually done has left even the biggest of cynics looking like optimists. 

Instead of this being an offseason that signals the dawning of a new era, the Halos have turned this into a dismal affair. Far from replacing Ohtani, they’ve not made any signing that could even be called a temporary solution. With Spring Training right around the corner, one wonders if any blessing is coming the Angels’ way.

The Los Angeles Angels – Stationary in the face of adversity

When Ohtani chose the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Blue Crew went on an overdrive. Signing everything and everyone, LA was seeing fireworks every day. But down in Anaheim, things were a little different. While Christmas came early for the Dodgers, the Halos were experiencing December blues. But instead of moving forward, the Angels have remained in that limbo ever since. The Athletic recently wrote a roster projection for the Halos and wondered how things would look next season.

Till now, the Angels have added a myriad of minor league players to their rank. Other than them, there have been a few relievers and OF Aaron Hicks. Have they increased the depth of their squad? Absolutely. But have they covered for Shohei Ohtani? The answer isn’t positive. As a result, this has left the DH spot empty in the team. 

While they can always use Mike Trout as a DH to preserve his health, one can agree that adding another hitter would’ve been a lot more beneficial. The source then put forth a possibility of the Angels choosing to trade Jo Adell before the Spring Training. The outfielder hasn’t been in good form lately and using him to get a better player wouldn’t look out of place. This also comes on the back of an interest in Cody Bellinger. 

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But then again, the Angels will have to be willing enough to pull that off. So will the team choose a trade or a free agent signing?

Internal solutions and external dreams

Though the recent one-year deal with Aaron Hicks sent positive signals, there’s a little reluctance on the part of the Halos. Ever since Ohtani became a free agent, reports had said that the Angels wouldn’t sign a full-time DH. So, in a way, they’ve decided to solve the Ohtani issue internally. However, there’s still a big link that keeps the hopes alive for the Halos fans. 

Despite not being favorites, the Angels have shown their interest in Cody Bellinger. While the competition is stiff for the slugger, there’s no doubt that he’d solve some important issues in the Angels. Imagine Bellinger coming in to play on the outfield and allowing Trout to be a DH. Wouldn’t that be something?

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