The Los Angeles Angels added Hunter Renfroe early in the offseason thanks to general manager Perry Minasian and his aggressive approach to bolster the roster in multiple aspects. With the move, the team added another big power bat to stand alongside Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.
Between the three, they slugged 103 home runs. If Minasian is able to see that level of production, it will be a solid baseline for the Angels’ offense. That doesn’t include Anthony Rendon, Jared Walsh and Taylor Ward, who figure to get in on the power parade.
With Trout and Ohtani representing two of the best players in MLB, Renfroe has a lot to be amped about as he joins the club, via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“It’s very exciting to be able to witness greatness every day and see those guys play, even on the other side,” Renfroe said. “Just to be on the same field as them and learn from guys like that and see what their daily routines are, it’s pretty special. Obviously, it takes a little pressure off every player to be on the field with those guys and watch them do what they do, and just kind of be a piece to the puzzle and just help them be great.”
Trout is a three-time Most Valuable Player, 10-time All-Star, nine-time Silver Slugger, and the list goes on. Ohtani was able to capture the 2021 MVP, is a former Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star, and Silver Slugger, and if not for Aaron Judge, he’d have a second MVP.
Renfroe is a unique player because he’s bounced around the league a bit with the Angels being his fifth team in five seasons despite being a productive big leaguer. In the past two seasons, he’s recorded 60 homers and has driven in 158 runs, but as recent as last season with the Milwaukee Brewers, his defense was still an above-average mark for the veteran outfielder.
Now with the Angels, Hunter Renfroe saw his time with Brewers was coming to an end
His status as an impending free agent after the 2023 season opened up opportunities for teams to trade for the 30-year-old. With Renfroe entering his final year of arbitration, he’s set to earn a bit more than $11 million this upcoming season, perhaps too rich for what the Brewers wanted to spend for a player not under contract past the year.
However, with where the Brewers are with their roster and the status of their top-end minor league system, Renfroe knew his time there wasn’t for the long haul.
Make sure to follow Angels Nation on Twitter for all the latest news and updates surrounding the Halos!
