After a disappointing 2022 season in which their playoff drought reached eight years, the Los Angeles Angels have been aggressive in upgrading their roster this offseason.
The team was active early, signing All-Star starting pitcher Tyler Anderson and reliever Carlos Estévez, while acquiring slugging outfielder Hunter Renfroe and infielder Gio Urshela in trades.
The Angels more recently signed infielder Brandon Drury to a two-year, $17 million contract after a breakout season in which he was named the Silver Slugger Award winner in the National League for the utility player position.
Drury revealed that he grew up an Angels fan and is excited to help the team return to their winning ways in 2023, per Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group:
Drury said he was an Angels fan growing up in Oregon – the result of many trips to Disneyland as a kid – and he also likes what he sees from the rest of the roster.
“I just feel like the team is so close to being really good,” Drury said. “I see that team as a team that’s just right on the cusp of being a great team. I just felt like the Angels showed a lot of interest in me and I’m ready to go help that ballclub win.”
Drury hit .263/.320/.492 with 28 home runs, 87 RBI, 87 runs scored and a 123 wRC+ as a member of the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres this past season. He will presumably start at second base for the Angels, but has the versatility to play nearly any position needed.
Drury spent time at all four infield positions and right field. The majority of his playing time has come between second and third base with more roughly 1,500 innings at each position.
Angels’ next move could be for starting pitcher
As the Angels continue rounding out their roster for the 2023 season, their next move could be for a starting pitcher. L.A. was linked to Nathan Eovaldi and Corey Kluber, but both have signed with different organizations.
The Angels starting rotation currently projects to include Shohei Ohtani, Anderson, Patrick Sandoval, José Suarez and Reid Detmers. Adding a right-hander to the mix would be beneficial with their left-handed heavy rotation, but options are limited with all the top pitchers off the board.
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