When the Los Angeles Angels traded for Hunter Renfroe, it signaled a mini shakeup for the outfield and how Taylor Ward fits into the equation going forward into 2023.
Ward was wildly productive for the first part of the regular season and was one of the premier bats in all of Major League Baseball. His breakout was an incredible breath of fresh air for the Angels, giving their lineup protection for Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.
Renfroe adds more power to an already potent batting order, slashing .255/.315/.492 with 29 home runs, 23 doubles, and 72 RBI across 125 games last season. With him presumably taking over the right-field slot, Ward is free to move to left field and finally provide the Angels with a stable outfield, via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“They told me I’ll be in right field and playing every day,” Renfroe said. “I’m excited for that opportunity. I love playing baseball and love playing every single day. I look forward to it. I’ll play anywhere they want me.”
He will take over in right alongside Trout, and the Angels will have a formidable defensive outfield that will be a noticeable upgrade from guys like Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak, who won’t be relied on for significant playing time.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian has been incredibly active this offseason with moves that have already bolstered the starting lineup and rotation.
New Angels right fielder Hunter Renfroe saw ‘writing on the wall’ with Brewers
The Angels new outfielder understood that his departure from the Milwaukee Brewers was less of a surprise and more of a numbers game for his former club. His status as an impending free agent after the 2023 season opened up opportunities for teams to trade for the 30-year-old.
Renfroe is set to play for his fifth team in the past five seasons, a feat that not many big leaguers achieve, and after another productive power season, the outlook for the right-handed bat is promising. His final year of arbitration is set to earn him a bit more than $11 million this upcoming season.
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