Adam Duvall is one of the more intriguing low-cost options remaining on the MLB free agent market. He had a resurgent age-34 season with the Boston Red Sox in 2023, posting an .834 OPS with 21 homers in 353 plate appearances. It was his first season with the Red Sox, his fifth Major League team. And now, he is reportedly receiving serious interest from the Los Angeles Angels.
The Angels could certainly use Duvall’s services if he’s going to the player that he was in both 2023 and 2021. Last season, despite playing 92 games, he was a consistent producer for the Red Sox. In 2021, when he split time between the Miami Marlins and the World Series champion Atlanta Braves, he won a Gold Glove for his work in the outfield while remaining slightly above league average at the plate with a 102 OPS+.
The Angels’ interest in Duvall is mutual, as according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, it’s the Angels and the Red Sox reportedly vying for his services.
Red Sox and Angels are in the bidding for Adam Duvall. Unless someone else comes in late, he’s likely to pick between those two teams.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 18, 2024
Duvall would provide the Angels with some much-needed depth in the outfield should he decide to relocate from Boston to Anaheim. Mike Trout’s injury history speaks for itself, but outside of him, the Angels don’t have a significant level of proven talent.
Mickey Moniak, Taylor Ward and Jo Adell is a fine outfield platoon outside of Trout if all three of those players are playing their best baseball. However, those three all have moments of inconsistency and have been unplayable for stretches. Having Duvall ensures a player who has had an OPS+ at or above 99 in seven of his 10 MLB seasons.
He can play all three outfield positions with ease and could even spend some time at designated hitter if the Angels choose to have a DH-by-committee in 2024.
Angels agree to deal with Robert Stephenson
The Angels reportedly agreed to their most significant signing of the offseason thus far by landing Robert Stephenson on a three-year, $33 million contract. Stephenson was one of the best relievers on the market after an incredible 2023 season with the Tampa Bay Rays.
He drastically improves the top-end of the Angels bullpen and should serve as the go-to setup man for closer Carlos Estévez in 2024 and hopefully beyond.