The Los Angeles Angels did something Tuesday afternoon they haven’t done since November 27, 2013: They signed an MLB free agent to a multi-year contract. It seems absurd that it’s been nearly two calendar years since the team widely regarded as a big spender* on the open market last put money down on a free agent (Joe Smith). I guess Jerry Dipoto just got so into his trades, he forgot there were other options. Signing utility infielder Cliff Pennington to an incentive-laden two-year, $3.75 million contract doesn’t exactly represent to a triumphant return to the market for new GM Billy Eppler and company, but it is something. And, importantly, it actually fills a hole on the roster.
The Angels’ middle infield was terrible in 2015. Erick Aybar had his worst season in years, Johnny Giavotella had an OK year on offense be completely nullified by his defense, and everyone else who played up the middle was well below replacement-level. According to Baseball Prospectus’ visual depth charts, the Halos derived a grand total of -0.2 WARP from everyone who played 2B or SS for them this past season. The only team to derive less value from its double-play partners was the Orioles, who suffered through a legendarily bad season from the typically reliable J.J. Hardy.
The main culprit in the Angels’ up-the-middle woes was their lack of organizational depth at the positions, which forced Mike Scioscia to stick with Rule 5 draftee Taylor Featherston for way too long. Featherston and his team of fellow misfits combined to hit .154/.195/.248 over 159 plate appearances in Anaheim, dragging the middle infield to the precipice of the AL cellar despite nearly average production from Aybar and Johnny G.
Thus, while Pennington’s career offensive numbers (81 OPS+) are far from impressive, they still represent a large improvement over what the team managed in 2015. They also give the team a switch-hitter, something they suddenly lacked with Aybar’s departure. And by locking down a legit utility infielder for the next two seasons—his glove is rated as above average by all advanced metrics—the club more or less ensures that it won’t have to face a Double-A infielder getting 40+ starts again in the near future; Cliff, barring another addition to the infield, should be a safe bet to get the 200-300 plate appearances he’s averaged each of the last three seasons. If nothing else, he’ll be great as a defensive replacement for Giavotella late in games, which hopefully means the Angels won’t be last in double plays turned again in 2016. (Cliff can also pitch in a pinch.)
Pennington’s salary will be split unevenly, with $1.5 million coming in 2016 and $2.25 million in 2017. Cliff, notes Alden Gonzalez, can earn up to $750,000 over his base salary in each year of the contract if he reaches certain plate-appearance benchmarks, raising his potential earnings to $5.25 million. That cost shouldn’t be prohibitive to any plans the team has for the future, including any big signings they may be working on to shore up left field and/or third base.
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*”You never know with Arte! Amirite, guys?” – Every article from last winter
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