MLB Free Agency: 5 potential landing spots for Alex Gordon
Los Angeles Angels
There are a number of teams that could use a notable outfield addition, but there are few that could benefit more than the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Few teams in baseball utilized more players in left field than did the Angels in 2015. In all, eight separate players got the nod in left, with Matt Joyce seeing the most time with 93 games played. There is a reason why a team uses that many players at one position and it generally means a lack of production. Los Angeles places 28th among MLB teams in left field production last season, with those eight men combining to hit .216/.375/.317 with nine home runs and 51 RBI.
Not only can the Angels use some help in their outfield, but their production from left-handed bats also leaves much to be desired. Lefties slashed .236/.289/.356 in 2015, but most of that came from Cole Calhoun, who hit .256/.308/.422 and mustered 26 of the 46 home runs the team hit from the left side of the plate.
Alex Gordon would be a significant upgrade in that regard, adding his .271/.377/.432 marks to the mix. Additionally, Gordon would pair with Mike Trout and Calhoun to form one of the best defensive outfields in the game.
While all of that paints a pretty picture, it comes down to money. The Angels have shown an ability to spend with the best, but they generally do so by trying to remain under the luxury tax threshold. The team already has $130 million committed to its payroll in 2016 and has arbitration bumps due for Calhoun, Garretr Richards, and Hector Santiago. Adding $20 million annually for Gordon may be a stretch when the team badly needs to address its bullpen and rotation as well.