Five teams that must add Yoenis Cespedes now
Los Angeles Angels
For one reason or another, Angels owner Arte Moreno has become extremely fiscally conservative (borderline cheap, even) this offseason. Perhaps it is the fact that many of his sizable investments of years past (namely C.J. Wilson and somewhat Albert Pujols) have extremely underwhelmed after landing massive free agent deals in recent years past. Or maybe it is the fact that he feels the luxury tax looming over his pocketbook, with team scrapping close to the $189 million tax roof currently.
But for whatever reason it may be, he has stayed far away from the marquee names on the market this offseason. But the plain fact of the matter is that regardless of the price tag of the team, the Angels are a club that went from a 96-win, American League West title season two years ago, to a 85-win afterthought in the division last year.
They are not far away from being back in the hunt right now, but need to add another threat to their lineup to lower the margin of difficulty in doing so. Cespedes fits in well as a cleanup hitter behind Mike Trout and become an even greater asset in fifth spot in the lineup after Pujols returns from elbow surgery.
While paying the 30% rate for crossing the excessive salary margin may sting for Moreno, being passed by in a winnable division simply for letting a perfect fit pass by could burn much more in hindsight.
Next: Washington Nationals