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MLB free agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Wilson Ramos

By Joshua Sadlock

Oct 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) throws out a ceremonial first pitch before game one of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) throws out a ceremonial first pitch before game one of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 28, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Jett Bandy (13) in the dugout against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Jett Bandy (13) in the dugout against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Los Angeles Angels

Before he accepted the qualifying offer last winter, Wieters was viewed as a potential target for the Angels. A year later, the Angels are still in desperate need of a long-term solution at catcher. Jett Bandy and Carlos Perez are not good enough to help the Angels contend in this current window.

Wieters could again prove to be a target for the Angels, but Ramos should also be on their radar. If the ACL injury keeps Ramos out of action until the second month of the season, Bandy and Perez are capable of holding down the fort. While the team’s preference would obviously be to keep Albert Pujols away from first base as much as possible, he could play the field and allow Ramos to DH sporadically.

The Angels have very few holes in their lineup that can easily be filled this year in free agency. Cameron Maybin was acquired from the Detroit Tigers to play left field opposite Mike Trout. There are very few options available to upgrade the starting rotation, and the Angels lack the prospects to make a major trade. A run at Edwin Encarnacion to play first base is extremely unlikely, and the same goes for Justin Turner at first base. The only impact position left for LA to make an upgrade is catcher, and they should attempt to fill it with Ramos rather than play another season with below-average offense. Wieters is a nice target considering he will enter the season fully healthy, but Ramos offers more upside for a team that must start contending for championships before Mike Trout is wasted.

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