The Los Angeles Angels continue to add depth in the outfield, signing Daniel Nava on Wednesday to a one-year contract for 2016.
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reported Nava’s deal with the Angels, adding the 32-year-old’s contract is for $1.375 million with an additional $500,000 in incentives.
Rumors have been following the Angels around most of the offseason, with Jon Morosi of Fox Sports noting they were in the running for Jason Heyward before he signed with the Chicago Cubs and that Justin Upton’s representatives were having discussions with the team.
As Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times cruelly pointed out, Nava is a step down from the names that have been bantered around:
The Angels might still be in play for one of the big left fielders still on the market (Upton, Alex Gordon, Yoenis Cespedes), but Nava does give the team another option to choose from. Los Angeles currently has Craig Gentry listed as the starter on its depth chart.
A platoon with Nava and Gentry wouldn’t be a bad alternative for the Angels if they aren’t able to spend big money on those marquee free agents.
Even though that unit doesn’t boast the type of power a team wants from a corner outfield spot, the Angels are fortunate to have Mike Trout (41 HRs in 2015) in center field and Kole Calhoun (26 HRs in 2015) to make up for it.
Nava does have to prove he can stay healthy after playing just 60 games last season, but his potential upside on a low-cost deal for the Angels is significant. As DiGiovanna said, he may not be the big bat Los Angeles fans want, but he is a solid alternative for the team in 2016.
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