The Angels made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason going into the 2020 season by signing Anthony Rendon to an absolutely massive contract.
Now, that 7-year, $245 million contract seems like one of the biggest overpays in. recent history. The often-injured Rendon hasn't played a full season since 2019, when he had an absolutely monster year, finishing third in the NL MVP race.
Since then, he's played in as many as 58 games in a season, but that's it.
That forced the Angels hand to look for some help at the hot corner last offseason, so they went out and got Gio Urshela. And this season after Urshela got hurt, they made a move for another third baseman, Mike Moustakas.
Moustakas has had a career renaissance in LA after a few injury-riddled seasons in Cincinnati, and a quick pit stop in Colorado to start the 2023 season.
He says that playing third base has made him feel more comfortable, almost like he's at "home."
“I love third base,” Moustakas said. “When I play third base, it just feels natural again over there. All the angles and ground balls feel good. It’s fun to be back home.”
via OC Register
So this ultimately begs the question of if both Anthony Rendon and Gio Urshela get healthy again, where does that leave Moustakas?
Well, the stats really speak for themselves. Even when they're healthy, he is on par with both Rendon and Urshela.
So far through 34 games with the Angels, Moustakas is batting .285, which would be a career high, and he's almost doubled his home run total from Colorado with 7 as an Angel. He only hit 4 in Denver.
Honestly, it wouldn't be a bad idea to platoon third base once Rendon gets back from his injury, and maybe even look to move away from Rendon in the offseason, although the Angels likely won't get back nearly as much as. what they paid for him.
What do you think the Halos should do with Moustakas?
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