Angels continue bustling offseason, agree to deal with Newman?

ANAHEIM -- With starting shortstop Zach Neto possibly missing the start of the 2024 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery last week, the Angels made yet another move to improve their infield depth on Thursday, agreeing to terms with infielder Kevin Newman. The contract is for one year and $2.5 million, and has an option for $2.5 million or a $250,000 buyout for '26.

Newman, 31, is coming off a solid year in a utility role with the D-backs, slashing .287/.311/.375 with three homers, 17 doubles and eight stolen bases in 111 games. He saw action at all four infield positions, including 55 games at short and 44 at second, as well as an appearance in left field.

Newman could fill in as the club’s starting shortstop to open the season if Neto isn’t ready to return and he provides depth with fellow infielders Luis Rengifo and Anthony Rendon both coming off injuries. Catcher Matt Thaiss was designated for assignment to make room for Newman on the roster.

“We have some infielders that have had some health things in the past and are currently going through some things,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said. “Middle infield depth, in general, is very hard to acquire, especially in this market, and we took a look at it, and we felt like this was one of the better players for us. He can move around, play both short and second, can move to third, can play some first. It's a good baseball player.”

Newman holds a career .262/.305/.360 slash line in parts of seven seasons with the Pirates, Reds and D-backs. The former 2015 first-round pick’s best year was in 2019, when he slashed .308/.353./.446 with 12 homers and 20 doubles in 130 games. He’s considered a strong defender up the middle at both shortstop and second base.

“He’s very good at second and is solid at short,” Minasian said. “He fits with currently how we're built and with what we currently have. He's somebody that's going to help us in a lot of different ways”

It's also a return to Southern California for Newman, who attended Poway High School north of San Diego and 85 miles south of Angel Stadium.

Newman is the third infielder added by the Angels this offseason, joining fellow utilityman Scott Kingery, who was acquired in a trade with the Phillies, and first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda, who was picked up on waivers from the A’s. The Angels also traded for slugger Jorge Soler from the Braves, signed right-hander Kyle Hendricks to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million and inked catcher Travis d’Arnaud to a two-year, $12 million pact.

Minasian wouldn’t rule out acquiring another infielder. The Angels could use another player who can handle third, as Rendon has been injury-prone and is coming off a rough year offensively.

“I wouldn't rule anything out,” Minasian said. “It’s tough to find guys that can play on the dirt. We’ll continue to sift through things from a market standpoint, from a free agency standpoint. We definitely want to continue to improve.”

It’s clear the Angels are being aggressive in improving their overall depth heading into next year. They’re still in the market for another starting pitcher and relief help, and the club could use another bat. Coming off a 99-loss season, Minasian has said the team needs help everywhere and he’s been busy early this offseason.

“Every area is up for grabs,” Minasian said. “There is not an area on this team where I'd say, ‘Hey, we're ready. We're perfect. We feel great.’ We'll look at every area and see if we can improve.”

Minasian added it was tough to designate Thaiss, but the Angels signed d’Arnaud to be their backup to Logan O’Hoppe and Thaiss is out of options. He said they could be in the market for a third catcher with Minor League options if Thaiss is lost via waivers or trade.

“We obviously made the move for d’Arnaud a couple days ago and we took our time and really thought about it,” Minasian said. “We basically went through the roster and so on. We just thought this was the best thing to do. Matt’s an outstanding individual, outstanding human being and a hard worker.”