The Angels have added some extra infield-outfield depth, signing Pablo Reyes to a minor league deal and sending him to Triple-A Salt Lake, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. He should be in line to get into a game for the Bees soon.
Reyes, 32, opened the year on a minor league deal with the Padres before being released last week. His time in Triple-A El Paso was productive enough to raise some eyebrows. Over 258 plate appearances, he posted a .310/.408/.491 line with walk and strikeout rates of 13.6% and 14%, and his production was 21% better than league average by wRC+, even in the offense-friendly Pacific Coast League.
That kind of output has not followed him to the majors. Reyes has logged big league time in seven different seasons with five teams, but his career line sits at .245/.305/.342 across 606 plate appearances. What has kept him around is his ability to move all over the field; he has played every position except catcher.
For the Angels, the move costs little and adds another layer of non-roster insurance. The club sits at 37-56, the worst record in baseball, and looks headed toward being a clear deadline seller. Jorge Soler, Jose Siri Josh Lowe, Oswald Peraza, Vaughn Grissom and Jo Adell are among the players mentioned as possible trade candidates.
A more dramatic path would involve someone like Zach Neto, an everyday player under control for three more seasons, but that would be a much bigger swing than the Angels have made in recent years. The organization also just changed leadership, with general manager Perry Minasian fired and replaced by interim GM John Mozeliak, though it remains to be seen whether that leads to a real shift in direction.
For now, Reyes gives them a possible call-up option if injuries hit or trade activity clears a path. If he does make it to the roster, he is out of options.
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