MLB Hot Stove Morning Brew: Angels expressing ‘strong interest’ in free agent infielder, Astros expected to name new manager, Cubs eye Phillies’ right-handed slugger

Nov 13, 2023

The Los Angeles Angels have other needs outside of retaining Shohei Ohtani in free agency this winter. The Angels are eyeing White Sox free agent infielder Tim Anderson to possibly play second base next season.

Los Angeles is showing “strong interest” in Anderson, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

“Really, at this point, it doesn’t matter. I’m a shortstop/second baseman,” Anderson said in an interview with MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. “It’s whatever to allow my career to keep going. I’m not going to wrestle with a team that I’m this or I’m that. It’s just an honor and a blessing to fit in any lineup as a starter considering how hard this game is. Short would be my first choice, but I also understand how older guys are viewed, now that I’m stepping into that phase, which sucks and is different. I just want to continue to keep building on what I started and get back to what I used to be.”

The 30-year-old struggled in his final season with the White Sox, but is now looking for a fresh start with another organization. If Anderson were to sign in Los Angeles, he would move off shortstop, a position he’s played exclusively at over the course of his eight-year big league career.

Astros promote bench coach Joe Espada as next manager

The Houston Astros have concluded their search for a new manager to replace the recently retired Dusty Baker. The Astros are expected to promote bench coach Joe Espada as their next skipper.

The 48-year-old will be introduced to the media in his new role on Monday morning at 11 A.M.

Espada has been with Houston since 2018 and has served as bench coach. The Puerto Rican-born manager has interviewed for numerous managerial openings, coming up short each time.

The Astros will now turn to Espada to lead them and continue on their impressive run. They’ve gone to seven straight ALCS’, winning the AL pennant four times and the World Series twice (2017, 2022).

Espada’s coaching career began in 2006 when he was with the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins affiliate) and quickly rose through the ranks and became a third base coach in 2010.

In 2015, he became the Yankees’ infield coach and third-base coach. He transitioned to the Astros following the 2017 season.

Cubs eyeing Rhys Hoskins

The Chicago Cubs have been heavily connected with Ohtani this winter and also have shown strong interest in retaining Cody Bellinger.

The Cubs are also eyeing free agent first baseman Rhys Hoskins as a potential bat for their middle of the order.

Hoskins missed last season following tearing his left ACL in his knee during spring training. It’s unclear what type of contract the right-handed slugger is looking to sign, but his Agent Scott Boras indicated he could sign a pillow contract.

“Certainly, there’s potential for a pillow contract,” Boras said last week during Major League Baseball’s general managers’ meetings in Arizona. “Rhys got a chance to really get ramped up, almost to be World Series-ready in Clearwater because the Phillies wanted to add him to their World Series roster. So he is way ahead of this conditioning thing and really very much back to full speed. The power of Rhys, his leadership, all those things are really demonstrated in a major market and on championship levels, hitting championship pitching. So I think Rhys’ pieces fits all team puzzles.”