ANAHEIM – The Angels have added their depth and agreed to a $ 1.5 million one-year deal with veteran Kurt Suzuki, a source told Mark Feinsand, MLB.com, on Friday. The English, however, did not make an official announcement. Suzuki intends to split the duties with Max Stassi. Anthony
ANAHEIM – The English have increased their depth and agreed to a $ 1.5 million one-year deal with veteran Kurt Suzuki, a source told Mark Feinsand, MLB.com, on Friday. The English, however, did not make an official announcement.
Suzuki intends to split the duties with Max Stassi. Anthony Bemboom also remains in the 40s as depth behind Suzuki and Stassi, which could be important as Stassi will undergo left hip surgery in October. The cheap deal also allows the English to remain aggressive in their hunt for the camp.
Suzuki, 37, has local ties since winning the College World Series with Cal State Fullerton in 2004, and is familiar with new general manager Perry Minasian from their time with the Braves in 2018.
Suzuki played in 33 games with the Nationals in the shortened 2020 season, hitting 0.270 / .349 / .396 with two homers and 17 RBIs in 33 games. He remained a productive hit late in his career as he also beat ‘264 / .324 / .486 with a 17-run run and 63 RBIs in 85 games in ’19, helping the Nationals to a world series to win title.
Suzuki, an All-Star with the Twins in ’14, played 14 seasons in the Majors and batted 0.259 / .316 / .392 with 133 homers and 669 RBIs in 1,512 games. He is also considered a clubhouse leader, and with his experience he will help the site staff as well.
Rhett Bollinger covers the Angels for MLB.com. He covered the Twins earlier from 2011-’18. Follow him on Twitter @RhettBollinger and Facebook.