Los Angeles Angels general manager Billy Eppler talks with the media before a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

ANAHEIM–Billy Eppler, General Manager of the Angels was the busiest of all executives during the recently concluded Winter Baseball Meetings in Orlando, Florida. For a team that finished a distant second place in the West where the Astros are kings of the baseball world, Appler did very well. The biggest catch was acquiring Japanese phenom, pitcher and hitter, Shohei Othani, who could made a tremendous impact right away with the Angels in 2018. All 30 MLB clubs showed interested in the 23-year old Japanese star. At the end, there were seven finalists and the Angels were the team Othani preferred to play for. A couple of days after the conclusion of the World Series, the Angels kept Justin Upton, who they picked up from Detroit during the regular season.

The Angels’ need for answers at second and third base were also met, when Eppler signed veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler (Detroit) and shortstop Zack Cozart (Cincinnati). Cozart will be playing at third base when he reports for Spring Training in Tempe, Arizona next February, since the Angels shortstop is one of the best in the game, Andrelton Simmons. They still are in need of an experience closer and are looking at Wade Davis, among others.

The Houston Astros were very quiet and why not. They just won their first ever World Series in October and are still the class and favorites in this division. Seattle picked up Dee Gordon, who was the Miami Marlins second baseman and possibly will start in center field for the Mariners next year, the Rangers where also quiet.

Last week at the Orlando Meetings, the Oakland Athletics acquired the #1 draft choice of the St Louis Cardinals in the 2012 draft, local (Pleasanton, Calif.) man, who also went to Stanford, Stephen Piscotty. He has generally played right field. Piscotty feels blessed he came to the A’s since his mother is battling ALS and lives here in the Bay Area.

There are still many free agents available and most of them will find teams to play for in 2018. The Giants were not that busy, they unloaded lefty Matt Moore’s contract to free-up salary to the Texas Rangers, but they still have time to pick up a guy like third baseman Evan Longoria, who their (Giants) sources say are making a proposed trade sending Denard Span and Hunter Pence to Tampa Bay for Longoria. The Giants also need outfielders and guys like Lorenzo Cain could be affordable. They will like J.D Martinez, but more than likely will end up with the Boston Red Sox.

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Will be back in January.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and will be on Christmas/New Years vacation