Just days before Christmas, Angels general manager Billy Eppler crossed the last item off his shopping list.The Angels on Friday signed Ben Revere to a one-year, $4 million deal to be their fourth outfielder, filling out the last glaring hole in their roster.The Angels had been seeking an outfielder who hits left-handed to back up left fielder Cameron Maybin. Other than starters Mike Trout, Kole Calhoun and Maybin, the only other outfielder on the 40-man roster was Ryan LaMarre. 
Revere, who has been an everyday player for most of his career, also provides a fallback plan if Maybin struggles or gets hurt. If Revere ends up playing more, he can earn up to $2.25 million more in incentives.As for how the playing time will break down between the right-handed hitting Maybin and Revere, Eppler said the plan is still to have Maybin as the starting left fielder, but obviously things can change."We'll let the season organically take shape," Eppler said. "We said at the outset when we acquired Cam that he would be the starter and we told Ben that throughout this process. He understood that and was willing and eager to join the organization. There will definitely be at-bats and plate appearances for Ben to mix in."The combination of Maybin and Revere, however it breaks down, figures to be much better than the void the Angels have had in left field each of the past two years. They had the worst OPS in the majors out of that spot two years in a row, with Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry starting the season as the combination last year.Earlier this month the Washington Nationals non-tendered Revere, rather than pay him $7 million or more he would have earned in arbitration following a disappointing season.Revere, 28, hit .217 with a .260 on-base percentage in 2016. Revere suffered an oblique injury in his first at-bat of the season and then struggled when he returned, losing his job eventually to rookie Trea Turner.The Angels are no doubt hoping Revere can return to the form he showed as recently as 2015, when they had interest in trading for him.Revere hit .306 with a .342 on-base percentage in 2015. For his career, he's a .285 hitter with a .320 on-base percentage. He also has speed, twice stealing 40 bases in a season.The Angels also appreciate Revere's ability to put the ball in play. His career strikeout rate is about half the major league average."He brings strength on both sides of the baseball," Eppler said. "The selectivity, the understanding the strike zone, the contact ability as well as the defense he can provide at all three positions, in addition to putting pressure on defense when he's on base, pitchers and catchers and outfielders."The Angels designated Ji-Man Choi for assignment to make room for Revere on the 40-man roster.Revere is probably the last significant player the Angels will add this winter."We have guys allocated for every spot on the depth chart," he said. "But we'll remain open-minded to improving the club wherever we can, both in the trade market or in free agency."JEFF FLETCHER/Orange County Register
Revere, who has been an everyday player for most of his career, also provides a fallback plan if Maybin struggles or gets hurt. If Revere ends up playing more, he can earn up to $2.25 million more in incentives.As for how the playing time will break down between the right-handed hitting Maybin and Revere, Eppler said the plan is still to have Maybin as the starting left fielder, but obviously things can change."We'll let the season organically take shape," Eppler said. "We said at the outset when we acquired Cam that he would be the starter and we told Ben that throughout this process. He understood that and was willing and eager to join the organization. There will definitely be at-bats and plate appearances for Ben to mix in."The combination of Maybin and Revere, however it breaks down, figures to be much better than the void the Angels have had in left field each of the past two years. They had the worst OPS in the majors out of that spot two years in a row, with Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry starting the season as the combination last year.Earlier this month the Washington Nationals non-tendered Revere, rather than pay him $7 million or more he would have earned in arbitration following a disappointing season.Revere, 28, hit .217 with a .260 on-base percentage in 2016. Revere suffered an oblique injury in his first at-bat of the season and then struggled when he returned, losing his job eventually to rookie Trea Turner.The Angels are no doubt hoping Revere can return to the form he showed as recently as 2015, when they had interest in trading for him.Revere hit .306 with a .342 on-base percentage in 2015. For his career, he's a .285 hitter with a .320 on-base percentage. He also has speed, twice stealing 40 bases in a season.The Angels also appreciate Revere's ability to put the ball in play. His career strikeout rate is about half the major league average."He brings strength on both sides of the baseball," Eppler said. "The selectivity, the understanding the strike zone, the contact ability as well as the defense he can provide at all three positions, in addition to putting pressure on defense when he's on base, pitchers and catchers and outfielders."The Angels designated Ji-Man Choi for assignment to make room for Revere on the 40-man roster.Revere is probably the last significant player the Angels will add this winter."We have guys allocated for every spot on the depth chart," he said. "But we'll remain open-minded to improving the club wherever we can, both in the trade market or in free agency."JEFF FLETCHER/Orange County Register
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