The Angels and free-agent utility man Brandon Drury reached a two-year agreement worth $17 million Tuesday, according to a person with knowledge of the deal but not authorized to speak about it because the deal has not been announced.
The Angels already have a full 40-man roster and will need to move someone to make room for Drury.
Drury was part of the San Diego Padres’ playoff push last season after being acquired from the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline.
Over 138 games, Drury batted .263 with an .813 on-base-plus-slugging rate. He hit 31 doubles, two triples, 28 home runs and drove in 87 runs en route to receiving the inaugural utility player Silver Slugger award.
Drury gives general manager Perry Minasian more depth and flexibility, something the team struggled with as injuries mounted.
Drury has predominantly played second and third throughout his career. He also has played first, shortstop and in the outfield.
He joins a team that has added two bullpen arms in Carlos Estévez and Justin Garza, a corner outfielder in Hunter Renfroe, a utility infielder in Gio Urshela and a starting pitcher in Tyler Anderson.
Drury was drafted out of high school in the 13th round of the 2010 draft by the Atlanta Braves, who traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks in January 2013. He made his big league debut in 2015.
In 2018, he was traded to the New York Yankees, then moved again in the middle of the season to the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto designated him for assignment at the end of August 2020. He elected free agency, then signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.
He became a free agent again at the end of 2021, signing a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Reds. Drury made the opening day roster, the start of a career year for him.
