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Eaton is considering retiring as a player and making a move into coaching, with the Angels having met with him regarding a possible position on the team's staff before the lockout began Dec. 1, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
If Eaton is still eager to continue his playing career, he'll more than likely have to accept a minor-league deal after both the White Sox and Angels cast him off their 40-man rosters last season, when the 33-year-old outfielder managed a lowly .201/.282/.327 slash line over 288 plate appearances. Though he mostly stayed healthy in 2021, multiple injuries suffered in prior years appear to have caught up with Eaton, who no longer profiles as a plus runner and has seen his on-base and contact skills diminish. The Angels aren't able to finalize a contract with Eaton to join their coaching staff during the ongoing work stoppage, but once the lockout ends, expect the two sides to revisit those discussions. Eaton will also presumably stay engaged with any teams who are willing to offer him the chance to compete for a spot on an Opening Day roster.
