Two weeks into the offseason, no team has been busier than this Los Angeles Angels. Owner Arte Moreno gave the front office “Marching orders“to build a contender in 2025 after the team lost a franchise-record 99 games in 2024, and that has led to a rebound Jorge Soler in a salary dump trade and signing Kyle Hendricks And Travis d'Arnaud as free agents. The payroll is increasing after the Angels finished 13th in Opening Day payroll last season.
“The economic environment is pretty good for us,” Moreno said earlier this month of the team’s revised local television contract (via the Los Angeles Times). “… 100%, we are increasing our payroll.”
You don't have to try too hard to understand GM Perry Minasian's early moves after the offseason. At two years and $13 million apiece, Soler is more affordable than a free agent like, for example Teoscar Hernandez or Anthony Santanderand the chance of Soler surpassing them in 2025 is non-zero. Hendricks at $2.5 million is nothing. This step is definitely positive. If he bats well, it's a bargain. If he doesn't, cut him off and move on. The Angels need to secure a few lottery tickets like this to compete next year.
The move from d'Arnaud is interesting because he is a young catcher Logan O'Hoppe is one of the club's best players. However, he started five to six consecutive days (days, not games) behind the plate at times this summer, and things can't continue like this. The Angels need to reduce O'Hoppe's workload somewhat, and d'Arnaud may be the best backup catcher in baseball. Two years at $6 million apiece is more than adequate for d'Arnaud when dealing with a pure glove backup Austin Hedges got $4 million for 2025 a week ago.
As bad as the Angels were in 2024, there is some young talent on the roster. O'Hoppe is one of the best young catchers in baseball. Shortstop Zach Neto just had a 5.1 WAR season (However, he could miss the start of 2025 due to shoulder surgery). First baseman Nolan Schanuel had a .373 on-base percentage in the second half. Jose SorianoThe transition from reliever to start went great. If you squint your eyes, you can see the next contending Angels team taking shape.
Check this out Taylor Ward Home run on September 15th:
It's a late-season game against a division rival and Angel Stadium is empty. I understand it, Shohei Ohtani is gone and Mike Trout was injured, but the angels are out of juice. They need to reinvigorate their fan base. There's something to be said for being respectful and just giving people a reason to pay attention. Getting to the postseason has never been easier. Filling some squad gaps with Soler and d'Arnaud and the like can go a long way both in the standings and at the turnstiles.
Like it or not, Angels fans, Moreno isn't going to authorize a full rebuild, and I'm not sure what one would look like since Trout isn't ready to waive his no-trade clause just yet. The Angels already have good young players at catcher (O'Hoppe) and shortstop (Neto), two premier and difficult positions to fill. When you start a remodel, these two items are pretty high on the to-do list. The angels have already taken care of her. Short of a complete remodel, this is the next best thing.
With that in mind, here's what the Angels still need to do this offseason to take further steps toward respectability and perhaps even a postseason berth in 2025.
Add more pitching
The Angels did the right thing to get Soler Griffin Canningwho wasn't particularly good in 2024 (5.19 ERA) but made 31 starts and threw 171 ⅔ innings. You can't expect Hendricks to replace all of this on his own. At least not at this point in his career. Right now, the Angels rotation looks something like this:
- LHP Tyler Anderson
- RHP Jose Soriano
LHP Patrick Sandoval(will miss most or all of 2025 due to Tommy John surgery)- LHP Reid Detmers
- RHP Kyle Hendricks
- RHP Jack Kochanowicz
- RHP DavisDaniel
- LHP Sam Aldegheri
There is clearly room for another experienced starter. Maybe even two, considering how bad Detmers was in 2024, even after being demoted to Triple-A. ESPN reported earlier this week that the Angels are expected to shop in the “midtier pitching market,” although it might be difficult to win a bidding war for, say Nick Pivetta or Luis Severino. The Angels may have to overpay the free agents to seal the deal. (Has any other team given the soon-to-be 36-year-old d'Arnaud two guaranteed years?)
The Angels traded on Soler as part of a salary deficit situation, and this could be their best bet to sign an experienced inningsman. The Philadelphia Phillies would probably give Taijuan Walker away. The New York Yankees I will undoubtedly listen to you if you show interest Marcus Stroman. The St Louis Cardinals cut payroll and payroll. Call her Sonny Gray. The Seattle Mariners You may not have much wiggle room this offseason. Are you open to moving? Luis Castillo? Why not ask?
The need for pitching extends to the bullpen as well. Robert Stephensonlast offseason's big free agent signing, is expected to be back from Tommy John surgery by midseason. Until then, the angels must come closer Ben Joyce some more help. Going into 2025 with Righty Ryan Zeferjahn and left-handed Brock Burke Because the two best setup options are not optimal. Minasian needs to dig up another starter and a backup or three. Pitching will likely be his priority for the rest of the winter.
Bring another bat
The sad reality is that the Angels must expect Trout to miss time at this point in his career. Since 2021, he has played just 266 of a possible 648 games and in 2024, two meniscus surgeries limited him to just 29 games. The most disheartening thing is that it's a different injury every year. It's not a chronic injury that keeps sending Trout to the injured list. This year it was the meniscus. Last year it was his hamate. Four years ago it was his calf. So on and so forth.
Furthermore, the angels can no longer have reasonable expectations Anthony Rendon stay healthy. He hasn't even played 60 games since 2019 (to be fair, he played 52 of 60 games in 2020). Luis Rengifo is a good and versatile player, and there's a good chance he'll have to step in and cover third base for a long time in 2025. The best predictor of future injuries is past injuries, and Rendon (and Trout) have a lot of past injuries at this point. The angels have to be prepared to get along without them at some point.
Another quality bat appears to be a must this offseason, with second base and right field being the obvious places to add one. Former top prospects Jo Adell And Mickey Moniak are currently assigned to a right-wing campaign and Rengifo is deployed as second. Rengifo is versatile enough to move around as needed, and Adell and Moniak will undoubtedly see plenty of playing time throughout the season. Would the angels continue to roll the dice? Gleyber Torres second? How about a trade for? Cedric Mullins?
The currently planned lineup looks something like this:
- SS Zach Neto, RHB
- CF Mike Trout, RHB
- 1B Nolan Schanuel, LHB
- DH Jorge Soler, RHB
- LF Taylor Ward, RHB
- C Logan O'Hoppe, RHB
- 3B Anthony Rendon, RHB
- 2B Luis Rengifo, SHB
- RF Jo Adell, RHB and Mickey Moniak, LHB
Another true bat in centerfield, someone to replace Ward at No. 6 and O'Hoppe at No. 7, would be ideal. Preferably a left-handed person. Managers talk about “lanes” for their late inning relievers and that the 1st through 7th section of the lineup is a great lane for a quality righty reliever. Mix in a lefty with some pop, and this is a respectable group with some upside if Trout can stay on the field and the kids like O'Hoppe, Neto and Schanuel continue to progress.
Keep throwing darts
Hendricks had a 5.92 ERA in 2024 and the Angels are unaware of it. That's why they gave him a $2.5 million contract and not $12.5 million. Hendricks is a cheap dice roll, nothing more, and the Angels should roll the dice a few more times. Is Yoán Moncada Are you ready to be a substitute on the bench/Rendon injury? Joey Gallo is only 30 and can still hit a ball as far as anyone, in addition to playing both the outfield and first base. Experienced setup men Kendall Graveman And Lou Trivino missed 2024 due to injury. See if they accept minor league contracts and show up in spring training. The Angels need to get better to be respectable in 2025. You also have to have a bit of luck. Keep searching the sand and you might stumble upon some gold.
