The Los Angeles Angels are expected to spend more money in the offseason than in years past, and they have already signed a starting pitcher looking to regain All-Star form.
Los Angeles signed former All-Star right-hander Alek Manoah to a one-year deal Tuesday, taking a flier on a 27-year-old who once had star potential.
This move might not move the needle much at all for Angels fans, but Manoah has shown in the past that he can dominate opposing lineups and he is about to enter his prime.
Los Angeles shouldn’t and won’t stop there. They have a lot to do before their pitching staff isn’t a concern anymore, and they have to improve their 28th ranked team ERA if they want to contend for a postseason spot in 2026 and beyond.
The Angels must land a frontline starter to anchor the starting rotation, whether that is lefty Framber Valdez or in the trade market. Los Angeles has already been active in the trade market, acquiring high upside right-hander Grayson Rodriguez from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for left fielder Taylor Ward.
The Miami Marlins have been shopping former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara for a while now and he was expected to be dealt at the trade deadline this season, but his poor performance scared contenders away. Miami will try to deal him again this offseason, and the Angels would be one of the top fits for the two-time All-Star.
“Alcantara's return from Tommy John surgery was so-so, and the market for him at the trade deadline reflected that,” ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan wrote Tuesday. “At $17.3 million this year (with a $21 million club option for next season), teams aren't clamoring to give Miami the return it would need to give him up. At the same time, with a rotation of Alcantara, Cabrera, Eury Perez, Ryan Weathers, Max Meyer and Braxton Garrett -- plus the best left-handed pitcher in the minor leagues, Thomas White, on the doorstep -- dealing a pitcher makes sense.
“Alcantara is 30 years old and his 2022 NL Cy Young is in the rearview. He's back to supplying bulk, with 174.2 innings in an up-and-down 2025 season after having elbow surgery that caused him to miss the 2024 season. Alcantara's power sinker (averaging 97.2 mph in 2025) has been his best pitch most seasons, but he needs to find an out-pitch to regain his past form; his slider and changeup are the leading options and have shown flashes.”
The Marlins can afford to deal Alcantara and want to deal him. If he can get back to his old form, he would be an absolute home run for the Angels.