The Los Angeles Angels have plenty of spots to cover as we approach Major League Baseball free agency and the Winter Meetings.
The top priority for owner Arte Moreno and general manager Perry Minasian should be pitching, both starters and relievers. The Angels were bottom of the barrel in ERA for the starting rotation and bullpen, and the team won’t make it far without an improved pitching staff.
The problem that Angels fans face every year is the fact that the team doesn’t like to spend lump sums of money on big name free agents. The last time they did was in 2019 with third baseman Anthony Rendon, when they dished out a seven-year, $245 million contract. Obviously, that has been a disaster, and it has probably impacted the front office’s thought process in free agency since then.
The Angels shouldn’t be discouraged to spend money just because that deal didn’t pan out, but that’s the way it seems based on how ownership has gone about free agency in recent years.
They showed that they wanted to try and compete in 2025 when they traded for depth at the trade deadline. Los Angeles was on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, but they were in the race. The Halos opted to keep left fielder Taylor Ward instead of moving him to a contender and are reportedly shopping him along with center fielder Jo Adell this offseason.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, these moves would be an attempt to inject life into a weak Los Angeles prospect pool.
“The Angels could be big spenders this winter, one source familiar with their plans said, and while most of those resources will go toward the pitching staff, they could beef up a barren farm system.”
Los Angeles should have moved on from Ward at the deadline. Several playoff-hopeful teams needed left field help, and the 31-year-old hit 36 home runs this season, he easily could’ve garnered a haul from a desperate team.
Adell makes less sense. Coming off his best season, Adell hit 37 home runs and drove in 98 runs with a .778 OPS in 152 games. The Angels have control over the 26-year-old center fielder through 2027.
Minasian should be looking to extend his young centerfielder, not get rid of him. It would be refreshing to see the Angels spend money, even if it means they trade starting outfielders for prospects.